Gemstone Jewelry
With Star of David, Evil Eye Protection, Hamsa, Kabbalah and Judaica charms
Since the dawn of antiquity to modern times the wish to be beautiful has been man's natural instinct. Neanderthal man decorated himself no less than filled his belly with food. For this purpose he used anything he could lay his hands on. From glamorous bird feathers and striped or dotted animal hides and furs he made clothes. From fruit stones and snail shells he made necklaces. But gemstones had been off limits for the common man. Their preciousness and rarity made them accessible only to the rich and powerful - kings, monarchs and rulers. They used them to display their wealth and status for gaining the public's honor and respect. In those times, gemstones were also used by religious clergy, healers and alchemists.
Throughout the ages men of wisdom learned to identify gemstones' and crystals' unique properties. They deeply explored their characteristics and used them for healing and spiritual and mental development. They used them to treat illnesses of body and spirit, protection, magic and even sorcery. Certain crystals were used for communication with high spiritual realms to recieve divine information.
Because of their rarity and beauty gemstones have always captured people's attention. Man learned how to polish them, use them for jewelry and even carve them into statues. Gemstone jewelry was found in many ancient tombs unearthed around the world. In the Middle Ages the Crusaders brought gemstones from Asia to Europe, where they were regarded as having magical properties, as well as the ability to safeguard virtue and protect from poverty.
Gemstones are stones whose level of hardness is 8-10. Diamond is the hardest stone. It is colorless, transparent, and measures 10 in the hardness scale. So do Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby. Turquoise, Amethyst and Topaz measure 7 in the hardness scale and are also types of gemstones.
Gemstones are usually found in rocks hidden deep in the ground. Their quality depends on the type of rocks they are found in. Climate also has an impact on gemstone formation. The color of gemstones is determined by the metallic oxides within them. Large concentrations of gemstones can be found in South Africa, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Tibet, to name just a few.
Unpolished gemstones look like simple stones. Only after extracting them from their mineral shell and polishing them do they shine and glitter. Their value is also determined by their weight, which is measured in Karats. One Karat equals one fifth of a gram. The value of a gemstone is also determined by it's hardness, clarity and light refraction. Light refraction depends on crystal structure.
Home > Semi-precious Gemstone Jewelry from Israel
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