ADORA by Simona

Monday, January 15, 2018

Garnet, The Stone of Eternal Friendship

Oval Cut Almandine Garnet

Birthstones Series - January Garnet

The traditional birthstone for those born in the month of January is Garnet. It symbolizes a light heart, loyalty and enduring affections. It also signifies eternal friendship and trust, and is the perfect gift for a friend. Garnet is the Zodiac birthstone for Aquarius and the stone that celebrates the 2nd anniversary of marriage.

The word Garnet, derived from the Latin granatum which means “grain”, is possibly a reference to pomegranate because some garnet crystals resemble the red color and seeds of this fruit. There are many different myths about the origins of garnet. One such myth suggests that the garnet originated with Persephone, the Greek goddess of sunshine. Persephone was captured by Hades, the god of the underworld. Before Hades released Persephone, he wanted to guarantee her return, so he gave her some pomegranate seeds.

Most people think of the garnet as a red gemstone, but in fact, Garnet is a group of minerals

Star Garnet

that comes in a rainbow of colors, from the fiery orange of Mandarin Garnet to the vibrant green of Tsavorite Garnet and to the most widely recognized deep red color of Pyrope Garnet. The garnet’s variety of colors comes from metals such as manganese, iron, calcium, and aluminum. Some varieties known as Star Garnet even contain mineral fibers that produce the illusion of a four or six-rayed star within the stone, an effect called “asterism”.

Color Changing Garnet

Color-changing Garnet is an especially rare and valuable member of the garnet group of gemstones. It is highly desired for its distinct ability to change color depending on the type of light source with which it is viewed. It can have several color combinations, especially brown or orange in daylight to a pink or light red in incandescent light.

There are many forms and varieties of Garnets, categorized in six main mineral types:

ALMANDINE (reddish brown to brown)

ANDRADITE (brown, black or green)

GROSSULAR (colorless, orange or green)

PYROPE (dark red to ruby red)

SPESSARTINE (orange, pink or brown)

UVAROVITE (green)

Green garnets are most highly prized but are very rare. Emerald green and colorless stones are highly valued, followed by pure red garnets.

Varieties of Garnet

The most common crystal shape for garnets is the rhombic dodecahedron, a twelve sided crystal with diamond-shaped (rhombic) faces. This basic shape is the trademark of garnets, for no other crystal shape is so closely associated with a single mineral group like the rhombic dodecahedron is with garnets. Today, the most important sources for garnet are Africa, Sri Lanka, and India.

References to the gemstone date back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays in jewelry. In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. Ancient warriors believed that garnets brought victory. The Crusaders used them as protection against wounds and accidents during their journeys. In contrast, Asiatic warriors believed that glowing garnets, used as bullets, inflicted more severe wounds.

As with many precious stones, garnets were once believed to hold medicinal powers. In Medieval times, it protected its wearer against poisons, wounds and bad dreams, and cured depression. Red garnets relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases.

Source: American Gem Society, Wikipedia and Earth Sky. Images courtesy of Gem Select, Gemological Institute of America and DWCustom Jewelry. Thank you!

Happy Birthday to all of you born in January!

For one-of-a-kind jewelry designs created with garnet please visit ADORA by Simona.

ABOUT ADORA: The journey to selecting the jewelry for your Special Day can be a daunting task, so why not let us custom-design a wedding jewelry style that is uniquely yours. ADORA can bring your vision to life using the same elegant and refreshing style that goes into all of our designs. Handcrafted and completely personalized, we will work closely with you to tailor your jewelry ideas to your needs in order to create the perfect pieces for your Big Day, whether your theme is elegant, vintage, rustic or beach. From matching necklaces for your Bridesmaids or a stunning pair of earrings for yourself, to a unique piece for the Mother of the Bride/Groom and the perfectly delicate bracelet for the Flower Girl, we can do it all. For Customized Jewelry Packages for the Entire Bridal Party, please visit ADORA by Simona's New "Ever After" Collection.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Fall Inspiration For The Perfect Rustic Wedding

As the fall makes its debut with cooler temperatures and richer colors, what better idea than a rustic harvest-themed wedding! The rustic venue holds infinite possibilities for breathtaking photos and endless DIY details like painted mason jars, flower arrangements, burlap, wooden signs, romantic string lights, etc…

The comforting autumn colors range from muted shades of brown combined with creamy blush and soft ivory, to pops of dark red, yellow and orange to create a balanced palette that complements the landscape’s changing leaves.

Let the season have a say when it comes to picking a flower arrangement to hold for your walk down the aisle. Whether choosing based on color (reds, yellows, oranges, and purples are especially festive in the fall), or in-season availability (chrysanthemums, anemones, calla lilies and asters are all fall flowers), seasonal bouquets can help tie your wedding together.

Mixed greenery makes a statement in the bridal bouquet, reappearing in the centerpieces in a lush arrangement.

Burlap, tactile and highly textured, can be used for everything from table runners or placemats, wrapping mason jars and even invitations. Add lace and pearls for an elegant touch to the otherwise rustic harvest theme. Incorporate touches of lace in your tablescape by lining menus with lace trim or by wrapping your utensils with lace ribbon.

The classic texture of wood is easy to incorporate by decorating the space with crates and barrels spilling over with colorful flowers or gourds and other autumn produce like apples, corn, pumpkins, and wheat bundles, as the perfect decorative harvest accents to symbolize the abundance and good fortune of the union.

Wood slices can be used as cake stands, centerpieces or signs.

And what can be more romantic than a big bonfire after-party, with log stools or hay bales where the guests can make smores and the newlyweds can kiss as their hearts desire.

Sharing a love that's “sweeter than honey” is cause for celebration. Your guests will love every part of your wedding, especially the personalized jar of wildflower honey you'll send them home with, a local and allergen-free party favor that they will get to enjoy long after the wedding day.

And last but not least, adorn yourself and your bridesmaids with harvest-themed jewelry to fit right in this idyllic setting. ADORA's new "Ever After" Collection has a variety of jewelry designs to choose from, which along with the memories will be cherished by your friends for a long time to come.

Information sources and images: Pinterest. Thank you!

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Peridot, the Tears of a Goddess

Peridot

Birthstone Series - August: Peridot, Sardonyx and Spinel

According to the American Gem Society, the month of August is the latest month to claim not two but three birthstones: Peridot, Sardonyx and Spinel, now joining June and December as the only months represented by three gems.

All three of these stones have been seen throughout history and have rich symbolism. They are all quite different, both in terms of quality and substance, as well as perceived metaphysical and mystic healing properties.

Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire, also known as
Ka Wahine Ai Honua (The Woman Who Devours the Land)

Peridot, by far the most popular of the three, is the rare gem-quality variety of the common mineral olivine, which forms deep inside the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. In Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess of fire who controls the flow of lava. Rarely, peridot is also found inside meteorites. In the 1700s, a meteorite that landed in Siberia contained many peridot crystals that were large enough to be used for jewelry.

Peridot’s color, a distinctive signature lime green, comes from the composition of the mineral itself, rather than from trace impurities as with many other gems. That’s why this is one of the few stones that only comes in one color, though shades may vary from yellowish-green to olive to brownish-green, depending on how much iron is present.

Arizona Peridot and Banded Agate
Necklace set in Sterling Silver
(ADORA by Simona design)

Many scholars agree that the name Peridot is rooted in the Greek word peridona, meaning “giving plenty.” Perhaps that’s why peridot is associated with prosperity and good fortune.

Most of the world’s peridot supply comes from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. Other sources are China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Africa. Peridot only measures 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so while the raw crystal is prone to cracking during cutting, the finished gemstones are fairly robust and easy to wear.

Also known as “the Evening Emerald” because its sparkling green hue looks brilliant any time of day, peridot is said to possess healing properties that protect against nightmares and evil, ensuring peace and happiness.

The largest peridot ever found weighs 319 carats and it can be viewed on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Sardonyx

Sardonyx combines alternating layers of sard and onyx - two types of the layered mineral chalcedony - to create a reddish zebra-striped stone with white bands. Used as a stone of strength and protection since ancient times, sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness, and clear communication. Some believe that placing sardonyx at each corner of a house will grant protection against evil.

Spinel. Before the rise of modern gemology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Spinel was often identified as corundum because it tends to resemble either a ruby or sapphire, and they are often found in the same mines. In fact, some of the most famous rubies in history have turned out to be spinel. Large red gems, such

Spinel, in all its beautiful colors

as the “Black Prince’s Ruby” and the “Timur Ruby” in the Crown Jewels of England have confirmed to be large red spinels. Nevertheless, spinel is chemically distinct, what sets it apart from other gems is its octahedral crystal structure and single refraction. Having a rating of 8, spinel also has a lower Mohs hardness than ruby and sapphire.

Vivid red is the most desirable color of spinel gemstones, followed by cobalt blue, bright pink and bright orange. The more affordable stones are often those with paler colors, like lavender. You may also find spinel in black, violet blue, greenish blue, grayish, pale pink, mauve, yellow or brown. So many choices!

Happy Birthday to all of those born in August!

Information sources and images: American Gem Society and Gem Select. Thank you!

Pages