1077Atelier celebrate the Warriors for Breast Cancer Awareness & Pride- Month.
What a poignant month – truly the month to choose our PEACE over our Problems…
As part of a long line of female cancer warriors on my side of the family, I am Blessed and grateful that breast cancer became no more than a chapter in the book of life for me. It will never be my life story. I will always be grateful for the greatest medical warriors that were alongside me, brought forth by surely ONLY my guardian angels, our Father himself- and my late Mother! Blessed by the fortitude of my Husband alongside me and the tender love of my children. At 1077Atelier we celebrate Life and Health with all of you- may illness always be a chapter for you…you are so much more….
The Royal legacy of Amethyst is found in every past and present reigning King & Queen’s Royal collection, be it Queen Mary’s Amethyst Parure, or Queen Alexandra of Denmark’s Amethyst Tiara, or the Amethyst gems for example that adorn the St. Edwards Crown (circa 1661).
The Victorian era was a time when jewellery was not just for adornment but also a means of expression. Amethyst jewellery from this period often featured intricate designs, with the gemstone taking centre stage in gorgeous brooches, rings, and necklaces. The craftsmanship of these pieces reflected the era’s fascination with nature, romance, and the mystique of the past, and were often used to convey secret messages or sentiment. Intricate metal work and other precious stones were used to highlight this purple gem’s appeal. Pieces from this period are highly sought after by collectors.
Tourmaline
The Artists gemstone of intuition, with a matching palette to express every mood! Derived from the Sinhalese words “Toramalli”- meaning “stone of mixed colour”. Brightly colored Ceylonese gem Tourmalines were brought to Europe by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the 17th century. Chemists used Tourmalines in the 19th century to polarize light due to its pyroelectric properties. PYROELECTRIC refers to this wonderful gem’s natural large electrical polarized field! No surprise that it is directly connected to opening our heart chakra- It supports Love, Relationships, Emotional expression as assists in finding Joy!
This glorious gemstone has the broadest colour variety of ANY of the gem species, occurring in various shades and intensity of every colour! Their deep brilliance has also inspired varietal names unique to the gem species, such as Indicolite, Paraiba, Rubelite, and the bi-colour known as a watermelon Tourmaline! Ethereal and magical!
Major mining sources for the gem include Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Mayanmar, Sri Lanka, Russia, Tanzania, Zambia and the USA. It has excellent wearability and is an easy-to-care-for Gemstone. The birthstone for October, it is also the celebratory stone for an 8th Anniversary.
SCIENCE:
MINERAL TYPE: Cyclosilicate
MOHS SCALE: 7- 7.5
ORIGIN: Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Russia, USA etc
Lustre: Vitreous
Crystal System: Trigonal Rarity: Commonly found
Its hardness makes it a very durable and wearable gemstone!
OPALS set our HEARTS on FIRE….
The iridescent nature of Opals is what defines their allure- from milky White Opals bearing sparks of fire, to the brilliant oily sheen of Black Opal- lets investigate what Nature offers. Their colour play is so diverse and captivating, but proper knowledge in the care of your Opal will remove the misconception that it is an ephemeral gem. They may be delicate, but have unique substance in their fiery announcement as gems!
Australia mines 95% of the world’s best Opal, in areas such as the Lightning Ridge Mine and Coober Peddy.
Types of Opal:
- White Opals, also know as milky Opal, has a creamy or milky base colour, and appears iridescent.. It does often display a mesmerizing flash of greens, bues and oranges that dance along with the tilt of the stone.
- Black Opals, so very desired and prized, has a dark body colour that ranges from grey to black. This dark back ground makes the colour play even more striking and vibrant, enhancing the intensity of red, blue, green etc. flashes. It is vitreous, lustrous, and DARK!
- Fire Opals, known for their vibrant and warm body colours, ranging from yellow to deep orange-reds. Unlike other Opals, Fire Opals are often translucent and may not always display the characteristic play of colours. Their fiery hues are reminiscent of flames with brilliant flashes of red and orange and yellow.
- Boulder Opals are found in ironstone boulders and feature unique patches of opal within the host rock. It often displays a striking play-of colour against the dark ironstone matrix. They are earthy, rugged and iridescent.
CARING for your Opals:
Opals are relatively soft and delicate gems (Mohs 5.5- 6.5 scale), and knowledge in their care will ensure their longevity.
- Avoid extreme conditions- keep them away from high temperatures, harsh chemicals and extreme moisture. Sudden temperature changes may cause an Opal to crack.
- Clean with a soft damp cloth- never use an ultrasonic cleaner or harsh chemicals.
- Storage- in a cool dry place- it is best to keep them in a padded Jewellery box or wrap them in a soft cloth to avoid scratches.
These truly unique gemstones are captivating, each with their own story and beauty. Your proper care will ensure they remain glorious for years to come.
SCIENCE:
MINERAL TYPE: Silicates Quartz
MOHS SCALE:5- 6.5
ORIGIN: Australia, Ethiopia
Lustre: Vitreous
Crystal System: Trigonal Rarity: Commonly found
Opal is a gem formed from silica rich waters. It takes its name from the Sanskrit word Upala which means precious stone. It is an amorphous solid, or hydrated silica, the water content can range from 3% to 21%, but typically between 6% and 10%. Opal is termed a mineraloid as it lacks crystalline structure like other minerals. Often found in fossilized shell, wood and bone. I may also be found in sedimentary or sandstone type soils, such as Australia’s main fields. Most deposits in other countries are volcanic opal an prone to grazing.
