AMBER
AMBER Jon BerAmber is a fossil that evolved from sticky forest resin, in which trapped insects and trees debris - got caught in space and time, thus nick named "Petrified wood."As old as 90 million years, its usually gold & brownish - honey like, but also appears in white, green & rarely blue.Mystical and beautiful - Amber origin is commonly associated with Baltic regions and indeed most - Amber jewelry and beads arrive to the world's markets from Poland and Russia.But reportedly the oldest Amber fossils found to date, were discovered in Kansas and New Jersey, USA.Magnificent specimens of Amber with inclusions are also being discovered in the Dominican Republic. These usually are much younger and their color is yellowish.The Germans called the fossil Bernstein because when heated it will eventually burn. The original name however believed to come from an Arabic word. Amber was called by the Greeks Electron due to its ability to generate electricity when being rubbed.
AMETHYST
AMETHYST Jon BerIn Greek, Amethyst means "Against Drunkenness" from the belief that the stone inserted in water, will turn a drunk person sober instantly. It doesn't work. February's birthstone, Amethyst stars in some of the better known jewels of all time, such as the Royal British Crown. Its name, became synonymous with the color purple.In Greek, Amethyst means "Against Drunkenness" from the belief that the stone inserted in water, will turn a drunk person sober instantly. It doesn't work.It is reputed by many as a healing spiritual stone that helps in the achievement of the ultimate meditation state of mind - Nirvana.Among other qualities attributed to Amethyst is its ability to speed up thoughts & help in the maintenance of celibacy. Many of its best specimens come from the mountain towns surrounding Belo Horizonte the state Capital of Minas Geras, Brazil.One such town, Teoflotoni, became a Mecca for traders aspiring to "get to the source" instead of doing business in the comfort of Rio's showrooms in Ipenema and Copa Cabana. Accessible by narrow winding roads, the town's Portuguese Influence blends with the African and South American flavors of the people and architecture. Small mine owners, "everybody in town has a mine" solicit buyers on the streets, by presenting a handful of gems they keep loose in their pants pocket .If interested, the buyers are invited to a modest office, off the main road, to be presented also, with other local gemstones such as the magnificent Aqua Marine and Tourmaline. I was there twice. Soon more.
BLUE TOPAZ
BLUE TOPAZ Jon BerThe Blue Topaz color is usually categorize and defined by three main names: London, for the Darkest shade, Swiss for the lightest and Sky for the in between shade of blue.The Blue Topaz is one of the most popular gemstones across the world. It continues to make its way from far away isolated regions of the planet in Tasmania and Africa. The Blue Variety of Topaz naturally appears in all shades of Blue. But most gems used in the making of jewelry are irradiated and or heated to enhance the colors. The practices are considered a legitimate gems treatments. The gemstone also comes from the USA, Brazil and Russia, It is sometimes confused with the more expensive Aqua Marine and blue Tourmaline. In 1969 a Texas legislation made the gemstone a State stone. It is also the birthstone of November.
GARNET
GARNET Jon BerJanuary's Birthstone, Garnet has maintained its popularity on all continents for thousands of years.It is one of the best known gemstones and Its most valuable specimens origins are Brazil, South Africa and the USA.The Garnet's most recognized color is the Burgundy red, but smaller quantities of Garnet also appears in nature in shades of blue and green.Many qualities are attributed to the Garnet such as, helping in family togetherness, love & self esteem.It is also regarded a healing stones, especially for its attributed ability to purify the blood and cleanse the body.It evolves in metamorphosed rocks, but also in igneous specimen formed in high temperatures and pressures. Therefore Garnet is used by geologist to gauge both, in the formations of other specimens.
LABRADORITE
LABRADORITE Jon BerLABRADORITE was discovered in the desolate Sybaritic Peninsula of Labrador, Canada, in the beginning of the 19th century. Its best specimens found currently come from Finland and Madagascar. Labradorite, is an iridescence feldspar that once faceted displays a spectrum of shimmering colors called Shiller. Its most popular use is in the creation of jewelry and ornaments.It is reputed to be a Traveling stone and is also ascribed the ability to heal infections, energize and help in the achievement of mental and physical balance.The beauty of Labradorite is not as apparent as other gemstones and for best appreciation, should be viewed tilted towards shining lights. Then, the usually dark mineral glows in a range of colors from violet blue and green to orange and yellow and in rare cases some specimens display all colors simultaneously.Labradorite resembles in its structure and feel, another recently popular gem - the Rainbow Moonstone, also feldspar family member that contains a translucent cleavage Shiller.
RAINBOW MOONSTONE
RAINBOW MOONSTONE Jon BerThe gemstone resemblance of a cloudy, mystical, shimmering moon, made it desirable, but it was unavailable for centuries. The main reason, (I am guessing) is that it didn't find its way form the mines to market due to the never ending war in Sri Lanka.Rainbow Moonstone became an instant commercial hit in the early 1990s soon after its arrival to the gemstone cutting and wholesale market of Jaipur, Rajastan, India. I was there. On the fourth floor, in Ashoks home. Sitting on the carpet I went through begs of the newly produced silver and gemstones jewelry. This is new stone. Ashok said, oblivious to the gem's ancient fame.The first specimens were intriguing but mediocre at best compare to what arrives to Jaipur these days, 2008, from newly developed mines in South-west India.Jaipur's master stone cutters, have also been upgrading their skills in dealing with the complex structure of the Rainbow Moonstone - to bring alive its naturally spectacular internal shine.It was described at the time to western gemstones buyers, as a newly discovered gemstone. I was there. Coming soon: My trips to India.As the Rainbow Moonstone is gaining popularity, demand continues to grew around the globe, and its price keeps going up, thought the current quality stones undoubtedly justifies it. June's birthstone Rainbow Moonstone Is a close family member of the Labradorite, another translucent feldspar specimen with a cleavage called Shiller.
TURQUOISE
TURQUOISE Jon BerFrom Green to Blue, with black unique signature inclusions vanes running untamed, the gemstone universal reverence is phenomenal. Turquoise was named after the country of Turkey, when 17th century traders on the Silk Road to China, introduced the gemstone to the western world via the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. Still Grand indeed. Traders world wonder. With 4000 shops in a magnificent casbah and merchandise from everywhere around the clock. Tibetan merchants still carry Turquoise in its original state of rocks, on their back and head, from the "roof of the world" the Himalayan mountains to the country's capital Lhasa.From there, Chinese traders bring the gemstone to Hong Kong where it is sold by the kilo to buyers from all continents.Ascribed Mystical qualities and its popular colors, made Turquoise the most costly of all none transparent gemstones.Its been used in the creations of jewelry and ornaments for as long as 8000 years.American Natives as well as indigenous Asian tribes, consider the stone as highly spiritual & it is regularly used in religious and cultural ceremonies across the world.
STERLING SILVER Jon Ber100% silver is too soft for the creation of jewelry & silverware. Thus the international industry standards is 92.5 percent silver with 7.5 % balance added copper. Sterling, also the official name the English currency, or the English Pound, is accepted as the definition for the "best" silver there is.But the practice of diluting silver was common just about everywhere in the world for thousands of years. The formula is now benign tested on occasion by the authorities in the countries that export silver made product as not to hurt their reputation. and avoid scandals, of the sort that hit Bangkok, Thailand, just as its silver jewelry exports flourished in the early 1990s. One o the better known local manufacture wad accused of shaving few extra silver percentages from his "Sterling" mix. By that time thousands of small time traders like myself, were coming over to buy silver made products merchandise in the Kingdom of Siam. At that time, scrupulous silver dealers in Jaipur India, were using even worse practices to compete in the a cut throat industry: The replacement of Copper with the cheaper Zinc. It turned silver to yellow permanently. In some European countries, such as Austria, all imported silver jewelry is checked by customs laboratory. In Switzerland, importers must mark their own stamp on every silver jewelry item. Coming soon: Here soon: Swiss German became my favorite accent to imitate. Especially the one dialect from Schaffhausen. I fell in love with Pushkar, where time strolls lazily, on my first trip to India. It was the local friendly, shanty life style. The roaming monkeys, camels, cows and donkeys, the daily morning salute to the sun and evening sunset rituals by the lake - with Bangalassy at the Teahouses and a chance to enjoy the company of other travelers - while been mesmerized by ever changing circus, for months at a time. Playing guitar quietly, singing whispery in my rooftop room, at the Mona Lisa hotel, I joined the echo of drums and singing from passing processions, wishing harmony in solitude. Around the corner Pawan have just opened his first silver shop. It was destiny. We became brothers. Now I designed the silver jewelry collection at home in the North Carolina, USA and published it on the web immediately. They included specifications of quantities, gemstones choice, dimensions packing and labeling instructions. My regular rumbling about the importance of quality workmanship and final inspection, were inevitable. Brutal streets reality demands be the cheapest or your children won't be eating tonight. I was lucky to afford investing few more Rupees in labor cost. This will make all the difference in the world for hundreds of master silversmith who will be allowed the time to perform their best and developed their skills. Next a 15 kilo silver bullion was acquired by Pawan in Jaipur, Rajastan, and the gemstones arrived promptly from suppliers located at the joining allies of Evergreen market. It is the largest hand stone cutting and hand crafted jewelry creation and trading post on Earth. From Diamonds to Agate Carat to kilo, Platinum to bronze everything sells by weight. By evening timeour Master Silversmith friends where invited to discuss the new styles with Pawan at the shop in the heart of Evergreen. I imagine them watching the pictures on the computer with some skepticism. Most probably needed few Chai (Hindi for tea to digest the new styles. Perhaps they were tilting their head from side to side in a movement the means: "This crazy man. I don't know what inside his mind going?"Couple of weekslater, the ready earrings and pendants went back to Pawan for inspection and packaging. Then the Indian customs papers were filled. Next the packages were taken to the Main post office and sent by Speed Mail ( the equivalent of the US post Global Express.) Five days later the US postal service delivered it to my door in rural North Carolina. A Silver cost The price of silver changes daily, today (July 19th 2005) at 6.94 an ounce, or 25 cents per gram. (update August 29, 2006) the price of silver:$12.23 an ounce. Currently, June 2008, hoovers around $17.50 B Gemstone cost Each gemstone has a different rate that is measured by Carats. (1 gram = 5 carats.) C Labor cost Master silversmith cost accounts for some 20 to 40 percent on top of silver and gemstones costs. D Shipping cost From India to North Carolina and then to your shop door, accounts for some five percent of the total production price. Shyam InternationalMy brother Pawan Parashar, has an extraordinary experience supplying jewelers and boutiques around the world with BEST SELLING, masterly handcrafted sterling silver with genuine gemstones.Pawan's honesty, modesty and unmatched organization skills, are the reason that I have managed to travel the world many times over. PUSHKAR BRANCHPawan Parashar Pushkar (Rajasthan), India. Tel.:- +91-145-2772268, 2772892 Fax:- +91-145-2772244email:- pawanparashar_hotmail.com JAIPUR Branch :Pawan Parashar H-3, Near Ever Green Hotel, Chaliwala Market, M.I. Road, Jaipur-302001, (Rajasthan), India. Tel. :- +91-141-5113883, 2361058 email :- pawanparashar_hotmail.comJon Ber is the publisher of jonber.com, musician, investigative journalist and a traveler of seventy countries living in North Carolina USA .
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