Amethyst Gemstone Jewelry and Their History

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Last weekend on Ribbons and Pearls, the talk was of the lovely ruby gemstone and their history. Oh, and of course three nice ruby gemstones.

Tonight, we're going with amethyst, my birthstone. From beautiful deep violet shades to light lavender, I can hardly ever resist a long gaze at an amethyst stone -- doesn't matter if it's sitting on a shelf as a book end or a white gold band. I love em'! I think most of you would agree that amethyst is one of the most beautiful gemstones of all, right?

And they just so happen to have an even more interesting history than those pretty little rubies do! Let's just take a dive into the history of these babies, then you can scroll to see the lovely pieces of jewelry we've picked out as favorites this week. Of course it was a tough one considering how many beautiful pieces of amethyst jewelry that's available.

You know how some objects, like black diamonds were believed to ward off evil, or how symbols have been used throughout history as a means to protect the wearer from evil spirits and such?

Well, Amethyst was believed by Ancient Greeks and Romans to have this strange ability (and it's really strange. Just you wait!) to provide its owner with protection from becoming drunk or intoxicated. I'm not even kidding.

So, due to this strange belief, back in the ancient-y days, these Ancient Greeks and Romans would drink from cups made of amethyst  all because they believed they wouldn't get drunk! They also wore the amethyst gemstone as jewelry thinking this would suffice and they could drink themselves merry without actually... well, becoming very merry!

It's also been believed that carrying an amethyst stone gives one protection from harm or negative things like sickness, thieves, etc.

Aside from that interesting belief about the gorgeous gemstone, amethyst is still used today for its supposed healing properties, as are other things like crystals. I actually don't find this one so far-fetched as I tend to believe that stones do have energy, which explains my constant use of salt rock lamps.

Amethyst  has quite a few uses. It's been used as remedies for ailments, even acne (by spitting on the stone and applying or rubbing the stone on the affected area).  Amethyst is believed to detoxify the body, treat ailments of the nervous system and brain (think headache), to promote clearer thinking, and even stress,  insomnia and nightmares if the stone is  placed under the pillow at night and even melancholy.

Interestingly enough, people also use amethyst in ridding themselves of addictions because they say the amethyst has the ability to give one inner strength.

Those who are "in touch" with their pineal gland (very interesting stuff!) may find it interesting to know that amethyst is thought to be a "target" for this area and possibly be helpful in development of psychic abilities or things like manifestation or meditation.

Chinese Medicine uses the amethyst gemstone to treat stomach pain and nightmares.

These aren't even the full of what amethyst is said to be capable of when used by a person. It's really intriguing, so go take a look for yourself to read the full "properties" of this amazing gem. I wouldn't say it's crazy to believe something so old and beautiful could carry some kind of beneficial property. Would you? Some of the claims are a bit hard to fully believe, but I'd bet some of them are helpful. What do you guys think?

The best of both worlds for a diamond and amethyst lover, this Amethyst Diamond Gemstone Ring features a gorgeous violet shade amethyst along with a diamond encrusted ring setting. Can you say icing on the cake?

Who wouldn't be ecstatic to ward off negative events by wearing this hunk of burning beauty?

And you could always add an amethyst and crystal bracelet to that mix. You know, to be extra sure you ward off negative.

    

Equally as beautiful, especially for the person who loves heart-shaped jewelry, but has a collection full of the typical red is this one:

My Pearl of The Day: Diamond Earrings for Your Second Ear Piercings

I love all jewelry (bracelets, necklaces and rings), but often times, earrings are my grand finale. My big bang. My focus point piece of jewelry.

The reason I choose earrings as my "big bang" piece rather than, say a ring, is because earrings have what I think of as this magical ability to totally amp up anything I'm wearing.  

Out of all my jewelry, I always think it's my earrings that have the biggest impact on my appearance, and always in a positive way, unlike hair, it is impossible to have a bad earring day.

 Well, unless you were to lose one (or both), then that would be a bad earring day, I suppose.

And we were given ears for a reason, so why not put those ear lobes to good use?

Normally, I take advantage of getting to wear as many of my earrings as possible by using my first hole (the one nearest to the jaw) for my trendy, decorative pieces, and my second hole (furthest from the face) for a small, sparkly diamond earring. Always simple, but always lovely.

Since I  love vibrant colors and statement pieces, I like to go with colorful diamonds or a bold "dangly" earring. 

At this point, there's no sense in saying "also since I post bi-weekly about Avianne and Co. jewelry..." because ya'll know that by now. But there it is. I stalk their jewelry selection and share things that strike my fancy the most. 

Then, it always leads to really sparkly conversations with ya'll and I can't get enough of jewelry-talk with like-minded people. 

You seen it coming, but I must say it anyway:

 

Here are three of my favorite diamond earrings (this week) that are perfect for wearing in second earring holes without giving you earring-overkill, if you happen to have more ear piercings:

 Every time I go on a "favorite jewelry binge," I always end up with black diamonds.  These beauties are the Black Rhodium Plated Black Diamond Solitaire Studs. Studs -- very fitting because these guys could certainly be considered studs.

I love them because aside from your typical diamond earring, a pair of black diamond earrings ride perfectly in your second earring hole (or first, for that matter!) while your first holes sport a more bold design. 

Of course these are gorgeous alone, without other earrings, but I was looking around for earrings that could be worn in my own "second holes" while I still wore a pair of larger, dangly earrings in my first holes.

 

For the colorful, sophisticated lady in me, these Solid Blue Diamond Studs suffice.

Who am I kidding? There's no such thing as this "sophisticated lady" anywhere inside me. But I would still wear the heck out of these square-shaped studs.

And while we all love a good diamond earring, no matter the cut, this Diamond Solitaire Stud earring that resembles a flower offers something a tad more unique, shape-wise than your typical cut.

So, which are your favorite earrings to wear as a second-hole set? Do you prefer one earring per ear, or are you like me and tend to get as much use out of those lobes as possible? Love hearing from ya'll!

My Pearl of the Day: Men's Diamond Cross Pendants

It’s Sunday night again, my little pearls (isn’t that  fitting?) and Sunday night means jewelry talk! 

Today, my spouse (Brozon) and I have been scouring Avianne and Co. online checking out their jewelry selection (again. Ya’ll know I do this often) and seeing the men’s Diamond Cross Necklaces is what inspired me to post on that topic tonight.

Earlier this week I discussed mythology surrounding black diamonds and their beauty, and considering cross pendants have some interesting superstitions and facts surrounding them, I figured it’s a perfect night for the topic. 

For staters, the most common reason for donning a cross pendant is as symbolism to Christ, and his dying on the cross (to save us from our sins. You know the rest. The cross pendant is also used in 

Aside from Christ, many people know that a cross (or crucifix) pendant has been thought of -- and actually used -- as "protection" from vampires. 

Others simply believe wearing a cross pendant will ward off evil of all kinds.

Something ya'll may not have known about the cross pendant is that in some areas, such as the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, wearing cross pendants was banned. 

In other places, like a Roman Catholic Church located in Scotland, Christians are highly enouraged to always wear a cross pendant.  

And, as if our discussion on how gorgeous black diamonds were earlier this week, how's this Black Rhodium Plated Men's Diamond Cross pendant for fitting? 

  Lovely, isn't it?  

But that isn't even the most exquisite (yes, I really just used that word) cross pendant I've seen at Avianne and Co. Just lay your eyes on this Men's Black Diamond Cross Pendant with Black Diamonds (in case you weren't already aware it had black diamonds.)

The  Men's Diamond Cross pendant featured above is extravagant, just like I enjoy, but I also have a hankering for the beauty of a simplistic cross pendant -- like the plain Men's Diamond Cross Pendant.

The cross is thin and encrusted with diamonds much smaller than the one above, but its beauty is still unmistakable, and this one looks fabulous with any attire.