Stone Wiki (Wiki-e-Sang)
Gemstones
Moon Stone
Name and Origin
The most common moonstone comes from the mineral adularia, named for an early mining site near Mt. Adular in Switzerland that supplied this gemstone. This site also birthed the term adularescence, which refers to the stone’s milky glow, like moonlight floating on water.
Moonstone is composed of microscopic layers of feldspar that scatter light to cause this billowy effect of adularescence. Thinner layers produce a bluish sheen, and thicker layers look white. Moonstone gems come in a range of colors spanning yellow, gray, green, blue, peach, and pink, sometimes displaying a star or cat’s eye.
The finest classical moonstones, colorlessly transparent with a blue shimmer, come from Sri Lanka. Since these sources of high-quality blue moonstones have essentially been mined out, prices have risen sharply.
Moonstones are also found in India, Australia, Myanmar, Madagascar, and the United States. Indian gemstones, which are brown, green, or orange in color, are more abundant and affordably priced than their classical blue counterparts.
Fashion and aesthetics (historic and modern times)
Moonstone has been used as a beautiful adornment and a powerful talisman since ancient civilizations. The Romans admired it, believing it was formed from moonbeams. Both the Romans and the Greeks associated moonstone with their lunar deities.
When Art Nouveau became popular between 1890 and 1910, designers featured moonstone in custom jewelry. It was also featured in handcrafted silver items during the last half of the nineteenth century in the Arts and Crafts era. Moonstone continued to be popular with hippies in the 1960s and designers in the New Age movement of the 1990s.
How to wear a specific gemstone
Complimenting with outfits
White, black, pearl, greens, pinks etc
Occasions
All sorts of parties, weddings, festivities etc
Silver or gold
Can be worn in both colors. Looks especially good in rose gold.
Effective Tips for Wearing Gemstone Jewelry
https://www.romadesignerjewelry.com/blogs/education/9-effective-tips-for-wearing-gemstone-jewelry
History of gemstones in subcontinent
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2019-era-of-the-taj-mahal-and-mughals
https://sarmaya.in/spotlight/indian-kings-their-fabulous-jewels/
https://www.reenaahluwalia.com/blog/2013/6/20/splendors-of-mughal-india-i
https://www.gia.edu/jewels-of-india
Moonstone
The most common moonstone comes from the mineral adularia, named for an early mining site near Mt. Adular in Switzerland that supplied this gemstone. This site also birthed the term adularescence, which refers to the stone’s milky glow, like moonlight floating on water.
Moonstone is composed of microscopic layers of feldspar that scatter light to cause this billowy effect of adularescence. Thinner layers produce a bluish sheen, and thicker layers look white. Moonstone gems come in a range of colors spanning yellow, gray, green, blue, peach, and pink, sometimes displaying a star or cat’s eye.
The finest classical moonstones, colorlessly transparent with a blue shimmer, come from Sri Lanka. Since these sources of high-quality blue moonstones have essentially been mined out, prices have risen sharply.
Moonstones are also found in India, Australia, Myanmar, Madagascar, and the United States. Indian gemstones, which are brown, green, or orange in color, are more abundant and affordably priced than their classical blue counterparts.
The moonstone is a unique, ethereal gem. It is usually white or silvery in appearance with a blue glow that seems to come from within.
Pliny the Elder, the Roman philosopher and naturalist, said the stone reflects the face of the moon itself with its luminescent glow
Moonstone has been used as a beautiful adornment and a powerful talisman since ancient civilizations. The Romans admired it, believing it was formed from moonbeams. Both the Romans and the Greeks associated moonstone with their lunar deities.
The Roman natural historian, Pliny, coined the name of this gemstone when he wrote that moonstone’s shimmery appearance shifted with the phases of the moon—a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century.
When Art Nouveau became popular between 1890 and 1910, designers featured moonstone in custom jewelry. It was also featured in handcrafted silver items during the last half of the nineteenth century in the Arts and Crafts era. Moonstone continued to be popular with hippies in the 1960s and designers in the New Age movement of the 1990s.
Florida adopted moonstone as its official state gemstone in 1970 to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing and other spaceflights that launched from Florida—even though moonstone is not naturally found in Florida or on the moon.
Valued for centuries, moonstone is still popular and accessible today. It’s the preferred June birthstone over pearl and alexandrite, in parts of the world like Germany and Scandinavia.
For two thousand years, Romans used moonstone in jewelry. They linked the stone to the Moon Goddess Diana and believed that wearing moonstone would bring love, wealth, and success.
In Asia, there was a myth that every 21 years, blue moonstones were brought in by the tide. In India, it was believed that this gem was good luck and allowed romantic partners to read their future, if they placed the moonstone in their mouth during a full moon. Moonstone is one of India’s traditional wedding gifts. They also felt that the stone’s luster grew and weakened as the moon transitioned from a full moon to a new moon.
Hindu mythology also told that moonstone was made from the moon’s ethereal light. Legend portrayed it as a sacred and magical “dream stone” that could bring serene and beautiful dreams at night.
Legends have claimed that moonstone could help the wearer have clear visions and prophecies. If someone was continuously angry, the stone would lose its beautiful luster. It was also known as the “Traveler’s Stone,” as it was believed that it would protect people who wore it while traveling at night.
Fashion
Lapiz Lazuli
Historians believe the link between humans and lapis lazuli stretches back more than 6,500 years. The gem was treasured by the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. They valued it for its vivid, exquisite color, and prized it as much as they prized other blue gems like sapphire and turquoise.
Badakshan, a province in present-day Afghanistan, is a forbidding wasteland of mountains, bare of any vegetation. The sheer mountain faces rise as high as 17,000 feet, and are scored with treacherous ravines. Humans make their way there to seek one thing only: the azure treasure that is fine lapis lazuli
Lapis Lazuli History
Lapis lazuli has been popular through most of recorded human history. Mining for lapis occurred in the Badakhshan Province of northeastern Afghanistan as early as 7000 BC. The lapis was used to make beads, small jewelry items and small sculptures. These have been found at Neolithic archaeological sites dating back to about 3000 BC in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Lapis lazuli appears in many Egyptian archaeological sites that date back to about 3000 BC. It was used in many ornamental objects and jewelry. Powdered lapis was used as a cosmetic and a pigment.
In Biblical times the word "sapphire" was often used as a name for lapis lazuli. For that reason, many scholars believe that at least some of the references to sapphire in the Bible are actually references to lapis lazuli. Some modern translations of the Bible use the word "lapis" instead of "sapphire."
Lapis lazuli started to be seen in Europe during the Middle Ages. It arrived in the form of jewelry, cutting rough, and finely ground pigment.
Today lapis lazuli is still used in jewelry and ornamental objects. As a pigment it has been replaced with modern materials except by artists who strive to use historical methods
Use as a Gem and Ornamental Material
Lapis lazuli is most widely known for its use as a gemstone. It is a popular material for cutting into cabochons and beads. It is also used in inlay or mosaic projects and often as a material for small sculptures. These uses made lapis the most popular opaque blue gemstone.
Although personal preferences vary, the most popular lapis has a uniform, deep blue to violet blue color. Many people enjoy a few randomly placed grains of gold pyrite or a few fractures or mottles of white calcite. However, when pyrite or calcite is present in more than minor amounts, the desirability of the material and the value are significantly lowered. Gray inclusions or mottling also quickly lowers desirability.
Lapis Lazuli and Ancient Myths
Lapis lazuli legends are among the oldest in the world. The myth of Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love, and her descent and return from the underworld may date from as early as 4,000 BCE. Inanna entered the underworld bearing the insignias of her rank, including a lapis lazuli necklace and rod.
“In ancient Sumer,” writes Scott Cunningham in his Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic, “lapis lazuli has timeless associations” with royalty and deities. People believed the stone contained “the soul of the deity, who would ‘rejoice in its owner.’”
In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs favored lapis lazuli, and judges wore emblems of Maat, the goddess of truth, made from the stone.
https://tamilandvedas.com/2014/09/06/indus-valley-to-egypt-lapis-lazuli-export/
Copy of #Quran calligraphed by #Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The 14.5x24cm manuscript has lavish golden insets and consists of sheets of paper, handcrafted from rice and natural materials, and inlaid with ruby, lapis lazuli and garnet.
A lapis lazuli ring looks best against a light canvas of silver or white gold. The icy color of the metal brings out the vivid dark blue of the stone. Let a lapis lazuli ring with gold specks shine even brighter by wearing the light colored ring with otherwise yellow gold jewelry.
Lapis Lazuli & Other Gemstones
We love how the deep blue complements other lighter colored gemstones like rose quartz, citrine, and even diamonds. Have fun with pairing different semi-precious stones. You don’t have to worry about any colors clashing, this season.
Since a lapis lazuli ring has such a deep color, we recommend pairing it with lighter colored clothing, too. This keeps your look young and fresh. Whites especially will nicely contrast the blue and gold. You might want to wear the ring to the office with your white button down to channel its wisdom related properties.
A lapis lazuli ring also complements flowing and floral clothing. Mixing more relaxed clothing with the strong blue creates a feminine look. Try a boho top with puffy sleeves or a floral halter top.
We also like neon colors with this gemstone. The bright colors are a nice contrast to the lapis lazuli. This looks extra fab if you have a lapis lazuli piece with prominent gold specks. You can create a nineties vibe (yes, the nineties are back) with a neon mini skirt and a graphic tee.
How to Care for Lapis Lazuli Jewelry
Similar to moonstone, lapis lazuli isn’t the strongest material. Your lapis lazuli ring will chip and scratch if you’re not careful. Avoid scratches and dents by storing your ring on a soft surface.
This gemstone should be kept out of contact with chemicals, even with chemicals for cleaning jewelry pieces. A soft cloth dipped in warm water is all you need to keep the ring clean. Even the bristles of a toothbrush might be a bit too harsh on your lapis lazuli ring.
Keep the stone safe from the chemicals inside your makeup products, perfumes, and other sprays, too. These chemicals can seep into the pores of the stone and cause damage.
https://blog.analuisa.com/lapis-lazuli-necklace-styling-guide/
Emerald
Emerald’s name is derived from the Greek word smaragdus, meaning “green gem.”
Like aquamarine, emerald is a variety of beryl, a mineral that grows with six sides and up to a foot in length. Emerald color can range from light green (though there is some argument whether these very light beryls are truly emeralds) to a deep, rich green. Emeralds are also like aquamarine in that the way the color presents itself in jewelry depends on a good cut by a skilled gemologist.
The deeper or more green an emerald is, the more valuable it is. The rarest emerald gemstones will appear to be an intense green-blue color.
Emerald gems are found all over the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia. The availability of high-quality emerald is limited; consequently, treatments to improve clarity are performed regularly.
https://www.gia.edu/jewels-of-india
Green is a powerful life force in India. The most coveted green gem was emerald, the vibrant green variety of the mineral beryl. Early emeralds were brought primarily from Egypt’s legendary “Cleopatra’s mines,” found in the hills inland from the Red Sea. But these stones were typically pale and heavily included.
Coincident with the rise of the Mughal Empire in the 1500s, Spanish soldiers in South America conquered the warlike Muzo tribe and took control of their emerald mines in the lush green jungles of what is today Colombia. Galleons laden with emeralds from the Muzo and later Chivor mines sailed the brutal Atlantic Ocean to Spain. The finest of these alluring green gems entered the king’s coffers or were sold to Portuguese merchants, who carried them to India’s coastal trading center of Goa—and on to the royal treasuries. Over time, emeralds were brought in from other countries, such as Afghanistan and Brazil, but none surpassed the finest emeralds from Colombia.
A British trader who stayed in the palace at Agra from 1609 to 1611 reported that Shah Jahangir had more than half a million carats of unmounted emeralds in his treasury, so coveted were the rich green gemstones coming from the New World. Today, the city of Jaipur is the world’s center for emerald cutting, a vestige of India’s long passion for the gem.
Emerald gemstones were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.
Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emerald gemstones. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.
The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewelry and in their elaborate burials, often burying emerald stones with monarchs as symbols of protection.
On the other side of the world, the Muzo Indians of Colombia had well-hidden and prized emerald mines. These mines were so hidden, it took the Spanish conquistadors nearly twenty years to find them.
Today, emerald is a symbol of loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and security, making it not only a beautiful gem to wear, but also a meaningful jewelry gift to be treasured by the receiver. It is still widely prized by the rich and famous, with Elizabeth Taylor’s famous emerald pendant selling for $6.5 million in 2011.
Consider Your Wardrobe
The emerald is a statement stone that speaks for itself. The main wardrobe rule to remember when wearing an emerald ring is to keep it sleek and simple.
Ring with bright green emerald stones
Clothing with clean lines and solid coloration is best suited for showcasing this gemstone. Wearing a loud ensemble with a bold emerald piece will confuse the eye and detract from the overall look.
Neutral tones look best with the deep green of the stone. Black is the ideal shade as it brings out the vibrancy of the stone’s color while complementing its depth.
The same applies to makeup and hair. Keep it classic and elegant. Use the jewelry as a focal point and wear clothing that brings out its greatest features.
https://www.gempundit.com/blog/emerald-jewelry-symbol-of-royalty-wit-and-eloquence/
List of gemstones for Wiki-e-Sang
AGATE(AQEEQ)
AMBER
AMETHYST
BLOODSTONE
CARNELIAN
CATSEYE
CITRINE
LABRADORITE
LAPIS LAZULI
MALACHITE
MOONSTONE
MOSS AGATE
OPAL
PEARL
PERIDOT
QUARTZ(DUR-E-NAJAF)
ROSE QUARTZ
RUBY(YAQOOT)
SAPPHIRE
TIGER’S EYE
TOURMALINATED QUARTZ(MUH-E-NAJAF)
TOPAZ
TOURMALINE
TOURQUOISE(FEROZA)
CORAL
EMERALD
GARNET
JASPER
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