Amethyst Jewelry - A Brief History of Amethyst

A deep violent hue is the hallmark of the finest Amethyst, a gemstone of the quartz variety that is thus also associated with rose quartz, citrine, carnelian, onyx, and chalcedony. Amethyst is generally considered to be the most valuable of the quartz varieties as a semi-precious gemstone. In fact Amethyst jewelry has been treasured since ancient times and people right from ancient Egypt to the Catholic Church have looked upon Amethysts with awe and splendor.

Interesting Facts About Amethyst Facts

Amethyst, being a variety of Quartz comes in various shades ranging from purple to clear white. The former is what is highly prized and sought. Some colors of Amethyst are also specific to a region.
Amethyst is graded as Siberian, Bahain or Uruguayan. This is used on all Amethysts regardless of where they originate with Siberian being the best while Uruguayan being the lowest in grade.

Amethyst make for a very good addition to necklaces and bracelets for a youthful yet modern edge - amethyst is in the privileged position of being able to be present in chip form and retain a degree of sophistication. Amethyst chips pair very well with onyx when crafting a piece that might match a little black evening dress!

As Amethyst ranks in at 7 on the Mohs scale it is regarded as a semi precious stone and is hence not really that expensive. Also if you were to look up online jewelry stores then you can find amethyst jewelry at amazing prices. One thing that you should know is that heating Amethyst can make it look like Citrine so be careful what you purchase online.

If you like the deep violet color of amethysts, then today you have more options than ever -amethyst jewelry can be found online and in retail stores in hundreds of thousands of different shapes and styles and that to at many prices. If you really want to get a good bargain then nothing will beat eBay. Semi-precious jewelry abounds on auction sites like eBay and you will no doubt find plenty of Amethyst jewelry there at literally unbelievable prices! However don't just look at a low price and go for it make sure that you have given it due consideration.

Another place to look is Amazon.com which also offers Amethyst jewelry (or any other jewelry for that matter). You can find amethyst jewelry to suit every budget there. Mostly Amethysts will come installed on Sterling Silver and look spectacular when set in it as the silver greatly accentuates the purple color. However if you feel that yellow gold is more along your lines then surely you can also find a lot of options to look into there as well. If you are looking to bring some peace and positivity energy into your home then Amethyst is what you need to be looking for.

Amethyst jewelry is indeed one of the best choices of jewelry out there. It is especially beautiful when paired with Garnets, diamonds, rubies etc. In fact many of the amethyst jewelry being sold on eBay will come in such paired format. Amethyst jewelry is indeed something that you can pass on to posterity, as it continually brings you and your loved ones joy and protection.

LenYa jewelry is one of the finest suppliers of Amethyst Jewelry. Some of the best Jewelry that is being made today is in Thailand and you will really be amazed at the great quality Amethyst Jewelry that is coming out these days. Check out LenYa Online Jewelry Store for more info.

A Brief Outline of Spiritual Jewelry

Practically every type of religion has spiritual jewelry. Whether Buddhist, Christian or New Age, there are spiritual symbols that are often worn as adornment by both men and women. This type of jewelry is almost as old as history itself.

Much of the early artwork that survives today has a spiritual connotation. Whether the art was an idol or a symbol of the creator's faith, we see surviving pieces made of stone, iron, brass or gold. In addition to those pieces of art, there were pieces of jewelry made that reflected the wearer's religious beliefs.

Some jewelry that was spiritual in nature was worn in order to ward off evil spirits. Other pieces were made to remind the wearer of their god or religious duty. The pieces were worn because they were important to the wearer.

Catholicism has jewelry in the form of crosses, rosaries and crucifixes. These adornments are important to the wearer in reminding them of the suffering of the Savior. Rosaries are used during prayers. Additionally, medallions such as St. Christopher metals are often important to Catholics as well as non Catholics.

While rosaries and crucifixes are less popular with Protestants, the cross is a popular piece of jewelry. In addition, the symbol of the fish found in the catacombs has been important for thousands of years.

New Age jewelry often has very ancient roots. Amulets which have been copied from pieces that were created thousands of years ago are often worn. These pieces often are very expensive, but pieces using inexpensive metals and fake stones are also popular.

Many Native Americans wear spiritual jewelry. The jewelry may have to do with a rite of passage, be a healing stone or be used only in ceremonies. In the United States there are special laws about jewelry that is sold as Native American jewelry, so if you want authentic jewelry, be sure that you understand these laws.

The cost of such religious jewelry may vary greatly, regardless of the faith of the person. Jewelry made from inexpensive alloys and simulated stones or simply enameled may be very inexpensive. If the settings are made of gold and precious stones are used in the jewelry, then the purchaser can expect to pay more for the piece. Custom made pieces will be found to be even more expensive.

If you are planning to purchase spiritual jewelry, you should begin by setting a budget. Know what you can and want to spend before you begin shopping. As with any other jewelry, you will want to look for quality workmanship. Make sure that settings are secure and that clasps and fasteners are secure. Like other good jewelry, you do not want a piece to be ruined by a lost stone or lost because of a faulty clasp. If you are new to your spirituality and unsure about what piece of jewelry to purchase, speak with someone who is more experienced in the practice of your religion. They may be able to direct you to a piece that will grow in meaning to you over time.

Howie Holben is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay vacations organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Spirit Journeys also offers unique spiritual jewelry. Howie has travelled the world for over thirty years learning spiritual teachings, traditions and practices from indigenous peoples. He takes great pleasure assisting others on their own spiritual path and in introducing them to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them "step outside their box". He is a Reiki/Karuna Ki Master and also a Quantum Touch and Breathwork Practioner. His goal is to help others uncover their potential by setting their hearts and minds free. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay tours with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys website.

A Brief History in Religious Jewelry

Jewelry is a broad term that describes any ornamental adornment on the body. It includes toe rings to tiaras and everything in between. Jewelry has been used in every culture throughout history and in many different ways. While in our culture today jewelry serves mostly an aesthetic purpose, jewelry can serve other functions as well. Jewelry is used to represent social or official rank, age, marital status, and tribal affinity. In addition, jewelry serves as emblems of religious, social, and political affiliation. In fact, one of the very first uses of jewelry was to show religious affiliation. The following are the main cultures that began the use of religious jewelry and the common symbols and uses of their jewelry.

Egyptian Religious Jewelry

Religious jewelry in Ancient Egypt was very symbolic. Some common symbols in Ancient Egyptian religious jewelry include the scarab (beetle), lotus, serpent, falcon, and the eye. The scarab is a symbol for good luck and resurrection while the "Eye of the Horus" represents healing. A common symbol of the time called the "Ankh" is meant to represent eternal life. Religious jewelry was extravagant, consisting of gold and semi-precious stones and were worn by men and women alike. When the Roman Era arrived, Egyptian religious jewelry was made of cheaper materials and more Christian symbols were used. When Islam arrived in Egypt men were forbidden to wear gold jewelry. At this time silver jewelry became more popular in religious jewelry in Egypt. Religious jewelry is still widely used in Egypt, but does not have the same extravagance as the Ancient Egyptian religious jewelry.

Roman Christianity and Religious Jewelry

Art and architecture thrived when St. Constantine Christianized the Roman Empire. At this time several popular symbols were created that are still used in Christian art and jewelry. These symbols include the cross, the rosary, and the Christian fish charm. The cross is a symbol of God's love and a reminder of Christ's suffering. Rosary beads are prayer beads that began in the Roman Christian world but are now used predominately by the Catholic Church (officially accepted by the Catholic Church during the rosary approbation in 1520). Rosary beads are also used in the Islam and Buddhist faith. The Christian fish charm came about when early Christians would make an acronym with the Greek word for fish, "ichthys," Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior). This symbol attracted less attention to the persecuted Christians. The Christian charm remains very popular today.

Native American Jewelry

Native American religious jewelry was a symbol for nature, played a role in religious ceremonies, and represented status. Natural materials were used in their jewelry including feathers along with minerals such as turquoise and metals like silver. These natural materials were a reminder of the Earth around them. During healing ceremonies and harvest rituals, the people would take care to wear specific kinds of religious jewelry that were the right color, made of the right materials, and representing the right symbol for that event. The jewelry that is worn by a person is representative of the different stages of life an individual has entered into. In several tribes adolescents are initiated into adulthood when they receive the spiritual totem consisting of shells, beads, or symbols from nature. Native American religious jewelry was also given to women after there first menses and to newly married couples. Religious jewelry has played a significant role in Native American culture.

Because our culture today uses jewelry mostly for decorative purposes we often forget the roots of jewelry and how, to some cultures, it can have a deeper spiritual meaning. Recognizing the importance of this religious jewelry in other cultures allows us to see the greater symbolic uses that jewelry can be used for.

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