Melanite : Titanian Andradide Garnet

Melanite is a glossy black garnet gemstone that is sometimes referred to as "titanian andradite" due to its titanium content. The black color of melanite is the result of titanium replacing some of the iron in its composition.
It is one of the three varieties of the rare andradite garnet group and has a very high refractive index, meaning it has a beautiful lusture. At one time it was rarely faceted as a gemstone. However, with the interest in black diamond, and the general scarcity of black gemstones, melanite has become popular for jewelry.

Melanite's hardness and absence of cleavage makes it a versatile gemstone that can be cut into a variety of shapes and faceted to best show its lustre. Brilliant-cut shows off the excellent lustre of melanite.
 In traditional Hindu belief systems, melanite is associated with the first chakra, or the "root chakra", which is positioned at the base of the spine. The root chakra when clear is associated with vitality, healthy sexual activity and feelings of security and stability.
Melanite is thought to be a good stone to prevent nightmares and bring positive energy to places.
Additionally, melanite is said to encourage positive feelings, boost self-confidence, provide stability and balance, and heighten creativity.
Melalite Garnet can help you to let go of negative emotions that may be harming your relationships with others.
Emotions such as jealousy, coveting what others have, suspicion, mistrust... or being too quick to get angry, may be released.
Physically, melanite is thought to help blood production and flow, bronchial disorders, absorption of calcium, magnesium and iron, and eyesight.
Melanite is a powerful grounding stone, connecting one's Life Force with the fiery core of the Earth, and accessing an almost infinite supply of energy for creative work. [Ahsian, 171]

Colour changing Garnet!

Yes,that's right! There is a variety of Garnet which changes colour depending on the type of light source with which it is viewed.The gems were pinkish purple in daylight and showed a color change from intense pink in warm incandescent light to purple—almost like a fine amethyst—in cool LED light as shown in the image :

Source:www.gia.edu

• Color change garnets are among the rarest, most interesting of all gemstones. This phenomenal gem is in fact a mixture of garnet species.
• Color change garnet changes hue based upon the source of light. The most common shift is from red to green. 

More on color changing garnet coming soon! Stay tuned!

Demantoid Garnet

Demantoid Garnet is a brilliant green variety of garnet colored by chromium and ferric iron. It is considered to be the rarest and most valuable member of the garnet group of minerals .

Demantoid Garnet ; Source:modernjewelers.com

• Demantoid has an exceptionally high refractive index making it not only the most brilliant garnet but also more brilliant than both ruby and sapphire.

• Demantoid garnet also has exceptional fire and boasts the highest dispersion rating of any jewelry gemstone available today, even exceeding that of fine diamond. Like most green garnets, demantoid is typically found only in small sizes.

• Russian demantoid is highly prized for its distinctive golden 'horsetail' inclusions , shown below .

• Physically, Demantoid garnet is thought to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, varicose veins, backache, liver disorders and prevent hemorrhages.

Shining bright,

Fiery Yellowish Green light,

Lighter than Emerald,

Nevertheless harder in might!

Garnets

Garnets are a set of closely related minerals that form a group, resulting in gemstones in almost every color. Red garnets have a long history, but modern gem buyers can pick from a rich palette of garnet colors: greens, oranges, pinkish oranges, deeply saturated purplish reds, and even some blues.

Photographed from the GIA Collection for the CIBJO project. Top row, left to right: 16.94 ct yellow oval garnet; 19.89 ct round orange spessartite garnet; 44.28 ct round, deep pink rhodolite garnet; 16.99 ct reddish orange cushion cut garnet; and 7.26 ct cushion cut tsavorite garnet. Bottom row, left to right: 8.20 ct oval greenish yellow garnet; 12.36 ct oval golden yellow garnet; 9.22 ct pink pear cut garnet; 14.53 ct light green cushion cut grossular garnet and 4.32 ct bluish green cushion cut garnet.

Demantoid, Tsavorite ,Rhodolite, Spessartite and Mogambique are some varieties of Garnet other than Hessonite.

A poetess has described Garnet as the forgotten gem :

The forgotten gem among the precious
Your love is too dark for a child
Also precious
Yet pure like a diamond!

Oh Garnet
Forget Ruby, your sister
Forget Emerald, your opposite
Forget Opal, all in one, the God of the gems
You are Alfred the Great, so great, yet forgotten!

-Rowena Chandler

The further posts will talk more about the varieties of garnet. so, stay tuned!Till then , you ncan check out some beautiful Garnet jewellery here :

Garnet jewellery 1  Garnet jewellery 2

Garnet : Hessonite

Hessonite or Gomedhak is a member of the garnet species , and is known for its characteristic honey-yellow to brown-red 'cinnamon' color, though it can occur in other colors as well.

This stone is said to impart self-respect, by eliminating feelings of guilt and inferiority. It supports the seeking out of new challenges, opens the intuition and enhances psychic abilities.Most importantly , it is believed to make its wearer achieve success in very little time .The gem helps those who must deal with employees and servants. It is also said to protect from sudden misfortunes. Healthwise , Hessonite is said to cure stomach ailments.

Legends and folklore place garnet among the most ancient of the talismans. Not only was it prized as an ornamental jewel, but also for its strong curative powers and protective energies. The stone is known to help one harness the available creative energies. Traditional folklore also mentions a strong link between the red garnet crystal and blood.Also, garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again !

Stay tuned for the next post which will elaborate on other garnet varieties!

Amethyst , the heavenly stone

The violet of the amethyst represents the deep purple shade of the heavens... ~Charles Blanc, Art in Ornament and Dress, 1875, translated from French

Heavenly shades of purple,

Descending beautifully all across.

Making the future seem bright, 

Igniting our powers of balance, 

Making paths of dreams and reality cross.

Reality strikes everyone,

Dreamers are very few.

Amethyst's beauty if you shall see,
Blessed with its powers shall be you !

Amethyst jewellery

Amethyst

Whether its crystals are left natural, polished as tumblestones, or faceted into magnificent jewels, Amethyst is a gem whose beauty transcends its commonality.

There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald – all shining together in incredible union.-Pliny the Elder

The name Amethyst derives from the Greek word ametusthos, meaning “not intoxicated,” and comes from an ancient legend. The wine god Bacchus, angry over an insult and determined to avenge himself decreed the first person he should meet would be devoured by his tigers. The unfortunate mortal happened to be a beautiful maiden named Amethyst on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana. As the ferocious beasts sprang, she sought the protection of the goddess and was saved by being turned into a clear, white crystal. Bacchus, regretting his cruelty, poured the juice of his grapes over the stone as an offering, giving the gem its lovely purple hue. [Megemont, 24][Kunz, 58-59][Simmons, 28]

. It was popular in rosaries and prayer beads, credited with creating an atmosphere of pious calm, imbuing a sense of mental peace and quietude. [Kunz, 236-243, 297, 302-202][Fernie, 169]

In today’s world, Amethyst is still a remarkable stone of spirituality and contentment, known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mind and inspire an enhanced meditative state. Its inherent high frequency purifies the aura of any negative energy or attachments, and creates a protective shield of Light around the body, allowing one to remain clear and centered while opening to spiritual direction. Amethyst stimulates the Third Eye, Crown and Etheric Chakras enhancing cognitive perception as well as accelerating the development of intuitive and psychic ability. It initiates wisdom and greater understanding, and is a stone of comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one. [Melody, 109][Simmons, 28][Ahsian, 29][Raphaell, 80]

Source : Jewel Paradise gemstone booklet, www.crystalvaults.com

Emerald: the beauty

“A JEWELRY STORE NAMED INDIA

If you hold this
Dazzling emerald
Up to the sky,
It will shine a billion
Beautiful miracles
Painted from the tears
Of the Most High.
Plucked from the lush gardens
Of a yellowish-green paradise,
Look inside this hypnotic gem
And a kaleidoscope of
Titillating,
Soul-raising
Sights and colors
Will tease and seduce
Your eyes and mind.

Tell me, sir.
Have you ever heard
A peacock sing?
Hold your ear
To this mystical stone
And you will hear
Sacred hymns flowing
To the vibrations
Of the perfumed
Wind.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

If you feel like you need some Emerald beauties after reading this , just check out the links below !

Emerald jewellery 1  Emerald jewellery 2

Emerald,the soothing stone

Pliny wrote, "Nothing is more intense than the green of emerald" and "sight is refreshed and restored by gazing upon this stone"

Emeralds have always held a place in mythology. It was believed that the green of Emeralds soothed the eyes, and vision was restored when gazing upon them. It is reported that Emeralds were used by early stone-cutters to rest their eyes. It is also said that Nero viewed gladiator fights through an emerald because the color was calming.

The green color of emerald is the sign of spring, and ancient Egyptians believed that Emeralds stood for rebirth and fertility, and could ease childbirth. Many Mummies would be buried with an Emerald around their neck in hopes of bringing them eternal youth. Often times, the Emerald was worn as a talisman, because of the belief of its ability to ward off evil spirits and possession.

Emeralds have often been used to provide protection on journeys. It is believed that one who is in possession of an Emerald will be provided with the protection of God, blessed with good fortune, posses mystical powers, have strengthened memory, intelligence, and the ability to predict the future!

According to astrology, it is also the best gem for students because of the beliefs stated above .

Sapphire jewelry

Check out these beautiful designs in sapphire!

Blue Sapphire, the Celestial gem !

The azure light of Sapphire's stone resembles that celestial throne,
A symbol of each simple heart that grasps in hope the better part,
Whose life each holy deed combines, and in the light of virtue shines.

Marbodus, 12th Century AD

Continuing with the series 'Know Your Gems' today we will be talking about Blue Sapphire.It  is the most well known of all sapphire varieties, known as 'Neelam'.Sapphires are one of the toughest gemstones, second in hardness only to diamonds.

It is said that this stone has the power to throw its wearer on a higher status from all sides.It could give you all that you desire-health , wealth , longetivity and happiness! The guardians of innocence, sapphires symbolise truth, sincerity and faithfulness, and are also thought to bring peace, joy and wisdom to their owners.

In India it was believed that a sapphire immersed in water formed an elixir that could cure the bite of scorpions and snakes. Alternatively, if it were worn as a talisman pendant, it would protect the wearer against evil spirits.The ancient Persians believed sapphires were a chip from the pedestal that supported the earth and that its reflections gave the sky its color!

While personal preference should always be your primary concern when purchasing colored gemstones, sapphires that sit in the middle of the blue color range are historically the most coveted.

To wear it or not , well , that is totally your call!

Diamond , the Heera

"Next to sound judgment, diamonds and pearls are the rarest things in the world"said Jean de la Bruyen, and we do agree !

Diamonds are loved by every woman. Every woman wants that sparkling piece of stone, that exemplifies her beauty and needless to say, is a status symbol too.

Did you know that are the purest of all gemstones? Diamonds were discovered in India in 500 B.C., and the name "diamond" comes from the Greek word "Adamas" which means unconquerable - suggesting the eternity of love.

Since ancient Greece, diamonds and diamond jewelry have been the traditional symbol of love, and the ancients believed they were hardened dew drops, splinters from the stars or crystallized lightning!

According to astrology, diamonds are known to give a luxurious life to the wearer.It is also believed to give fame and improve artistic quality.

We have an amazing collection of diamond jewelry, whichever occasion you are looking for!

We sell on Amazon and Flipkart as Pearl Paradise.

Ruby Jewellery

If you liked our previous Ruby pendant set , here are some more items from  our Ruby collection:

Click here to browse our entire catalogue of genuine  Ruby Jewelry:

http://www.flipkart.com/search?q=pearl+paradise+ruby&otracker=start&as-show=on&as=off

http://www.amazon.in/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pearl+paradise+ruby

Ruby is one of the highest valued coloured gemstones, in fact, large rubies can fetch higher prices than equivalently sized diamonds. Ruby has been prized for centuries because of its excellent Mohs scale hardness of 9, along with its treasured rich red hue and vitreous lustre.

Also known as' Ratnaraj' or ' Manik',this precious gemstone is known to give name, fame, vigour,virtue ,warmth and the capacity to command . Being the gem for planet sun, Ruby is considered as effective in getting success in all fields of life!

Taking a look at historical anecdotes, Burmese warriors believed that rubies would make them invincible, and even inserted rubies under their skin for this purpose. Also, according to the story of Marco Polo, Kublai Khan offered the King of Ceylon a city in exchange for a large ruby!
Needless to say, this beautiful gem makes way for a very attractive and  elegant look!

Featured here is a designer pendent set made exclusively in pure 925 Silver with natural Ruby and CZ stones.It  gives the wearer a royal look.
Click here to buy :

http://www.amazon.in/Pearl-Paradise-Ruby-Cz-pendant-women/dp/B00RPFKC9M/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1464438580&sr=8-9&keywords=pearl+paradise+ruby

http://www.flipkart.com/pearl-paradise-alloy-jewel-set/p/itme8kp48thyh4jr?pid=JWSE8KP4YCSSKVYZ&al=iz88r0SEVFMS%2BlmYnB8Im8ldugMWZuE7%2FLHTI2SOE0Ym8fvuSV6EB6Oj99q0SPVAxWcRf1%2FBh64%3D&ref=L%3A-4386723083299896348&srno=p_33&findingMethod=Search&otracker=start