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Birthstones

February’s Birthstone – Amethyst

Catherine the Great (Empress Catherine II of Russia, 1729–1796) had a penchant for amethyst and decked herself in amethyst necklaces, earrings and other ornaments. Amethyst is the most prized member of the quartz family, thought to keep its wearers clear-headed and quick-witted. The name “amethyst” derives from the Greek amethystos, which means “a remedy against […]

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December’s Birthstones – Part Two: Turquoise

One of the most recognizable stones in the United States, especially in the Southwest region, turquoise has been used by indigenous cultures for centuries. It’s also shown up in Ancient Egyptian tombs, including in King Tut’s headpiece, and carved turquoise from Ancient China has been found recently. Turquoise has a wide range of purported benefits,

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October’s Birthstones – Part Two: Tourmaline

Although tourmaline doesn’t have the famous play-of-color that opals do, it does have a staggering amount of colors, and can display a cat’s-eye effect. Let’s look deeper into this intriguing stone’s history! Tourmaline’s name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors,” because it often has multiple colors in one crystal. There

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