Posts Tagged ‘peridot beads’

August’s featured birthstone: Peridot

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

The standard birthstone for next month just happens to be well-represented at Rings & Things.  Let’s play with peridot

Peridot: August's featured birthstone at Rings & Things

August's featured birthstone is...

Did you know about peridot?

  • It’s also known as “Bastard Emerald”
  • Peridot is technically a variety of olivine
  • It turns out that quite a few “emeralds” in queens’ and kings’ treasuries are actually peridot!
  • Peridot is claimed to increase eloquence and remove speech impediments, and, um…oh, what’s that word?  (All this info & much more is in our awesome Gemstone Beads Index.)

Some of the styles of peridot that we stock are snazzy enough to wow any Leo/Virgo child of August.  You can even tuck a tiny birthday gift or note inside this peridot & sterling ‘wish box’ pendant:

Peridot & sterling 'wish box' pendant

Peridot & sterling 'wish box' pendant

For guys you might prefer going with a chunkier style like these hefty peridot chip beads:

Peridot chunky chips

Peridot chunky chips

Or you can go really smooth and classic with sleek round peridot beads:

Smooth as velvet: peridot rounds

Smooth as velvet: peridot rounds

Just bear in mind (and please tell your customers) that peridot is often enhanced in order to smooth out tiny natural irregularities in its surface — So go easy on the exposure to hazardous chemicals.  Also shield your peridot from high heat, deep cold, and hammers, okay?

* Alternative August birthstones are onyx or sardonyx, and carnelian.

I bet some of you have sold, or been commissioned to make, August birthstone jewelry.  You can share your experiences in a comment below!

DON’T MISS OUR June-July giveaway:
* in our online store, find a fave product & review it there, then…
* …leave a comment about it at the contest article in our blog
* On August 3, five winners will receive coveted Rings & Things gift certificates!
* Enter often & see if you win!

The price of amethyst, and how to benefit from it

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

A showroom customer asked about the price of amethyst, particularly the “A” grade amethyst we carry.  We had not noticed the recent price of this, so we asked our supplier who specializes in amethyst.

a-grade_amethyst

A-grade amethyst beads from Rings & Things...an investment?

She told us,

“Yes, Amethyst rough has kept increasing for the last two-three years.  For the same price, we won’t be able to get the same quality rough.  Since last year, I notice vendors in [market shops] are now selling the “A” grade amethyst by grams, just like peridot and aqua.”

So take a tip:

FYI for all birthstone / purple lovers.  Don’t wait till you’re old to get hold of genuine amethyst beads, if they’re your thing!

Have more insider gemstone tips?  You can share them with enthusiastic readers right here, in a comment!

May giveaway:
* You enter by leaving comments this month
* At the end of May, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly, to enter a lot & to see if you won!