Fun Friday The Letter S: Simulated, vs Synthetic Gemstones

This was originally posted in 2008. I am sharing it again, in honor of Fun Friday, the letter S. The video is new, and shows how diamonds are being created in a laboratory.

There is a difference between simulated and synthetic gemstones. Of course a natural gemstone is a genuine gemstone.
Simulated gemstones are man made gemstones, that can be made of any materials, including glass. They mimic the natural gemstone, they are simulating. They are often very large, affordable, clean and quite beautiful. They do not hold a lot of value, but make quite striking jewelry. Probably the most well know simulated gemstone is a CZ, which of course is a simulant for a diamond. Another one that I very much like, is the Paraiba Ice. It is a simulated gemstone made to mimic the very expensive Paraiba Tourmaline, which is the natural form of the gemstone. It has a lovely swimming pool blue color, and is quite affordable, in the simulated form.

Synthetic gemstones, are man made gemstones as well. However they have the same chemical and optical properties, as a natural gemstone. There are some that carry a great deal of value, and are worth having in a collection. I own some padparadscha sapphire synthetic gemstones. I would of course love to own the natural form, but it is not only extremely rare, but extremely expensive. There are many synthetic stones on the market. It is like having a perfect version of the natural stone, without the expense.
Of course, as a collector, I would love to have a natural gemstone in all the stones that are available. Unfortunately that is not always possible, so these lovely substitutes, do nicely in their place.

Yay I Got In Another Treasury!!!!

I can't believe it, I was featured in another treasury. See that emerald ring, with green sapphires, right in the middle, that is mine. Momgen, has picked one of my items, for the second time to feature in one of her treasuries. Thank you so much. To help us out just click this link http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=115069 the more views we get, the higher a top the list we get to stay. Also you could click on any of the items, once you get there, and check them all out. Be sure to visit Momgen's online craft store, to see what she has cooking over there.

Chrome Diopside, The Emerald Green Gemstone

Do you love Emeralds, or fine Tsavorite Garnet, but can not afford the expense of those two very expensive gemstones? Then you need to know about Chrome Diopside. There are two kinds of valuable Diopside, black star diopside, and chrome diopside. Chrome Diopside, which gets its color from chromium, is the finest emerald green color, next to a real emerald. Sometimes it can get so dark it looks almost black. The most valuable stones are the kelly green color shown. It is however not the strongest of gemstones, with a hardness of about 5, on the Mohs Hardness Scale. It must be worn with care, to avoid knicking, and scratching. It is minded mostly in Siberia, and Kenya, and large sizes are quite rare, due to the fact that the Chromium is a growth inhibitor. Both of these rings are Chrome Diopside, made by myself, and are available for purchase in my Etsy store. I do offer free layaway service, for those who would like to use it.

Fun Friday The Letter R: Rubellite Tourmaline

Today is Fun Friday at our Blogging For Fun Group. We are working on an A-Z meme, and we are up to the letter R. R is for Rubellite Tourmaline. Did you know Tourmaline comes in almost every shade, and hue in the rainbow? Did you also know that Tourmaline is the national gemstone of the USA? I love Tourmaline, it is so unique, and the variety of color that it can be found is, is remarkable. Some are more valuable than others, just like any gemstone. The most valuable in the Rubellite family, is the red that resembles a fine quality ruby. It can also have hints of pink, and violet tones to it. It can mimic ruby, rhodolite garnet, and even pink sapphires. Tourmaline has a hardness of 7- 7 1/2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Tourmaline is mostly an abundant gemstone found in many areas in the world, including the US. I own one Rubellite Tourmaline that I know of, and suspect I have others that need to be properly tested. If you don't have Rubellite Tourmaline in your collection both jewelry, and loose gemstones, then you should. Happy Fun Friday, everyone.

White Zircon and Blue Sapphire Ring

This is a clear gemstone. I have called it Zircon, because it is double refractive there by leaving out Garnet, Diamond, or Spinel. It could be sapphire, quartz, petalite, danburite, zircon or any other double refractive clear gemstone. It is a natural gemstone, not fake, or synthetic. It is emerald cut, measuring 7mmx5mm, and has blue sapphires all along the shoulders. It is a size 6, and is available for sale in my Etsy store. I offer combined shipping, and a free layaway service. So be sure to check out all my great items. Easter, and Mothers Day will be here before we now it.

Healing With Crystals and Stones

I love these videos. They are educational, and interesting. Learn about the powers of gemstones to heal.

Happy Valentines Day

Comments and Graphics - Valentines Day Layouts - Photobucket

Some Lovely Hearts For Your Valentines Day

Hearts the symbol of love, and Valentines Day. The first one is a heart shaped pendant, with amethyst, and yellow sapphires. The second one is Picture Jasper, in a heart shape. It is big, bold, and such lovely earth tones. You can see pricing, and all the details for both of these pieces in my Etsy store. Until tomorrow, you get 25% off all purchases. You must use code Valentine, at checkout to get the sale price.

Fun Friday Letter Q: Quartz Crystals

Today is Fun Friday, at our Blogging For Fun group, and we are up to the letter Q, in the A-Z meme. Q is for Quartz crystals. The video below is cool, and the gentleman that does it has tons of others on Quartz crystals. He has some of the largest, and loveliest collections of Quartz crystals, that I have seen. Check them out, if you love to learn about gems.

Valentines Day Sale in My Etsy Shop 25% Off

From now until midnight on Valentines Day, all items in my Etsy store are 25% off. You must use code, Valentine, to get the discount price at cash out. I offer a free layaway service too, so be sure to ask about that. I have had several customers use it, and were extremely happy with not having to pay all at once.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade missy69.etsy.com

Sugilite and Purple Agate Necklace

I love this piece, that I just made on Sunday. I do not normally do beading, but I bought my mother the most awesome focal gem beads for Christmas, that I had to get a couple for myself. The large focal bead is a Purple Agate, and can be worn on either side. Each side has its own unique design. The pictures did not come out great. I think I used the wrong setting. Anyway the purple beads that make up the necklace part, are Sugilite. Sugilite is a lovely deep purple color, with black veins in it sometimes. It is a healing gemstone, and is believe to increase your intuition, or psychic awareness. Sugilite is said to relieve headaches, and other pains, just by holding it. It looks really nice on too, and if you love purple this is the gems for you. I am still not sure what I will sell this for, as I have never actually created a full piece, totally from scratch. I do like to keep my prices reasonable, and affordable so everyone can afford a piece of lovely jewelry. It will be in my Etsy store, with in the next couple of days. Let me know what you think of it. By the way the smaller spacer beads, are just rainbow beads, not real gems just added nice color, and contrast.

My Very First Time In A Treasury

If you sell on Etsy, then you know all about treasuries. If you don't they are a collection of a members favorite items, shown for the whole site to enjoy. They are meant to increase traffic to your store, and hopefully to increase sales. This is my first time in a treasury, that I know of, big thanks to Momgen, for picking my heart shaped pendant, with Amethyst, and yellow sapphires. Check our her lovely treasury, all the items are beautiful, and purple themed http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=111484

Fun Friday The Letter P: Prasiolite

It is Fun Friday again, at our blogging group, Blogging For Fun. We are doing an A to Z meme, and we are up to the letter P. P is for Prasiolite, also referred to as Green Amethyst. Prasiolite even though it is in the quartz family, it is not a totally natural gemstone. What do I mean by that? Prasiolite is achieved by heat treating, under very high temperatures, very light colored purple Amethyst. It comes out this lovely soft, minty green color, and are exceptionally clean. They look very much like a natural green Sapphire, without the very high expense of the Sapphire. I have several Prasiolites in my collection, but this is the only one that is currently in jewelry. This sterling silver ring, features an 8mmx6mm emerald cut Prasiolite gemstone. with red sapphires on either side. It is about 1 1/2 carats, and is a stunner on the hand. This lovely ring is available for sale in my Etsy store, and you will get 25% off until Valentines Day, if you use the code Valentine, at cash out. Prasiolite like Amethyst, has a hardness of right around 7, on the Mohs hardness scale. Be sure to check out all my great items, as I offer a free layaway service to anyone who wishes to use it.

Healing Properties Of Amethyst

Amethyst is a member of the Quartz family, and ranges in color from a lilac purple, to a deep royal purple. Watch the video below to learn about the healing properties associated with wearing Amethyst. Then visit my Etsy store, to shop all my Amethyst items. 25% off until Valentines Day, use code Valentine at cash out, the get the sale price.

Hearts, Amethyst, and Yellow Sapphires

Just in time for Valentines Day, this lovely heart pendant, featuring a round Amethyst, and three round yellow sapphire gemstones. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. This is a petite pendant, and does not come with the chain.
The list price is 29.99, but now until Valentines Day you get 25% off all orders, in my Etsy store. You will need to use code Valentine at cash out to get the sale price. Be sure to check out all my great items, I combine shipping, and offer a free layaway service.

A Couple Of Unique Valentines Gift Ideas

I am going to share a couple of cute Valentines Gift ideas with you today, that have nothing to do with jewelry. The first one I think is sweet. It is a onesie for your infant or toddler, with their special picture on it. This could be a keepsake for years to come. Put it away, and share it with them years later, or even better on graduation day. I love this idea, and at 12 dollars, it is certainly affordable. Visit Java Jess Etsy shop for details on ordering this great gift idea, and be sure to check out all her other great items while you are there. Don't buy chocolates, or stuffed animals, get something unique.


Next are Barefoot Books. I had never heard of these award winning childrens books until just recently. I have ordered a set for myself, and am now an ambassador to sell them. These books will take your child on an adventure every time. They have princesses, knights, pirates, just to name a few. Plus books to celebrate Chinese New Year, and Valentines Day. Their prices are affordable, and they have great sales too. Go to my Barefoot Shop, and buy your kids some books for Valentines Day. They will thank you. Or you can just click the banner to shop.

Amethyst The Royal Birthstone

Amethyst is the birthstone for February, and very often worn by royalty. Check out the video below, about Amethyst.