We know that true happiness comes from within. Yet, often people say jewelry makes them happy. Is there any truth to this?

If you look into the French and Latin derivation of the word, jewel, it means “that which causes joy”. Historians are known to say that in prehistoric times jewelry was regarded as a symbol of happiness.

When birthstones were first created, they were to help you develop your strengths and lessen your weaknesses. As such, they have been used to create a more positive life.

For those that believe in gem therapy, many stones like poppy jasper and amber are used to help one be happier.

For us, jewelry is a reminder of the love from the person who gave it to us — which can even be the love from yourself. When thought of in this light, yes! Jewelry can make you happier by being a symbol of love.

See also:

• Using Jewelry To Help Your Goals

Many people don’t fully understand how gemstone hardness is rated – or even what it means.

About The Measurement System

Gemstone hardness is measured on the Mohs scale. This is a relative scale so you can understand which gems are harder than others. The Mohs scale is not proportional. For example, a gemstone with hardness of 6 is not twice as hard as one that is hardness 3. However, you can tell how easily a gems will be scratched. For example, this system is great for telling which gems will scratch other gemstone jewelry.

Mohs Hardness Scale

Here is a chart from hardest to softest of the most common gemstones used in jewelry. Some stones have a range so this chart is approximate in those cases.

Hardness	Gemstone
10	Diamond
9	Ruby, Sapphire
8.5	Alexandrite, CZ
8	Topaz, Spinel
7.5	Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet, Tourmaline
7	Amethyst, Citrine, Iolite, Quartz
6.5	Peridot, Tanzanite, Zircon
6	Moonstone
5.5	Opal, Lapis
5	Apatite, Obsidian
4	Flourite, Malachite, Platinum
3	Coral, Pearl
2.5	Amber, Gold, Silver

What Does The Mohs Scale Tell You

Besides telling you how easy a stone scratches, it tells you how brittle a stone is and how fragile a stone is. Often soft stones should not be used in rings as they will be damaged too easily. Note that gold, silver and platinum are softer than most gemstones and as such can easily be scratched.

Is The Highest Mohs Hardness Best?

Though diamonds are the hardest – and hence they are hardest to scratch, they are also brittle. This means they can shatter. So the scale is useful, but it isn’t everything.

You may also be interested in: Jewelry Markings Revealed and Useful Diamond Facts

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With the holidays quickly approaching jewelry is a natural choice for many people in search of a gift. However, sometimes understanding the language of of jewelry can be complicated to understand. There is a whole set of terms and abbreviations that are used in the jewelry industry, but to be sure that you are purchasing a quality piece you must make sure that you take the time to understand what each of them means. Comprehension of jewelry markings and terms is an essential part of the jewelry shopping process.

Gold

Gold is one of the most popular mediums that jewelry can be crafted out of, and due to that popularity you want to be sure that you are getting top quality gold in your pieces. Gold is available in a variety of carats. You can typically find gold in either 10K, 14K, or 18K. The “K” stands for karat. Basically gold in its purest form is rated at 24 karats. Jewelry cannot be made out of 24K gold because it is too soft to stand up to the wear and tear on its own. Instead, jewelry makers mix the gold with other metals to strengthen it. So for example 14K gold has 14 parts of gold mixed with another metal. 18K has 18 parts and so on and so forth.

Marking Explained

Here is a break down of some of the imprints that you may find on gold jewelry:

K = Karat

GF = Filled with gold

GS = Gold Shell (Gold covering another metal)

KP = Karat Plumb, which is the precise amount of gold in the piece.

Silver

Silver jewelry is becoming increasingly popular. Due to that you will want to be sure that you understand the terms associated with silver. Silver that is used to make jewelry is typically referred to as sterling silver. Genuine sterling silver is actually 92.5% of silver mixed with an alternate metal like copper. Due to this you may find the decimal .925 imprinted on your jewelry. This means that the silver that you are looking at purchasing is the top quality that you can expect. However, you may find some other markings on the jewelry like Sterling or Taxco. These are also used to indicate the quality of product that you are dealing with.

Platinum

Though platinum may look similar to silver or white gold it is drastically different. Platinum is substantially more rare and more expensive that the other two metals and you will want to be sure that you are getting genuine platinum when you are paying the price for it. The most traditional marking that you will see is Pt which is actually the atomic symbol for platinum.. Often you will find it stamped on the jewelry, but you may also find a marking like Pt 900 or Pt950. These markings indicate the concentration of pure platinum much like the karat markings on gold. For platinum jewelry, 900PT is 90% platinum; 950PT is 95% platinum. Platinum jewelry is often purchased for its beauty as well as to avoid earring allergies.

Gemstones

Jewelry maker quite often utilizes the use of gemstones in them. There are a variety of stones that can be used ranging from semi-precious to precious stones. These stones are actually ranked with a system that has been developed by gemologist. Basically, this system rates each stone based on three of the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s are generally what are used by consumers to buy gemstones, and they stand for cut, clarity, color, and karat.

Cut

The cut refers to the shape that the gem is cut into. This can be one of many different choices, but some of the most common are round, square, marquis, or emerald. Basically different cuts give the stone different numbers of reflective surfaces. The more faces the gemstone has the bigger amount of sparkle the stone will produce. So consequently a round diamond will create more sparkle than an emerald cut diamond due to it having more surfaces to reflect the light off of.

Clarity

Clarity refers to how clear the stone is. Basically there are very few stones that are considered flawless meaning that they have no inclusions, or visible marks on them. There is a range that is used to indicate how clear a gem is. An F rating means that it is flawless where as an I3 rating means that you can see several inclusions with the naked eye. Below you will find a breakdown of the clarity rating system.

F = Flawless

IF = Cannot see any inclusions with 10x magnification

VVS1 and VVS2 = Has some inclusions, but they are difficult to see with 10x magnification

VS1 and VS2 = Small inclusions that are difficult to see with 10x magnification

SI1 and SI2 = Visible inclusions that can be see with 10x magnification

I1, I2, and I4 = Visible inclusions without magnification

Color

Color labels the color quality of the gemstone. This can vary from stone to stone, and what you want from stone to stone will also vary. If you are shopping for diamonds you are going to want to get as close to colorless as you can where as if you are purchasing an emerald or a ruby chances are that you are looking for a more rich and saturated hue.

Learn specifically about diamond markings and quality in our diamond buying guide
.
Lastly, karat refers to the size of the gemstone. Just as karat in gold illustrates how much of the metal is pure gold, the karat of a gemstone illustrates its relative size.

You may also like these useful posts:

• Facts About Platinum
• Gold Facts

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Lapis Lazuli is a precious blue-colored gemstone or the blue sapphire. Its unique elegance makes it an exquisite choice for jewelry and sculpture. Common lapis has streaks of gold pyrites and white calcite veins, which set it apart from other gemstones. However, rare ones with no white calcite veins and with only small streaks of golden pyrite have high market value. Architects use it as ornament for walls and columns of castles and cathedrals.

Its name comes from two Latin words “lapis” (stone) and “azula” (blue), which means Blue Stone. Etymologists say however that “lazuli” comes from the Medieval Latin “lazulum,” which takes derivation from the Persian word “Lāzhvard”, the name of the place where people mine the gemstone. Thus, it should mean “Stone of Lāzhvard.”

The use of lapis dates thousands of years back as archaeologists have found evidence that people around Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome have used this stone as jewelry and ornament for tombs and figurines. Archaeologists have found lapis jewelry at excavations in Naqada, Egypt, which dates back to 3300BC. Among the ancient lapis lazuli jewelries now on display is a Mesopotamian pendant that dates back to 2900BC and a dove carving studded with gold pegs from Susa, Iran that dates back to 1200BC.

Middle Eastern people believe it has magical powers. In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets, signet rings and scarabs. Up to now, many consider it as a stone of friendship and truth. Assyrians and Babylonians use it for seals.

Powdered lapis is an expensive ingredient for blue pigment in painting. Many great painters use lapis in their masterpieces. Cleopatra has found the value of powdered lapis for coloring as she uses it for eye shadow.

Afghanistan has been the biggest source of lapis since 2000 B.C.

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Discover The Beauty of Flame Colored Stones

Orange is the color of power. It is one of the powerful healing colors used widely. The sight of an orange color stimulates your brain to crave for food. It stimulates creativity and enthusiasm. The color orange represents endurance and vitality. People who loves orange are mostly sincere and thoughtful. Some people say that, if you want to win in casino games, you should wear or carry something that is orange. But of course, that’s just a myth- orange is thought to be the color of lady luck. Orange gem stones has the same characteristics with the red gems, only gentler and more creative. Jewelries with orange gems are worn by professionals to promote personality and power. It is a great help for people who want to boost their self-esteem. Orange gemstones stimulate mental quickness and creativity. Here are some of the most beautiful flame colored stones.

Fire Opal

In the exuberant world of opals, the fire opal is the most unique one. Admired by its fiery orange color that symbolizes fervent love during the ancient times. The fire opal is a powerful gem that bears a very vibrant orange color. It has a fiery warm glow that attracts a lot of gem enthusiasts all over the world. This orange stone can never be underrated. Like its opal cousins, it containa silicic acid with a high content of water in it. It was named for its radiating warm orange color that has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. fire opal is among the most sensitive stones that need protective setting, most especially when it is worn as a ring. Fire opals are not at all similar to one another. They are categorized depending on its quality when cut. People who are not really that enthusiastic about energy gemstones will dramatically have a feeling of warmth at the sight of a fire opal. In gemstone therapies, fire opals are regarded as the gem stones for people who want to work on a particular personality aspect. As opposed to its name, fire opal has a low tolerance to heat and it has a very poor resistance to alkaline solution, acids and sharp objects. A very unfavorable condition can cause the opal to surrender and breathe out all its moisture until there’s nothing left; this can make the opal cracked and cloudy. Thus, if you have a jewelry that has an opal, never expose it to intense and direct sunlight. All the more, fire opal rings are often favorite jewelry.

Mandarin Garnet

Just like the fiery comets hanging above the gloomy evening sky, mandarin garnet stones shine brightly especially during the night. It first appeared in the gem trade some years ago. Gemstone lovers and jewellers agrees that the high brilliance and magnificent color of this orange stone is very unique from all others. Mandarin garnets originated in Africa, particularly in the north-west Namibia. Within a short time period, this brilliant gemstone flourished in the world of international jewelry industry. With its radiant orange color that sometimes turn in slight brown, mandarin garnets are listed among the most admired gemstones on earth. Its color speaks much of energy and enthusiasm. A person who displays a jewelry with an orange gem such as mandarin garnet is not afraid of getting too much attention, thus stimulating a great amount of confidence that emanates beauty and creativity. Undoubtedly, it is a stone chosen mostly by extroverts. Aside from its brilliant color, mandarin garnets also have some other good qualities to be proud of. The stone is relatively hard which is perfect for any kind of jewelry. It sparkles with utter vivacity. This is a very rare stone that’s hunted by many gem stone collectors who can’t resist it’s fiery beauty.

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Purchasing gold jewelry is not as easy as buying luxurious watches. You really must be knowledgeable on how to distinguish real gold from cheap gold. It is known that the important factor in buying gold relies upon its karat. 24 karat is known to be made up of 100% pure gold. Most jewelry is 14 Kt or 58.5% gold.

So, if you found a gold necklace or other piece of jewelry, how can you tell if it is worth the price? Sometimes, you become mesmerized with its beauty and you are willing to buy it at any cost. Yet, this gold is expensive and of course, you want to be sure that you are getting what you have paid for. Here’s how to determine if an item is made of real gold.

Testing Gold

1. First, you may want to review its weight in grams since gold is better if it is heavier. This can also be sometimes much inexpensive than buying lighter ones.
2. Second is to check the karat markings, since all real gold are mark with its percentage of purity, the percentage begins to 10 to 24 karat gold.
3. Next, take a magnet test. If the magnet was unable to pull the gold then it means that you are on a reliable distributor.
4. Fourth will be the perfume test. It has been said that spraying a perfume on a gold jewelry would reveal its authenticity if it does not fade.
5. When worn, fake gold tends to leave green marks on the skin and eventually tarnish.
6. The final review for the product is the scratch test. This will reveal a fake or plated nugget just by scratching it.

The company’s reputation is also an important thing to consider in buying gold jewelry. This is to ensure you that you have somewhere to go if you have any further concerns after making your purchase. It is better if you will personally buy it, at least you’ll get the feel of the jewelry itself.

What A Jeweler Can Tell You

If you are not convinced with the pre-tests given, you may ask for another jeweler’s assistance to identify if it is a cheap gold or not. Jewelers may perform a chemical test to reveal the piece’s property. They may also just look it under a magnifying lens or is commonly known as the jeweler’s loop to determine its quality. If you want to do the chemical test yourself, you may purchase a nitric acid test kits which covers the karats ranging from 10 to 22. Since there some incorrect purity markings, nitric acid test is the best option to test its quality.

Now, if you have done all the suggested tests and you are still not certain with the piece you want to buy, then it is better for you to get over it and find a new piece that you feel confident about instead.

Karat Markings

You must be aware of how much karat is it in your gold jewelry since most jewelry in the market is not made from 100% pure gold and it tends to be too soft that can be damaged easily. This is to avoid conflict and misinterpretation with the seller. Since gold jewelries are mostly processed by machines, hand-made patterns also add in the price. This is not to be confused with the expensiveness in the rate of its craft from the weight of its gold.

Your Style

Buying real gold jewelry is not just about how much gold it has or expensive it is. This is also about value. You must also consider the style if it is functional because you are buying it because of its purpose. If you are buying this for yourself, you may want to have a piece that would speak or connect to you. Real gold jewelry is timeless which may also be passed on for generations.

Always keep in mind that looks can be quite deceiving so if you are really into buying a real gold piece of jewelry always asks for a certification of authenticity.

You may also be interested in:

• Tips for Buying Gold Jewelry
• Fun Gold Facts

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What Does My Birthstone Mean?

Your birth month has something to say about you, and what else could tell you best but your birthstone? Not only do birthstones hold relevant meanings, they make good accessories as well. Below are some birthstone meanings you might want to know, while flaunting your glittering accessories.

Garnet – The January Birthstone

Burgundy red in color, garnet is a mesmerizing piece of birthstone jewelry. It derives its name from the Roman word “granatum”, a word which signifies the pomegranate fruit. Garnet was most probably named after the pomegranate because of its likeness to its seeds. It is said to represent faith and courage, and can enhance a person’s popularity when worn. It is also said to bring good luck to business.

Amethyst – The February Birthstone

This birthstone is a variety of quartz, and possesses a vibrant purple hue. The Greeks believed amethyst to prevent intoxication, and often wore it when drinking. It was also once used in adorning crowns, particularly those of the British royalty. Amethyst is said to signify peace and spiritual wisdom, and is believed to cure headaches and insomnia, as well as bring good dreams.

Aquamarine – The March Birthstone

Aquamarine, as its name suggests, is translucent blue. It symbolizes safety and serenity, and has been used by those who travel by sea to guarantee a safe passage. It also means everlasting youth, and is said to help you get in touch with your inner child when worn.

Diamond – The April Birthstone

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” says a song. But aside from its flawless beauty, have you ever wondered why this April birthstone is often used to express love? It’s most probably because its name comes from the Latin words “Dio”, which means God, and “amante”, which means love. Simply put, a diamond symbolizes “divine love”. It also represents innocence and constancy – both desirable attributes of love.

Emerald – The May Birthstone

Its rich green color makes emerald one of the most favorite birthstones out there. It is often used in making accessories like rings, bracelets, and necklaces. It is said to boost one’s intelligence, and heal the heart. some say it helps people become more healthy or flexible depending on the tradition.

Pearl – The June Birthstone

In ancient times, pearls were believed to be a mixture of moonlight and dewdrops, particularly because of its iridescence. Pearls are a product of shelled mollusks, but the most beautiful ones come from oysters. They are said to signify longevity, but some people also believe that giving them as gifts would bring tears to the recipient.

Legend has it that pearl jewelry helps one feel the love the giver has for them and helps them accept that love. That is what the are a favorite gift to give to loved ones.

Ruby – The July Birthstone

Because of its fiery crimson color, ruby is associated with passionate love. It is believed to bring good luck to one’s endeavors in romance, and is often used as ring ornaments. Ruby is unusual as it seems to be the July birthstone across many many traditions including Ayurvedic which is over 1000 years old.

Peridot – The August Birthstone

This birthstone boasts olive green hues, which does not grow dim at night. Though it is a very common stone, it is hard to find high gem quality peridot. It was originally found in Egypt, and is believed to drive away evil spirits. It also brings forth good luck. Some say that this gem will help dreams become a reality.

Sapphire – The September Birthstone

With its radiant blue hue, sapphire was once believed to be the source of the sky’s color. Sapphire comes in many colors besides blue such as: yellow, pink and orange. Red sapphire is actually ruby.

Sapphire means lotus blossom. It is a symbol wisdom and truth. It also signifies commitment and loyalty, and is a popular choice of jewelry.

Opal – The October Birthstone

With its ability to refract light, opal is most enjoyed for the array of colors it displays. Its vivid flashes of color is sure to enchant any pair of eyes that fixes its gaze upon it. Shakespeare even used it as his muse once. Similar to its play of colors, this birthstone is also associated with delight.

Most high quality opal comes from Australia. Some say that opal helps one see more of the available possibilities.

Citrine – The November Birthstone

This birthstone’s name comes from the French word for lemon, “citron”. It is the most abundant mineral, and signifies light-heartedness. One often wears citrine to have more happiness enter their lives. Some also call it the “jewel of the sun”.

Turquoise – The December Birthstone

Turquoise has a blue-green color that has been used as an ornament as early as the time of the pharaohs. It is said to be a stone of power, one that could amplify the strength of the person who wears it. Contrary to its powerful image, however, turquoise is easily damaged by chemical agents like soap, and is advised to be kept with care to avoid discoloration.

And there you have the twelve birth stones that represent the twelve months of the year. With all these birthstone jewelry trivia, who wouldn’t want to wear them? For all we know, they might be the good luck we’ve been waiting for.

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For those who learn best by watching videos, I found this informational video clip that explains gold – the various karat values and gold colors. If you have been wanting to learn about gold, here it is:

Gold: Types Of Gold

Common values for amounts of gold in gold jewelry are:

• Karat – Percent Gold
• 10 Kt – 41.6%
• 14 Kt – 58.5%
• 18 Kt – 75%
• 24 Kt – 100%

Common Gold Alloys:

• Yellow Gold – natural color of gold
• White Gold – often alloyed with nickel
• Rose Gold – alloyed with copper
• Green Gold – alloyed with silver

Usually one’s fascination goes further though. Here are a few more articles that you may enjoy:

• Fun Facts about Gold
• How To Sell Gold Jewelry

There are many fascinating facts about topaz. It is such a common stone that often don’t think that there may be stories and history to go with it! Besides being a birthstone and an anniversary stone, Topaz jewelry has lots of associated facts. Here is some interesting trivia to share:

Many Colors

Topaz is a gemstone that probably has the most numerous color variations. There’s a clear topaz, which means there’s no impurities or crusts in it. Then there’s the blue topaz, the brown topaz, the orange topaz, the gray topaz, the yellow topaz, the green topaz, the pink topaz and reddish pink topaz.

Origin of Topaz

The name topaz came from “Topazios”, which is the name of a Greek author that wrote one of the pioneer methodical dissertations about stones, gems and minerals in the year 1652. Another variation of the word topaz was derived from the word “tapas”, a Sanskrit word that means fire. This is in connection with the earthy toned colors of the topazes. Topaz stones are also often referred as the “Jewel of the Sun”.

Where

Topaz stones and gems are typically mined and excavated together with different kinds of igneous rocks. You can find these mining sites at various places in the United States such as in Utah, as well in different countries like in Sri Lanka, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Italy, Czech Republic, Japan and Brazil.

Blue Topaz

Two of the most common yet unique colors of Topaz are the blue topaz and the yellow topaz. Blue topaz is the gemstone of the state of Texas in the United States. In reality color blue topaz are really, really hard to find. What other jewelers do is to turn the yellow, colorless even the gray topaz into blue by heating, exposing and then lighting them up. Jewelry stores offer different kinds of blue topazes such as the sky blue topaz, which is the most ordinary type of blue topazes. The sky blue topazes are usually used for embellishments and decorations. Another type of blue topaz is called the Swiss blue topaz, which has a brighter shade of blue in it compared to the hue of the sky blue topaz. The blue topaz is sometimes considered as the birthstone of people who were born in the month of December.

Yellow Topaz

The yellow topaz is another variation of the topaz stone. This particular topaz is the official gemstone of the state of Utah in the US. This is also the birthstone of the people who were born in the month of November. Couples who are celebrating their fourth year wedding anniversary can be also symbolized by the topaz stone.

Healing Lore

In ancient times, elders believed that the topaz stone is a very well rounded stone. It has been said that the topaz stone has an impressive positive effect for healing both physical and emotional pains. The topaz stone was used during the olden times to uplift the spirit and mood of one person. Ancient people believed that topaz stones can easily attract love and devotion. It was also considered as the stone that can honed the creative juices of the person.

Legends have it that people who wear topaz stones will be healed from illnesses like hemorrhages and other respiratory diseases. Some elders even endorsed the topaz stones to help people that are suffering from insomnia and bad eyesight.

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Aspiring entrepreneurs and established business persons are often advised to wear jewelry with green gemstones. Precious stones colored green supposedly attract growth and prosperity, in addition to the color’s association with the promise of spring, the exuberance of youth and the fertility of Mother Earth. Green stones of the finest quality like emerald are sometimes even highly prized than diamonds.

Emeralds

Emeralds are not only known throughout the ages as good luck charm, but also as a sacred stone in some ancient civilizations. Among those who considered this gemstone as holy are the Aztecs and Incas whose mines in South America still yield some of these green gems. Emerald is also cited in the Hindu sacred writings called Vedas, which tells of this gem’s healing power. Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra, who had an entire mine to herself, had high regard for emeralds among all other gems. One royal tribute to the gem is manifested in all ancient tables for birthstones.

Columbia is known as the source of the finest emeralds, and with Brazil, these two South American countries produce a major portion of the world’s emerald production. Other emerald producers include India, Pakistan, Norway, Russia, Australia, South Africa and the US. Like anything precious, emerald jewelry needs to be pampered with care, especially that this type of gemstone is comparatively brittle structurally.

Jade

An equal amount of pampering could also be reserved for jade, but not for its delicate structure. In fact, this standout among green gemstones is esteemed for its toughness making it ideally suited not only for making jade jewelry but also for implements, tools and weapons. In China, where it is called ‘yu’, meaning royal gem, jade artworks adorned imperial grave sites. Up to today, Chinese culture looks upon jade as an embodiment of some of the great teachings of Confucius: courage, justice, wisdom, and compassion. However, there is no Oriental monopoly on jade’s cultural influence. In the Central American culture, the Olmecs, the Mayas, and the Aztecs consider this gem more highly than gold. The Maoris of New Zealand carved jade instruments for cult festivals and warfare. The ancient Egyptians regarded jade as an icon for harmony, peace, and love. This Egyptian belief is echoed in today’s gemstone therapy where jade is extolled as having stimulating powers on mental acuity and overall energy and creativity, in addition to the mantle of protection it extends to vital body organs such as the heart, liver and kidney.

Green Garnet

Aficionados of green gemstones looking for jewelry with more contemporary meaning will find some satisfaction with garnet, which has been designated as the modern birthstone for January. Garnet appears to be named after the pomegranate fruit, which in Latin is called “granatum malum.’ Evidence of garnet as jewelry traces as far back as the Bronze Age with burial sites excavated during this period yielding such gemstones. Scholars believe that the Bronze Age humans regarded garnet as an offering for spiritual protection for their compatriots who passed away. Other early cultures cast their faith in garnets as agents in the prevention and cure of infections and disorders of the blood. What makes garnet even more fascinating is that it has family branches with equally fabulous qualities. One of these garnet-related stones is tsavorite. This particular gemstone is mesmerizing with its color range that goes from light blue-green to deep forest green to spring-like green, all with a sheen and luster that reputedly penetrates through clothing. Tsavorite was discovered near the world-renowned Tsavo National Park (hence, the name tsavorite) in the East African savannahs at the Kenya–Tanzania border, by a British geologist, Campbell R. Bridges, who sold his find to New York’s Tiffany and etch another enterprising chapter in gemological history.

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