March 01, 2005
The Luck of the Irish… could it be because they wear Green?
Green is the color of Wisdom and has always been associated with the healing properties of the environment. Wearing a green Gemstone is said to promote receptiveness to the wisdom of nature. This association with the elements of the earth has also lead these stones to be used in meditation, and even spells involving money, prosperity, riches and luck. Knowing all of this, is St. Patrick's Day the only day we should be wearing Green?
Green Gemstones:
Most gemstones occur in a range of different colors, although each has a color with which it is strongly associated. If you were to ask most people to name a green gemstones, however they would largely name Emerald. Read on to find out about the many other beautiful choices available in this hue.
Tourmaline:
Although it occurs in various other colors, green Tourmaline is the variety most frequently known by the consumer. Most of these gems exhibit a bottle green color from very dark to almost yellowish. The variety known as chrome tourmaline can easily imitate the very best of emeralds. The vivid green color it exhibits is caused by the presence of chromium in its crystal structure. This is the same mineral that causes the bright green variety of garnet known as Tsavorite.
Tsavorite:
Discovered in 1967 by Campbell R. Bridges, tsavorite has become quickly found favor as a precious colored gem. Showing high transparency, stunning luster and beautiful green colors, only a handful of mines in Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar produce this rare gem. Mining of this specimen seldom yields large crystals adding to the rarity and allure of this spectacular stone.
Alexandrite:
As one of the most valuable gem types in the world, it is most known for it's stunning changes of color from red to green. This stone is admired and coveted by all gemstone connoisseurs the world over. It comes from Madagascar, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka and the Ural Mountains of Russia. This stone is the traditional birthstone for June, although due to its rarity and high cost Pearl (the other stone for June) is most commonly used.
Green Sapphires:
Though usually regarded as a blue stone, this gem manifests itself in the entire spectral hue. Most green sapphires appear quite dark, and have an oily appearance. But the attractive ones have the advantage of being extremely hard and durable.
Emeralds:
The king of all Green gemstones, Emeralds have been mined since ancient times. Emerald, along with aquamarine, belongs to the beryl family. The green is incomparable and comes from chrome or vanadiuim in the crystal. The color is very stable and non fading. Only the finest emeralds are transparent because most of these beryls have inclusions or gas bubbles, healing cracks and foreign crystals which provide evidence to the genuineness of the stone compared to synthetic imitations. The most desired color is deep green even with these "gardens" (the term used to refer to the inclusions). The distribution of color is often much less irregular in these than in the paler "clean" stones. Emeralds are brittle and must be worn with care. The most important emerald deposits are found in Columbia and fine small crystals also in Rhodesia. Lesser quality specimens are also mined in Brazil and South Africa. Because emeralds are so sensitive to knocks, the emerald (or step) cut was developed.
There are a host of other green stones and minerals, some used in jewelry and some simply enjoyed as natural specimens. Following is a partial list. : Peridot, Spinel, Aventurine, Fluorite, Heliodor, Jade, Malachite, Onyx, Topaz, Zircon.
This St. Patrick's Day treat yourself to a little "Luck" by wearing a Green Gemstone, as you see, your choices are truly abundant.