Gemstone: Emerald, Preventor of Epilepsy

An Emerald is a type of beryl.  It occurs naturally and has even been found in Canada. 

An Emerald is a most prized stone. It was called the stone of successful love. 

 But it was also thought to prevent epilepsy when hung about a child's neck.

Gemstone: Sapphire Preserver of Chastity

Ever wondered why purity rings often come with Sapphires? 

Yep, it was believed that sapphires preserved chastity. 

Now, what would it mean if your fiance gives you a sapphire?

A Sapphire is usually a mineral, corundum, basically an aluminium oxide compound. 

Gemstones: Amethyst the Cure for Drunkenness

The Ancient Greeks believed this stone to be the all time cure for drunkenness! 

It was basically a good luck charm, supposed to protect one from becoming drunk. 

Amethyst literally means "not intoxicated" in Greek. 

An Amethyst is purple quartz.

Organic Gemstones

Did you know that there are only a few gemstones that are classified as organic gemstones? 

These gems are organic materials used as gems.   So, basically, these became precious because we looked at them and said "Pretty!  These must be valuable."  And now, items like ivory in particular are precious, because of the history of how ivory was obtained.

• Amber
• Ammolite
• Bone
• Copal
• Coral (precious)
• Ivory
• Jet
• Nacre (Mother of pearl)
• Pearl

But there are other kinds of gems that are technically "organic" - these mainly are rocks... But that is for another post.