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Posts Tagged ‘ethical jewellery’

Fair trade jewellery: Hematite

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Hematite earrings £5.99

Hematite earrings £5.99

PROPERTIES OF HEMATITE

 

 

 

 

 

Hematite is a silvery, shiny opaque stone that almost looks like a metal. It is available in a reddish brown or a brown and is characteristically hard, robust and weighty with properties of oxide mineral  and a high iron content of around 70%.

Hematite derives its name from the Greek word haem (blood ) in reference to its red colour.

Indigo Ocean has a really gorgeous, elegant range of solid silver fair trade jewellery including earrings inlaid with a highly polished gold hematite gemstone finish. All our fair trade jewellery is hand made in India where the artisans have been paid a fair wage for their workmanship.

Gold hematite earring - £10.59

Gold hematite earring - £10.59

 

 

 

 

HISTORY OF HEMATITE

The ancient Egyptians used hematite to inlay amulets, specifically the Carpenter Stone and Heart amulets as a treatment for madness and inflammation as they believed it had strong healing properties.

As with the Turquoise and Malachite, Hematite was also grounded into a powder to use as an eye shadow characteristic of the ancient Egyptian era on both males and females.

 

ORIGIN

Hematite is mined in the Lake Superior district in North America, as well as Brazil, Venezuela, Labrador and Quebec.

Gold Hematite earring - £7.49

Gold Hematite earring - £7.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOLKLORE SURROUNDING HEMATITE

The folklore surrounding Hematite is based on the notion that it is the ‘stone of the mind’ whereby it brings mental calmness reducing stresses of life generally through its ‘grounding’ properties. It is also believed to aid the ability for original and logical thinking.

Fair trade silver jewellery: lapis lazuli

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Lapis silver sunburst hand made in India from solid silver

Lapis silver sunburst hand made in India from solid silver

Here at Indigo Ocean we have a stunning selection of  fair trade jewellery hand crafted in India, from earrings to pendants.

My first and foremost favourite gemstone is Lapis Lazuli because it has such a rich and very striking blue colour (I am a water sign so water colours make me happy though its the depth of colour I love in lapis).

Lapis Lazuli pendant with solid silver mount and finding

Lapis Lazuli pendant with solid silver mount and finding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, the name lapis lazuli is derived from both Latin where lapis means ‘stone’ and Arabic where azul  means ‘blue.

The composite qualities of this distinctive blue stone are made from sodium calcium aluminium sulfate silicate which is characterised with beautiful flecks of gold or white. These flecks are naturally created by pyrite or calcite inclusions.

Lapis and Turquoise silver earrings handmade in India

Lapis and Turquoise silver earrings handmade in India

Historically Lapis lazuli was been said to protect against the spirits of darkness as its colour was thought to symbolise the heavens. Because of this belief it was used widely in necklaces, bracelets and rings to protect the wearer from evil. Furthermore, the Ancient Egyptians used lapis lazuli in their amulets as they too believed it had very powerful protective forces.

 Building upon the foundations of these ancient beliefs and uses, lapis lazuli has also been associated with other kinds of positive effects when these gemstones are worn either as an item of jewellery or if the stone is in personal possession.

 For example, lapis is believed to enhance spiritual awakening and mental clarity. It is also believed to protect against depression,  aid self-expression including artistic flair and is also thought to encourage a broader way of thinking.

 

 

 

Lapis and silver teardrop, handmade in India

Lapis and silver teardrop, handmade in India

Lapis Lazuli really is a beautiful gemstone and with its stunning depth of colour it looks fantastic with silver findings either as a pendant or in earrings.

 I would be really interested to hear from anyone who can build on the information I have given here so that people who love this stone can read some more about it….

 

Belinda