PRINCESS DIANA LOVE GEMSTONE JEWELLERY

Every woman loves stunning jewellery. Diana was no exception. He possessed the most stunning & valuable jewellery that two can only imagine. Prince Charles gave her stunning sapphire jewellery, set with flawless diamonds. Apart from these Diana was allowed to wear lots of invaluable items of jewellery from the Crown Jewels belonging to her mother-in-law. Yet Diana only received these antique treasures on loan & had to return them after every outing. But the Princess also bought herself stunning pieces of jewellery. For example he loved watches from Cartier. But Diana also had no problem in wearing trendy fashion jewellery. Sometimes he had fun by wearing fake pearls with imitation diamonds made from glass to her appointments! All women envied the Princess & her newest luxury, & didn't guess that it had only cost a couple of pounds. The only things he prefered not to wear were diadems & crowns. They were heavy for her & uncomfortable, as they had to be fixed tightly to her hair using lots of pins. Besides this Diana had to aquire an bolt upright posture & could not make any spontaneuos movements. "I had to practise that for weeks in front of a mirror", he said. Despite this the Princess of Wales looked basically enchantingly stunning when wearing a diadem.

NECKLACE WITH THE EMERALD CABACHON DROP

NECKLACE WITH THE EMERALD CABACHON DROP

NECKLACE WITH THE EMERALD CABACHON DROP

THE KING KHALID OF SAUDI ARABIA NECKLACE

SPENCER FAMILY DIAMOND AND PEARL DROP NECKLACE

SPENCER FAMILY DIAMOND AND PEARL DROP NECKLACE

SAUDI ARABIAN DIAMONDS AND SAPPHIRE SUITE

RUBY AND DIAMOND TASSEL NECKLACE

RUBY AND DIAMOND LINK NECKLACE

RUBY AND DIAMOND LINK NECKLACE

PRINCE OF WALES FEATHERS' DIAMOND PENDANT

NEW! BLACK VELVET CHOKER WITH DIAMOND CENTERPIECE

Lady Diana wore this necklace again during the visit of King Khalid of Saudi Arabia in June 10, 1981

GRADUATED DIAMOND FLOWER CLUSTER NECKLACE

FRANCES SHAND-KYDD DIAMOND NECKLACE

FLOWER NECKLACE

DOUBLE-STRAND DIAMOND AND AMETHYST BEAD CHOKER

DIAMOND RIBBED COLLAR NECKLACE

DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE VELVET CHOKER

DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE TASSEL NECKLACE

DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE RONDELLE CHOKER

DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE RONDELLE CHOKER

DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE PENDANT ON A DIAMOND TENNIS NECKLACE

DIAMOND AND EMERALD ART-DECO CHOKER

DIAMOND AND EMERALD ART-DECO CHOKER

CORAL NECKLACE

COLLINGWOOD DIAMOND GIRANDOLE EARRINGS AND DIAMOND NECKLACE

COLLINGWOOD DIAMOND GIRANDOLE EARRINGS AND DIAMOND NECKLACE

BLACK BEADS AND DIAMANTE STARS

Below are photos of Diana wearing the pair sapphire cabochon and diamond bracelets

OMAN SUITE: DIAMOND EARRINGS, DIAMOND NECKLACE, DIAMOND BRACELET

THE KING FAISAL OF SAUDI ARABIA NECKLACE

PRINCE OF WALES FEATHERS' DIAMOND PENDANT

SOURCE OF PICTURES
special thanks
http://dianasjewels.net/diamondnecklaces.htm

Types of Beads

Types of Beads Used in Beading


There's lots of types of beads which you can use in beading & can be found readily in craft stores or the Web.Given the choices, you have to think of the beading project which you intend to generate first.Having an idea of what you intend to do will makes things simpler & in your hunt for the beads & findings & the quantity which you require to purchase.Below are some types of beads which you can use in your beading projects / jewelry making.


Pearls

There's a few types of pearls obtainable in the market, namely real pearls & cultured pearls.Cultured pearls are usually manmade or reared artificially. They are relatively inexpensive as compared to real pearls harvested from the ocean. E. g. Swarovski pearls & freshwater culturedpearls.There's also plastic pearls which are readily obtainable but do not have the lustre shine. Depending on your budget, you could pick from different types of pearls in your beading / jewelry making needs.


Glass Beads


Glass beads are commonly used in beading projects. Some common ones are Czech glass beads or Indian glass beads.They are obtainable in different designs such as leaf shape which make them popular.Usually the Indian glass beads have colourful coatings & designs & are usually handmade.


Crystal Beads


Crystal beads are widely used in jewelry making as they give the jewelry a sparkle & glam finish. The more popular ones are Swarovski crystal beads which have a lot of designs & cutting. The shine from the Swarovski crystal beads give the final jewelry piece a attractive glitter, which is why it is commonly used. Beware that there's some imitation crystal beads which are actually common glass beads & may cost slightly cheaper than Swarovski crystal beads. Do get your beads from a trusted Swarovski authorized merchant or reliable Web dealer to avoid being con!


Semi precious stone beads


These are semi precious stone beads which are processed to be tiny beads. They can come in a quantity of shapes & sizes which can be used in beading projects.


Seed Beads


These are tiny beads which come in different sizes, like 12/0, 15/0 etc. The smaller the number,the bigger is the beads.They are manufactured in a quantity of places but the usual ones are Japanese seeds beads (which are of a higher quality) & Taiwanese seed beads (which may not be even).


Plastic Beads


These are commercial beads which are readily obtainable & are inexpensive. They can be used in a variety of beading projects from the simple to the complex ones. Plastic beads are used widely in making children's jewelry as they are safer & less easy to break. Lots of lovely children's jewelry are made of a combination of metal beads & plastic beads.


Metal Beads


There's lots of types of metal beads. In the past, lots of different societies have created beads from various metals - from gold to even using metals from cooking pots. For e.g. you have Indian brass beads or Greek metal that are made from non-precious metals or even Thailand / Cambodia metal beads.


Wooden Beads

There's also wooden beads made from various wood by methods such as painting or polishing.

Stone Beads

These are beads that are made from stones such as limestone.

Bone Beads

These are carved in to various shapes of beads & colored tp various designs.

Birthstones chart

BIRTHSTONE CHART

Garnet

Garnet - modern birthstone of January - known as the stone of health - ridding the body ofnegative energies and transmuting them to a beneficial state. Also know in the past as a stone of commitment - to purpose, to others, to oneself. The loving power of garnet tend to reflect the attributes of devotion, bringing the love of others to expressions of warmth and understanding. It both monitors and adjusts the flow of energy, providing for a balanced energy field around the physical body and aligning the emotional and intellectual bodies with the perfection of All that is. (from Melody's book Love is in the Earth)

Amethyst

Amethyst is symbolic of piety, spirituality, and a devotion to God. The rich purple gemstones are used worldwide to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and theyfrequently found in the rings and on the rosaries worn by bishops and priests. It is also believed that amethysts bring on pleasant dreams because they allow you to "channel"positive universal energy. As a result many people place an amethyst under their pillow beforegoing to sleep at night to enjoy "sweet dreams" throughout the night.

Aquamarine

You can see the picture cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean, you will understand why the birthstone for March is named Aquamarine. Derived from the Roman word "Aqua," meaning water, and "mare," meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater.A gift of Aquamarine symbolizes both safety and security, especially within long standing relationships. Some people even say that the Aquamarine reawakens love in a tired marriage, so if you want to bring back that spark in your partner's eyes, you might consider this gem as an anniversary gift!

Diamond

The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth.Diamonds have been revered throughout history. Used to embellish such items as crowns, swords and emblems as well as jewelry.A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the ages.

Emerald

May birthstone jewelry is usually made with emeralds. Emerald symbolizes fidelity and goodness. This beautiful green birth stone looks beautiful in any type of jewelry especially a May birthstone ring. Birthstone rings are especially nice as the wearer can view these wonderful stones all day. It is often believed that an Emerald jewelry can bring wisdom, patience and growth to its wearer. May birthstone jewelry is best presented as a gift by a lover who would want to incorporate all of the mentioned virtues in the present relationship. After all, who does not wish for love to be strong and to endure all things.

Pearls

In the ancient mythologies, the pearl was associated with the moon, as it was believed that pearls were born out of teardrops of moon that fell into the ocean.Of course, throughout history, June’s birthstone symbolized numerous traits of those born in this month. Because of its clean and simple appearance, it associated purity, wisdom and loyalty with those who celebrated their birthday in June.The ancient Chinese believed the pearls could give eternal youth to the owner and even to this day, they use them into cosmetics that are meant to give a youthful look. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls could prevent brides from crying and perpetuate happiness among the owner’s friends.

Ruby

The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was thought to grow darker when peril was imminent, and to return to its original color once danger was past—provided it was in the hands of its rightful owner! Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a pot of water would boil instantly if a Ruby was tossed into it. Ground to powder and placed on the tongue, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion.

Peridot

Peridot brings friendship, prevents envy, and even purported to lift depression. Peridot sources divine inspiration and signifies strength and happiness in both individuals and in a relationship, enhances the efficacy of medication, improves speech.Worn as a talisman, Egyptians believed in its protective qualities against infection and evil.Powdered peridot was used as a remedy for asthma and the thirst brought on by fever.

Sapphire

Sapphires are calming for the mind and releases unwanted mental tension and thoughts and brings joy, peace of mind and serenity allowing the mind to open up to intuition and beauty. Sapphires bring balance in the body, aligns the physical, mental and spiritual body.Sapphire releases depression. Sapphire is known as a prosperity stone, eliminating frustration, sustaining the gifts of life and fulfilling dreams and desires.

Opal

The Romans thought the opal was the symbol of hope and purity, believing that those wearing opal would be safe from disease. The Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in lightning flashes while the Greeks thought opals gave them foresight and prophecy abilities. The Aborigines believed opals had spiritual value and that they represented something left behind by their ancestors as a sign of their presence.

Citrine

Ancient cultures felt citrine had magical powers that protected travelers, guarded against sickness and evil, and helped achieve calmness and intuition. Today it is symbolic of hope, creativity, strength and joy.Believed to bring light and clarity to the owner Gives the power to see through deceptions, banish fears and protect against snake bites Considered to be the merchant’s stone, a citrine placed in a money drawer will draw prosperity.

Blue Topaz

Only the blue variety of topaz, the color created by irradiation, is recognized as the modern birthstone of December with turquoise a second alternative.The name comes from Sanskrit “tapa” which means fire.Symbolic of love and fidelity.The ancient Greeks believed that a person wearing a topaz could become invisible and experience an increase in strength.

Rare Discovery

This is an engraved gemstone carrying a portrait of Alexander the Great. The gemstone was found in the course of recent excavations at Tel Dor. (Credit: No'a Raban-Gerstel, University of Haifa)

Science Daily (Sep. 22, 2009) — A rare and surprising archaeological discovery at Tel Dor: A gemstone engraved with the portrait of Alexander the Great was uncovered during excavations by an archaeological team directed by Dr. Ayelet Gilboa of the University of Haifa and Dr. Ilan Sharon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

"Despite its miniature dimensions – the stone is less than a centimeter high and its width is less than half a centimeter – the engraver was able to depict the bust of Alexander on the gem without omitting any of the ruler's characteristics," notes Dr. Gilboa, Chair of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Haifa. "The emperor is portrayed as young and forceful, with a strong chin, straight nose and long curly hair held in place by a diadem."

The Tel Dor researchers have noted that it is surprising that a work of art such as this would be found in Israel, on the periphery of the Hellenistic world. "It is generally assumed that the master artists – such as the one who engraved the image of Alexander on this particular gemstone – were mainly employed by the leading Hellenistic courts in the capital cities, such as those in Alexandria in Egypt and Seleucia in Syria. This new discovery is evidence that local elites in secondary centers, such as Tel Dor, appreciated superior objects of art and could afford ownership of such items," the researchers stated.

The significance of the discovery at Tel Dor is in the gemstone being uncovered in an orderly excavation, in a proper context of the Hellenistic period. The origins of most Alexander portraits, scattered across numerous museums around the world, are unknown. Some belonged to collections that existed even prior to the advent of scientific archaeology, others were acquired on the black market, and it is likely that some are even forgeries.

This tiny gem was unearthed by a volunteer during excavation of a public structure from the Hellenistic period in the south of Tel Dor, excavated by a team from the University of Washington at Seattle headed by Prof. Sarah Stroup. Dr. Jessica Nitschke, professor of classical archaeology at Georgetown University in Washington DC, identified the engraved motif as a bust of Alexander the Great. This has been confirmed by Prof. Andrew Stewart of the University of California at Berkeley, an expert on images of Alexander and author of a book on this topic.

Alexander was probably the first Greek to commission artists to depict his image – as part of a personality cult that was transformed into a propaganda tool. Rulers and dictators have implemented this form of propaganda ever since. The artists cleverly combined realistic elements of the ruler's image along with the classical ideal of beauty as determined by Hellenistic art, royal attributes (the diadem in this case), and divine elements originating in Hellenistic and Eastern art. These attributes legitimized Alexander's kingship in the eyes of his subjects in all the domains he conquered. These portraits were distributed throughout the empire, were featured on statues and mosaics in public places and were engraved on small items such as coins and seals. The image of Alexander remained a popular motif in the generations that followed his death – both as an independent theme and as a subject of emulation. The conqueror's youthful image became a symbol of masculinity, heroism and divine kingship. Later Hellenist rulers adopted these characteristics and commissioned self-portraits in the image of Alexander.

Dor was a major port city on the Mediterranean shore from the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1550 B.C.E) until the establishment of Caesarea during the Roman period. Alexander the Great passed through Dor in 332 B.C.E., following the occupation of Tyre and on his way to Egypt. It seems that the city submitted to Alexander without resistance. Dor then remained a center of Hellenization in the land of Israel until it was conquered by Alexander Janneus, Hasmonean king of Judah (c. 100 B.C.E.).

The team of archaeologists has been excavating at Tel Dor for close to thirty years and recently completed the 2009 excavation season. A number of academic institutions in Israel and abroad participate in the excavations, directed by Dr. Ayelet Gilboa of the University of Haifa and Dr. Ilan Sharon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The project is supported by these two institutions along with the Israel Exploration Society, the Berman foundation for Biblical Archaeology, the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, the Wendy Goldhirsh Foundation, USA, and individual donors. The gemstone will be on public display at the Dor museum in Kibbutz Nahsholim

Gemstones found on Mars

Gemstone Found on Mars


Image: Science

Large quantities of a green mineral gemstone have been found on Mars. Rocky outcrops of the mineral olivine were spotted by a space craft orbiting the planet.

On Earth, the mineral is known as peridot, an inexpensive gemstone used in jewellery.

Its presence gives clues to the ancient history of Mars, suggesting the planet has been cold and dry for billions of years.

The exposed mineral is weathered away in warm, wet conditions.

If it has been there for billions of years, as geological evidence suggests, then Mars must have been cold and dry for much of that time.

Scientists now need to pin down the precise age of the mineral, found over a 30,000-square-kilometre area in a long, narrow, shallow depression known as Nili Fossae.

Space impact

The region probably formed at least 3.6 billion years ago when an asteroid or comet crashed nearby, carving a crater known as the Isidis basin.


OLIVINE MINERAL
Transparent green-coloured mineral
Alters to other chemicals in the presence of water
Called peridot on Earth and used in rings, bracelets and necklaces

It is probable at that time that the mineral was exposed. An alternative, but less likely scenario, is that it was pushed to the surface much more recently by another geological event.

"If the olivine was exposed shortly after the impact event, the Martian surface may have been dry and cold for more than three billion years", a team of researchers from the US Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado, write in the journal Science, "but if the olivine was recently uncovered at the surface, then it could have been cold and dry for as little as a few thousand years."

The mineral was detected by an instrument on the US space agency's (Nasa) Mars Global Surveyor.

The unmanned probe arrived at the planet in September 1997 and has been making observations ever since.

It has shown good evidence that the cold, inhospitable planet was once warm and wet like the Earth. These conditions could have harboured primitive life.