Aussie Sapphire

The modern and traditional birthstone for September is Sapphire – covered in a previous article.  While sapphire is our primary interest, we also enjoy and appreciate the many alternative birthstones for each month.  The mystical birthstone for September is Agate - a stone of amazing variety and colour.

Gemmology Matters:  Agate is the name given to a very large family of quartz gemstones of which Sardonyx – subject of our last Gem of the Month article – is a member.  Agate is a type of chalcedony or fibrous cryptocrystalline quartz (SiO2) and is found in a variety of colours, may be translucent, transparent or opaque and has a hardness of 6.5 to 7. 

Agate used for ornamental or in jewellery is often treated by dying to enhance or alter colour.  Since quartz is a very abundant mineral on Earth, agate is quite inexpensive.  Some particularly attractive and unusual varieties may command a higher price but this stone is still a great way to start an affordable gem collection.  Moss agate and Plume agate are two varieties which are priced higher due to beauty and demand.

Agate is found throughout the world in a huge variety of form.  Probably every country has a particular area that yields stones of a particular type of beauty and Australia is no exception.  Here in Queensland, there is an area (surprisingly called “Agate Creek”) which is rich in these gems which are available for anyone to find for just the price of a fossicking licence and a few hours of digging.

Mythology and Lore:  The name agate derives from the Greek for stones found on the Achate river in Sicily.  Agate has been used for thousands of years – examples have been found with other Stone Age relics dating back to as early as 20,000 BC.  Agate was also used by early civilizations for talismans, amulets, seals, rings and vessels.

People in medieval times wore agate to bring God’s favor, enhance persuasiveness, increase courage and strength and protect against danger.  Agate was also used to promote pleasant dreams and cure insomnia.  Early Greeks made amulets of agate for protection from the elements of the sea.

Agate is associated with the zodiac sign of Gemini and for those born in the month of May.  Agate may also be given to celebrate the 12^th wedding anniversary.

Alternatives for Agate:  Due to the extremely wide variation in colour and form, there is really no alternative for this unique gem.  Added to this, the fact that it is very affordable, there is no excuse for you not to have at least one attractive piece in your collection. 

Links of Interest:

• Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry – article on Agate
• Mineral Miners – Fact sheet on Agate
• Wikipedia article on Agate
• Agate on Mindat.org – Minerals Database
• Agate Creek area - Australian Gem Gallery
• Fossicking information for Agate Creek - Queensland

Cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire

And remember, if you are looking for the traditional September birthstone of sapphire, we can give you lots of choices in our online shop.

This month’s gemstone is Sardonyx, the alternative birthstone for August (photograph at left from Thaigem).  The modern birthstone is peridot (covered in a previous article) but sardonyx has an ancient history and is a fascinating stone.

Gemmology Matters:  Sardonyx is a variety of onyx which is a form of banded chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz or SiO2) or agate. The name sardonyx derives from the word ‘sard’ and ‘onyx’ relating to the striped or banded appearance of layers of white, grey or black interspersed with reddish brown.  As a variety of quartz, sardonyx has a hardness of 7 and is reasonably strong although prone to chips and scratches.  The durability of sardonyx, combined with its attractive coloured pattern means that it is frequently used for beads and brooches.

Sardonyx has been mined in India for thousands of years and it remains a major source of this ancient gemstone.  Other locations include Russia, Pakistan, USA, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Africa.  Sardonyx is a relatively inexpensive stone and may be found in large sizes.  Stones with bright orange-red, reddish brown and white bands are popular.  Natural sardonyx is rarely found commercially with enhancement treatments common - usually dying or staining to intensify or alter colour.

Mythology and Lore:  According to Pliny, sard is named after Sardis where that mineral is found. Onyx is named after the Greek word for ‘nail’ because its veined appearance resembles a fingernail.  Sardonyx was highly valued in Rome, especially for seals, because it was said to never stick to the wax.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were very fond of sardonyx and believed it could bring courage and victory. Sardonyx was often engraved with images of relevant gods (such as Ares, Hercules or Mars) and carried into battle by soldiers who believed they would become as brave as the figures carved on these talismans. Away from the battlefield it was believed to lend the gift of persuasiveness to orators and leaders.

Sardonyx cameos were very popular in Roman times.  The example at left depicting the coronation of Constantin the Great is from the ‘Road to Byzantium exhibition’ by the Hermitage Rooms.  See the Vroma website for more images of these ancient pieces in cameo work.  Sardonyx has been used for this type of jewellery for centuries where the different bands of colour carved in relief highlight the image against the background. 

 The popularity of sardonyx for cameo jewellery lasted well into modern times although the designs still tend to draw from ancient themes.  The piece on the right has a more contemporary feel about it although the carved design is still quite traditional in style.

Sardonyx is said to calm the mind, aid communication and promote happiness in marriage and relationships.  An old rhyme listing birthstones and their associated traits claims that:

The August maiden, with sweet simplicity
wears Sardonyx, gem of felicity.

Alternative Stones:  Within the agate family, there is a huge variety of form and pattern.  Many varieties exist and are named for origin, colour or pattern.  Sardonyx and other agate varieties possess a unique beauty that cannot be matched by any other gemstone.  There is no real alternative to this gem.  The affordability of sardonyx means that anyone can add a piece to their collection.

Sources and Links of Interest:

• Article on Sardonyx by Thaigem.com
  ICGA Gem by Gem article on Onyx
  Signets, Amulets and Jewelry Gemstone Engravings Over the Passage of Time (article by Peter Henselder on Ganoskin)
  Add More Color To Your Life article on Chalcedony
  Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom – article on Chalcedony

Hope you enjoyed this month’s article.
That is all for now from Aussie Sapphire

The modern birthstone for March is aquamarine – see our March 2005 article on aqua for more information on this gem. However, the traditional birthstone for March is Bloodstone which has only recently been replaced by the more valuable aquamarine gems. However, bloodstone is a really interesting gem which is definitely worth a closer look.

Gemmological Matters: Bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony – a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz which can be in many different forms. Bloodstone is the name given to a dark green/greenish-blue chalcedony with small red blood-like spots. The red colour of the spots deriving from iron oxide. Like all quartz, the chemical composition is SiO2. The main source of Bloodstone is India – it is also found in Russia, Germany, Austria, Australia, China, Brazil and the USA.

Hardness is 7 on the Moh’s Scale of hardness so it is acceptable for use in jewellery with appropriate care. Bloodstone is a popular gemstone that is usually cut as cabochons. It is also used for beads, as a seal-stone (with an engraved device), for men’s signet rings, cameos and decorative carvings.

Mythology and Lore: Bloodstone is a very ancient stone with the red flecking giving rise to many interesting legends. The ancient Greeks and Roman believed athletes would gain endurance by wearing Bloodstone. Bloodstone is also regarded by some as a Hero’s Gemstone, capable of instilling courage in dangerous situations and providing protection from ones own dangerous desires.

Medieval Christians often used Bloodstone to carve scenes of the crucifixion and martyrs resulting in an alternative name as the ‘Martyr’s Stone. Some sources suggest that it was worn by early Christians as a symbol of their faith. The Christian legend of the origin of Bloodstone says that it was first formed when drops of Christ’s blood fell and stained Jasper at the foot of the cross during his crucifixion.

Bloodstone is the traditional birthstone for March and is associated with the Zodiac sign of Aires. Bloodstone is often used as a healing stone and it represents courage and martydom.

Alternatives: The unique red spotting on the green background is unique to Bloodstone and we do no know of any similar alternative. May be confused with green jasper which does not have the characteristic red fleck through the stone.

Image at left courtesy Gemstone Magic

Links of Interest:
ICGA Gem by Gem article on Bloodstone – The Martyr’s Gem
Branwynn Annwn – Bloodstone for March
PGR Gens – datasheet on Bloodstone
Gem Society – Chalcedony Information
Mineral Miners – Mineral Factsheet on Jasper

Bloodstone may be available from any good rock shop – we do not stock this fascinating stone. However, we have good stock of the modern March birthstone of aquamarine so contact us if you need quality aqua in rough or cut form.

Cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire