Rich, bold colors. Stacks of deep garnet, hessonite garnet, and speckled turquoise are accented with a fringe of chain tassels. Elegant, yet full of attitude. Leverback earwires. Measure 2 1/4”. Sterling silver, which has been oxidized and hand polished for an antique finish.
About Hessonite: Hessonite belongs to the grossularite garnet group. While most grossularite garnet is green, hessonite typically has a orange-brown color which has earned it the nickname cinnamon stone. One of the reasons that hessonite garnet is historically important is that it has a special place in the Vedic astrological tradition.
About Garnet: The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus (“grain“), possibly a reference to the pomegranate, a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. The garnet has a long history of use in jewelry or in adorning garments. There is evidence that the greeks were wearing garnets as signet rings beginning around 400 BC. Garnets are mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the 12 stones of Aaron’s breastplate, as well as lighting the way for Noah’s Ark. One of the most curious uses of garnets was during the early 1890's in India, during a rebellion in the Kashmir territory, when Hanza tribal soldiers used garnets as ammunition to fire upon British soldiers! Native American healers believed the garnet had the power to protect the wearer from wounds and poisoning, prevent nightmares and cure depression. Garnet is the birthstone for January.
About Turquoise: The name turquoise means "Turkish stone" because the trade route that brought it to Europe came via Turkey. Turquoise is a non-translucent stone of which the most valuable specimens are robin's egg blue or deep-blue azure. It also comes in brown, yellow, and many shades of green. The veins are inclusions from nearby rock fragments or oxides that form during the creation of turquoise.
Turquoise, the gemstone worn by pharaohs and Aztec kings, is probably one of the oldest gemstones known. Native Americans and many of the Indian tribes in Mexico used turquoise for currency, and the stone is still associated with the religious rites of the Navajo. Because it remains fashionable, turquoise is quite highly prized, although it is fairly plentiful.
Your jewelry will arrive beautifully gift wrapped in a small box. Multiple items will be combined, unless separate boxes are requested. If this is a gift being shipped directly to the recipient, please let me know. I will be glad to include a note from you.
