Tanzanite is a rare gemstone often described as “velvety” because of its deep and saturated blue and violet colors.
What makes Tanzanite so special?
Tanzanite is one of only two known gemstones that clearly exhibits two colors at once. Tanzanite shows different colors when viewed in different directions – gently rock and tilt your tanzanite to reveal the play and flash of colors as the angle of the stone changes. Colors change from blue to violet and some tanzanite will flash a burgundy color. Cool lighting --like daylight equivalent fluorescent --will emphasize tanzanite's blue, while warm lighting --like incandescent --will make it appear more violet.
Where does Tanzanite come from?
A Masai tribesman Ali Juuyawatu is credited with finding the first tanzanite crystal in 1967. The Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania is the only place on earth where tanzanite is mined commercially. North of the mines tower the snow-covered slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
How Should Tanzanite Be Worn?
Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 7 so it can be abraded by harder materials. The wearer just needs to be aware of the stones' “softness” and be cautious of rough wear and hard knocks. Heavy work such as gardening, household chores and trips to the gym should be avoided in your Tanzanite. Tanzanite is resistant to everyday heat, light and most common chemicals but avoid extreme heat, intense light and harsh chemicals. Protect tanzanite from sudden temperature changes.
Is Tanzanite Heat Treated?
Yes! Tanzanite is routinely heated to bring out Tanzanite’s lovely colors. The blues and violets that Tanzanite is so well known for do not emerge until the stone is heated. The heating process removes the brown / burgundy axis, leaving just the blue and violet axis. This treatment is stable, permanent and durable.
How Do I Clean Tanzanite?
Warm, soapy water is the best way to keep your Tanzanite clean, using a soft toothbrush to gently clean around prongs and under the stone. Rinse well so the soap does not dry and dull the stone. Use a soft cloth to remove fingerprints from the top of your stone. Avoid Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaning machines. They use high frequency vibration and high heat to clean the stones which might affect your Tanzanite.
How Do I Store Tanzanite?
Store your Tanzanite in a box, bag or pouch to prevent jewelry from rubbing against each other which may scratch your Tanzanite. This includes pairs of Tanzanite earrings. A velvet or flocked lined jewelry box with compartments that separates your jewelry is perfect.
Amethyst – February Birthstone
Amethyst’s gorgeous hue represents royalty, passion, daring, fashion, and dreaminess. Although it is plentiful and therefore modestly priced, its allure remains whether featured alone or accented by other gems or pearls.
Amethyst in jewelry dates back to ancient Egypt. Amethyst beads were found in the tomb of King Tut. Cleopatra wore an amethyst ring engraved with the image of the Persian god Mithras. The ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. Amethyst is England’s oldest Crown Jewel and to this day, superb amethysts decorate coronation regalia
Today, purple is for everyone and is featured in many of Pyramid Studios collections. Whether faceted or a cabochon, amethyst is well suited to a wide variety of designs. As part of our annual Valentine sale, all amethyst jewelry in our Downtown store is 20% to 50% off!
Gold is a rare metal with a beautiful luster. It is alloyed with other metals to increase it toughness and durability so it can be used for jewelry. Different alloys create different colors of gold jewelry. Copper for rose gold. Nickel, zinc and palladium for white gold. Silver for green gold.
Percentages of gold are expressed in karats. The karat indicates the amount of gold as a percentage of the total weight. 24 karats is 100 percent gold. 14 karat gold is 14/24 gold or 58.33 percent gold.
Gold over silver is a special laminate process first fabricated by Ed Levin in the 1980's. A 14kt gold sheet is bonded to a sterling silver sheet. Ed Levin's gold over silver earrings are more than 25% 14kt gold by weight. Gold over silver is more valuable than gold filled or plated jewelry.
Gold filled is a process by which a layer of at least 10kt gold has been mechanically or pressure bonded to a base metal. The percentage of gold in gold filled jewelry must be 1/20th by weight of the total product. Like Gold Over Silver jewelry, gold filled jewelry will wear the same as karat gold jewelry.
Gold plated jewelry has been "flashed" with a very thin layer of gold over another metal. This layer is only microns thick and will wear off over time. Vermeil jewelry is gold plated sterling silver. This is often considered a very affordable alternative to higher priced golds. Although not as enduring as other golds, it is a fashion alternative at a very attractive price. Phillip Gavriel vermeil earrings are a great example.
Small Business Saturday Sale - November 26
Pyramid Cash Giveaway!
Get $25 in Pyramid Cash for each $100 spent!
Applies to ALL IN STOCK inventory at our Downtown Ellsworth Store.
High Luster & Budget Friendly Pearl Jewry From $20.
Pearl Bracelets - http://www.pyramid.gold/collections/pearl-bracelets
Pearl Rings - http://www.pyramid.gold/collections/pearl-rings
Pearl Necklaces - http://www.pyramid.gold/collections/pearl-necklaces
Pearl Pendants - http://www.pyramid.gold/collections/pearl-pendants
Now until Mothers Day save 25% off on all Pearl Jewelry!
Starting April 1st Pyramid Studios will be closed Tuesdays as we're blocking the day aside to concentrate on our basics: custom designed jewelry, jewelry repair, and wedding ring orders for the coming season.
In a jewelry store, the jewelers bench is where creative juices flow into form, where the engineer becomes an artist. The bench is the heart of our trade, and she's a heart that requires quality time. We're setting aside Tuesdays to give the bench the special time she deserves.
Pyramid Studios will be closed Sundays through Tuesdays. As our reputation for our creative custom jewelry and quality repairs has grown, the hours in a week has not. In order to give our customers a more prompt turn around time and to make time to create jewelry, we chose the option of closing an additional day a week.
We need a day to recharge, listen to the creative muse and focus on our love of metals, gemstones and the artistry of jewelry. Making jewelry is the reason why we got into this business thirty one years ago and we need more time to do it!
When the store is open, it is rare that we get more than an hour a day to work at the bench. By having a full day on Tuesdays to sit at the bench and focus on what we do best as jewelers, we will serve our wonderful customers better and have time to set all our fabulous gems that await in the vault.
Our website www.pyramid.gold is open 24 hour a day.
Thank you to all our customers who have supported us since 1982.
Restore...Everything needs maintenance including jewelry. Jewelry is an important investment and your family heirlooms deserve the best care. Pyramid Studios has the creativity, experience and honesty to restore your jewelry to its original luster and preserve its value.
Restyle...Don't let inherited or outdated jewelry sit in a drawer unworn! Pyramid Studios jewelers can help you design a new piece that fits your life style and tastes. Gemstones can be set in a new mounting or elements from old jewelry can be reworked into something new.... Keep Reading
