February Birthstone

Amethyst

Amethyst, the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also is said to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted.  Throughout history, the gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures.  English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. It has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Amethyst is purple quartz, a beautiful blend of violet and red that can found in every corner of the earth. Historically, the finest amethyst were found in Russia and were featured in much royal European jewelry.  Today, while Brazil is the primary source of this gemstone, fine material can be found elsewhere, especially in Zambia.

Amethyst Healing Power:

Aids in the reduction of insomnia, arthritis, pain relief, and circulatory issues. Amethyst is considered the gemstone of meditation, peace, balance, courage, and inner strength.

A.G.S (americangemsociety.org)

Come into our Rolling Hills or Torrance showrooms and see our beautiful amethyst jewelry!

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Chopard on the Red Carpet

Award Season 2012 is well on its way, which means tons of gorgeous gowns, fabulous accessories, stunning jewels and the beautiful celebrities who are turning heads. Here is a short but fun look at two breathtaking looks that have been topped off with Chopard jewelry. Many more celebrities have been photographed wearing the designer line so stay tuned in to see how they complete the look!

The Artist actress, Bérénice Bejo, is wearing a pair of beautiful Chopard drop earrings and Frieda Pinto is wearing a stunning Chopard diamond bib necklace.

très beau!

Platinum

Platinum is becoming one of the most popular metals, especially with bridal jewelry – but why? Here’s an overview about the qualities and characteristics of platinum to help you discover the benefits of the very rare, strong, and durable metal!

Platinum is more pure than white gold – most platinum used in jewelry is 95% pure where as white gold is less pure due to its mixture with other alloys. One more benefit of being a pure metal is that the color will not fade or tarnish over time. This makes platinum a true white metal. Unlike white gold, it will not lose its “whiteness” over time. There is no need for rhodium plating maintenance and upkeep. That means platinum will save you precious time and money in the future.

If you haven’t done so yet, take some time and do a bit of physical research. Sometimes seeing and feeling the metal in person can make a big difference in your opinion. When you hold platinum metal in your hand you will instantly notice that is heavier than white gold. The weight of the metal adds to its value and endurance.

One more important thing to note about this precious metal is that its value will always hold. When the ring is scratched there is no loss of metal. The metal is simply pushed aside when its hit or “ding-ed” instead of being list completely. This may not seem like a lot of metal saved, but it’s reassuring to know that you will always have the same amount of platinum in your jewelry.

Platinum is also hypo-allergenic – which means you never have to worry about any irritation or discomfort!

Last, but certainly not least, platinum is a rare metal. Durability combined with purity, rarity and density makes this metal valuable and worthwhile.

Morgan’s has a large selection of platinum engagement rings, wedding bands, brooches and other jewelry. Stop by to Morgan’s to explore this amazing and beautiful metal!

January Birthstone

Garnet

Garnet, the birthstone for January,  signifies eternal friendship and trust and is the perfect gift for a friend.  Garnet, derived from the word granatum, means seed, and is called so because of the gemstone’s resemblance to a pomegranate seed.  References to the gemstone dates back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays jewelry.  Garnet is the name of a group of minerals that comes in a rainbow of colors, from the deep red of the pyrope garnet to the vibrant green of tsavorites.  Today, the most important sources for garnet are Africa, Sri Lanka, and India.

Morgan’s own Hessonite Garnet necklace!

A.G.S. (www.americangemsociety.org)

December Birthstone

The three birthstones associated with December are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise

Tanzanite

Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color.  Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices.  As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as an alternative.  However, it has increased in popularity and now is valued more for its own beauty and brilliance than as a sapphire substitute.

Zircon

Derived from the Arabic words zar and gun, meaning gold and color, zircon is found in a wide range of colors such as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colorless, and red (the most prized color). For many years colorless zircon was used to imitate diamonds.  Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travelers from disease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent nightmares guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep.  Major sources of zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.

Morgan’s amazing oval blue zircon and diamond earrings!

Turquoise

The name turquoise, from the French expression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue, through robin’s egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent  to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays. Although its popularity fluctuates in fashion, it is a perennial favorite in the American Southwest.

Turquoise is a gemstone steeped in lore and tradition and is a healing and balancing stone.

A.G.S. (www.americangemsociety.org)

The Healing Power of Topaz

One of the most powerful gemstones, Topaz facilitates the balance of emotions and provides protection from greed.

A.G.S.

November Birthstone

Topaz
Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colors. Prized for several thousand years in antiquity, all yellow gems in antiquity were called topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized color of topaz is called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czars of the 1800s and features a magnificent orange body color with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and the many popular blue tones.

Come into Morgan’s and see our beautiful selection of topaz!
18KWG earrings with 2.33ctw cushion cut blue topaz.

Citrine
Citrine, the other birthstone for November is known as the “healing quartz”. This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.

 

October Birthstone

Tourmaline
Tourmaline has become a favorite gemstone among jewelry designer, and gem collectors the world over. Since it is available in a wide variety of colors, it is ideally suited to almost anyone’s taste. Tourmaline also is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.

Opal
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning “to see a change (of color).” Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal’s beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature’s heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements. When packed together in a regular pattern, a three-dimensional array of spaces are created that give opal its radiance.

Information taken from A.G.S.

Sapphire, birthstone of the month for September

Sapphire
Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue. Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all colors of the rainbow. Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, green sapphire). Ruby is the red variety of corundum.
American Gem Society

August Birthstone

Peridot
Peridot is said to host magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the wearer power, influence, and a wonderful year. As peridot is a gemstone that forms deep inside the Earth and brought to the surface by volcanoes, in Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today, most of the peridot supply comes from Arizona; other sources are China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This gemstone comes in several color variations ranging from yellowish green to brown, but most consumers are attracted to the bright lime greens and olive greens. Peridot, in smaller sizes, often is used in beaded necklaces and bracelets.