The Stone and the Story: How Certain Gemstones Became Popular

Gemstones come in an array of colors, and it’s easy to see how some of them became popular with the people who used them over the centuries and across the globe. Amber, turquoise, amethyst, jade, and lapis lazuli have all been worn in one form or another since ancient times because they each bring something to the table when it comes to their beauty, symbolism, or practicality. However, other wholesale gemstone beads remain relatively rare in jewelry today despite being highly prized by many different cultures throughout history.

 

Opal - Australia

At first glance, these sparkling, iridescent stones look like something a fairy might throw up after a long night of drink. They come in every color under the rainbow, too. That’s partly why they’re so popular—just about anyone can find an opal with their favorite color scheme. But there’s more to it than that. For example, Opals are made of solidified water, and opal is one of Australia’s national treasures.

 

Ruby - India

Ruby is a red gemstone that is still very much associated with India. In ancient times, it was believed that wearing ruby jewelry could help strengthen our eyesight.  Some people believe that rubies are even capable of warding off evil spirits! These days, they’re most often seen in engagement rings or as accent stones in more elaborate pieces of jewelry.

 

Sapphire - Burma (Myanmar)

Burma (Myanmar) is thought to be one of Sapphire’s first use locations. Ancient Roman historian Pliny mentions it in his writings. Burma (Myanmar) also holds some of Sapphire’s largest deposits. This area has been mined for over a thousand years, with a well-established trade network that continues to export stones even today. India, Greece and Rome were where Sapphire began its journey to becoming a popular gemstone. It was used as early as the 7th century. In ancient times people were worn sapphire as jewelry and used this in other adornments.

 

Emerald - Colombia

The word Emerald comes from Greek origins and means green stone. In Colombia, where most of the world’s emeralds are mined, these colorful stones are still referred to as Esmeraldas, which means green stones. Emerald is a popular gemstone for many reasons. It is extremely durable and because it has a high refractive index, it can be cut into beautiful shapes that make it easy to set in jewelry. Emerald also has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, but Emerald is famous for its octagon shape.

 

Amethyst - Brazil

Brazil is by far one of the world’s largest producers of Amethyst. Though there are a few precious-gem quality mines scattered throughout South America, most amethyst comes from the Rio Grande do Sul. This region of Brazil boasts more than 100 different gem-quality mines. In fact, it’s estimated that over 90% of all commercial amethyst in today’s market originates from one mine located in Ametista do Sul, Brazil.  The reason for its popularity can be traced back to ancient Greece where amethyst was worn as protection against intoxication. The Greeks believed that wine would turn into water when held against an amethyst—and since the water was considered sacred, they believed wearing amethyst would help prevent drunkenness.

 

Onyx- California

One of California’s largest gem deposits was located in San Diego County, where a vast amount of black onyx was found. In addition to being worn as jewelry, it is also used in carving artistic pieces. The stone is now extinct in California. Today, most onyx comes from Brazil or India. 

There are several types of onyx to choose from, each with its own unique look and feel. Black onyx has deep gray tones with an appearance similar to mother-of-pearl. It can range from pale gray to dark charcoal.

 

Peridot - Myanmar, Pakistan

Peridot, a variety of olivine, is commonly found in Mexico, Pakistan, the U.S., and Hawaii. Some of these locales produce a particularly green-colored peridot gemstone which gets its color from an iron oxide inclusion within it. The most brilliant colored green peridot come from Pakistan and Sri Lanka—where they were often mistaken for emeralds due to their richness in coloration.

 

Jade, Jadeite & Nephrite - China

Jadeite is made up of jade-colored quartz, while nephrite is green. It’s believed that people in China were carving Jadeite as far back as 5000 B.C. In fact, it was considered a symbol of royalty for many years. In modern times, it’s still seen as a status symbol in some Asian countries like China.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, gemstones not only have their fascinating stories but they also have their own reasons for being very popular with people all over the world. As long as you can keep yourself updated about your favorite gemstone, no matter which one it is, you will never feel lonely and you can easily get help from others. Buy wholesale Gemstones and add them to your jewels to spark and see how they are so helpful in your life.