Antique Genuine Natural Russian Half Carat Violet-Blue Iolite Semi-Precious
Faceted Oval Gemstone. Contemporary High Quality Sterling Silver Ring (Size 7 –
Resizing Available).
CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Blue-Violet Iolite Oval.
ORIGIN: Chelyabinsk, Russia. 19th Century.
SIZE: Length: 7mm. Width: 5mm. Thickness: 3mm.
WEIGHT: Approximately 0.51 carats.
NOTE: Resizing is available. 14kt solid gold setting is also available.
DETAIL: Known as the gemstone of the Vikings, Iolite was used by Norse and
Viking explorers as a navigational aid, as a properly oriented stone would
change color in relation to the direction of sunlight, allowing for crude
navigation in the fog- enshrouded northern Atlantic waters where the direction
of the sun was otherwise impossible to discern. This stunning gemstone was hand
cut into this sparkling faceted oval in the late 19th century. High quality,
transparent, at a minimum eye clean, this lustrous semi-precious gemstone
possesses a rich, velvety violet-blue hue. It is an extremely attractive
gemstone, of very special character and remarkable color and texture. Highly
favored by the royal houses of Europe in the 19th century, Iolite has recently
become very "hot". Ignored for centuries by Europe and America, it is now
suddenly recognized as a truly stunning and beautiful gemstone, possessing
rich, exceptional blue to violet hues which made iolite one of the most
valuable possessions in the ancient Viking world. The setting is of
contemporary origin. It is a high quality setting manufactured by one of the
USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers. It is constructed of solid sterling
silver. We do have the ability to have the ring sent out for resizing if
requested. Additionally, if preferred, the mounting is also available in 14kt
solid gold.
Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of
having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is
considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a
detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are
not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, most serious collectors consider
such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness
when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-faceted
gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that
approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of a handcrafted
gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.
This gemstone possesses superb luster and sparkle, and to the eye is
completely transparent, but one cannot say with absolute certainty that it is
unconditionally flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not visible to
the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized at a minimum, to use trade
jargon, as "eye clean". To the eye it is indeed flawless; however were one to
examine it in a 10x jeweler’s loupe, it’s almost certain that a few minute
blemishes could be detected. Of course the same may said about almost any
natural gemstone. An absolutely flawless gemstone simply is not the rule in
nature. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be
revealed to be synthetic. You might also notice under magnification
occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally these
characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also
consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques prevalent did not allow
the ultra deep mining operations which are so common today.
Keep in mind that two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to
surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality
gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even
kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. For
these reasons antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first,
gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones
routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not
accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most,
the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than
makes up for minor blemishes both within the gemstone as well as in the finish,
which by and large of course, are (if at all) only visible under high
magnification.
IOLITE HISTORY: Known as the gemstone of the Vikings, Iolite is a blue-violet
colored gemstone often mistaken for sapphire or tanzanite. Unknown to
classical ancient Mediterranean cultures, it was used by Norse and Viking
explorers to navigate. Mined from deposits in Norway and Greenland, this
exceptional gemstone changes colors depending up the direction it is oriented,
thus allowing crude navigator even without a fix on the sun or stars, vital in
the fog-enshrouded northern Atlantic waters where the direction of the sun was
otherwise impossible to discern. Iolite is usually a very richly textured
purplish blue when cut properly. Called “water sapphire” by some as it is
clear from one direction, light blue from another, and from the third
direction, light yellow or gray. Its darkest blue-violet shade is seen when
held 90 degrees from the sun. It is also believed that the Vikings would
use thin slices of iolite as polarizing filters, allowing them to look directly
at the sun and determine its exact location in the sky.
During the Middle Ages there exist accounts that Iolite was used by shamans to
help achieve a deep trance state, stimulate visions, and stimulate astral
travel. In some Medieval cultures Iolite was held sacred to the Mother
Goddess, and in other Medieval cultures it was held to be sacred to the Father
God or King of Gods (especially the Roman deity Jupiter). The name iolite
comes from the Greek ios, which means violet. In the 19th century it was known
as "cordierite", after a French geologist, Pierre L. Cordier, who had
re)discovered” the gemstone for the benefit of Western Europe. It was very
popular during that century, but then drifted in obscurity. It is presently
mined in Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and
Brazil. The largest iolite ever discovered is a 1714 carat nodule discovered
at Palmer Canyon, Wyoming, and is known as the “Palmer Canyon Blue Star”.
However typically pieces of rough over 8 carats are quite uncommon, and
gemstone quality faceted gemstones over 1 carat are likewise fairly uncommon.
Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable
of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to
provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers"
offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions
using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their
medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual
enhancement. In these as well as other ancient cultures, it was believed that
iolite would help balance the various aspects of the personality, especially
those characteristics within an individual considered "female" and "male". As
well iolite was believed to bring harmony to interpersonal relationships, to
help determine the truth, and as well to energize athletes. Iolite was also
held to help purify the body of wastes. Iolite was also been used by mystics
as an aid in bringing visions.
In the Victorian era it was believed that wearing iolite would enhance one’s
ability to manage money and avoid debt. It was also used to relieve headaches,
and it was believed to enhance liver function, eliminating systemic toxicity.
Modern practitioners believe that iolite gives its wearers a better
understanding of themselves and their special purpose, helping them find
direction that has been missing in their lives. It’s also believed to help
wearers "let go" of feelings of helplessness and victimization related to
circumstances, gently nurturing growth and maturity. Iolite is also reputed to
increase spiritual insight and help in seeing both sides of an issue more
clearly. On a more practical level, iolite is presently used in the
manufacture of catalytic converters.
SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS: Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within
48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of
protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured
against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through
stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is
provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at
additional cost.ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount,
typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined
shipping/insurance costs.
We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express
Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel
Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We
will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. Please note
for international purchasers we will do everything we can to minimize your
liability for VAT and/or duties. But we cannot assume any responsibility or
liability for whatever taxes or duties may be levied on your purchase by the
country of your residence. If you don’t like the tax and duty schemes your
government imposes, please complain to them. We have no ability to influence or
moderate your country’s tax/duty schemes.
If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I
offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you
a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original
shipping/insurance costs, 2) less non-refundable eBay payment processing fees.
Please note that eBay does NOT refund payment processing fees. Even if you
accidentally” purchase something and then cancel the purchase before it is
shipped, eBay will not refund their processing fees. So all refunds for any
reason, without exception, do not include eBay payment processing fees
typically between 5% and 15%) and shipping/insurance costs (if any). If you’re
unhappy with eBay’s “no fee refund” policy, and we are EXTREMELY unhappy,
please voice your displeasure by contacting eBay. We have no ability to
influence, modify or waive eBay policies.
ABOUT US: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Europe and Central
Asia several times a year. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we
made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near
East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we
generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St.
Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe and Asia
connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of
ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are
ancient jewelry and gemstones. Prior to our retirement we traveled to Russia
every year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most
prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk
and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India,
Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg
where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which
the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for.
My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of
Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite,
diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many
other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to
find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken
settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these
gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in
their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We
believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth
protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique
gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving
their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left
for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with
modern cutting.
Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come
into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if
you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and
the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique,
hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut
often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today.
We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of
styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in
sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from
us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be
happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item
you purchase from us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I
will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so
please feel free to write.