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August is one of only three months of the year that has three birthstones! They are peridot, spinel, and sardonyx.

Peridot is the most common birthstone associated with August, and has a very interesting history. It is one of the oldest known gemstones, with ancient records documenting the mining of peridot as early as 1500 B.C. The main source of peridot in the ancient world was an island in the Egyptian Red Sea, and some historians believe that Cleopatra's famous emeralds were actually peridots.

Peridot's formation is also different from that of almost all other gems. Most gems are formed in the Earth's crust. The two exceptions are peridot and diamond, which are formed much deeper in the Earth; in the mantle. Peridot forms in magma in the upper mantle, about 20 to 55 miles deep. It is brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity. Diamond, by contrast, is formed much deeper in the mantle, around 100 to 150 miles below the surface, under extreme pressure and high temperatures.

Peridot was used anciently as a talisman and has a mystical reputation. It was believed to dissolve enchantments, ward off anxiety, and cure asthma. It was considered most powerful when set in gold.

Spinel is an incredibly beautiful gemstone which has spent most of its history being confused for ruby or sapphire. Some of the most famous rubies in the world, including the Timur Ruby and the Black Prince's Ruby in the crown jewels of England, have actually turned out to be spinels. Spinel is now a gemstone that is treasured for its own beauty, its wonderful brilliance, hardness, and wonderful range of spectacular colors. One member of the spinel group, magnetite, even has magnetic properties. As early as the 11^th century, mariners used this form of spinel to magnetize their compasses. We have two stunning spinel pieces in our store right now, perfect for an August baby likes a gemstone that's off the beaten path.

Alex Sepkus raspberry spinel and 18k gold "Flora" necklace

Alex Sepkus 18k gold and purple spinel ring

Sardonyx is the last and most obscure of the August birthstones, although it was the original birthstone for August before the other two came along. Sardonyx combines alternating layers of sard and onyx—two types of the layered mineral chalcedony—to create a reddish zebra-striped stone with white bands.

Used as a stone of strength and protection since ancient times, sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness, and clear communication. Some believe that placing sardonyx at each corner of a house will grant protection against evil.

 

Shop Peridot Jewelry

Shop Spinel Jewelry  

 

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Have you tried Gem Water yet? If you haven't experienced it yet, come in to the store this Tuesday, April 25th from 2pm-6pm for a special tasting! We'll be tasting water that has been treated with Gem Water as well as water that hasn't. We'll also be tasting red wine directly from the bottle compared to red wine that has been decanted into a Gem Water decanter. 

From the Gem Water website:

Amethysts enjoy a long association with Dionysus, the God of Wine. The ancient Greek already created drinking vessels from amethysts. The word “amethyst” means “not intoxicated” (from Greek a- “not” + methystos “intoxicated”). 

A little while ago, selected wineries and professional sommeliers rediscovered the tradition to enhance wine with amethysts and achieved amazing results. But nowadays, amethysts are no longer placed directly into the wine.

With this blend we bring this tradition to the next level. Vino features a twisted surface and as the amethysts are enclosed in the wand, it makes infusing wine so much more hygienic. The effect on wine is truly stunning. The tannins are usually percepted to be smoother and more pleasurable. Vino gives even great wines a very special tune.

 In order to celebrate a great wine properly, we created a uniquely shaped wine decanter. Handcrafted in Europe, it is an exquisite masterpiece. Fill it with a bottle of wine, place the Gem Water Vino inside, wait for 7 minutes and pour yourself and your friends a glass. You‘ll be amazed!

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February's birthstone is the regal purple amethyst. Amethysts are a member of the quartz family, The name comes from the ancient Greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος méthystos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone prevented drunkenness. Medieval European soldiers wore amulets made out of amethyst into battle, believing that it would keep them cool-headed, and Tibetans consider amethyst sacred to the Buddha and make prayer beads from it.

Amethyst "Cityscape" ring by Alex Sepkus

In the Old World, amethyst was considered one of the most precious gems until large deposits of it were found in Brazil. Amethyst can also be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Austria, Canada, and even the United States, where it is the official state gemstone of South Carolina.

At Fox's, we think the perfect February birthday gift is this gorgeous amethyst necklace by Ray Griffiths:

If you don't like purple but still want to be protected from intoxication, you can still wear amethysts. These gemstones can be heat treated to become citrine and prasiolite, which are yellow and green in color, respectively. You may also find very pale amethysts, which are called Rose de France. Whatever shade you prefer, we can find it for you at Fox's!

 

 

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We are so excited to tell you about our newest find - VitaJuwel by GemWater! If you're walked past our shop recently, you've probably admired and wondered about the display in the windows.

These are lead-free glass water bottles filled with gemstones! Other than looking incredibly beautiful, why would you want to have a water bottle with gemstones in it?

Every type of gemstone has its own unique energy. The energetic charge of quartz is what makes quartz watches work. The idea behind VitaJuwel is that the gemstones in the water impart their energy into the water, and then into you, the drinker.

This idea is nothing new. Dating back to ancient Greece, gemstones have been used to vitalize water for centuries. More recently, Japanese researcher and scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto dedicated his study to water. He determinted that water treated with gemstones water takes on the characteristics and energy or fresh spring water.

This is ordinary tap water under the microscope:

 And this is water treated with VitaJuwel under the microscope:

 A scientific evaluation by the renowned German Institute Hagalis, Überlingen validated VitaJuwel’s effect on water. The institute found that the gemstone infused water became more alkaline and less acidic, and that the oxygen content in the water increased.

Because they are products of nature, every gem has its own vibration and affects the water in a unique way. There are 18 different VitaJuwel blends for water, and 1 specifically for wine. If you want to have a sense of well being, "Wellness" is the bottle for you. It contains amethyst, rose quartz, and clear quartz to stimulate and soothe the mind and emotions, foster tranquility, and support healthy and radiant skin.

Feeling stuck? "Inspiration" contains lapis lazuli and rutilated quartz, which are said to relieve sore throats, allow one to speak with wisdom and authority, encourage honesty, and help to lift the feeling of anxiety. 

In addition to the personal glass water bottles, there are also hand blown glass vials, droplets, and decanters available to revitalize your water in quantities small and large. Come in to Fox's to see these works of art and see which one can add a little beauty and vitality to your life!

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Garnet, January’s birthstone, is one of the most diverse gemstones. It comes in an array of colors, although it’s most commonly known for its classic shade of red. Garnet varieties and species actually come in a rainbow of colors, including orange, yellow, and green. While rare, these gemstones can also come in blue and violet, and even color change! Here at Fox's we have hand picked some of the most rare and vivid species of garnet. Below are some amazing one of kind pieces featuring these special gemstones.

Alex Sepkus 18ky and mint green garnet ring, $7,500

Alex Sepkus 18ky and spessartite garnet ring, $11,600

Alex Sepkus 18ky and hessonite garnet ring, $10,380

Alex Sepkus 18k rose gold and tsavorite garnet necklace, $5,725

Arman Sarkisyan 22k gold and tsavorite garnet locket, $3,780

 

 

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Some of my favorite things in life are mint green. Mint chocolate chip ice cream cones, mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, mint chocolate chip ice cream milkshakes, you get the idea. So when I saw this mint green tourmaline ring from Alex Sepkus I got a serious case of the heart eyes. Mint green tourmalines are found in Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and are increasingly hard to find. If you believe in the healing power of crystals, mint green tourmalines are said to have an energy field that harmonizes with your personal energy, inducing within you a deep calmness, equanimity, and feeling of completeness.They might be onto something, because this ring definitely completes me - and admiring it keeps me calm while sitting in Seattle's horrible traffic! Continue reading