Star Ruby

Star rubies are amongst the rarest and most coveted gems in the world. Even more so in comparison to star sapphires, since the chromium that colors them pink and red limits the sizes they can grow to. Each star ruby is so unique in appearance, that matching pairs (much less a set) is nearly impossible.

Special features that appear in gems like a star are known as phenomena. These effects include asterism, chatoyancy, iridescence, adularescence, aventurescence, labradorescence, and play-of-color. Rubies mainly show asterism, and rarely chatoyancy and it is possible for them to show other phenomena, but this happens only rarely.

The most well-known source of star rubies is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) due to how the silk forms in a very organized, and tightly knit fashion. Not all rubies display silk like this, or at all, though it is very common.

No two stars are the same, with the stars being as unique as the growth characteristics of the ruby. Sometimes stars are fainter, stronger, or off-centered. The individual arms can be uneven, of different lengths, missing, etc. The way the star moves along the surface of each ruby is unique too. Some move around very smoothly, some do not move much, jump around, disappear entirely from certain angles, and more. Each star really has its own personality in appearance and movement, and makes matching pairs extremely difficult.

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OREGON’S STATE GEM is the Oregon Sunstone 

The Feldspar group of minerals are one of the most common on the planet. Also Oregon’s unique copper-bearing Plagioclase Feldspar is found nowhere else in the world.  The Oregon legislature in 1987 designated Oregon’s Official State Gem as the Oregon Sunstone.

At a hardness of  6.5-7.2 on the Moh’s scale, comparable to gemstones like Tanzanite and Peridot, 

Gem collectors and jewelry lovers from all over the world are fast becoming aware of this uniquely American gemstone. While many varieties of labradorite feldspar can display aventurescence or schiller and are commonly called “sunstones,” those effects are typically caused by inclusions of hematite or goethite. In contrast, the labradorite sunstones found in Oregon have inclusions of copper. This unique happenstance means these gemstones may both display a schiller effect and transparency. This makes them highly desirable as faceted jewelry stones.

Intense red and transparent gems with schiller are in great demand. However, many color varieties occur in Oregon, with and without the glowing effect.

Although a relative newcomer to many in the gem buying public, Oregon sunstone has traditionally been valued and traded by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. In 1987, Oregon officially declared it its state gemstone. In the esoteric realm of birthstone mythology, sunstones are considered the phenomenal birthstone for those born on Sunday.

The only feldspar sunstone with copper inclusions is Oregon sunstone. However, not all specimens display the schiller effect. The copper inclusions in Oregon sunstone come in varieties like threads, spots, sheets, and clouds.

To find out more about the Oregon Sunstone click on this link

#oregonsunstone

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Umbalite, also known as Malaya (Malaia) garnet.  First noticed in the 1960s, it was mixed in with parcels of rhodolite garnets from the Umba River Valley in East Africa. Many buyers rejected the material, so local miners and dealers gave it the Swahili name of “Malaya”, which translates to “out of the family”. Testing eventually confirmed that this new gem was a mixture of pyrope and spessartite garnet. Its lively color ranges from light to dark pink, red, and yellowish orange. After overcoming initial objections, it carved a small, but dedicated niche in the market in the 1980s, particularly in the United States. Today, umbalite is one of the more expensive garnets, and its only known sources are Kenya and Tanzania. Umbalite is a relatively new member of the garnet group.

Umbalite Garnet is a very high quality version of the Rhodolite Garnet. It generally comes from one location, the Umba valley in Tanzania. Just like Rhodolite, it comes in a beautiful purple color with flashes of red or blue. 

Umbalite Garnets are the exceptional pink to pinkish-purple Garnets named after the Umba Valley in Tanzania. Umbalite is a relative of Rhodolite and Malaya Garnets. They are usually a mix of Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartine and occasionally Grossular Garnets. Almost all gem-quality garnets are a mix of two or more species.

For more information see this link

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Mount Saint Helen’s Ash is a product from a volcano located in southwestern Washington state. It’s the most active volcano in the Cascade Range. This mountain range extends from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to northern California.

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, after a dormant period of over 125 years, erupted violently sending over three-quarters of a cubic mile of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. This represented the first major eruption of a volcano in the contiguous United States since the eruption of California’s Mount Lassen in 1914

Shortly after the May 18th eruption of Mount St. Helens it was obvious that in eastern Washington vast amounts of volcanic ash had accumulated. This ash appeared to represent a new potentially valuable nonmetallic mineral resource, and within a few days individuals and mineral-oriented companies began investigating possible uses for the newly fallen ash.

 The ash from this volcano was made into a glass material from which this gem stone was faceted. This man made material that I use comes in greenish and blueish colors.

Click this LINK to see a Oval version

For more info please see this page

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Saint Helen’s Ash is a product from a volcano located in southwestern Washington state. It’s the most active volcano in the Cascade Range. A mountain range that extends from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to northern California.

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, after a dormant period of over 125 years, erupted violently sending over three-quarters of a cubic mile of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. This represented the first major eruption of a volcano in the contiguous United States since the eruption of California’s Mount Lassen in 1914

Shortly after the May 18th eruption of Mount St. Helens it was obvious that in eastern Washington vast amounts of volcanic ash had accumulated. This ash appeared to represent a new potentially valuable nonmetallic mineral resource, and within a few days individuals and mineral-oriented companies began investigating possible uses for the newly fallen ash.

Approximately 540 million tons of ash from Mount Saint Helens fell across an area larger than 22,000 square miles. All this during the 9 hours of vigorous eruptive activity on May 18, 1980.

The ash from this volcano was made into a glass material ( Mt. St. Helen’s Ash ) from which this gem stone was faceted. This man made material that I use comes in greenish and blueish colors.

Click this Link to see a round version

For more info please see this page

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Main Symptoms of Those Needing White Chestnut Flower Essence:

• constant mental arguments and inner conversations as if a tape is playing over and over again,
• persistent worrying, unwanted thoughts and pictures come to mind,
• unable to concentrate, disorganized, become depressed,
• can’t fall asleep or wake up early in the morning.

Possible Physical Symptoms:

• exhaustion, fatigue, tension, headaches, grinding of teeth.

This is not just an adult malady. Children in school or those with overbearing parents may be even more prone to fall into this state, due to the fact that they are not always able to speak up in their own defense.

The positive potential of this Flower Essence is peace of mind.  The head is clear; thinking is under control and can be put to positive use in problem-solving, as well as worry is replaced by trust in a positive outcome.

If you would like to read more about this Bach Flower Remedy, follow this link:  https://www.bachflower.org/white_chestnut.htm

This product contains 27% alcohol, used as a preservative.  Keep out of the reach of children.  If pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your physician prior to use.

20 mL Dropper Bottle  (Approximately 380 doses)

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Main Symptoms of Those Needing Willow Flower Essence:

• feel negative, resentful and full of self-pity, as well as think they have been treated unfairly,
• see only the negative side of things,
• blame others for their misfortune,
• envy others for their fortune, health, etc.,
• feel a victim of circumstance,
• full of suppressed anger, but do not explode (like a smouldering volcano),
• constantly demand attention and help but not prepared to give to others.

Possible Physical Symptoms:

• problems with the skin, gall-bladder and liver; rheumatism.

Positive Potential of Willow:

It allows people to forgive, as well as, forget past injustices and enjoy life, thereby attracting positive conditions and friends.  No longer victims, they are in control of their own destiny.

If you would like to read more about this flower remedy, follow this link:  https://www.bachflower.org/willow.htm

This product contains 27% alcohol, used as a preservative.  Keep out of the reach of children.  If pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your physician prior to use.

20 mL Dropper Bottle  (Approximately 380 doses)

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This oil comes from many places throughout the world, including the US, South Africa, Italy and China.  The oil is from the rind of the fruit by way of cold-pressure..  It is an uplifting oil that helps provide emotional balance by bringing peace and joy.

The oil has many therapeutic properties, including antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, sedative and tonic.

The uses are many, including it brings happiness and warmth, helps to relax and induces sleep, helps with colds and influenza.  It is also used in an oil burner, vaporizer or bath, as well as in a blend for a massage oil.  Other uses include for fear, anxiety and nervousness.

Orange oil affects the digestive system, the immune system, emotional balance, and the skin.

In a blend, this oil acts as an enhancer.  It is a top note and blends well with cinnamon, frankincense, geranium and lavender.

SAFETY:  Do not use on sensitive skin.  Do not use during pregnancy.  Like all citrus oils, when using directly on the skin, avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours.  Skin discoloration may occur.

If you would like to read more about Orange Oil, click here to read my blog post.

10 mL Bottle

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This oil has reputed therapeutic properties.  These include analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, as well as deodorant, decongestant, antiviral and expectorant.

Eucalyptus oil has many uses, including in the bath, a massage oil during the cold season, as a chest rub.  Also, use in a vaporizer to keep the air germ free.  It is also effective against airborne viruses and bacteria.

This oil blends well with geranium, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, melissa and thyme.  When used in a blend, it is a middle note with a camphorous, sweet and fruity aroma.

SAFETY:  This oil is very toxic when taken orally.  Use with caution with small children.

If you would like to read my blog post on Eucalyptus Oil, click here: https://suegranzow.com/2021/08/02/eucalyptus-essential-oil/

10 mL Bottle

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Keywords:

Human indication of Sweet Chestnut Flower Essence:

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