Aquamarine Is Emerald's Cleaner First Cousin

Queen Elizabeth received her acquamarine taria, earrings, and necklace from the people of Brazil in 1953 and 1957. Later she added more aquamarine pieces to her collection.

On Monday we discussed colored gemstones. Today let's focus on Aquamarine (Be3Al2Si6O18) as it has no or few visible inclusions. As a type 1 gemstone, it is both eye clean and loupe clean, as well as, a relatively hard gemstone, rating a 7.5 - 8 on Moh's Hardness Scale making it strong enough for everyday wear.

Photo: Gemstones (on YouTube) as it was found in nature.

What a difference a cut and polish make. This is the famous Roosevelt  Aquamarine, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave to Eleanor Roosevelt.

The teal gemstone is a beryl just like its green (or red) first cousin, an emerald. A few of the key differences between the 2 gemstones are worth noting. They include emerald has many inclusions (internal flaws) and is rare in nature making it expensive while aquamarine is free of inclusions and abundant in nature making it less expensive.  

The Don Padro Aquamarine

March's birthstone, as well as, the state stone of Colorado was named after the waters of the bluish-green sea. The sea beryl gets its depth of color from the amount of iron in the crystal. Darker-hued blues and greenish blues are the most valuable aquamarine gems. Maxine, a rare deep blue aquamarine, has its own special name. Aquamarine is found mainly in granite pegmatites [crystalline granite] but can also form in the veins of metamorphic rocks.

The Hirsh Aquamarine

The soothing teal beryl is mined mainly in Brazil, but it is also found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, Mozambique, the United States, Australia, Minas Gerais and so many other parts of the world.

What ordinary people might buy, give me! :) 

Perhaps it's fair to say the semi-precious gemstone is underappreciated by the masses, although not by royalty. [BTW: precious and semi-precious are arbitrary classifications of gemstones that jewelers agree should be retired.] 

Queen Elizabeth's Brazillian aquamarine brooch is another piece in the set gifted to her in 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II has a gorgeous set of aquamarine jewelry she wore on many occasions. 

The Kock Aquamarine Kokoshnik replica of the personal jewelry of Empress Alexandra, wife of the last Czar of Russia, Nicolas II. 

Likewise, Czarina Alexandra Romanov of Russia (1872 - 1918) loved the stones so much that Nicolas II often gave them to her. The above tiara is believed to have been made in Germany in 1910 for her by jewelers Robert and Louis Kock, yet there are no photographs that survived the revolution of the Empress wearing it. Its aquamarines and diamonds are set in platinum and gold. The set resides in Japan's Albion Art of Institute.

Photo: Geologyin

Teal is a dreamy, tranquil, versatile color and a popular shade. For jewelry lovers who desire big, clear, flawless, affordable gemstones, you really can't go wrong with aquamarine. You'll get more beryl for the money!

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About The Clarity Of Colored Gemstones

The standard for determining the value of colored gemstones is not the same as for diamonds. A diamond is a single chemical element: carbon, and setting its value is strict and straightforward, namely defined by the 4 "c"s of cut, carat, clarity, and color.

However unlike diamonds, colored gemstones are not a single chemical element, but a combination of elements, as well as, falling into different families of stones. The most important characteristic in determining a colored gemstone's value is not clarity but color.

While clarity is a consideration in evaluating the value of colored gemstones, it is a less important factor than it is for diamonds. In other words, inclusions (or internal flaws) are expected and more accepted in colored gemstones, as opposed to, diamonds.

What's more certain families (a/k/a categories or types) of colored gemstones have more inclusions than others.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) doesn't rate colored gemstones like they do diamonds, nevertheless, they have created a system for classifying colored gemstones into 3 types based on clarity, i.e., their inclination or natural tendency to have internal flaws. Let's discuss them!

Type 1 are gemstones forming under the mildest geologic events and are found free of inclusions. They are eye clean and any inclusions they may have are so minor they are also loupe clean. It would take a powerful scope to detect any inclusions that exist. Type 1 gemstones include tanzanite, aquamarine, morganite, chrysoberyl, heliodor, blue zircon, blue topaz, and smoky quartz.

Type 2 gemstones form under more difficult geologic events and have more inclusions than type 1, but are still eye clean. Corundum (sapphire, ruby), quartz (amethyst, citrine), alexandrite, spinel, peridot, all zircon except blue, and garnet are examples of Type 2 gemstones. Inclusions may be seen with a loupe and are accepted as long as they don't take away from the beauty of the stones.

Type 3 gemstones have formed under the most violent of geologic events, thus they are more prone to cracks, bubbles, and impurities that are visible to the naked eye. Green and red emeralds (also called red beryl or bixbite), and paraiba tourmaline are examples of type 3 gemstones. Despite having more inclusions than sapphires, rubies, or diamonds, emeralds are among the most valuable gemstones on earth. Eye clean emeralds make up only 1% of the planet's supply and are extremely rare. An emerald's inclusions (called Jardins) are caused by trapped gas, liquid, and other minerals during the stone's formation. So common, Jardins are accepted as part of an emerald's identity and uniqueness.

Jewelers sometimes use the following terms to describe the clarity of colored gemstones, mostly when a specimen is heirloom quality and expensive:

Clarity Scale

IF – Internally Flawless
VVS – Very Very Slight Inclusions
VS – Very Slight Inclusions
SI – Slight Inclusions
I – Inclusions
TS – Translucent
O – Opaque 

As color is everything in colored gemstones, experts consider 1) hue - the actual color, 2) tone - lightness to darkness from 1 - 10, and 3) saturation - from brightness to dullness.

Aren't nature's beauties awesome!

(<--Right image from Jewelry Television)

Perfect is rare. Knowing color is the most important characteristic of colored gemstones helps you not miss out on some beautiful stones, and knowing which gemstones have more or fewer inclusions helps you either gravitate to the cleaner type 1 gemstones (above↑) ... or better yet, appreciate jewels in all their glory!

 

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Ground Beef Stroganoff

Photo: Betty Crocker, the recipe is not Betty Croker.

I love one-skillet dinners. What's not to love? A mishmash of flavors and textures, and all your food groups tossed into one pan to cook a balanced meal. You can add a salad, grainy bread, and a glass of wine if you wish. After eating your meal, the breezy cleanup consists of a single pan and a few plates and utensils. Here is the recipe:

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

2 tablespoon olive oil

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 stalk celery including leaves, diced

1/4 cup red pepper, diced

1 - 1 1/2 lb ground beef

1/4 cup wine - red or white

4 cups water

2 large any flavor bouillon cubes, or 4 small cubes

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon each of dried chives, garlic, and parsley

A dash of Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces of curly noodles

1 cup of sour cream (which I never have so use plain Greek yogurt.)

Directions:

1) Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a 12'' chef skillet or a dutch oven and bring to a simmer to tenderize and brown the sliced mushrooms. Sprinkle in some salt. Set aside in a separate dish.

2) Use the same skillet to add another tablespoon of olive oil and tenderize the diced onion, garlic, celery, and red pepper (takes 3 - 5 minutes).

3) Toss in and brown the ground beef. A dash of salt and

pepper. It cooks for about 5 minutes.

4) Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour to coat the ground beef and cook for another 3 minutes so the flour won't taste raw.

5) Pour in the wine and 4 cups of water and dissolve the bouillon cubes. Use a wooden spoon to stir and mash up the bouillon into the liquid.

6) Add the dried spices and Worcestershire sauce.

7) Next toss the dried uncooked curly (egg or any) noodles into the dish and cook until al dente.

8) Return the mushrooms to the pan and stir. Turn off the heat.

9) Finish off with sour cream (or substitute Greek yogurt). If using Greek yogurt be mindful of curdling. Temper the yogurt with a small amount of stroganoff sauce before dumping it all into the dish.

A simple one-pan meal that sticks to your ribs. Delish!

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Nordstrom's Valentine's Day Themed Offerings

Part II: At Nordstrom🌹

While consumers can great an assortment of pleasing merchandise at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, IMHO, Macy's has a better selection of quality goods at every price point so you can find a wide selection of fabulous merchandise for less there. You'll spend more at Nordstrom and much more at Saks Fifth Avenue for desirable stuff, plus the promotions aren't as deep as the sales at Macy's due to each department store's respective business models.

That said, posted on today's blog are some lovely Valentine's Day-themed articles suitable as gifts or a splurge for yourself.

I selected only jewelry that is sterling silver or 14k gold, so no fashion jewelry pieces. To find them search for "hearts earrings" or "14k gold hoop earrings" on the retailer's website.

Diptyque (1) fragrance or (2) a candle in a rose sent.🌹

The last fun piece from Cult Gaia is an over-priced acrylic box clutch purse typical of some of the articles Nordstrom carries (also it was characteristic of the now-defunct uptown Barnes). The Venus et Fleur rose in a box (look up 👆) is another enchanting overpriced item. Appreciate them for inspiration, then go out and find something similar to get the same effect for less if you wish! Here is the Eos by Cult Gaia bag at Saks Off Fifth Avenue discounted but still a lot of moola. Keep looking until the price is right.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

For him:

(1) Faherty cotton and cashmere cardigan, (2) Jo Malone London cologne, or (3) Ugg slippers  

You'll find everything featured on Nordstrom's website here.♥

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Macy's Valentine's Day Themed offerings

Part I: At Macy's♥

Valentine's Day must have been invented to motivate us in the Western Hemisphere to hang on until the spring. An excuse to eat delicious chocolate and perhaps share a nice dinner with loved ones ... be they family or friends. If single you can still get in the spirit by wearing red and splurging on a little something for yourself in celebration that life is good! Let's do a round-up of items Macy's has to tempt us:

Earrings and ring are Macy's in-house brand

Gem-quality diamonds are expensive mainly due to demand 1st created in the 1940s by DeBoer's wildly successful  Diamonds are forever ad campaign. Customers not wishing to drop 5 figures for bigger and cleaner stones have another pretty gem option, morganites, for beautiful Valentine's Day gifts and spurges. Rating an 8 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, they're durable and so free of inclusions some folks are setting the clear pink beryl as their center stone in engagement rings instead of a diamond to save $1000s of dollars. Certainly a pleasing sparkler without breaking the bank!

Moreover, customers can never go wrong with classic pearls as a gift or splurge on Valentine's Day ... or any other occasion for that matter. You'll enjoy them over a lifetime!

Special edition gift sets with shades of red lipstick would please a makeup maven and ...

Embellished red leather purses are certain to make purse aficionados happy!

1) Effy, 2) Alex Woo, 3) Alex Woo

All the heart motif necklaces and jewelry are adorable too!

Macy's in-house label

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

For the man in your life, I like the Puma fleece jacket and Adidas cozy jogger pants. Be sure to tuck several chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil in a pocket. Generally, I'm not a fan of sweatsuits but this combo looks polished and neat. 

Stay tuned! Although my heart belongs to Macy's (and I'll explain why in the next blog) to be fair tomorrow I'll post another Valentine-themed roundup with enticements from Nordstrom!! [Here it is.]

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Catherine Of Wales Suited In Alexander McQueen

Photo: Getty Images

Catherine of Wales looked stunning when she got off an airplane in Boston with Prince William to attend the Earthshop Prize ceremony.

Her suit, gorgeous and elegant, also looked comfortable for flying. I had to know more about it and perhaps you'd like to know too.

First of all, although the suit looks black and dark purple in some shots, it's navy blue. On this trip in late November, she wore it with a turtle neck to keep warm. Catherine also has the suit in white and pink, and she wisely recycles her wardrobe wearing them on different occasions. 

left - Steven Locke images and right - pool images

The suit is a ready-to-wear Alexander McQueen, although I wouldn't be surprised if Kate has her clothes altered. So many high-profile people in the public eye do which is one reason they look impeccable in their clothes. The attire fits her perfectly! 

The Alexander McQueen Single-Breasted Classic Suit Jacket costs $2,190. I found it at Bergdorf-Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue here in the U.S. 

The pants are Alexander McQueen's High-Waist Long Cigarette Trousers costing $1,190. Although definitely not cheap, Catherine of Wales wears her off-the-rack garments beautifully and gets good value for the money! I love the pragmatic and realistic example she sets. 

The clothes in my closets that I like also get worn time and again to different events. And, why not? The wearer looks good repeatedly! 

And that's your Savvy Shopper #short for today (like a YouTube short, only with photos and copy:).

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