Jewelry of Semi-Precious Stones: Stylish Things of Beauty
Want to make or wear impressive costume jewelry, but running on
a tight budget? Using semi-precious stones is one good way to
achieve this. These stones come in a wide variety and are highly
accessible to almost everyone. Semi-precious stones preserve the
effect of sophistication. Many pieces of jewelry made of these
stones are pleasant to look at without seeming opulent.
Depending on one's own taste and fashion sense, these gemstones
have the greatest potential to enhance one's personal sense of
style.
Some semi-precious stones are also birthstones, which correspond
to people's birth months. Some people believe that wearing
stones that correspond with one's birth month increases one's
inner strength. This special trait makes jewelry made of certain
semi-precious birthstones especially useful as gifts. Examples
of such birthstones are garnet (January) and aquamarine (March).
Another popular belief is that certain stones have their own
unique "powers." For example, wearing garnet is said to help
ease the pain of a bad breakup, or cause jealousy between
lovers. Amethyst is said to protect its wearer against the ill
effects of alcohol, slow down intoxication and prevent
hangovers. Turquoise is said to give emotional strength. Jade
has always had enormous importance in Asian civilization; it is
said to have the mystical power to protect its wearer against
nightmares and other psychic attacks.
Quartz is said to be among the most important of the
semi-precious stones, because it calls upon the power of love --
especially the rare rose quartz. Wearing rose quartz is said to
increase one's chances of finding or maintaining a good romantic
relationship.
Some pieces of bead jewelry are also made of semi-precious
stones. The stones are threaded together with cords, making fine
webs and accentuating intricate designs. Jewelry made of
semi-precious stones is always popular, partly because of the
beliefs associated with the stones -- but mostly because they're
so pretty and can go well with anything one wears.