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Discover the Sparkle: Top 12 Fun Facts About Gemstones You Won't Believe!

illustration of gemstones
Prepare to be dazzled as you unearth a treasure trove of sparkling fun facts about the fascinating world of gemstones!

1. Amethyst: Royal Bedtime Bling

Before royalty hit the snooze button on decision making, they knew how to rock some bedtime bling: Amethyst, historically used to adorn crowns and royal accessories, was believed during the Middle Ages to calm the mind, promote wise decisions, and even cure insomnia and prevent nightmares when placed under one's pillow.
Source => forsythejewelers.com

2. Emeralds: Heart-Healing Eye Docs

If Emerald City were a dating app, emeralds would be the fearless heart-break healers with a PhD in Eye Care: These vibrant green gemstones have been praised for their ability to not only mend broken hearts but also for their remarkable benefits to the eyes and overall cardiovascular health.
Source => gemselect.com

3. Pearls: Dragon Dentures of Wisdom

Dragons, notorious for their questionable dental hygiene, were said to store pearly whites – not of their own, but Pearls – between their fierce fangs: These prized Pearls were believed to symbolize wisdom in ancient Chinese culture, obtainable only by courageously slaying the dragon. The wonder of Pearls doesn't end there; from being buried with ancient Egyptians to adorning modern jewelry, Freshwater Pearls have continued to dazzle and charm as symbols of grace and intelligence in their myriad of colors.
Source => jreevesdesigns.com

4. Jade Carps: Fishy Pen Pals

Who knew fishes could be pen pals? Legend has it that some Chinese carps replied to their mails the old-fashioned way: by inscribing their response right on their scales! The serious reveal: In Chinese culture, carps symbolize perseverance and overcoming obstacles, often portrayed in jade carvings as swimming upstream with a pearl in their mouths for success and abundance, not to mention their cameo as ornamental fish in ponds and aquariums.
Source => masonkay.com

Diamonds: Heavy Machinery BFFs

5. Diamonds: Heavy Machinery BFFs

Who says diamonds are just a gal's best friend? To be fair, they're also pretty chummy with heavy machinery: Diamonds, nature's ultimate multitasker, not only serve as dazzling emblems of love, but are a crucial component in cutting tools throughout the industrial sector. Rejoice in the fact that your diamond engagement ring may have experienced some serious labor, with its strong and industrious cousins embedded in saw blades and drill bits, making heavy-duty work a little more fabulous!
Source => stonetools.com.au

6. Sapphires: Witchcraft Wreckers

Before witches could even say "Abracadabra" or wave their wands, medieval folks were beating them at their own game with some fabulous bling: sapphires, to be exact, which were believed to have magical powers, including the ability to cure mental and nervous disorders and protect against witchcraft, despite the lack of hard evidence for these claims.
Source => jewelsforme.com

7. Party-Pooping Amethyst

Say "cheers" to this dazzling gem and "adios" to getting sloshed, for the amethyst was once revered as a party pooper in the glitziest soirées of yore: Prized for its alleged ability to foil a faltering liquor cabinet and scramble lovers' impassioned overtures, this purple birthstone has long enjoyed the patronage of European royalty and an association with sixth wedding anniversaries, with sources lying in Brazilian quarries, African mountains, and American heartlands - and a penchant for getting all dolled up with a heat treatment to enhance its allure.
Source => gia.edu

8. Uvarovite Garnet: Heart-Healing Gem

Do diamonds make your heart skip a beat? Well then, the Uvarovite garnet might rekindle an old flame: an energetic gem renowned for promoting individuality and spiritual bonding, it's also a health powerhouse known to curb inflammation, cool fevers, and mend emotional scars related to scarcity while giving your heart the tender loving care it deserves.
Source => healingwithcrystals.net.au

9. Peridot: Pirate Glow-Stones

While pirates weren't exactly stylin' with birthstone earrings, they sure knew how to spot a sparkling gem for their treasure hunting: Called the “evening emerald” by the ancient Romans, peridot was thought to have luminescent powers by pirates who believed it would glow in the dark near buried treasure. This vivid green gemstone is not only a symbol of good fortune and loyalty but is also found in rocks formed by volcanoes and fallen meteorites.
Source => jewelersmutual.com

Greek Gemstone Hangover Cures

10. Greek Gemstone Hangover Cures

Hangovers, begone! The ancient Greeks could have written the ultimate bar guide: Amethyst, the designated driver of the gemstone world, ensured party revelers didn't spiral into a Dionysian abyss by warding off drunkenness! Emerald, on the other hand, took on the role of a psychic hotline: granting foresight, truth, and probably the occasional winning lottery number: While there's no modern scientific truth-dismisser to validate these claims, the allure of precious stones continues unabated, fueled by enduring beliefs of good luck, enhanced personal energy, and of course, all those shiny, bedazzling Instagram posts.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Alexandrite: The Chameleon Gem

Lurking behind the daylight's green disguise, the Alexandrite morphs like a chameleon, revealing its ruby alter-ego under the moonlit skies: This intriguing gemstone has the unique ability to change colors from green to red due to its pleochroic properties and light-absorbing qualities, making it a rare, valuable variety of chrysoberyl and a co-star alongside pearl and moonstone as a June birthstone.
Source => gia.edu

12. Turquoise: The Sun Creator

Who needs rose-tinted glasses when you've got turquoise on your side – a gemstone that literally creates the sun? No, seriously: Turquoise holds significant spiritual and cultural significance in many Native American tribes, including the Navajo and Zuni, where it is believed to have played a role in the creation of the sun. Not only that, but it's used for protection and connecting to earth's elements, and has inspired intricate and world-renowned jewelry crafted by Native American artisans.
Source => tskies.com

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