Iolite, Amethyst, Biwa Pearl and Garnet pendant

£40.00

This pendant is made with sterling silver and sold with a 3mm sterling silver collar. The collar has an open back and is designed to fit securely around the neck.

Borealis Jewellery Design's sterling silver pendants and collars are carefully selected, for both eye-catching design and high quality, from silversmiths in India, Thailand and the USA as well as the UK.

Included with this pendant is a presentation box and a card describing its gemstones.

Iolite

Also known as 'Water Sapphire', Iolite is a deep blue-violet colour, but changes colour when viewed from different directions. This property was used by early Viking navigators to steer their way through dense fog.

Today, the stone is still said to grant clear vision, leading its wearer to improved inner knowledge through introspection, by helping them to ignore distractions and focus on the problem at hand. Iolite enhances intuition, and helps to highlight responsible and constructive paths to success, be it financially, in relationships, or in matters of health.

Amethyst

Used as a royal emblem throughout history because of its deep purple colour, Amethyst was once listed alongside diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald as one of the five most valuable gemstones in existence, until the discovery of extensive deposits in Brazil during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Traditionally used to prevent drunkenness, Amethyst is believed to help protect against all forms of addiction or excess, and is considered to be a deeply spiritual stone. Leonardo da Vinci also claimed that this stone could 'quicken the intelligence', and the ancient Egyptians saw it as the stone of wisdom and clarity of thought. Amethyst was also believed to protect its wearer from thieves.

Biwa Pearl

When a single, rough grain of sand irritates an oyster, it is gradually transformed into a beautiful pearl. So too this gem reminds its wearer to transform the irritations of life, to seek serenity and to walk with dignity.

In the East, pearls symbolise prosperity and long life, while in the West, they are said to represent innocence and a pure heart, instilling a sense of calm self-acceptance, while stimulating feminine integrity.

Long ago it was believed that pearls were moonbeams which fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters. Biwa Pearls are a type of baroque freshwater pearl cultured in Japan.

Garnet

Garnet gets its name from the Latin word for pomegranate, both because of its colour, and the shape of its uncut crystals. Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January and can be found in almost any colour, though deep red is the most common.

A sacred stone to many early cultures, Garnet was included in ancient Egyptian tombs as it was believed to grant safe passage through the land of the dead. It is said to deepen and stabilise its wearer's existing relationships, but also to enhance charisma, making its wearer 'shine'. Considered a stone of passion, courage and confidence, Garnets are also said to be lucky for love.