.999 fine silver is whiter in appearance than .925 sterling silver and tarnishes less. It does not trigger allergies in people sensitive to nickel or other alloys.
Amethyst is an extremely sought-after gem which has been valued by many civilizations since antiquity. A variety of vitreous quartz, amethyst often forms dramatic prismatic crystals which are often formed into jewelry without being cut. Brazil and Uruguay are common sources of high quality amethyst. In the early Christian church, amethyst was believed to guard against intoxication, hence its derivation from the Greek "amethustos," meaning "not drunk."Deep red garnet is derived from a number of minerals, including pyrope and almandine. Popularized in Bohemia in the Czech Republic, garnet has been used in decoration and jewelry across Europe for many years. Its color is generally a dark burgundy, sometimes with a hint of orange, pink, or purple. Spring green peridot is the gem variety of ovaline, a silicate mineral thought to be common in the upper mantle of Earth's crust. Peridot-grade ovaline is most abundant in Pakistan and other dry areas. Used as early as 1580 BC in Egypt, peridot is held as a symbol of the Sun. Gem quality druzy is created when a layer of tiny quartz crystals forms over the top of another stone. Natural druzy crystals can be colored themselves or take their color from the underlying stone. The surface of a druzy is sometimes coated with gold or other substances for a dramatic effect. Titanium druzy has been treated with a thin layer of titanium to give it a beautiful color and iridescent sheen.
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