19thC Antique 4¾ct Ametrine Ancient China Russia Rome Gem from India Camel Route

Description: Handcrafted Four and Three-Quarter Carat Genuine Natural Ametrine Hand Cut and Faceted Baguette. CLASSIFICATION: Hand Cut and Faceted Ametrine Baguette. ORIGIN: Bolivia's Anahi Mine. SIZE: Length: 12mm. Width: 8 1/2mm. Depth: 6 1/2mm. All measurements approximate. WEIGHT: 4.78 carats. NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings (click here for more information). DETAIL: There are ancient references to ametrine from Persian, Roman, and Greek sources. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest an ancient source of ametrine in India, and indeed ametrine was (re)discovered recently in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh near Hyderabad, an ancient city which was a trading center on the camel caravan route which crossed to Persia and Europe on one side, and China and Russia to the other side. There is also evidence of a medieval source of ametrine in Scotland, perhaps in the general vicinity of the Devonian lava beds in Angus, Scotland. However ametrine first became famous in the modern world in the seventeenth century when a Spanish conquistador received it as a dowry when he married a South American Indian princess. Ametrine was subsequently introduced to Europe through the conquistador's gifts to the Spanish queen. You can think of Ametrine as a gemstone quality quartz crystal which when growing up could not decide whether it wanted to be an Amethyst or a Citrine, and so developed a "split personality". This is a large, very clean, handcrafted baguette cut ametrine from the Anahi Mine in Bolivia. Imported for use in indigenous jewelry, the gemstone was hand crafted and faceted by a Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. Ametrine is actually very rare in nature, having both the manganese traces which produce amethyst's purple, as well as the iron traces which produce citrine's yellow. The crystals must then be exposed to a variable source of heat, such as might be the case when a crystal partly encased in rock is exposed on one surface to sun shine. Slowly a portion of the gemstone will change color from amethyst's purple to citrine's yellow. This occurs rather rarely in nature. It seems that the ancient Mediterranean world knew of ametrine. The ancient source for ametrine was likely India via camel caravan through Persia. With the ancient source of ametrine lost and forgotten, ametrine was (re)introduced to Renaissance Europe as "trystine" from a Bolivian source in the seventeenth century. It was considered a very rare gemstone and was extremely expensive in Victorian Europe. Natural ametrine remains rather rare. Today most modern ametrine is either synthetic or induced by irradiating or heat-treating amethyst. This particular specimen is a very nicely colored semi-precious gemstone, with a sharp delineation between the yellow and purple. As you can see from the photo enlargements here, it is to the eye completely transparent and free from blemishes, and possesses exceptional sparkle and luster. It is very clean, water clear, and very bright. Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of a handcrafted gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. This gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and to the eye is completely transparent, but it is not absolutely flawless. True, any blemishes it possesses are not visible to the naked eye, and even when magnified as in the accompanying photo enlargements here (or under a jeweler's loupe) there are no discernible flaws. However we hesitate to use the word "flawless", as sooner or later blemishes will show up at higher levels of magnification with almost every natural gemstone. An absolutely flawless gemstone is very rare in nature (and usually turns out to be synthetic). However the gemstone can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". To the eye it is indeed flawless, nonetheless close examination with a jeweler's loupe will however reveal occasional slight irregularities in the faceting and finish. Naturally these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, and for most the unique nature and character of a handcrafted gemstone such as this more than makes up for minute blemishes and irregular cutting/faceting which by and large, are (if at all), only visible under high magnification. AMETRINE HISTORY: The Anahi Mine in Bolivia is the world’s primary source of ametrine (sometimes referred to as “trystine” or “bolivianite”). The mine first became famous in the seventeenth century when a seventeenth-century Spanish conquistador received an ametrine gemstone as a dowry when he married a princess from the local Ayoreos tribe named Anahi. Ametrine was introduced to Europe through the conquistador's gifts to the Spanish Queen. Small deposits of Ametrine were discovered both in Brazil and Canada during the twentieth century. There is evidence of a medieval source of ametrine in Scotland, perhaps in the general vicinity of the Devonian lava beds in Angus, Scotland. There are also ancient references to ametrine from Persian, Roman, and Greek sources. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest an ancient source of ametrine in India, and indeed ametrine was (re)discovered recently in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh near Hyderabad, an ancient city which was a trading center on the camel caravan route which crossed to Persia and Europe on one side, and China and Russia to the other side. Ametrine is a variety of quartz, and is of course closely related to both amethyst and citrine (ame-trine). Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. Though there appear to be ancient records indicating familiarity with ametrine, no records exist indicating what properties the ancients may have perceived imbued into ametrine. However a clue to what properties the ancients may have believed ametrine possessed, might be found in contemporary folklore. Due to its dual color, ametrine is considered to be a talisman that balances the opposing forces of nature and bridges the divide between the material and the spiritual world. The purple amethyst part of the stone helps one to visualize the future he seeks, while the yellow citrine color pushes one towards making this goal a reality. The dual nature of ametrine is said to bring spirit and mind into harmony, catalyzing a profound flow of new ideas and insights. Current alternative practitioners believe that ametrine aids the wearer in overcoming bad habits, addictions and addictive traits, including over-eating and substance abuse. Perhaps behaviorally related, ametrine is also said to be useful in combating self-esteem problems, ridding the wearer’s “aura” of negative energy. Ametrine is also believed to be of use in soothing, calming and balancing the emotions, helping the wearer maintain a rational outlook under pressure, while at the same time promoting mental clarity, creativity, energy, determination and endurance, and so it is said it is best to keep an ametrine talisman near your desk or your computer (where it can best assist you while you work). Present-day medical uses espoused by alternative practitioners include ametrine’s usefulness in stimulating oxygenation of the body, a process which is believed to have a strong cleansing effect on the metabolism and tissues. Ametrine is also believed to be beneficial for those suffering from headaches, backaches, and disorders related to the pancreas. Domestic shipping (insured first class mail) is included in the price shown. Domestic shipping also includes USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are an extra $17.99 for Insured Air Mail; International shipments are an extra $21.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments, which is INCLUDED in our price. International tracking is at additional cost. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs). We travel to Russia each year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for. My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting. Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. Our interest in the fabulous history of Russian gemstones and the fabulous jewelry of the Czar’s led to further education and contacts in India, Ceylon, and Siam, other ancient centers of gemstone production and finishing. We have a number of “helpers” (family members, friends, and colleagues) in Russia and in India who act as eyes and ears for us year-round, and in reciprocity we donate a portion of our revenues to support educational institutions in Russia and India. Occasionally while in Russia, India, Siam, and Ceylon we will also find such good buys on unique contemporary gemstones and jewelry that we will purchase a few pieces to offer to our customers here in America. These are always offered clearly labeled as contemporary, and not antiques – just to avoid confusion. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."

Price: 179.99 USD

Location: Lummi Island, Washington

End Time: 2024-12-22T05:56:47.000Z

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