Description and properties of onyx stone: magic, healing power, influence on humans

Physical properties

Onyx is a combination of agate and carbonate. In the stone, these minerals are arranged in layers, due to which the agate acquires a striped color. Like all quartz, it has a high hardness rating of 7 on the Mohs scale. The stone can be either translucent or opaque. It has a white streak and a pronounced glassy sheen. Onyx has no cleavage.

Onyx color range

The color range of the mineral varies from pale green to black. The most valuable stones are mined on the Arabian Peninsula, Brazil and the Russian Federation (Chukotka).

A deposit of Kurganch marble onyx has been explored in Uzbekistan.

In Kyrgystan, Osh region, a scanty occurrence of Chonkulun marble onyx (reserves of about 80 cubic meters) has been identified and is being studied.

In Turkmenistan, small deposits and manifestations of marble onyx have been identified and studied in different regions of the country. Vein deposits of onyx have been explored in Kubadag (Kailu deposit with reserves of 5.2 thousand cubic meters). In the Gaurdak-Kugitangsky district, the Karlyuk deposit with industrial reserves of 150 cubic meters has been explored. and forecast - 750 cubic meters. Small accumulations of marble onyx were also found in Central Koledag and Bolshoi Balkhan.

Healing stone

In ancient times, healers never failed to pay attention to healing onyx. The mineral powder was added to medicinal products intended to heal damage to the oral cavity. Magic stones were applied to skin wounds, ensuring their rapid healing. Water infused with onyx was charged with the powerful energy of the mineral and treated people from various diseases.

In modern lithotherapy, the following properties are attributed to the mineral:

1. Has a beneficial effect on the condition and functioning of the brain. Energy allows you to recover from hypoxia, signs of dementia, migraines and cerebral atherosclerosis.
2. In case of urolithiasis, it helps to get rid of renal colic, especially if you apply the talisman to the place where the pain is felt.
3. At high body temperature, the indicator returns to normal.
4. Useful for people suffering from rheumatism.
5. The healing properties will be useful for men suffering from prostate inflammation.
6. It is believed that it helps reduce the size of malignant tumors.
7. Necessary for people with weakened immunity, which has a beneficial effect.
8. Sharpens vision and hearing. For this purpose, the stone is worn in the form of earrings.

The mineral symbolizes good health and longevity, so it is useful for both young and old people to wear it.

After lithotherapy sessions, it is recommended to wash chalcedony under running water, which will renew the energy of the mineral.

Onyx beads

The magic of stone: what powers are pearls endowed with?

In addition to healing properties, pearls are also credited with magical properties. Moreover, different nations have their own signs associated with the amazing abilities of the stone.

Europeans believe that the stone brings them eternal youth, longevity and external perfection.

In India, he is considered the personification of well-being and prosperity, including financial.

In China, pearl jewelry is given as a gift with wishes of success and fertility. In addition, they believe that these stones support magical powers in the person himself.

In addition, in both China and India, pearls are known for their power to help conception. Indian newlyweds give each other mother-of-pearl jewelry, Chinese newlyweds receive pearls from guests at their wedding.

In Greece, it symbolizes the strength of a marriage - strong, long and happy.

Arab entrepreneurs are convinced that rings with black pearls protect them from scammers, deceivers and envious people.

In Asia, pearls are famous for their ability to increase wealth and protect against misfortunes.

People from different countries see the stone as the personification of a long and rich life. Not surprising, given its ability to promptly signal dangerous illnesses and treat infections.

To get rid of love suffering, protect your home from uninvited guests, your family from the evil eye, and your business from scammers, esotericists perform entire rituals with pearls. But if you do without rituals and just enjoy the sight of the stone, you will powerfully feel peace and harmonize your feelings.

What are pearl amulets used for?

It is believed that they are capable of becoming true human helpers. Even in the Roman Empire, they believed that talismans with pearls made a person wiser and more objective. Ancient Roman emperors used them to increase the power bestowed by God himself.

Many religious records describe pearl charms as a symbol of connection with God.

What, according to astrologers and esotericists, can these talismans give?

They are especially recommended for businessmen, whom the amulet will protect from deceitful partners or a failed deal. He will help them establish contact with the right people and benefit materially from this.

Pearls are contraindicated for people who are weak in spirit and lack willpower, lack self-confidence and are accustomed to going with the flow. The stone easily absorbs weak energy and subjugates weak people. In addition, he does not like people who are too arrogant and overly vain.

Magic properties

Onyx has always been considered a masculine stone, so it symbolizes courage and physical endurance. All kings, leaders and emperors had jewelry made of onyx, since the energy of the stone protected them from rash actions and misfortunes. There was a belief that onyx clears a person’s mind of disturbing thoughts and helps develop self-confidence.

The gem symbolizes eloquence, which is why famous orators always carried it in the form of beads. If a person constantly carries onyx products with him, then he can be sure: the stone will protect him from all kinds of troubles, violent death and material losses. The aura of onyx protects a person from the effects of black magic.

A gem talisman will give your home reliable protection from any ill-wishers. The magical properties of the mineral strengthen family ties.

There is an opinion that the magic and properties of onyx depend entirely on the color scheme of the mineral.

Oldest mining sites

One of the oldest pearling sites is the Gulf of Manara. The largest market for the sale of this mother of pearl is organized here.

During the reign of the Macedonian, mining began in the Persian Gulf. The pearls mined there are known all over the world, as are those that come to us from the Bahrain Islands.

Rich deposits of shells are located near New Guinea and Borneo. But the most famous pearl, which was presented as a gift to the Spanish King Philip 2, was found in the Caribbean Sea.

Meleagrin oysters produce the most expensive pearls. Banks for their cultivation have been organized around Japan, Madagascar, Australia and other countries.

Application of stone

Onyx is a semi-precious stone belonging to the third group. List of mineral applications:

1. Construction: In ancient times, large stones were used in the construction of temples. Valuable specimens were used to make facing tiles.
2. Decorative items: onyx is a valuable raw material for the manufacture of candlesticks, ashtrays, animal figurines, vases, glasses and other souvenirs.
3. Jewelry: expensive jewelry is made from onyx and this stone is used as inserts in silver jewelry.

Onyx is an inexpensive stone, products from which are available to most.

Onyx glasses

Global market for marble onyx

The total annual production of marble onyx is estimated to be: for blocks up to 80 thousand cubic meters, for products (in terms of an equivalent slab 20 mm thick) - up to 800 thousand square meters. The total market size is estimated at $12-15 million. USA.

The main producers of onyx, as already noted, are Iran, Pakistan and Türkiye. The main exporters on the market are Pakistan and Iran. Iran consumes a significant part of the materials and products produced domestically, exporting small quantities of blocks and blank slabs (due to the insufficiently high quality of Iranian-made products, they are in less demand on the market than competitors' products). Italy is the leader in the export of slabs (slabs, dimensional and modular), processing block raw materials from Pakistan, Iran and Turkey.

Approximate export volumes of marble onyx: blocks - 1.5 thousand cubic meters; blank slabs - 2 thousand sq.m.; finished products - 25 thousand sq.m. The main importing countries for onyx marble products are; in Europe - Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, on other continents - USA, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Libya.

World market prices (2003) for onyx blocks ranged from 800 to 2500 dollars per 1 cubic meter. (free-quarry); prices for slabs ranged from 150 to 500 dollars per 1 sq.m., for modular slabs - 90 to 250 dollars per 1 sq.m. The significant range of prices is due to different grades and decorative qualities of stone, different quality of products, different degrees of product readiness: the quality of surface coating, the presence of reinforcement and its type, etc.

Varieties and colors

This type of quartz is represented by a rich palette of different colors, depending on which different types of onyx are distinguished:

1. Sardonyx: The stone is characterized by alternating white and brown stripes of equal thickness. In lithotherapy it symbolizes calm and serenity.
2. White: the mineral has a delicate aquamarine hue. It is considered a rare variety of onyx. Symbolizes purity and honesty.
3. Arabic (Black): The value of this gem is equal to that of most gemstones, since black onyx is very rare in nature.
4. Carnelian (carnelian): the color range of the stone varies from orange to burgundy brown. The stone is considered a powerful love talisman.
5. Marble: is a combination of light green and white stripes. Known as a powerful talisman for healing the nervous system.

Pearls are the best way to preserve youth and beauty

This is what they believed in Ancient Egypt. According to legend, Queen Cleopatra, famous for her unfading beauty, drank a miraculous elixir with pearls every day. According to one version, the beads were ground into powder, according to another, they were dissolved in vinegar. The resulting product was diluted in pomegranate juice or the milk of young donkeys.

Apparently, the ancient recipe was effective, since modern cosmetology companies use its analogues. Now they produce caring and foundation creams, anti-aging products, eye shadows, blush, powder with extract or fine pearl powder.

The interest of cosmetics developers in mother-of-pearl is explained by the composition of pearls and the properties of its components.

• 92% of the mineral consists of aragonite (chemical formula CaCO3), i.e. natural chalk. It does not provide any significant benefits to the skin, but provides a masking effect, which is important for decorative cosmetics.
• 6% of pearls are conchiolin, a protein containing 22 types of amino acids. This substance accelerates metabolic processes in cells, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, on which the freshness, velvety, youthfulness of the skin depends. Conchiolin also promotes the production of melanin in cells, which prevents the appearance of age spots and freckles.
• 2% is a complex of useful substances: vitamins D and B, zinc, magnesium, copper and other microelements (18 varieties in total). Even in such small quantities, they can help the epidermis counteract the negative influence of the external environment.

In cosmetics, the presence of mother-of-pearl is usually referred to as “pearl protein.” To make the positive effect noticeable, choose creams, scrubs and other cosmetics that contain this component in the top ten ingredients.

How to recognize a fake?

Onyx, despite its cheapness and availability, is often counterfeited and sold to the buyer by an unscrupulous seller as a real mineral. In order not to make a mistake when purchasing products made from this gem, you need to know about some of its features:

1. A natural gem has a harmonious color scheme and pattern, while a fake has sharp color transitions, and its layers can be crooked when viewed through a magnifying glass.
2. Due to its high hardness, onyx cannot be scratched by the tip of a needle or knife. The stone itself can easily leave a scratch on the glass.
3. Natural stone does not conduct heat, so it will always remain cold in your hand.

Natural onyx retains color fastness under any influence, while fake stones fade or become discolored.

How and where are pearls mined?

Even shells caught in protected areas are first examined by x-ray. If the mollusk is empty, it is released back into the sea, as is the case if there are still very small pearls inside.

Pearls can be not only sea, but also freshwater. The color, shape, and, accordingly, the cost will depend on the water and the place where it grows. Pearl fishing is very common on Mississippi, but the fishing is carried out in an organized manner, without harm to nature. Most European rivers also contain pearl shells.

Who does it match by zodiac sign and name?

Onyx is one of those stones whose magical properties are suitable for representatives of most zodiac signs. First of all, any type of it favors fire signs - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These people have a hot temper, and the energy of the gem allows them to concentrate their energy on achieving their goals. Onyx is also suitable:

• Taurus, Capricorn and Libra, they will receive a powerful charge of energy, allowing them to get rid of laziness.
• Aquarius and Virgo, who under the influence of the mineral will become more decisive.
• Arabic onyx suits Cancer and Scorpio.
• For Pisces, the stone will serve as a beautiful decoration, but not a talisman.

It is recommended for Geminis to refrain from wearing jewelry with onyx. These people prefer variety in all areas of life, and onyx is a symbol of constancy.

The names of the gem are Anton, Ruslan, Makar and Svetlana.

The most famous legends

Humanity has always created incredible legends when it did not know how to explain certain phenomena in everyday life. Before technological progress was developed, human assumptions became the only correct explanation.

In the East they thought that pearls were born from moonlight, which, falling into the sea, solidified there in the form of small drops.

In Rus', the cause of pearls was lightning. She hit the shell of a mollusk, hence the pearls were formed.

There are legends not only about sea pearls, but also about river pearls. For a long time, it was believed that the fishing grounds were only in those rivers where sturgeon, that is, the king’s fish, lived. The pearl developed in his gills while he swam in the sea, and then arrived with him in fresh water.

According to Greek legend, pearls are nothing more than the tears of nymphs living in water.

Proper care

Today, onyxes of various colors are found as inserts in silver jewelry. The stone is combined with this precious metal not only in terms of cost, but also in terms of energy potential. Jewelry with white and black stones will be more expensive than those encrusted with brighter gems.

In order for stone products to preserve their beauty and healing energy for a long time, it is recommended to properly care for them. And to prevent the mineral from deteriorating from scratches and chips, it is advisable to store it separately from other jewelry, using velvet bags. It is also necessary to protect from contact with any chemicals.

To clean onyx, use a weakly concentrated soap solution and a soft brush. After washing, the remaining soap is washed off with running water.

It is recommended to buy chalcedony products in large jewelry stores. If a person purchases products on the market or on unfamiliar Internet resources, he runs the risk of buying a fake. But, using the information on how to choose the right stone, you will receive a delicate and magically powerful decoration with onyx.

Pearl

Pearls are classified as precious stones of the first order. According to the Federal Law of the Russian Federation of March 26, 1998 “On Precious Metals and Precious Stones,” precious stones include rubies, sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, alexandrites, as well as pearls in raw and processed form.

Pearl is not a mineral even in the broad sense of the word, but a “biogenic formation”

organic nature. This is a product of the vital activity of mollusks, although it does not sound very poetic. It is much more pleasant to think of this jewel as a miracle of nature, a gift from the seas.

At all times, pearls and diamonds are the most sought-after jewelry. Royalty choose them for special occasions. Pearls are an eternal classic due to their beauty, delicacy, and soft shine. This jewel will not sparkle with dazzling brilliance, but will charm you with its noble femininity.

The Chinese believe that pearls are the embodiment of the frozen “yin”, the feminine principle. He controls the water element and protects against natural disasters.

As evidence of wealth and class

, pearls have been used since ancient times. Julius Caesar passed a law prohibiting certain classes from wearing it.

Pearls have always been associated with the divine principle

and was used for religious purposes.
Goddesses who embodied femininity always wore pearls. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were frozen drops of water from the body of the goddess Aphrodite
. In ancient Egypt it was associated with the mother goddess Isis. The purity, snow-whiteness and soft shine of pearls have been revered at all times.

Physical properties of pearls.

• Formula

  : organogenic material.

• singonia

  : amorphous.

• Hardness

  (Mohs scale): 2.5-4.5. (On a scale from 0 to 10, where 10 is the hardest stone, diamond).

• Density

  : 2.7 g/cm3.

• Shine

  : mother-of-pearl.

Pearls are formed when a grain of sand enters the cavity of a mollusk valve.

, a small piece of shell, or some other foreign substance. The mollusk begins to envelop the grain of sand with a special solution, and layer by layer, it becomes overgrown with aragonite, consisting of calcium carbonate. The plates are held together by the organic substance conchiolin. Slowly the pearl begins to grow... It will take 12 years for it to reach the size of a pea. Over time, pearls can age and lose their luster.

In our minds, pearls are always snow-white, however, there are also yellow, dark, pink, and blue shades. There are up to 120 colors of pearls. Color depends on the geography of origin of pearl mussels

.
The rarest, greenish-blue, is found off the coast of Indonesia
.
Soft pink pearls are mined off the coast of India
, and brown-golden pearls are mined in
Panama
.
French Polynesia
is famous for its black pearls . Each black pearl has its own shade, so it is very difficult to assemble a necklace of matching colors.

In general, the percentage of natural pearls grown in “wild” conditions and found by humans is now quite small. More than 90% of pearls are grown in laboratory conditions

. Such grown pearls are natural; the grains of sand that envelop the mollusks are simply released artificially. Therefore, cultured pearls are almost no different from “natural” pearls, except for the knowledge that they were obtained in an easier way.

How to distinguish natural pearls from cultured (artificially grown) pearls?

This can only be done using x-rays. In such a photo, a cultured pearl will have a dividing strip between the core and the grown layer. Cavities in the center may be visible if the pearls are cultured without nucleation. River water will differ from sea water in the presence of manganese.

The most famous company and brand in the world of pearls now is the Japanese “Mikimoto”

. Kokichi Mikimoto was born in 1858, into a poor family of a noodle merchant. When he turned eleven, his father died, and the boy had to take responsibility for the family. From early morning until late at night he worked, cooking and delivering noodles. But all his thoughts were about the sea, about mysterious divers and snow-white pearls. Mikimoto dreamed of learning how to grow them himself, and gradually moved towards this dream. Combining noodle trading and studying the principles of pearl growth, Mikimoto worked hard, studied and experimented. There were many difficulties along his way. More than once, oysters were destroyed by “red tide” - the growth of dangerous algae. But still, Mikimoto achieved his goal, and in 1913 he patented the artificial cultivation of pearls. Since then, the company name has become a household name.

Thomas Edison told Mikimoto that there were only two things that could not be made in his laboratory - diamonds and pearls. And the fact that Mikimoto learned to cultivate pearls is a real miracle of the world!

Also, pearls are cultivated in China, India, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Types of pearls. Baroque pearls. How do baroque pearls differ from “ordinary” pearls?

Recently, baroque pearls

. What kind of decoration is this?

Classic pearls are round and perfectly smooth. But baroque is a pearl of “irregular” shape, striking the imagination with its curves. The irregular geometry of such a pearl is fascinating, because the relief of each pearl is unique. Here you will see the play of shadows on the rounded surfaces, bizarre lines and unique outlines.

Why are some pearls born perfectly round, while others have a bizarre shape? The fact is that classic is born and grows in the soft tissues of the mollusk, and baroque - in the superficial, closer to the border of the shell.

A fan of the forms of baroque pearls by René Lalique

. Now his company is famous for its amazingly beautiful crystal products. Being a true connoisseur, he framed baroque pearls in platinum and highlighted them with diamonds to reveal all the luxury and unusualness of such jewelry.

Other famous people were also connoisseurs of Baroque pearls. For example, the English banker Henry Hope

possessed a 450-carat pearl with a diameter of 5.1 cm.

And the most famous baroque pearl ,
La Peregrina
, weighing 55.9 carats, was caught by a black slave in the middle of the 16th century on the Pearl Islands. For this find, the slave gained freedom, and the pearl joined the jewelry collection of the wife of the Spanish king. The king's son, Philip, sent the pearl as a gift to his bride, Queen Mary of England. An amazing fate awaited the decoration: it was passed from one queen to another and “lit up” twice in Velazquez’s paintings.

Subsequently, Napoleon himself became its owner, and then the descendants of the ancient families of Scotland. In 1969, it was bought at Sotheby's by Richard Burton for $38,000. On Valentine's Day, he presented the treasure to his beloved Elizabeth Taylor.

The pearl was so heavy that it fell out of the frame more than once, which made the owner quite nervous. Once Elizabeth barely managed to save a pearl from her dog’s mouth.

In the end, the jewelry house Cartier created a necklace with diamonds and rubies for her. And after the death of the actress, the pearl was sold for 11.8 million dollars.

The collection of pearls of the Scottish Queen Mary is noteworthy.

She owned a necklace of six strands of pearls, which was given to her by her mother-in-law, Catherine de Medici. In addition, she was the proud owner of a string of black pearls that reached to her waist!

History of pearls.

The word "pearl" comes from the Chinese "zhen-zhu"

, Arabic
"zenchug"
, Tatar
"zenzhu"
.

The Indians called it "flower bud"

, and the Greeks -
“margarites”
. In Rus', small river pearls were called beads.

According to legend, the beautiful goddess Aphrodite was born from a sea shell, and droplets of moisture in her hair turned into pearls.

Pearls are one of the oldest jewelry in the world. They say that beauties wore it back in the 40th century BC. in Mesopotamia. The Persian king owned a pearl necklace, which subsequently lay in a sarcophagus for 2,500 years until it was delivered to the Louvre.

In China, pearls indicated the highest position of an official. Only the emperor was allowed to wear pearl beads. It was believed that pearls were the elixir of youth, fertility and magical energy. In India, similar beads were worn around the neck of those initiated into Brahmins, as a symbol of the highest caste. Also, pearls in this country symbolized marriage, well-being, success, and prosperity.

It doesn’t even make sense to list all the lovers of pearls from different eras, since this jewelry has always been included in the collections of the main beauties and the richest women. From Cleopatra to Mary Tudor, at all times the fair half worshiped pearl products, and the possession of pearls spoke of the wealth and high origin of the owner.

Coco Chanel

made pearls more accessible. In fact, her famous necklace of several strands of perfectly large pearls is costume jewelry. But how elegant this decoration looked with the “little black dress”! Pearls have become synonymous with sophistication and good taste, and the image of Audrey Hepburn with her high hair and a cigarette in Breakfast at Tiffany's is a cinema classic.

Pearl deposits.

Pearl mussels live in warm tropical seas such as the Caribbean and Red Seas

, as well as in
the Gulf of California
and in the waters of various
Pacific
.

The most common cultured pearl today is akoya.

It is grown in the South China Sea. A bead serves as a seed in such a pearl, so the layer of nacre around it is not very thick, and such pearls should be handled carefully.

Larger pearls – Pinctada maxima

, it is called the “mother of pearls.”
The range of this species covers Tahiti, the Philippines, and Fiji.

How to care for pearl jewelry.

Pearls are one of the most delicate and demanding jewelry. Remember that its hardness is only 2.5 on the 10-point Mohs scale. This means that he is extremely whimsical. This decoration can be easily scratched. Also, pearls are very “afraid” of liquids with a corrosive base, cosmetics, and even sweat.

Protect your jewelry from excessive heat and cold, dust, smoke and direct sunlight. It should be stored in a closed box to avoid contact with other jewelry.

Important! Pearls should not just lie in a box! It must live, and for this it must be worn. Upon contact with the skin, pearls become saturated with moisture.

The magical properties of pearls.

Pearls are the most feminine and mysterious

of all the decorations. To emphasize your feminine side, softness, intuition, mystery, you won’t find anything better!

Pearls have long been considered a talisman of family happiness

.
And its whiteness and purity symbolized the purity
and high morality of the brides. That is why a string of pearls has become a favorite decoration at weddings.

If you want to protect yourself from ill-wishers and envious people, be sure to purchase pearl jewelry. It is believed that such jewelry will become the strongest amulet

. Also, it will protect against thieves and scammers.

Seeing pearls is calming

, brings harmony and grace to life.

The healing properties of pearls.

In China they believed that pearls awaken sexual energy

, has a beneficial effect on
the organs of vision and hearing
, helps with
nervous diseases
and
memory loss
.
In India, pearls were used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
.

Pregnant

It is very useful for women to wear pearl jewelry, as it has a beneficial effect on the fetus.
Lithotherapists believe that the water in which a pearl necklace lay overnight helps normalize the female cycle and cure cholelithiasis
.
It is believed that wearing pearls will help with diseases of the kidneys, liver, and digestive system.

Who does pearl suit according to their zodiac sign?

The softness and femininity of pearls goes perfectly with water signs. It will become a wonderful talisman and amulet for Cancers and Pisces

.
At the same time, it is better to frame it in the same soft and energetically calm metal - silver
.

It is recommended to wear pearl rings on the middle and ring fingers of the right hand.

Pearls are an essential part of any girl’s jewelry collection. It will emphasize your elegance, aristocracy and grace. In addition, pearl jewelry goes with almost any outfit, they can be combined with any colors in clothing, and worn with a formal office suit or to a party. Without a doubt, in the jewelry industry, pearls are the “little black dress,” an all-time classic.

Author: Anna Solovyova.

Photographer: Inna Kubareva.

Photo of jasper

Alexander Yurievich Srezov, editor of the “Jewelry made from natural stones” column

Geologist, specialist in mineralogy, graduated from St. Petersburg Mining University. Author of many socially popular articles about stones and their properties.

Story

The healing properties of jasper and stories about the benefits of the semi-precious stone are closely related to history. The first mentions are among biblical sources; the mineral is listed among the sacred stones that adorned the ritual clothes of the Jewish high priests. In Ancient China, jasper served as an ornamental stone and was valued on a par with jade. In Rus' it was called jasper - a variegated stone, also playing the role of one of the most popular minerals in ornamental art.

Interesting Facts:

• Eastern legends associate the magical properties of jasper with the ability to give women beauty, and men - wealth, success in business, and the ability to triumph over envious people and competitors.
• In Ancient Greece, jasper was used as amulets and protective amulets. Jasper talismans were carried with them to avoid illness, failure, and the “evil eye.”
• The Church considers jasper sacred; examples include the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood or the Church of the Resurrection, where jasper was used as one of the finishing materials. Columns, crosses, vases, and other elements are made from it.
• The mineral also remained “royal” - Catherine II was very fond of this beautiful and healthy stone, so a lot of jewelry remained from the reign of the famous empress, which is now in the Hermitage.

The history of the mineral stretches back to time immemorial and continues today. Craftsmen love ornamental stone for its strength combined with obedience.