Ametrine 39ct Handcrafted Gem of Medieval Scotland Ancient Persian Camel Caravan

Description

HUGE Thirty-Nine and One-Third Carat Handcrafted Faceted “Old Fashioned” Cut Genuine Natural Bolivian Ametrine Semi-Precious Gemstone.
CLASSIFICATION:
Handcrafted “Old-Fashioned” (“Cushion”) Cut Faceted Ametrine.
ORIGIN:
Bolivia’s Anahi Mine.
SIZE
: Length: 25mm. Width: 22mm. Depth: 11 1/2mm. All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT
: 39.32 carats.
NOTES
: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings (click
here
for more information).
DETAIL:
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. 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.
This is a very large, very clean, handcrafted faceted “old fashioned” cut ametrine from the Anahi Mine in Bolivia. The cut is sometimes referred to in the trade as a “cushion” cut. 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 entirely natural in origin, and is as you can see a very nicely colored semi-precious gemstone with a sharp delineation between the yellow and purple. And as you can also 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.
The gemstone was hand cut into a sparkling, brilliant, faceted “old-fashioned” cut gemstone with lots of flash and depth Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the handcrafted finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or to 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 cultural legacy passed onwards by artisans who lived centuries ago.
This gemstone possesses superb luster and sparkle, and to the eye is completely transparent, but one cannot say with absolute certainty that it is unconditionally flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not visible to the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized at a minimum, to use trade jargon, as “eye clean”. To the eye it is indeed flawless; however were one to examine it in a jeweler’s loupe, it’s almost certain that a few minute blemishes could be detected. Of course the same may said about almost any natural gemstone. An absolutely flawless gemstone simply is not the rule in nature. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be revealed to be synthetic. You might also notice under magnification occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally these characteristics are absolutely to be expected with hand-finished gemstones. However for most, the unique nature and character of handcrafted gemstones such as this more than makes up for minute cutting or faceting blemishes, which by and large of course, 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.
SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS
: 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. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost.
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. 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.
Please note for international purchasers we will do everything we can to minimize your liability for VAT and/or duties. But we cannot assume any responsibility or liability for whatever taxes or duties may be levied on your purchase by the country of your residence. If you don’t like the tax and duty schemes your government imposes, please complain to them. We have no ability to influence or moderate your country’s tax/duty schemes. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less any non-refundable eBay fees. Please note that eBay may not refund payment processing fees on returns beyond a 30-day purchase window. So except for shipping costs, we will refund all proceeds from the sale of a return item. Though they generally do, eBay may not always follow suit. Obviously we have no ability to influence, modify or waive eBay policies.
ABOUT US
: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Eastern Europe and Central Asia several times a year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient/antique jewelry and gemstones, a reflection of our academic backgrounds.
Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, in Eastern Europe and Central Asia antique gemstones are commonly dismounted 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 originally crafted a century or more ago. 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. 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 us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.