Two Antique Nineteenth Century Handcrafted Genuine Natural Siberian Heliodor ("Yellow Emerald") Faceted Yellow Beryl Ovals.

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Yellow Beryl Ovals.

ORIGIN: Yekaterinburg, Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 5mm. Width: 4mm. Depth: 2 1/2mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.74 carats (combined weight for the pair).

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings .

DETAIL: Most everyone is familiar with emeralds and aquamarine. But did you know both are varieties of the gemstone beryl? Dark green beryl is known as emerald, and tends to be infested with inclusions. Light blue-green beryl on the other hand, aquamarine, tends to be transparent, lightly colored, and more frequently found eye clean to flawless. Take away the blue from aquamarine's blue-green, and you have what is simply referred to as green beryl. Whereas aquamarine's light blue-green color comes from iron impurities, the light green of beryl comes from vanadium. There's also pink beryl, known in Russia as pink emerald - which is an apt description as emerald is beryl - as the only difference between them is that pink beryl is colored by manganese impurities; whereas other varieties of beryl are colored blue to green by impurities of iron (aquamarine), chromium (emerald), and vanadium (green beryl). For those few Americans who have ever heard of pink beryl, they might know it better as "Morganite", so named for the gemstone collector and capitalist J. P. Morgan. There's also colorless beryl known as "goshenite"; and very rare red beryl known as "bixbite".

Finally there is yellow beryl, known as "yellow emerald" here in Russia, but to most of the world known as "heliodor", derived from the Greek for "gift of the sun". Heliodor has been produced here in Russia since at least the sixteenth century, most of it produced in the outlaying areas surrounding the capital city of Siberia's Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg. The color of yellow, or "golden beryl", is derived from traces of uranium and/or iron. These particular heliodor gemstones were hand crafted and faceted by a 19th century 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. The results are two exquisite and incredibly brightly colored semi-precious gemstones with lots of flash and fire. Though the color might be a bit like an intensely hued citrine, the flash is like a yellow sapphire or yellow diamond. And these are very good quality gemstones as well, absolutely clean to the eye and without visible blemish. Even in these 500% photo enlargements, it is difficult to discern any significant blemishes.

Under magnification the gemstones 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, the cut and finish of a gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. For most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are only visible under magnification.

These two gemstones have great luster and sparkle, and to the eye are completely transparent and clean to the eye, but they are not absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes they possess are not visible to the naked eye, and the gemstones can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". To casual scrutiny with the unaided eye they are indeed without blemish. However magnified 500%, as they are here, you might be able to just barely pick out one or two slight blemished within the gemstones, barely perceptible even at such high magnification, and as well occasional irregularities in the faceting and finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Keep in mind that two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are (if at all) only visible under high magnification.

HISTORY: The most widely recognized varieties of beryl are aquamarine and emerald. The origin of the name "aquamarine" is Latin; "aqua", for water; "marina", for sea. Ancient Greeks believed Aquamarine held the essence and spirit of the sea. Wearing this stone as a talisman was believed to protect from adversities at sea, prevent sea sickness, and promote courage and a strong will, and to quicken the intellect. Ancient Greek jewelers made extensive use of aquamarine, which came to them via Arabian camel caravan and ocean-going Mediterranean galleys. To Christians from the earliest times through the Medieval era, aquamarine symbolized harmony, happiness, innocence, youthfulness, and purity. It was held for its amuletic properties, believed to help protect against evil and conquer wickedness.

Emeralds were amongst the earliest gemstones traded by mankind, since the 5th millennium B.C. Prominent in ancient Babylon's gemstone markets, one of the earliest sources for these precious gemstones were Egyptian emerald mines near the Red Sea, first worked in the 3rd millennium B.C. The Greeks worked the same mines from the time Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. The last ruler of the Greek Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt, Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, was often depicted and described wearing fabulous emeralds. The remains of "Cleopatra's Mines" were discovered in 1817 near Aswan on the Red Sea coastline. Emeralds were also quite favored in the Roman Empire, especially by Roman Emperors. Emerald mines in Upper Egypt provided medieval and Renaissance Europe with emeralds up through the 16th century. Emeralds were the most prized of the Russian Crown Jewels during the centuries long-rule of successive Russian Czars.

There are other members of the beryl family much less known then their famous cousins. Pale green beryl is essentially a green version of aquamarine. Pink and peach beryl, colored by manganese impurities, is known as morganite. Morganite was discovered late 1800's and is named after gem collector extraodinaire J.P. Morgan. Golden Beryl is colored by uranium impurities, and is known as heliodor. The rarest variety is red beryl, also known as "bixbite", and also derives it color from manganese impurities. The colorless variety of beryl known as goshenite is little used as a gemstone, however it played a very important role in history. In antiquity beryl was used for the lenses of spectacles - and was the source of the German word for spectacles, "brille". Goshenite is very brilliant, and has been used occasionally as a diamond substitute. In fact the word brilliance is probably derived from the ancient greek word for beryl, "berullos", which means crystal. Both pale green beryl, golden beryl, and pink beryl; as well as aquamarine and emerald, are found in Russia.

Beryl had been used as a physician's tool and gazing stone since ancient times. Those beliefs persist today. Beryl is metaphysically attributed with the ability to cure a number of intestinal and stomach ills, such as nausea, ulcers, and seasickness. Legend says that Beryl was used to ward off demons and evil spirits. Ancient literature notes that Pliny used powdered beryl to cure eye injuries. It is said to protect travelers from danger and to treat disorders of the heart and spine. Other legends about Beryl indicate it was used to promote cheerfulness and marital love, to retard laziness, and maintain youthfulness. Beryl is also the principle source of beryllium, which is used in the manufacture of light-weight metal alloys of high tensile strength and superior hardness and fatigue resistance.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".