Green & Hairy Grossular Garnet Gooseberry

This week on Gem Junkies

“Grossular Garnet”

Known to the jewelry market as Tsavorite or Mint Garnet

One of many siblings in the Garnet family- Grossular is famous for its green variety

This is a parcel of Mint Garnet as found in Tanzania. This photo was taken by Brecken while her and Jonathan were visiting the mines where we receive gemstones from as featured in our collection, “Sharing the Rough”

A look down one of the mine shafts in Tanzania. Finding Grossular Garnet is often an indicator of Tanzanite, which “Tanzania” is well-known for. Another photo courtesy of J&B’s trip to Africa.

Since the color is reliant on the amount of trace minerals found, the color of each individual gem can fall somewhere on a spectrum of yellowish-to dark green-to a blueish green. This graphic is courtesy of http://www.navneetgems.com/tsavorite-color-chart-navneet-gems/

Featured next to each other for comparison is one of our “Mint” and “Tsavorite” varieties (also pictured is our “purple” garnet). Our Mint takes on the lighter shade with more of a blueish hue, whereas our Tsavorite contains a very rich green.

Two pieces from our line “Sharing the Rough” in their finished form, where the color difference is even more prevalent. You can find these pieces in our collection at https://www.parlegems.com/collection.php?id=3&collection=Sharing+the+Rough

Cinnamon Garnet- otherwise known as “Hessanite” Image is courtesy of https://www.orissagems.com/hessonite_rough.htm

That’s all for this week. But if you want more content, and access to some never before seen content, then join our Facebook Group “Gem Junkies” and stay connected with us!

October 1November 2

Turquoise- If it’s good enough for Marie..

Thanks for tuning into the latest installment of Gem Junkies.

Thanks to popular demand we covered a very special gemstone this week- and a new one for Brecken’s shopping list!

Turquoise has a long and exotic history spanning world-wide. Different cultures and societies discovered and utilized this treasure for different purposes- creating some insane stories and lore to go along with it, too.

The Aztecs would use them as entire face masks to represent the Gods they worshiped.

Photo courtesy of http://www.mexicanamber.org.uk/turquoise.php

In ancient China, you wouldn’t want to go anywhere without your Turquoise crown (own stone for the less royal) since Turquoise was believed to counteract evil forces and make the wearer brave and invulnerable.

Photo courtesy of https://djcadchina.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/jewellery-and-traditional-beliefs/

A gift to Napolean’ second wife, Empress Marie-Louise and became known as ” Empress Marie-Louise’s Diadem” a diadem being a structure that encircles the head, usually three quarters of the way around with an opening in the back.

Photo courtesy of https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/famous-birthstone-decembers-turquoise-empress-marie-louise-diadem/

Turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona- known for the Robin’s Egg blue color.

Photo Courtesy of https://www.durangosilver.com/sleeping-beauty-turquoise.html

A variety of Turquoise with the webbing (and without) and in Jonathan’s favorite Avocado color!

Photo courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_minerals,_rocks,_stones_and_gemstones

Some Parle turquoise designs in the making. We have been re-inspired to add this vibrant blue beauty to the mix, and with our fav Opal!!

You can find out more about Turquoise by going to https://www.parlegems.com/lore.php?color-gemstone=Turquoise

September 5April 30

The Very Cultured Pearl

Well we have added another layer of Nacre to the Pearl story.

This week’s story included a very cultured Pearl, the largest Pearl, treatments, fashion, and the market for this beautiful organic gem.

First up- The world’s largest Pearl. Jonathan took us to where this beauty was found, HIDDEN UNDER A BED! Obviously very different from the Princess and the Pea to have one of these hiding somewhere under a mattress.

Photo Courtesy of https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37167179

Next stop- “Bloody Mary” dawns her beloved Pearl in a necklace worn in this painting.

This piece was given to her by her soon-to-be-husband Phillip II of Spain as a wedding gift.

This is a famous painting of her done by Antonis Mor dawning her beloved jewel

At the time of her death it was returned to the Spanish crown and worn again by Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, married to Phillip III of Spain.

This famous painting of Margaret of Austria wearing the Pearl necklace was done by Diego Velázquez

After generations in European royalty, who’s neck would later adorn this beautiful Pearl. Well none other than Elizabeth Taylor!

This photo mashup is courtesy of https://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicky-tiel/le-peregrina-pearl_b_994642.html

You can find this design https://www.parlegems.com/catalog.php?mode=entry_view&pn=NMPN301783WI

August 24August 10

Seduce him with those big Pearls, girl

Welcome Gem Junkies!

Have you listened to this week’s podcast?

We left off with the world as our Oysters, and came right back to that Oyster to uncover the wonderful world of Pearls.

This imagery follows our first part of this two part series. Check out the links below the images to learn more!

An interpretation of Cleopatra seducing Marc Antony by slipping her Pearl earring into a cup of “Vinegar” before drinking it. Pearl was thought of as an aphrodisiac, and this is how our girl Cleopatra shoots her shot to protect her empire from being overthrown.

This image was taken from http://www.grantsjewelry.com/the-real-story-about-cleopatras-banquet-and-that-pearl/ website, but was originally created Jacob Jordaens in 1653, and appropriately named “The Banquet of Cleopatra”

A breakdown of the anatomy of an Oyster. Here you can see where the bead will be implanted for cultured Pearl formation.

Here you can see how the bead is surgically implanted into the Oysters for nucleation.

The Oysters are then placed on lines, or in nets while the Pearl is being formed. This process varies for the different species, and is monitored by the Oyster farmers.

The moment of truth for this Tahitian Pearl- a black Pearl emerges from the Gonads of an Oyster.

A non exhaustive list of Pearl shapes- not all Pearls are created round!

Photo courtesy of http://www.russellandballard.com/knowledge-builder/pearls/

One of our Freshwater Cultured Pearl ring designs

Shop our Pearl Jewelry

August 17November 2

History, Death, Destruction, & Spinel

This week’s episode has been long anticipated. I mean, we had been teasing it for two weeks now…

So to go along with this riveting Pod are some visual representations of what the heck we are talking about!

That insane crystal structure of Spinel is evident here. Like two pyramids stacked on eachother.

http://www.geologyin.com/2014/11/deep-red-crystals-of-spinel-set-atop.html

Spinel color ranges- you can probably see why it might have been seen as quite the “impostor”

https://gem2000.com/news/tag/color-gemstones/

The black Prince’s Ruby is front and center on what must be the lighter version of the crown. Try nodding off during a coronation wearing this

http://www.thepracticalgemologist.com/jewelry-history-1/2016/10/28/not-what-it-seems-the-black-prince-ruby

A true queen! But really, between the hat and her neck dazzle she must really have a strong spine!

http://www.fabulagems.com/blog-ishimoto/2016/8/31/super-special-spinel

Cobalt Blue Spinel- drool worthy color

https://www.google.com/search?q=cobalt+blue+spinel&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7pLOt8vTcAhVUCTQIHZfBDDwQ_AUICygC&biw=1725&bih=850#imgrc=FUhlSxXoKPxMFM:

Some Spinel displays asterisim, but isn’t know as “Phenomenal Gem”

Photo courtesy of: https://www.jtv.com/library/gemopedia/star-spinel

Here is a sneak preview of the Parlé Spinel line coming to you 2019!

This ring will be available to purchase on our website!

July 20November 2

Perido or Peridon’t

Hey Junkies, here for your weekly dose? Well we have something that’s subtle, yet special. You probably know by now we mean Peridot! Lets go on a little journey to a time long, long ago, and to a place far, far away from Idaho.

1st Stop:

Zagarbad, the mysterious, “disappearing” island where Peridot can be found.

Photo courtesy of

Next we visit a time in history where there was enough space in the world to “cast away” our enemies, and literally never hear from them again, (I mean could you imagine?!)

Pharaoh casting away all of the snakes

Next we take you on a ‘wild’ color wheel ride where you can see this particular type of gem is limited in color variation. Everyone has a crazy green lady in their family, right?

Photo courtesy of https://ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ancient-snake-deities-gods-ancient-mythology-006282

Color range of Peridot

This next one is for Brecken, who insisted i include the lily pads, and well, they are pretty.

Photo courtesy of https://jewelry-secrets.com/Blog/peridot-gemstone-august-birthstone/

Brecken’s fav Lily Pad inclusions.

Photo courtesy of http://theonlinejeweller.org/lily-pad-inclusions-peridot/

This is what they mean by “nodules”- pockets per say where you can find smaller amounts of Peridot all nestled up.

You can find Peridot in small amounts in the nodules of Basalt rocks

Photo courtesy of https://hiveminer.com/Tags/olivine%2Cperidot

Alright, this is pretty metal. Looks like something they would right ANOTHER super hero movie about. Can we ever get enough super hero movies? (yes)

Jonathan’s fav peridot in a meteorite

Photo courtesy of https://reddit.com/r/woahdude/comments/1u676k/pallasite_metorites_contain_olivine_also_known_as/

Last stop but not least, Parle’s vault where I found a more than worthy piece of Peridot jewelry to photograph. They really are beautiful.

July 13November 2

The Tanzanite Diaries

Welcome to the Tanzanite Diaries

Take a peek at all of the pictures from this week’s episode.

How Tanzanite usually looks coming out of the ground before it has been heated.

Photo courtesy of Venus Tears https://www.venus-tears.jp/sg/blog/2016/06/30/tanzanite-the-fifth-king-of-the-gem/

After it is heated you can notice the shifts in colors from shades of brown and yellow to violet and blue.

Without any heat treatment this type of Tanzanite will appear violet, blue, and green. We call it Peacock Tanzanite

The saturation of color depends on how large the gem is, the larger it is the more color it displays, and the richer the color is.

Ruby in Zoisite- We said it was a cute elephant!

You can find Tanzanite in only one locale- Tanzania, specifically in the Merelani region where you can also find our Mint Garnet.

Shades of Tanzanite

Shop our Tanzanite Jewelry

Thanks for listening to the POD! Let us know if you have any questions, and check out our new FB Group where we post all of these images, Podcast updates, and Parle shares. We want to create a community of Gem Junkies and share our love of gemstones and jewelry to help designers, retailers, and enthusiasts alike!

Until next week- Gem Junkies

June 29November 2

Hi-Ho Hi-Ho, Off to Mine Tourmaline We Go.

Welcome fellow Gem Junkie!

This week we discussed Tourmaline, and as we have said before this is a complicated and beautiful gemstone that comes in every color, and sometimes more than one! Have a look.

Like we said, everything but the kitchen sink. Photo courtesy of http://navneetgems.com/tourmaline-wholesale-multi-pink-green-indicolite/

The most commonly found Tourmaline- Schorl- ‘Skroll’- photo courtesy of https://www.crystalclassics.co.uk/product/schorl-tourmaline-with-albite-and-quartz/

Watermelon Tourmaline- Don’t forget the rind! Photo courtesy of https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/14965741-beautiful-polished-watermelon-tourmaline-slices-14-25-ct-3

The coveted Paraiba Tourmaline- Photo Courtesy of https://www.gemselect.com/other-info/paraiba-tourmaline-info.php

As promised, the Namibian Tourmaline Jonathan picked up.

A Parle one-of-a-kind Bi-color Green Tourmaline piece.

Shop our Tourmaline Jewelry

June 8March 26

Cleopatra- Girl Loved Her Emeralds

Rough Emerald in an elongated 6 prism structure

Picture courtesy of https://www.minedirect.com/EnlargedPages/FacetCabbingRough/Emerald/Emerald-12.html

Map of Emerald locations world-wide

Picture courtesy of http://amazonpueblo.org/emeralds-for-amazon-stories-from-jungle/

Jose Elias Vallejo has been a barequero in the ravine of the mining river for more than 40 years. He lives in Matadecafe, an informal settlement of shanty towns in the vicinity of the Muzo mines.

Picture and caption courtesy of https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2017/03/green-land-emerald-mining-colombia-170306110821882.html

Emerald Cut

Cabochon Emeralds

A final Parle product

Shop our Emerald Jewelry

June 1November 2

All Hail The King

Rubies- Every one knows them, but only the fierce don this power gemstone. Are you one of the few?

Find our cover photo https://www.instagram.com/thirdcoastgems/

The Corundum Family

How did you react when you found out Sapphires and Rubies are siblings?

So where is Ruby found?

While not perfectly drawn, (I am no historian or geographer) this does touch many of the locations that we know of today as the Ruby Sources. See for yourself below!

Including the Inclusions

I won’t take any of his pictures off the website, but if you want to see some cool shots of inclusions on Rubies, and other gemstones you should check out https://www.instagram.com/microworldofgems/?hl=en

Rubies & their sources

East African Ruby