Marcasite Hoops

QT Silver is run by myself - Iain Graham, together with my wife Eaing.

Black Onyx Locket

Enough about us. Of more interest may be some information about the gemstones that feature in many of our products:  
 
MARCASITE 
 
Marcasite is a metallic pale yellow / brass colour mineral and is traditionally set in Stirling Silver creating beautiful, classic jewellery. Cleopatra was known for wearing Marcasite and believed it helped preserve her beauty.Queen Victoria wore Marcasite rather than diamonds for over forty years.Marie Antoinette also showed a strong preference for Marcasite. Marcasite has again risen in popularity in recent years due to its` endearing beauty and stunning value for money. 
 
AMETHYST 

Purple, a colour often identified with royalty, was a favourite among kings and pharaohs, thus, amethysts were prominently featured in crown jewels. Amethysts were also associated with Dionysus, the Greek God of wine. In ancient Rome, they were worn to prevent intoxication and bring the wearer tranquillity.
 
TOPAZ
 
Topaz is believed to strengthen the mind. Originally used in Ancient Egypt, this stone's popularity grew tremendously during the Middle Ages. Topaz represents fidelity and was often given to new couples.
 
CITRINE 
 
Citrines are believed to symbolize happiness and were believed to be a gift from the sun. Citrines have also been used as an antidote for snake venom, as well as a talisman against the plague, bad skin and evil thoughts. They are believed to aid digestion as well as remove toxins from the body.
 
GARNET

It's believed that the name of this rich, red gem was inspired by the luscious, red fruit of the pomegranate. Garnets are symbolic of love and devotion. They are also rumoured to keep the wearer safe from harm.
 
PERIDOT  
 
Formed from fire and found in rocks near volcanoes, legend has it that Peridots are tears belonging to the goddess of volcanoes, Pele. This green gem was also worn as protection against evil spirits.  
 
PEARL
 

Pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma and to cement engagements and love relationships. They are thought to keep children safe. 
Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.
   
BLACK ONYX  
 
Black onyx is believed to be one of the most powerful protection stones. Its way of protecting is to absorb and transform negative energy. Because of this quality. people find it helpful in relieving stress and for emotional stability. It's one of the first (root chakra) grounding stones; as such, it encourages connection to material goals and to determination in realizing them. 
 

MOTHER OF PEARL  
 
Mother of pearl helps to stimulate intuition, sensitivity, imagination, and adaptability. It helps with clarity in decision-making.  It signifies faith, charity, and innocence, enhances personal integrity, and helps to provide focus to ones attention. It has traditionally been used to strengthen the environment and bring greater purity to the atmosphere.  
  
TURQUOISE  
 
In earlier times Turquoises were sometimes thought responsible for the material wealth of their bearers. For example, Persian philosopher Al Kazwini wrote: "The hand wearing a Turquoise and using it as a sealing stone, will never be poor."