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November’s Birthstones...
We are pleased to welcome Vicki Bassey on-board as a regular contributor shedding light on birthstones and their origins.
Citrine
So, Vicki, tell us what you are doing in France… Having had a very successful show kennels in the UK, my husband and I wanted the French village dream and the ambiance of a small town rather than the usual country plot with lots of land. We picked our house on a purely emotional level, a family house for our friends and relations to come and stay, and we have never looked back. Victoria Bassey Jewellery started more by accident than purpose but I’m absolutely loving it! The jewellery I sell is far from average, and definitely not the jewellery that you usually find in rural France. For a start, our pieces are affordable, carefully selected luxury gemstones from all over the world. I wanted to create something different from the impersonal jewellery store experience, with the eyes of the sales assistant constantly on you, or the hard sell. It has made all the difference. Clients can enjoy a one to one experience if they visit my boutique and discuss their requirements over a glass of wine or a coffee. What do you love most about your work? I am passionate about gemstones and the jewellery that we sell. Each gemstone has an interesting story to tell and a folklore behind it. When new stock comes in, it’s like Christmas! But I have been really surprised by how much I’ve loved selling. It is lovely to see repeat custom, but I especially love the ‘Wow!’ reactions from new clients who have just discovered my pieces. Seeing people light up when they find the perfect piece gives me such a buzz. I also love those times when clients have seen a particular piece at a jewellery party or a fayre, and call me a couple of days later because they really have fallen in love with it. The most unexpected and welcome aspect has been meeting so many interesting people and making so many new friends. What’s this about parties? This year, jewellery parties have become more and more popular. Many of my clients love being able to try jewellery on at home with a group of friends over nibbles and wine. They can try different pieces on, seek the opinion of their friends and are under no pressure to buy. Women do not spoil themselves enough, they are often so busy caring for everyone else in the family that they forget about themselves. There is something for everybody in my collection, as there are pieces for every budget and even the most expensive won’t break the bank. Clients have been able to select something that really brings out the best in a particular outfit or reflects their personality. That’s part of the appeal for many women, I think. You can have something unique and luxurious without feeling guilty! We will also be visiting many of the Christmas Markets in the region with a selection of our gift range of jewellery. Please call or email us to find out where we will be in the run up to Christmas.
Citrine was first used in jewellery in Greece in the Hellenistic period. In antiquity, Citrine was believed to be the gemstone of happiness and used as a protective talisman against evil thoughts. Citrine was thought to aid digestion and remove toxins from the body. Crystal healers believe Citrine improves mental capacity, creativity, intuition and confidence. It is also said to be helpful in acquiring and maintaining wealth. The colour of Citrine is due to small amounts (40 parts per million) of iron in the crystal structure. It ranges in colour from pastel lemons to mandarin orange and Madeira red. Citrine can easily be confused with Topaz and has been called ‘Topaz Quartz’. Major Sources of this birthstone are: Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uruguay and Zambia. Citrine is given on a 13th anniversary.
Topaz
The ancient Egyptians thought Topaz was coloured by the glow of the sun god Ra. Greeks and Romans associated the crystals with the sun god Jupiter. Legend has it that Topaz is one of the stones of fire given to Moses and put into the breast plate of Aaron. Crystal healers believe Topaz enables correct decisions to be made and the African Bushmen use Topaz in healing ceremonies. Topaz comes in a wide range of colours: Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue being the most desired. There is also Imperial Topaz which has orange and pinks, Flaming and Mystic Topaz which is a kaleidoscope of colours and colourless Topaz which is often mistaken for Diamonds and is often called Diamond Topaz. Blue Topaz is given on a 4th anniversary.
Find me at the following Christmas Markets this month: 9th November in Liglet, 86290 23rd November at Golf de Saint Junien, 87200
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