STAINLESS STEEL

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Stainless steel has become one of the most fashionable and modern looking materials used in jewellery. This phenomenon happens because it’s highly reflective and durable. Anouk jewels are made with 316l. Stainless steel - it has the eye-catching look of platinum and will not oxidize or turn black.

 

anouk stainless steel is

• Hypoallergenic and non-reactive to the skin
• Non-corrosive
• Does not release nickel into the body
• Does not bend or break like other precious metals
• Retains its shine requires minimal care
• Never change its colour

Some additional info…

Stainless steel is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10% chromium content by mass. stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel (it stains less), but it is not stain-proof. there are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment to which the material will be subjected in its lifetime.

Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by amount of chromium present. Carbon steel rusts when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide. Stainless steels have sufficient amount of chromium present so that a passive film of chromium oxide forms which prevents further surface corrosion and blocks corrosion spreading in the metal's internal structure.

AMETHYST

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Is the purple variety of quartz and is a popular gemstone. If it were not for its widespread availability, amethyst would be very expensive.

The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek and means "not drunken." This was maybe due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol, but most likely the Greeks were referring to the almost wine-like color of some stones that they may have encountered. Its color is unparalleled, and even other, more expensive purple gemstones are often compared to its color and beauty. Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades.

Amethyst is not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular mine.

The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers.

Today, amethyst is a lovely and affordable gemstone that is fortunately available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones that we can all possess and admire.

Coral

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Coral is among the most ancient of gem materials, used for adornment since pre-historic times. Coral is an organic gem, calcium carbonate with a trace of carotene, deposited by tiny sea creatures living in the depths of warm seas in huge colonies.

Most coral used in jewelry is found in the Mediterranean Sea or in the Pacific off Japan and Taiwan. Coral is also found in Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, France, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and India. Italian Coral is particularly famous. The finest specimens come from Sardinia and Tunisia; larger, less fine ones from Japan and China.

The origin of coral is explained in Greek mythology by the story of Perseus. Having petrified Cetus, the sea monster threatening Andromeda, Perseus placed Medusa's head on the riverbank while he washed his hands. When he recovered her head, he saw that her blood had turned the seaweed into red coral. Thus, the Greek word for coral is 'Gorgeia', as Medusa was one of the three Gorgons.

The Romans believed coral could protect children from harm, as well as cure wounds made by snakes and scorpions and diagnose diseases by changing color. Pliny has recorded the trade of coral between Mediterranean and India in the first century A.D.

Since ancient times, Coral gemstone has been given recognition by all astrologers. Soldiers, policemen, electricians, surgeons, players and the workers of ordinance factory should wear coral gemstones. It is useful for enhancing self-confidence. Coral gemstones is said to prevent abortion, fever, piles, impotency, typhus, smallpox etc. Children can be saved from diseases like rickets and stomach ache, by wearing coral beads around their necks.

PEARL

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Pearls are some of the oldest known gems and connoisseurs of jewelry have always appreciated their elegance and beauty.

The pearl is formed inside the oyster shell - when a fragment irritates the delicate skin of the mollusk, it coats the offending speck with microscopic layers, creating the pearl. The speck is coated with the same substances that make the shell of the mollusk and the luster of the pearl is due to the many coatings on the pearl and its rounded shape, which reflects the light. Natural pearls can be found in freshwater and salt-water mollusks.

These gems have been referred in historical texts of different cultures - in religious texts of indians, buddhists, and muslims and also in the bible. In fact, archaeologists have found a pearl necklace approximately 2000 years old in the sarcophagus of a mummy proving the powerful lure of the pearl. The medieval believed pearls possessed magical powers and armors were encrusted with pearls to protect the wearer in battle. Natural pearls were expensive in the past and possessing a string of pearls was a sign of wealth and power. Pearls were equivalent to gold.
In india, pearls are one of the nine planetary gems associated with the moon and wearing pearls gives its wearer great mental strength. A symbol of femininity, charm and purity many believe in the power of pearls as medicines. Even today, medicines using pearl powder are said to promote mental health.

These fragile gems are normally white in color but pearls have been found in an impressive range of colors - from gold to purple and of course the rare black pearl.

Nowadays pearls are available in different price ranges and even the perfect pearls are not too expensive. The reason behind this is free availability of cultured pearls, which have brought down the price of this gem. But the appeal of pearls overrides it price and is a must in every woman's wardrobe including the queen of england.

Today pearls are cultured by man. Shell beads are placed inside an oyster and the oyster is returned to the water. When the pearls are later harvested, the oyster has covered the bead with layers of nacre.
the quality of pearls is judged by the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and luster, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Fine pearls do not have any flaws or spots in the nacre: it has an even, smooth texture. Other factors, which affect value, are the regularity of the shape, size, and color.

GARNET

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It is true to say that red is the most often color of a garnet, but it also exists in various shades of green, a tender to intense yellow, a fiery orange and some fine earth-colored nuances. The only color it cannot offer is blue.

This gemstone is distinguished from the others for it’s good hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs’ scale. A further plus is their high refractive index, the cause of the garnet's great brilliance. The shape of the raw crystals is also interesting. Garnet means something like 'the grainy one', coming from the Latin 'granum', for grain. This makes reference not only to the typical roundish shape of the crystals, but also to the color of the red garnet, which often puts one in mind of the seeds of a ripe pomegranate.

Man has known garnets for thousands of years. Noah, it is said, used a garnet lantern to help him steer his ark through the dark night. Garnets are also found in jewelry from early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. Many early explorers and travelers liked to carry garnets with them, since the garnet was popular as a talisman and protective stone - it was believed to light up the night and protect its bearer from evil and disaster.

Today, garnets mostly come from African countries, but also from India, Russia and Central and South America. The skilled hands of cutters the world over work them into many classical shapes, but also increasingly into modern, imaginative designer cuts. Garnets remain convincing with their natural, unadulterated beauty, the variety of their colors and their tremendous brilliance.

ROSE QUARTZ

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If you gaze deep into a crystal ball, you will see a versatile gemstone, one of the most popular gems on earth. Beautiful quartz, the 'rock crystal' used in ancient times to make crystal balls and bowls, is today more often seen set in jewelry.

The pale pink color of quartz, which can range from transparent to translucent, is known as rose quartz. The color is a very pale and delicate powder pink. Transparent rose quartz is very rare, and usually so pale that it does not show very much color at all except in large sizes. Translucent rose quartz is much more readily available, being used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and architectural purposes.

GREY QUARTZ

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Throughout history, quartz has been the common chameleon of gemstones, standing in for more expensive gemstones ranging from diamond to jade. But the incredible variety of quartz is now beginning to be appreciated.

Smoky quartz is brown transparent quartz that is sometimes used for unusual faceted cuts. The commercial market is limited, because there is a rather limited demand for brown gemstones. This variety was sometimes known as smoky topaz in the past, though the term is incorrect and misleading.

CRYSTAL QUARTZ

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The transparent, colorless variety of quartz is still known as rock crystal. Long ago, people believed that rock crystal was a compact form of ice: in fact 'crystallos' means 'ice'.

The best rock crystal has the clarity and shimmer of water. Although colorless quartz is relatively common, large flawless specimens are not, which is why crystal balls these days are made of glass, not quartz. Rock crystal has often been used in jewelry, particularly carved pieces. Many stunning art deco jewelry designs featured the black and white quartz combination of rock crystal and onyx.

Colorless quartz crystals have also become popular in jewelry due to the popularity of legends about their powers. Many people believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits their health and spiritual well-being.

AGATE: BANDED BEAUTY

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No gemstone is more creatively striped by Nature than agate, chalcedony quartz that forms in concentric layers in a wide variety of colors and textures. Each individual agate forms by filling a cavity in host rock. As a result, agate is often found as a round nodule, with concentric bands like the rings of a tree trunk. The bands sometimes look like eyes, fanciful scallops, or even a landscape with trees.

Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times. It was said to quench thirst and protect against fever. Persian magicians used agate to divert storms. Agate bowls were also popular in the Byzantine Empire. Collecting agate bowls became common among European royalty during the Renaissance and many museums in Europe, including the Louvre, have spectacular examples.

JASPER: LANDSCAPE IN STONE

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Jasper is an ornamental rock composed mostly of chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz, in association with other minerals, which give it colorful bands and patterns. Jasper was a favorite gem in the ancient world; its name can be traced back in Hebrew, Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Latin.

Jasper is often named according to its pattern: landscape jasper, the most popular, offers a small panorama in stone. Ribbon jasper, picture jasper, and orbicular jasper are the names of other varieties. Jasper is found in many countries. It is sometimes used to create bowls and other objects and to adorn buildings, such as the Saint Wenceslas Chapel in Prague.

ONYX

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The name Onyx comes from the Greek word, onux, which means fingernail. It is said to encourage the growth of fingernails, hair and skin. Onyx is soothing and helps to banish grief and old habits. It is an extremely potent protective stone, and is widely known for its ability to protect against psychic attacks and hexes, releasing negative emotions. Onyx is used to enhance self-control and aid in wise decision-making; it helps overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. Roman soldiers wore Onyx talismans engraved with heroes such as Hercules or Mars, God of war. They believed that the stone would make the wearer as brave and daring as the figured carved on it. During the Renaissance, Onyx was believed to bring eloquence upon the wearer and was regarded with great value by public speakers and orators. Onyx can be found all over the world but it is most common in Madagascar, India and Brazil.