Well half-term is nearly over, i can't believe it's gone by so quickly!
In between the mix of packing boxes and paint I thought I would scout around for some facts about Jewellery, Precious Stones and Traditions...here are just a few of the ones I found.
It is said that Opals bring wisdom and good fortune. It is believed in some places that they are pieces of Heaven that fall to the ground down during violent thunderstorms.
We have to mine over 100 tons (wow) of the earth's crust to get one Diamond large enough to cut a fine one carat gem
The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carats. 
The largest polished gem that was cut from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, and at 530.4 carats was the largest polished diamond in the world. That is until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee Diamond which is 545.67 carats this was also mined at the Premier Mine. Cullinan I is now mounted in the head of the Sceptre of the cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, at 317.4 carats, is the fourth largest polished diamond in the world. Both gems are in the Crown Jewels which are housed at the Tower of London.
The largest polished gem that was cut from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, and at 530.4 carats was the largest polished diamond in the world. That is until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee Diamond which is 545.67 carats this was also mined at the Premier Mine. Cullinan I is now mounted in the head of the Sceptre of the cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, at 317.4 carats, is the fourth largest polished diamond in the world. Both gems are in the Crown Jewels which are housed at the Tower of London.In ancient Greece, pearl was thought to be associated with love and marriage. The legend of Venus/Aphrodite (Goddess of love, beauty and pleasure), who came out of the sea with water droplets turning into pearls, implies that pearls hold all the "charms" of the love goddess.
The Pearl of Lao-tze found by an anonymous Muslim Filipino diver off the island of Palawan in 1934 is the largest pearl in the world. In 1936 Wilbur Dowell Cobb was given this pearl as a gift by a chieftain of Palawan for having saved the life of his son.The earliest known bead work in Europe comes from a 13th century tomb near Burgos, Spain, complete with blue glass beads, seed pearls and coral beads.
The word necklace comes from the Latin word "laqueus", which means 'noose'. Although traditionally now women wear more jewellery men were the first to wear jewellery as a status symbol and as good luck amulets to keep them safe in battle.
Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) in his silver breastplate. This is believed to be were birthstones first originated.
Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) in his silver breastplate. This is believed to be were birthstones first originated.
The ever popular Charm Bracelet was thought to have originated in ancient Egypt during the age of the pharaohs. Charms were made of precious metals and gemstones and would of been worn on these bracelets to ward off evil spirits.
There is so much that I didn't know about the traditions of wearing jewellery and the reasons behind it...I think I have found enough information to keep me going for weeks!! x
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