Unakite Ring 14ct Antique 19thC Ancient Switzerland Swiss Alps Medieval Psychics

Description

Colossal Forteen Carat Antique Nineteenth Century Genuine Natural Unakite Handcrafted Oval. Contemporary High Quality Sterling Silver Ring (Size 8 - Resizing Available).
CLASSIFICATION:
Unakite Oval Cabochon.
ORIGIN:
Siberian Russia, 19th Century.
SIZE
: Length: 20mm. Width: 15mm. Depth: 9mm. All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT
: 13.93 carats.
NOTE
: Resizing is available. If you would prefer a different setting style, odds are we have many different setting styles available which would fit this stone(s) which could be substituted for no or very little additional cost. 14kt solid gold settings are also available. Write us for pictures and prices.
NOTE
: If you would like only the gemstone, and not the setting, we can dismount the gemstone and offer you the gemstone without the setting. Just let us know, and yes, we’ll discount the price by the cost of the setting.
DETAIL:
Unakite has been used in ornamental stone work for centuries in Europe, particularly in Switzerland and Russia. There is evidence that a site in Switzerland’s Alps was a source in the ancient world. Though specific references to unakite in the ancient world are sparse, it is known that unakite was long favored in Medieval Europe as a healing stone, and was also believed to enhance psychic abilities. Moderan practitioners of alternative medicine believe that unakite beneficially affects the digestive and circulatory system, particularly the heart, and is also believed helpful for those who have cysts or tumors. Celebrating this cultural legacy here is a very large, very colorful, very distinctive handcrafted unakite cabochon.
Gorgeous, vibrant, and boldly hued, this striking gemstone possesses breathtaking luster and delicate hue. This colossal gemstone was hand shaped and polished into this very beautiful oval cut cabochon by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. Originally used in indigenous jewelry, it is a fascinating, very uncommon, very good quality Siberian unakite. The setting is of contemporary origin. It is a high quality setting manufactured by one of the USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers. It is constructed of solid sterling silver. We do have the ability to have the ring sent out for resizing if requested. There are many other ring styles available, if you would like to see them, just contact us, we would be happy to share them with you (email us for pictures). Most other setting styles in sterling silver are available at no additional cost. Additionally, if preferred, this mounting (as well as a wide variety of ring settings in other appealing styles) are also available in 14kt solid gold.
As might be expected under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable, hallmark characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered desirable to most gemstone aficionados, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, many believe that such antique hand-crafted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced, laser-cut gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of an antique, handcrafted gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.
Handcrafted though it may be the gemstone possesses great luster and character, but that is not to imply that it is absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and to the view of the casual admirer the gemstone is indeed seemingly without blemish. However in the accompanying photo enlargements you might be able to discern a few minute blemishes as well as occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally much the same may said about almost any antique, handcrafted gemstone of natural origin. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be revealed to be synthetic. Furthermore these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even possible then, let alone in practice, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.
Keep in mind two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. It is precisely for these reasons antique gemstone must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones mined from deep beneath the earth's surface were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. But for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for the blemishes found within the gemstones, as well as the cutting and finishing irregularities common to handcrafted gemstones, all of which are by and large are only visible under magnification.
HISTORY OF UNAKITE:
Unakite has been used in ornamental stone work for centuries in Europe, particularly in Switzerland and Russia. There is evidence that a site in Switzerland’s Alps was a source in the ancient world. In the United States unakite was first “discovered” in North Carolina, and was named for the Unakas Mountains where it was found. Unakite is also found as pebbles and cobbles from glacial drift in the beach rock on the shores of Lake Superior. It is the state stone of Virginia, where it is found in the river valleys after having been washed down from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unakite is also found in South Africa, many European countries including Switzerland and Russia, as well as Brazil, and China.
Unakite is an altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and relatively clear quartz. It exists in various shades of green and salmon-pink and is usually mottled in appearance. Good quality unakite is considered a semiprecious stone, will take a good polish, and is often used in jewelry and other lapidary work such as eggs, spheres and other carvings. It is also referred to as epidotized granite. Epidote, one of the primary components of unakite, is a very uncommon but attractive, pistachio-green colored gemstone crystal. “Epidote” (from the Greek for "addition") is named after the numerous crystal faces it shows in its natural crystalline form. Transparent dark green crystals cut as gemstones look very similar to chrome diopside and chrome tourmaline (traces of the element chromium giving the distinctive green color of both gemstones).
Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. Though specific references to unakite in the ancient world are sparse, it is known that unakite was long favored in Medieval Europe as a healing stone, believed to have powerful balancing properties, and was also believed to enhance psychic abilities.
Modern practitioners believe that unakite allows people to concentrate on the present rather than dwelling on past negative events. It is also thought by some to bring clarity and aid in decision making. Advocates also suggest that unakite can help find love, aid in recuperation from illnesses, and help maintain a healthy pregnancy. It is believed to beneficially affect the digestive and circulatory system, particularly the heart, and is also believed helpful for those who have cysts or tumors.
Unakite is also used to aid weight loss efforts, and is believed to benefit the human reproductive system (especially so for women), enhancing fertility. It is also believed useful in balancing out the negative “electromagnetic pollution” caused by televisions, computers, and computer monitors. Unakite is also considered therapeutic for those suffering a “broken heart”, those who feel trapped in grief and find it difficult to move on, and those who are unable to comfort others, or are uncomfortable receiving comfort from others.
SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS
: Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.
If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less non-refundable PayPal/eBay payment processing fees. Please note that PayPal does NOT refund fees. Even if you “accidentally” purchase something and then cancel the purchase before it is shipped, PayPal will not refund their fees. So all refunds for any reason, without exception, do not include PayPal/eBay payment processing fees (typically between 3% and 5%) and shipping/insurance costs (if any). If you’re unhappy with PayPal and eBay’s “no fee refund” policy, and we are EXTREMELY unhappy, please voice your displeasure by contacting PayPal and/or eBay. We have no ability to influence, modify or waive PayPal or eBay policies.
ABOUT US
: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Europe and Central Asia several times a year. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient jewelry and gemstones. Prior to our retirement we traveled to Russia every year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for.
My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting.
Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.