Newsletter October 2021

Recently one of our customers bought small light blue topaz and some yellow citrine gemstones in a similar size. We discovered she was planning to decorate a pair of vintage style sunglasses with these lovely stones to give them a pop of color. That got me thinking about how we can use gemstones in ways other than jewelry.

Some uses are very well known – for collecting as a hobby or for their spiritual use to help during meditation, to make elixirs, placed on Chakra points or kept on the desk at work for motivation and EMF protection.

But, after a quick chat around the office, I have found a few more fun ways to add gemstones to your life:

• A mobile phone cover studded with your favorite stones
• Highlights in a mosaic tile creation
• A gemstone chandelier
• Gemstone studded mirror frame
• Gemstone fridge magnets
• Gemstone drawer handles
• Gemstone Christmas tree decorations
• Decorated key chains

Those are just some of the suggestions that cropped up but I am sure there are hundreds more.

Of course, you would probably not choose sapphires and rubies for such projects but there are dozens of less expensive options and our lots section can help you pick out a pile of matching stones if that is what you are after.

I have been thoroughly enjoying the Australian version of Masterchef that seems to be on Thai TV every night over the past couple of months. We are down to just 4 contestants and in the most recent challenge they had to cook food inspired by an emerald, a ruby or a pearl. The gemstones on display looked like gorgeous examples and did fire up the budding chefs into creating some fantastic looking dishes.

One young lady served up Emerald Ravioli, with the pasta not only in the classic octagon shape but also colored bright emerald green using some native Australian leaves. The best looking dish to celebrate the ruby was duck with a plum sauce gel and pickled rhubarb. The recipe for the pearl was a desert that could easily have been made here in Thailand – tapioca balls, coconut ice cream with lychees and rambutans.

Take a look at our rubies, emeralds and pearls - what do they inspire you to cook?

October can be a very busy month. Although the original Oktoberfest held in Munich has been cancelled again this year, there are several festivals celebrating beer, food and music held around the world that will be going ahead.

October is also the perfect month to take that trip to see trees in their full fall color glory – from New England to Kyoto or from Yorkshire to British Columbia – grab the chance if you can.

And the month ends with Halloween. Dressing up, trick or treat tours, pumpkin carving, scary movies, spooky stories and no-one complaining about wearing a mask! If you have a grown-up fancy dress party to attend, take a look at this article for the ideal Halloween gemstones to wear all displaying classic autumn colors.

I have been looking through our new arrivals this week and one stone that really stands out, and could easily have made our list of Halloween gemstones, is Sphene. A little known gemstone with outstanding green, gold, yellow and orange colors that can exhibit a fire very similar to that of diamond but with a bonus of dazzling color play. It is a little soft for a gemstone which is probably why it is not a lot more popular but pendants, brooches, earrings and necklaces featuring this stone should be just fine.

Last but not least a quick reminder about the birthstones for October. If you are lucky enough to celebrate a birthday this month – and I am! – you have two great gemstones to choose from, Opals and Tourmaline. Both very prestigious and very colorful choices.

See our article to October birthstones here

Just time for a couple of your questions:

That’s all for today folks,

Happy Halloween to you all

Team GemSelect