September has arrived with the cosiness of autumn just around the corner, and I think the extract from this poem by Helen Hunter Jackson captures that September feeling perfectly.

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

 By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
 And autumn's best of cheer.

Peridot is a vibrant green gemstone that has been adored through the ages for its mystical qualities when used to create gemstone jewellery.. Ancient Egyptians called it 'The Gem Of The Sun' and believed that it protected wearers from evil spirits. Other cultures including the Romans and Greeks also valued peridot for its healing and protective qualities.

Peridot is a type of olivine mineral which crystallizes in volcanic rocks. It forms as small, translucent crystals that are often found in lava flows and meteorites. The gemstone is formed deep beneath the Eath's crust and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity.

Peridot is associated with the heart chakra and is believed to promote love, compassion and spiritual growth. It is also said to have a calming effect on the wearer, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of well-being. It is great for those with sensitive skin, as it is not known to cause irritation or allergic reactions.

This recent sunny weather has really encouraged the roses in my garden to bloom beautifully, and that got me thinking about the long standing connection between roses and jewellery design, which dates back to ancient times.

I've listed a few rose facts that I hope you'll find as interesting as I did. 🌹

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that roses were associated with their respective goddesses of love, Venus and Aphrodite, and used them to embellish their jewellery. In the Middle Ages roses were a popular motif in jewellery, and were often used to represent the Virgin Mary or other religious figures. 

Queen Victoria was a well known rose enthusiast and she often used the rose to embellish her gemstone jewellery collection. As a result, Victorian jewellers also used the rose to create amazing and intricate rose themed items incorporating pearls, diamonds and gemstones.

These lovely moonstone and pretty crystal earrings also feature a decorative rose embellishment, and are available on the website.