Tanzanite Pink Tourmaline Claddagh Rings in 14K Gold

Tanzanite is a member of the mineral family zoisite, which has been known about for nearly two centuries. Zoisite occurs in a number of varieties, the most sought after being tanzanite. This mineral family was named zoisite in 1805, some time after the Austrian scientist Baron Siegmund Zois von Edelstein (1747-1819) had identified the mineral in the Saualpe Mountains of Carintha, Austria. Siegmund Zois von Edelstein operated an iron mine in the Karawanken Mountains in Karnten Austria and encountered the mineral on his own property. Centuries later, the discovery of a bright blue transparent variety that we now know as tanzanite, created a lot of excitement in the specialist world.... learn more

Tourmaline is the alternate birthstone for October, along with the opal. The stone was first discovered by Dutch traders off the West Coast of Italy in the late 1600's or early 1700's. The name tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese term "turmali,"" which was the name given to all colored crystals on the island of Sri Lanka at that time. This all inclusive name indicates the inability of ancient gem dealers to differentiate tourmaline from other stones. In fact, at one time in history, pink and red tourmaline were thought to be rubies. Pink tourmaline tends to be pinker in color than ruby. However, their similarities in appearance are so strong that the stones in the Russian crown jewels believed to be rubies for centuries, are now thought to be tourmalines"... learn more

The claddagh is an ancient Gaelic symbol that consists of two joined hands holding a heart with a crown over it and has traditionally symbolized eternal love, everlasting friendship and loyalty. It belongs to a family of European rings called Fede rings, or faith rings. Fede is derived from Italian "mani in fede" or hands (joined) in faith. These rings portray two hands clasped together symbolizing faith and trust, and were used as engagement or wedding rings dating back to the Roman Empire as well as in medieval and Renaissance Europe. The claddagh is a variation of the earlier version of a Fede ring.... learn more