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DUR-E-NAJAF

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What is DUR-E-NAJAF Dur-E-Najaf as the word describes its own meaning is known as “Pearl of Najaf”it is also known as “Gem of Gems” because it made from the dust of Imam Ali (a.s) feet. Dur-E-Najaf is valued a lot around the world. There are different statements about Dur-E-Najaf that you commonly hear a few say that it is a type of Agate (Aqeeq) which is not authentic, it belongs to Quartz family. Take their place at 7 out of 10 Mohs scale of hardness. As we all know that every gem is considered semi-precious except Diamond, Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds . If you study Dur-E-Najaf in history and the value given to it by Ahl-E-Bait (a.s) family of Prophet Muhammad SAW . It becomes so special and precious. WADI AL-SALAM (VALLEY OF PEACE) Dur-E-Najaf is so unique because it is only found in Najaf, Iraq . In Najaf there is this place called Wadi al-Salam which means “Valley of Peace”. It is the World’s Largest Cemetery expanded in 1485 acres . It is situated near Shri...

LAPIS LAZULI (LAJEVARD)

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What is Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) Lapis Lazuli is a Latin word Lapis means Stone whereas, Lazuli means Genitive form of Medieval . It is known as “Lazaward” in Arabic and “Lajevard” in Persian. Lapis Lazuli is a bright blue metamorphic rock which largely consists of Lazurite 25% - $40%. Lapis Lazuli also contain Calcite which gives it a white color, Sodalite results in blue and Pyrite which gives a golden colored small spots or lines. Lapis lazuli is very opaque and comes in many hues of Blue. It comes in blue or purplish shades with either white layers of Calcite or golden of Pyrite. Lapis Lazuli with Calcite is considered of less value but the one with rich blue color and golden Pyrite is valued a lot. Lapis Lazuli has a very rich history it has been used by many ancient empires and it goes back to more than 6500 years . It was valued a lot by Civilizations like Egypt, Rome, Mesopotamia and many others. Badakhshan a province in Afghanistan is rich with the most be...

PERIDOT (ZABARJAD)

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What is Peridot (Zabarjad) Peridot (Zabarjad) is a beautiful single colored gemstone of Green color, which is because of Iron. It is a magnesium rich olivine form of mineral. It is form in very though conditions. Peridot (Zabarjad) shows shades of green Olive Green, Yellowish Green, Brownish Green, Grass Green and Dark green. Most valued is the one having Pure Grass Green shade. Peridot (Zabarjad) unlike other gemstones is not found on the earth surface rather, it is crystallized in the mantle of the earth 90 miles deep inside where magma is formed. Peridot (Zabarjad) comes to the surface when a volcano erupts or through tectonic movement. After eruption when magma cools down it gives such beautiful gem called Peridot. They say there are only two such gems which are formed in such extreme conditions Diamond and Peridot (Zabarjad). Peridot (Zabarjad) is the stone of August and has a very rich history. It has been given many descriptions for intense, Faridat” is the name of P...

AGATES (AQEEQ)

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What is Agate (Aqeeq) Agate is a micro crystalline form of Quartz mostly made out of Chalcedony a type of micro crystalline Quartz. It is formed inside hollow pockets where Agates self-organize to fill in those hollow pockets. Agate should be Chalcedony and self-organized structure. They are normally formed in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Agates have a very rich history that goes back to ancient Greek. It got its name from a Greek philosopher, Theophrastus. Who discovered the stone along the Shore of Achates River (Dirillo River) situated at Ragusa Province, Sicily, Italy between 3 rd to 4 th centuries. Agate is a French word it’s Achates in Latin, Akhates in Greek and Aqeeq in Arabic. This stone is very valued in Islam because it is said the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had Yemeni Aqeeq ring on his right hand set in silver. They say that it was of dark reddish brown color. Agates are translucent due to micro crystalline form. Experts say there are almost 3000 types of agate...

CORALS (MARJAN)

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What is Coral (Marjan) Coral used as gem which is valued a lot due to its beautiful appearance and color. Coral is also commonly known by the name “Marjan”.  It’s a common thought that Coral is a stone, which is extracted from some mountain, well that’s wrong. Coral is produced under water through a biological process. An invertebrate known as Polyp or Coral Polyp, this organism is related to Jellyfishes or Sea anemones. It is a small soft bodied creature with a hard base shell of limestone skeleton. Coral Polyp attaches itself to a rock deep on the sea bed, Coral Polyps form a colony on the rock and with passage of time colonies connect to each other and form a branched like structure called Coral Reef. It’s a very long process after which branches are formed which are used as gem, history states that there are colonies present which are million years old. Average age of Polyps are 2 years to even centuries. Coral Polyps are basically translucent, so how these reef give...