9CT GOLD CHECKERBOARD CUT BLUE CHALCEDONY DROP EARRINGS

Ladies and gents, brace yourselves for a rendezvous with elegance like no other. Feast your eyes on these meticulously crafted earrings, starring the enigmatic Blue Chalcedony gemstones. These dainty darlings are adorned with semi-precious stones, and cradled in 9ct Gold settings so polished they'll make you believe in fairy tales. And slipping them on? Child's play, my friends – those French hooks will have you looking fabulous in no time.

Now, let's dive into the juicy details. That centrepiece, with its mesmerising checkerboard cut? It's a showstopper, measuring a generous 7mm in diameter. And from the very tip-top of the wire to the delicate bottom, these earrings gracefully span 22.5mm.

But here's where things get interesting – we're all about choices here. We've got matching stud earrings, a luxuriously long station necklace, a bracelet that practically oozes style, and a pendant necklace waiting in the wings, all sporting this effortlessly chic design. And if you're in the mood for a different gemstone flavour, fret not – we've got a range that includes Prasiolite, Labradorite, Moonstone, and Blue Topaz, all dressed up in the same exquisite attire.

Now, lean in close, my dear gems enthusiasts. Every raw gemstone that lands in my hands is handpicked for its individuality, quality, colour, and all-around charm that's as rare as a shooting star.

And here's the cherry on top – if you're planning to bestow these beauties upon a lucky someone, we've got the whole luxury gift-wrapping shebang ready to roll.

Chalcedony is the microcrystalline (visible to the naked eye) or cryptocrystalline (visible with magnification) variety of Quartz. Chalcedony can be separated into the translucent category known as Agate and the opaque category Jasper. Within Agate and Jasper, there are numerous varieties that can be separated by colour, appearance, and phenomenon.

Patterns aren't as common in this stuff as you'd find in those swirly, multicoloured Agates and Jaspers. When it comes to these Chalcedony gems, the real head-turners – and let's be honest, the pricier ones – are the bold, vibrant colours. But hold on, don't discount the subtler, pastel shades. They've got their own unique charm and have carved out their own niche in the market. Blue Chalcedony? Yep, it's a card-carrying member of the pastel crew.

Now, here's where things get a tad murky. You see, the term "Blue Chalcedony" likes to rub shoulders with "blue Agate" or even "blue Chalcedony Agate" in the market. Sure, they're like cousins from the same family, but there are some differences in the looks department. And here's the kicker – figuring out which is which can be about as clear as mud, especially if there's no label to guide you.

Speaking of looks, Blue Chalcedony runs the gamut from delicate pastels to deeper blues, sometimes with a hint of grey or a smidgen of pink. And the names it goes by in the market? Well, they often tip their hats to where it's from or how it was formed.

Now, if you're into carving, Blue Chalcedony plays nice. It's pretty workable, especially for smaller pieces. And let's not forget the rock stars of Blue Chalcedony – those top-notch nodules found near Eski'ehir in West Anatolia, Turkey, about 200 miles south of Istanbul. Nearly all of them sport a creamy yellowish outer layer and a blue inside. It's often a rich, solid shade without any fancy patterns, although sometimes it likes to dip into the greyish-blue territory.

But here's the bottom line – whether it's from Turkey or Namibia in Africa, Blue Chalcedony is one smooth operator, rocking that blue vibe in its own unique way.