SLIM BARRETT

Like many ancient castles, Ireland's Cabra Castle is one rooted in dramatic events involving warfare, and numerous owners.

Presently owned by the Corscadden Family, its ruins have been renovated into an 80-bedroom hotel. Ireland is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Slim Barrett.

ELIZABETH WAHYU ACCESSORIES

At nearly two centuries old, the Bogor Botanic Garden in Indonesia has a complex history. German botanist Cooper Georg Carl Reinwardt founded the grounds in 1817, and the director position changed many hands over the centuries.

Among others, the gardens presently house many species of fruit including orange, langsat, rambutan, guava, mangosteen, avocado, mango, and durian. Indonesia is also home to featured jewelry designer Elizabeth Wahyu.

GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH - BLOODSTONE

Legend dictates that the origin of the bloodstone began at the time of Christ's crucifixion.

It is believed that as He hung on the cross green jasper stones, piled at the cross' base, absorbed the drops of the Christ's blood causing fixed red dots to appear.

For this reason, the gemstone is also known as the Martyr's Stone. Due to this association to the Christ, early Christians carved scenes of the crucifixion into the glistening green and red stones.

The ancient Greeks compared the gem's color to the illusion of the sun setting in the ocean. The Greeks subsequently named the gem heliotrope, which means Stone of the Sun, and this name is still used today.

The bloodstone, a highly durable cryptocrystalline quartz, ranges in color that includes light to deep to very dark shades of green. Iron oxides are the components that produce the stone's distinctive red spots. The highest quality bloodstones are those with a great luster.

For countless centuries, into the present day, the bloodstone is revered for its myriad of healing properties, and protective energy. Used as a protective talisman to deflect the effects of the envious gazes, the stone is also used to soothe colds, the flu, allergies, and for cleansing the blood.

It is also believed to promote such attributes as clarity of thought, solid judgment, honesty, courage, and balance emotions. Although primarily mined in India, the gemstone is also found in the United States, Australia, China, and Brazil.

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Photo: Bloodstone

K. AMATO DESIGNS

Today we visit the expansive Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.  The grounds encompass 385 acres spread out over nine islands. Illinois is also home to featured jewelry designer Kristen Amato.

QEELIN

China's Kunming Botanical Gardens houses 10 distinct gardens that highlight 4,000 species of precious flowers, medicinal herbs, and trees. China is also the home base of featured jewelry brand Qeelin.