I just want to take the time out to thank each and every friend and fan for all the love and support shown towards alemgems and the alemventures blog so far. It is greatly appreciated and it drives me to keep going and do what I do with love. This blog has really given me an outlet to share and express myself through a different medium and I am grateful for all the positive feedback I have recieved. New articles and features are yet to come so stay tuned because we will be back and better than ever! Much love.

Shakti Mind Body Fitness is celebrating all September long in recognition of Yoga Month. One of their biggest days will be Shakti Open House, a fun-filled day of relaxation, rejuvenation and a chance to participate in activities and classes all day for free. The experience will include music, food, art and products for the holistic, healthy and everyone in between!

In traditional Indian culture, the front door or entranceway, is considered one of the most holy places within a residential dwelling, worship temple or gathering place.

Even the doorsteps, pavement, ground and gates immediately surrounding boundaries of a doorway are considered sacred, hence the entire area is usually adorned and decorated with patterns and symbols using brightly coloured paint, chalk, powder or flowers.

Architectural craftsmanship can also be seen in curved arches overhead and carved pillars along each side of a door or doorway.

Since Indians tend to decorate everything around them, though symbolic in meaning, I cannot help but admire the artistic beauty of Indian passages and doorways.

Chalcedony is the name given to any variety of semi-precious gemstone that is comprised of mainly quartz crystals which tend to have a translucent, almost glass-like appearance.

These fibrous crystals are so tiny and compact that it makes the actual mineral extremely hard and suitable for specialized jewelry processes such as faceting and carving. Because of its abundance, durability and beauty, it has been said that chalcedony was favored as a raw material by early man.

The earliest recorded usage were for tools such as knives and containers such as cups and bowls. Modern day uses of the stone, apart from jewelry, include carved decorative figures and miniatures.

Though chalcedony is availiable in many different varieties and colours, the type that has the most popular association to the name is an absolutely lovely shade of milky lavender-blue which, as far a gemstones go, is very special and unique. The colour itself is pure and ethereal, reminiscent of fresh air or water. For more info on this beautiful gem, click here.