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Category: diamonds

  • 24 Marie Antoinette Earrings

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    Theres no more fascinating subject in history than the doomed French Queen Marie Antoinette. Much maligned by history (she never said Let them eat cake, in response to the peoples need for bread), she was an unwilling part of the one of the greatest revolutions in history. And met an untimely end at the guillotine in 1793. While she loved jewelry, and possessed many magnificent jewels, she often preferred simple muslin gowns and very little jewelry. Many of the portraits of her by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun show her dressed just like that.

    Two large, pear-shaped diamond earrings, weighing 14.25 and 20.34 carats respectively, are part of the Smithsonian Institutions collection. The diamonds once were supposedly set in earrings that belonged to Marie Antoinette and some sources say they were her favorite pieces of jewelry and she wore them constantly. They were taken from her during an attempt to flee France as the Revolution dawned and the position of the Royals became dangerous.

    The diamonds were later acquired by the Grand Duchess Tatiana Yousupoff of Russia. When jeweler Pierre Cartier puchased the diamond earrings in 1928, their authenticity was attested to in an affidavit by Russian Princess Zenaide Yousupoff and her son, Prince Felix Yousupoff, stating that they originally belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette and have never been reset in the one hundred years that they were in the family. Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired the earrings from Pierre Cartier in October 1928. Harry Winston reset the large diamonds in platinum replicas of the original silver settings in 1959. Cartier, Inc. designed the triangular tops. In November 1964, Mrs. Post’s daughter, Mrs. Eleanor Barzin, donated the earrings, along with the original setting to the Smithsonian Institution. The diamonds are originally from India or Brazil, the only significant sources of diamonds in the eighteenth century.
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  • 27 Hooker Emerald

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    Theres something incredibly mysterious about the largest emeralds. Its one of the rarest of gemstones, unattainable for most of us, at least in a good-quality stone. This magnificent 75.57-carat emerald was supposedly owned by the Ottoman Empire until 1900. Legend has it was used in the belt buckle of a sultan!

    The stone was featured in Tiffany’s 1950 Christmas Catalog. Mrs. Janet Annenberg Hooker bought the stone in 1955 from Tiffany’s and donated it to the museum in 1977.
    Emeralds are part of the beryl family of jewels. Green beryls are called emeralds, while blue-green beryls are called aquamarines. A pink shade of beryl is called Morganite. Theres even a red beryl thats rarer than emeralds themselves.

    The name emerald comes from the Greek smaragdos via the Old French esmeralde, and really just means ‘green gemstone’. Innumerable fantastic stories have grown up around this magnificent gem. The Incas and Aztecs of South America, where the best emeralds are still found today, regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. However, probably the oldest known finds were once made near the Red Sea in Egypt. Having said that, these gemstone mines, already exploited by Egyptian pharaohs between 3000 and 1500 B.C. and later referred to as ‘Cleopatra’s Mines’, had already been exhausted by the time they were rediscovered in the early 19th century.

    But it has also, for centuries, been the color of beauty and of constant love. In ancient Rome, green was the color of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. And today, this color still occupies a special position in many cultures and religions. Green, for example, is the holy color of Islam. Many of the states of the Arab League have green in their flags as a symbol of the unity of their faith. Yet this color has a high status in the Catholic Church too, where green is regarded as the most natural and the most elemental of the liturgical colors.
    
    
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  • 13 Shapes

    13 Shapes

    The cut of a diamond refers to the way the stone is shaped and polished, how the facets are arranged and how deep or shallow it’s cut. There are various cuts of diamonds that refer to that, many of them patented. Both Asscher and Princess diamonds are square-shaped diamonds, but they are vastly different in how the facet are cut and arranged.

    Cut also refers to the shape of the diamond. The shape is often determined by how the molecules of the crystal are arranged. If it’s an octahedron, it will be cut as a round brilliant, and often two round brilliants can be cut from the same original crystal. Other crystal configurations, such as macer, will be cut as marquise or oval diamonds.

    The modern round cut brilliant stone has 58 facets, or 57 if the tiny bottom facet, the culet, is omitted. The Princess cut is unique in that it’s a square diamond with pointed corners. Many diamonds, even square and emerald cut diamonds will have rounded or cut-off corners, because contrary to popular opinion, a diamond can chip or scratch if it knocks against something at the wrong angle. It’s a bad idea to try to scratch a mirror with any diamond!

    An emerald shaped diamond is a rectangle cut with longer, flat facets. It’s a good cut for a diamond that’s exceptionally clear. If it’s not, then an emerald cut diamond can appear cloudy.

    The Asscher diamond is similar to an emerald shape, except it’s square. It’s cutting resembles a spider web when viewed from above.

    Other diamond shapes are self-explanatory. A pear- or tear-shaped diamond is exactly that. It’s an oval that’s wider at one end and curves to a point at the other end. An oval is a perfect oval. The marquise-shaped diamond can maximize the carat weight of a stone because it’s a longer and flatter cut, yet highly faceted. The marquise comes in a variety of length-to-width ratios.

  • choosing the cut of a diamond 210

    Choosing The Cut of A Diamond

    There are many different cuts of diamonds
    to choose from. The cut essentially refers to
    the shape that the diamond is cut into
    unless you are in the diamond or jewelry
    business, but this shape has a great impact
    on the much the diamond sparkles.

    The most popular cuts are heart, marquise,
    oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and
    emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on
    how much the diamond sparkles, but the
    actual cutting itself when the diamond
    cutter actually cuts the diamond into a
    particular shape also matters a great
    deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose
    its sparkle.

    However, in the diamond industry, the cut of
    a diamond doesnt refer to its shape at all.
    Instead, this is a reference to the stones
    depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and
    other aspects of the diamond. Common
    cutting problems include a missing or off
    center culet, misalignment, a diamond that
    is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken
    culets.

    When shopping for a diamond, you should
    of course choose the shape that you like the
    best, but then look at several different
    diamonds of that shape to find the one with
    the best cut the one that sparkles the most,
    in all types of lighting.

    ()

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  • 29 American Topaz

    29 American Topaz

    The world’s largest cut topaz, called the American Topaz, resides at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. A 172-faceted topaz weighing 22,892.50 carats (5785 kg), it’s the largest cut yellow topaz in the world, and one of the largest faceted gems of any kind in the world. Originating from Minais Gerais, Brazil, it was cut over a period of two years. It was purchased by the Rockhound Hobbyists of America and presented to the Smithsonian Institution in 1988.

    As stunning as this cut topaz is, another display at the Smithsonian is equally dazzling and awe-inspiring. That’s a sherry-colored topaz “spray” from the Thomas Range in Utah. This color of topaz can be found in Mexico and Utah, but when it’s exposed to sunlight, will become clear.

    Other spectacular displays of natural crystals include a cluster of Stibnite, an ore of antimony, which has a bright metallic luster. This spectacular group of crystals is from Iyo, Japan and look like something from Superman’s home!

    Another huge mineral in the exhibit is the Smithsonite, named for James Smithson, who bequeathed the funds to establish the Smithsonian Institution. He first discovered this greenish zinc carbonate mineral from the Kelly Mine in New Mexico.

    Some of the other don’t miss items in the Smithsonian’s Gem Collection are the Smithsonian Canary Diamond, a huge canary and diamond ring. The 98.6-carat Bismarck Sapphire is also part of the collection and is one of the world’s largest sapphires. It originally came from Sri Lanka. It’s also fascinating to see some of these gems in their raw uncut state, such as the large corundrum crystal which is the mineral that sapphires are made of, and a very large beryl crystal, from which the emerald and aquamarine family of stones is derived.

  • 4 Common and uncommon

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    Gemstones quite literally can take our breath away when we see them. Who hasnt seen a beautiful diamond or sapphire ring and exclaimed over it? Is it only their beauty that makes them so valuable? Why else are they valuable to us?

    Most gemstones are minerals that occur naturally in the earth. The most common is quartz, which is made of silicon and oxygen, two of the most common chemicals or substances on the planet. Even though most people dont find such crystals unless specifically looking for it, its still relatively common in the gem world.

    One quality that determines the value of a gem is how rare it is. A diamond, believe it or not, is actually a more common gemstone. However, the sales and distribution of diamonds are tightly controlled, which keeps the demand for diamonds of any characteristic in high value. Certainly perfect, flawless diamonds are truly rare, but diamonds themselves arent particularly rare.

    Other gemstones are much rarer, such as sapphires and rubies, which are part of the beryl family of minerals. Rubies are rarer than sapphires and top quality colors in both are extremely rare.

    A mineral called benitoite is found only in the San Benito valley in California, where only a few hundred carats of it are found each year. It is the state gem of California and is a hexagonal-shaped crystal. It can be cut and polished to produce sapphire-colored gemstone jewelry.

    Some gems are even rarer than bentitoite. Theyre so rare, that only three or four of them exist in the world. And the location where the gemstone was found can make a big difference as well. While peridot is a fairly common gem, there were actually several carats of peridot discovered in a meteorite, making that one of the rarest gems ever!
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  • how to spot a fake diamond 224

    How to Spot A Fake Diamond

    In this world of advanced technology it is
    almost impossible to simply look at a
    diamond and determine whether it is real or
    not especially if you dont know much
    about diamonds. There are some steps that
    you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond,
    however.

    First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and
    when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with
    them. Avoid buying diamonds or other
    jewelry from jewelers that you have never
    dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the
    certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists,
    walk away.

    Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake
    diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set
    in low quality metals. Take a close look at the
    stone. Fake diamonds are not durable
    natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the
    most durable stone on the planet. Look for
    scratches or nicks.

    After purchasing a diamond, take it to
    another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it
    to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal
    to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly
    close. If you find that you have purchased a
    fake diamond, you may be accused of
    making a switch when you return to the store
    of your purchase; therefore, it is important to
    have a certificate for the diamond. No two
    stones are alike.

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  • 28 Victoria Transvaal Diamond

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    The Victoria-Transvaal is a 67.89-carat, brownish-yellow pear shaped stone. It was cut from a 240-carat crystal that was found in the Transvaal, South Africa. The first cutting produced a 75-carat 116-facet stone that measured 1 x 1/8 inches; a recutting retained the same length and width, but reduced the depth to better proportions, making it more brilliant. The diamond has been featured in several Hollywood films, including a Tarzan episode from 1952 titled Tarzan’s Savage Fury, and in leading exhibitions in the United States and Canada.
    The necklace was designed by Baumgold Brothers, Inc, and consists of a yellow gold chain with 66 round brilliant-cut diamonds, fringed with ten drop motifs, each set with two marquise-cut diamonds, a pear-shaped diamond, and a small round brilliant-cut diamond (the total weight of the 106 diamonds is about 45 carats). The configuration of these stones makes them look like small angels! The necklace was donated by Leonard and Victoria Wilkinson in 1977 to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.
    Other colored diamonds in the Smithsonian Collection include the 8.30-carat Shepard Diamond. This stone is from South Africa, and was acquired by the Smithsonian Museum in exchange for a collection of small diamonds that had been seized as smuggled goods by the United States Customs Service. The diamond is named for the Smithsonian employee who helped facilitate the transaction.
    An extremely rare red diamond resides at the Smithsonian as well. This is the De Young Red, a 5.03-carat, brilliant cut red diamond. The main kite-shaped facets on the crown are divided in two, giving the stone more brilliance than a standard round brilliant cut. The stone is not pure red but has a slight brown hue, which makes it appear like a fine red garnet and indeed, it was once purchased as such at an estate sale.
    It is the third largest red diamond in the world, after the Moussaieff Red (5.11 carats) and the Red Diamond (5.05 carats).

     
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  • synthetic diamonds 214

    Synthetic Diamonds

    The first synthetic diamonds were produced
    by General Electric in 1954. A synthetic
    diamond is basically a rock that has the
    durability, refractive index and hardness of
    a natural diamond but it is made by man.
    A synthetic diamond should not be
    confused with stimulant diamonds, such as
    glass, cubic zirconia, or moissanite.

    Although the technology for synthetic
    diamonds came into play in 1954, no
    synthetic diamonds were ever seen on the
    market until the 1990s. This was due to the
    fact that it took many years for General
    Electric to produce a synthetic diamond that
    could compare with the quality of a natural
    diamond and when they figured out how to
    do it, they found that it cost more to produce
    a synthetic diamond than it did to mine and
    cut natural diamonds.

    Finally, a small company by the name of
    Gemesis Corporation figured out a way to
    produce synthetic diamonds that were of the
    same quality as natural diamonds, at a
    cheaper price. Today, Gemesis produces
    synthetic white diamonds, and colored
    diamonds as well. These diamonds sell for
    about 1/3 of the cost of a natural diamond,
    but there is a shortage of them, and they are
    hard to find. In fact, it seems that synthetic
    diamonds are rarer than natural diamonds!

    ()

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  • colored diamonds 411

    Colored Diamonds

    Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage
    these days. Gemologists have developed
    new ways to create versions that are
    affordable for the average person – by
    treating less desirable diamonds. These
    less desirable diamonds are treated with
    irradiation followed by intense heat. This
    turns brown and yellowish diamonds into
    beautifully colored diamonds that you can
    afford. This produces stunning greens,
    blues, yellows, reds, purples and other
    colors. These colors are considered
    permanent, but there is a possibility
    they could change during repairs if a high
    heat is used.

    Treatments like irradiation make it possible
    for more people to own these vividly colored
    diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds
    are rare and also extremely expensive. When
    shopping for colored diamonds you need to
    assume that any affordable fancy color
    diamond has been treated. Ask about the
    stones origin and request to view a lab
    certificate to verify authenticity.

    Synthetic colored diamonds are another
    option if owning a colored diamond is
    something you desire but cannot quite afford.
    They are real diamonds, but they are created
    in a lab.

    Natural fancy color diamonds get their
    coloring from different trace elements present
    in the stones, such as nitrogen, which
    produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can
    be colored by exposure to radiation during its
    creation. An example of a diamond affected
    by radiation is a Green diamond.

    Another way that a natural colored diamond
    gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as
    flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond,
    inclusions give unique tones and brilliant
    flashes of color in a fancy color diamond.
    Remember that Natural fancy colored
    diamonds are very expensive, any colored
    diamond labeled to be sold as natural should
    be accompanied by a certificate from a
    respected grading lab.

    A “fancy” diamond is a natural diamond that
    has color. These colors vary from red, green,
    purple, violet, orange, blue and pink and
    most shades between. Fancy color shades
    vary from faint to intense.

    The most famous diamonds in the world are
    Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond,
    which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which
    is blue are colored diamonds. Color
    diamonds have an amazing financial track
    record. The value has never decreased on
    wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue
    and pink diamonds have doubled every 5
    years of a strong economy. In the 1970s
    you could have bought a very high quality
    blue diamond for about 50K and today the
    very same stone would be worth between
    2 and 3 million.

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