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Category: diamonds

  • 8 Diamond cuts

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    Our love of diamonds and admiration of their fire and brilliance has given rise to many different cuts of diamonds. While we still see some of the earliest styles of diamond cuts such as the round and emerald-cut, there are many more cuts today, some of them patented by their designers and costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    The most popular cut for a diamond ring today is still the round, brilliant cut. It was developed in the 17th century in Venice. It is still preferred when the raw crystal is in an octahedron formation. Even though as much as 50% of the stone is cut away in the process, often two stones can be carved from an octahedron. More unusually-shaped stones are used for fancy cuts, such as a marquise, pear or heart-shaped diamond. The earliest brilliants had 17 facets on the top of the stone and were called double-cut. This was soon improved with stones cut with 33 facets and were called triple-cut brilliants.

    In the 19th century, with the development of better gem-cutting tools, more innovations in diamond cutting styles were developed. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky combined the art of cutting with the science of light and refraction and published his book, Diamond Design. These relatively recent geometric calculations were the forerunner of much of diamond cutting work today and led to other, more precise mathematical models engineered to enhance the fire and brilliance of diamonds.

    There are now cuts such as the princess cut, trillions, ovals, pear and heart-shaped. Some innovative cutters have even fashioned star or butterfly-shaped diamonds! One patented cut, the Ashoka diamond, is an oblong cut with rounded, brilliant ends, and requires a stone 3 carats or larger. Its an exceptionally beautiful (and pricey!) diamond shape. Tiffany has also patented a cut of diamond called the Lucida cut. Its the lucky bride whose fianc gives her one of these highly coveted stones!
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  • 33 Industrial diamonds

    33 Industrial vs gem quality diamonds
    Diamonds are the hardest known naturally occurring material Its hardness has been known since ancient times, and is the source of its name. However, there have been synthetic diamonds created which are even harder.
    The hardest natural diamonds in the world are diamonds from the New England area in New South Wales, Australia. These diamonds are generally small, and are used to polish other diamonds.
    Industrial use of diamonds has historically been associated with their hardness; this property makes diamond the ideal material for cutting and grinding tools. It is one of the most known and most useful of more than 3,000 known minerals. As the hardest known naturally occurring material, diamond can be used to polish, cut, or wear away any material, including other diamonds. Common industrial adaptations of this ability include diamond-tipped drill bits and saws, or use of diamond powder as an abrasive. Other specialized applications also exist or are being developed, including use as semiconductors: some blue diamonds are natural semiconductors, in contrast to most other diamonds, which are excellent electrical insulators. Industrial-grade diamonds are either unsuitable for use as gems or synthetically produced, which lowers their price and makes their use economically feasible. Industrial applications, especially as drill bits and engraving tools, also date to ancient times.
    The hardness of diamonds also contributes to its suitability as a gemstone. Because it can only be scratched by other diamonds, it maintains its polish extremely well, keeping its luster over long periods of time. Unlike many other gems, it is well-suited to daily wear because of its resistance to scratching—perhaps contributing to its popularity as the preferred gem in an engagement ring or wedding ring, which are often worn every day.

  • 19 Smithsonian

    19 Smithsonian Collection

    Some of the world’s most spectacular diamonds and other gems are located in the National Gem Collection in the Museum of Natural History in Smithsonian Collection in Washington, D.C. In the collection are diamonds known to almost everyone, such as the Hope Diamond, as well as other large diamonds and other precious gems and jewelry.

    In the National Gem Collection are examples of spectacular minerals and crystals, as well gemstones and jewelry. You can see a beautiful purple quartz amethyst crystal, or the mineral azurite, which is a bright blue copper compound mineral. You can also see a huge green beryl crystal. Beryls are the mineral family that include emeralds, aquamarines, heliodor and morganite. It’s almost as exciting to see the raw crystal as it is to see the finished product when it’s been cut and polished.

    Some of the finished pieces in the Smithsonian Collection include the crown Napoleon used for the second Empress, Marie Louise. It originally was made of 700 carats in diamonds and 79 emeralds. The emeralds have been replaced with Persian turquoise cabochons.

    You can also see the 182-carat Star of Bombay star sapphire that was given to Mary Pickford by Douglas Fairbanks and a brilliantly colored black opal. Black opals are the most valuable of the opal family of gems.

    There are also extraordinary examples of quartz crystals, including a 7,000 faceted clear quartz egg! Part of the Smithsonian’s collection includes pieces of jade and turquoise used in other cultures. This includes a collection of Zuni Indian turquoise jewelry and jade lanterns carved from nephrite for the Chinese emperor Chi’en Lung in 1750. A more modern piece is the Dragon Vase, carved from a rare piece of lavender jade.

    But of course, the most dazzling items in the collection are the individual gemstones and jewelry that have been owned by royalty through the centuries.

  • selecting diamonds 403

    Selecting Diamonds

    Diamonds are graded for certification by
    laboratories using grading criteria. Four of
    these criteria are critical to understand when
    making a diamond purchase or investment.
    Known as the Four Cs these criteria are:
    color, cut, clarity and carat.

    Color is the result of the composition of a
    diamond and it does not change. When a
    jeweler is describing the color of a diamond
    they are referring to the presence or absence
    of color in white diamonds. Because a
    diamond with no color allows maximum light
    to pass through, colorless diamonds are
    preferred for their sparkle.

    Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality.
    Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The
    brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent
    on the cut. The different angles and the finish
    of a diamond determine its ability to reflect
    light and cause its brilliance and fire.
    Remember that the cut of a diamond can
    have an impact on its durability as well as its
    beauty. Some cutting faults can make a
    diamond prone to breakage. A diamond
    that is cut too thin can also cause light to
    leak out of the back and the diamond will
    lose some of the sparkle and appear not
    to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is
    probably the most important of the Four Cs.

    During the formation process, inner flaws, or
    inclusions occur in most diamonds. The
    number and size of these inclusions
    determine what is referred to as the clarity
    of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear
    create more brilliance and therefore are rarer
    and highly priced. To be considered
    flawless, a diamond must have no surface
    or internal imperfections visible upon being
    viewed by a skilled diamond grader using
    10 power magnifications.

    Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds
    are measured. One carat is equal to 200
    milligrams. A carat is divided into 100
    segments called points. 150 points would
    equal one and a half carats.

    When you go to the store to make that all
    important diamond purchase, do not be shy!
    Ask questions, get the answers needed to
    make an informed purchase. Shopping for
    certified diamonds enables you to make an
    informed selection. Knowing the four Cs
    allows you to comparison shop and purchase
    the best diamond at a fair price. But, before
    making a purchase, shop around and decide
    what shapes and styles really appeal to you.
    Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

    ()

    PPPPP

  • 6 Colors of gems

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    Gems come in every color of the spectrum. While sapphires, rubies and emeralds are what come to mind first when one thinks of a colored gem, there are so many other beautiful colored gemstones to consider. Even among gems normally associated with one color, there are gradations and variations to them. A sapphire, for example, comes in many different hues of blue, depending on where its from. But sapphires can also come in pink, yellow and green.

    The most highly prized colored gems are in the very deepest, richest hues of the color. While sapphires can range from pale blue to near-black, the most valuable are a rich, deep blue. The same holds true for rubies. While they too can range in color from pale to very dark and murky, the most highly-valued color is whats called pigeons blood, a deep blood-red ruby that is mined in what was once known as Burma.

    The most expensive emeralds are a deep green, although emeralds themselves come in a broad spectrum of hues, from yellow-green to blue-green. All colored gems, and clear gems, depend on expert cutting and polishing to showcase the colors in all their subtleties and brilliance.

    Generally the deeper and richer the color, the more valuable the stone. The best amethysts will be a dark, royal purple. A lighter-colored amethyst simply isnt as valuable.

    But many people prefer these lighter or darker gradations in color. And, they tend to be more affordable. A slightly lighter-colored amethyst is much easier to obtain than the ideal color, but is still a beautiful gemstone.

    Oddly enough, diamonds are rated by how colorless they are. The less color, the higher the grade of diamond. Unless of course its a defined color such as a pink diamond or a canary diamond. These are almost as highly prized as a near-colorless diamond.
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  • 20 Hope Diamond

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    Is there anyone who hasnt at least heard of the famous Hope Diamond? Many people are surprised when they first learn that this famous stone isnt a clear diamond, but instead is a brilliant blue stone, surrounded by white diamonds and suspended from a diamond necklace.

    It first appears in history in the mid 1600s when it was purchased by a merchant named Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who sold the stone to Louis XIV of France. At that time it was a 112-carat stone, described as having a beautiful violet color. It was recut into a 67-carat stone and the color was named French Blue. During the French Revolution, the diamond was stolen during a looting of the crown jewels. It reappeared in 1812, but recut once again and was acquired by George IV of England who had to sell the stone to pay off debts. The exact transaction is unknown, but the diamond is next found as an entry in the collection of Henry Philip Hope, whose name is attached to the diamond to this day.

    Eventually the stone was owned by the Cartier jewelry firm in Paris and purchased by Evalyn Walsh Maclean of Washington, DC. It was at her request that the stone was reset and made into the necklace that we know of today. It was acquired by Henry Winston who purchased it from Mrs. Macleans estate in 1947 and eventually became part of the Smithsonian Collection.

    There is a long-standing legend of a curse attached to the Hope Diamond, which the story says was plucked from an idol in India. True or not, many who have owned the Hope Diamond have met with misfortune, including the Hope family, who supposedly went bankrupt from owning the diamond. Its possible that the whole concept of the curse originated with Pierre Cartier who sold it to Mrs. Maclean with the story of a curse, because she thought objects surrounded with bad luck were actually good luck for her. Sadly, Mrs. Macleans first son was killed at age 9 in a car accident and her 25-year old daughter committed suicide. Her husband was declared insane and was institutionalized until his death in 1941. Was it part of a curse?

    
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  • 18 Royalty diamonds

    18 Royalty diamonds

    When did diamonds first become recognized as precious stones and used for jewelry? The earliest reference to them has been found in a Sanskrit document dated around 300 BCE. They were associated with the gods and were used to decorate religious icons and statues. In India, only kings, the highest caste, were allowed to own them.

    Although diamonds were traded east and west of India, they were still prized in their natural crystal state, or polished to increase the shine and luster of them. The first guild of diamond cutters was established in 1375, and it was then that the practice of cutting the stones and faceting them was developed.

    From the earliest times, diamonds were the province of kings and queens. In fact, in the 13th century, Louis IX of France decreed that only royalty could own diamonds, a dictate which faded away about 100 years later. By the late 15th century, they were used as wedding rings.

    The largest diamond ever found was a 3106-carat diamond discovered in 1905 in a mine owned by Thomas Cullinan, for whom the stone was made. It was cut into smaller stones, the largest being made into the 530-carat Great Star of Africa diamond, cut by the Asscher Brothers, a famous diamond firm to this day. It’s also called the Cullinan I diamond, and is set in the Scepter of the Cross of the United Kingdom. A smaller stone cut from the Cullinan diamond is called the Lesser Star of Africa. It weighs 317 carats and is part of the Imperial State Crown. Both gems can be seen as part of the British Crown Jewels which are displayed in the Tower of London. The rest of the Cullinan diamond was cut into 11 smaller-weight stones and a number of fragments.

    While the Cullinan diamond is the largest diamond ever found, there is a rumor that the man who discovered the diamond actually broke off part of the diamond before presenting it to the mine’s owner. This diamond, if the rumor is true, would have been 5,000 carats!

  • 48 Rose Quartz

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     48 Rose Quartz

    Who doesnt love rose quartz in all its varying hues of pink? Rose quartz takes its name from the flower because of its translucent and delicate pink color caused by traces of iron, manganese or titanium. Rose quartz is usually very large – meaning that it doesn’t form crystals. Rose quartz is found in Madagascar, India, Germany and several areas in the USA. Much rose quartz was extracted from a famous site near Custer, South Dakota, but now, most of the world’s supply comes from Brazil. Rose quartz is one of the most valued varieties of quartz. The pink to rose red color is unique.

    The color of rose quartz is still not completely understood. It has been said to be due to a number of different minor impurities present in the rose quartz including titanium, manganese and even colloidal gold. However, recent studies using micro-analytical methods have discovered that the color of massive rose quartz is actually due to microscopic mineral fibers in the rose quartz. X-ray diffraction tests on these microscopic fibers yielded patterns similar to the mineral dumortierite, suggesting the possibility of a totally new and as yet unknown fibrous mineral causing the color in massive rose quartz. The rare transparent crystals of rose quartz owe their coloration to aluminum and phosphorous impurities. Their pink color is photosensitive and can fade in sunlight.

    Rose quartz is often called the ‘love stone’. It is associated with forgiveness and compassion and can create a wonderful calming influence. It is soft and delicate inspiring feelings of love and friendship. Rose quartz is aid to help remove repressed anger and hatred and is said to remove negative influences such as jealousy and avarice. It is said to aid the spleen, kidneys and circulation system. Rose quartz also eases sexual and emotional imbalance and can also improve fertility. It makes a lovely gift as it is a symbol of love.

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  • diamond scams 439

    Diamond Scams

    When it comes to diamonds, there are
    numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are
    minor, but there are some major ones that
    come up from time to time concerning the
    buying and selling of diamonds. Scams
    occur simply because most people who buy
    diamonds for whatever reasons dont
    know that much about diamonds. Therefore,
    they are easily fooled.

    A common scam that most jewelry stores
    participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam.
    The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring,
    only states the total carat weight of all
    diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the
    total weights separately for each diamond.
    This leads consumers to believe that the main
    diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it
    is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center
    stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry
    stores are allowed to round off diamond
    weights. This means that if the jeweler tells
    you that it is a carat diamond, it is
    probably between and carat but
    closer to .

    Jewelry stores often run fluorescence
    scams to varying degrees. Referring to a
    diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a
    scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very
    unique and special, but in fact, this type of
    diamond is of lesser quality even though
    the jeweler will try to make you think you are
    getting something special. Jewelry stores
    also like to show their diamonds in bright
    lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask
    to see the diamond in a different, darker
    type of lighting as well.

    Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target
    those who want appraisals on diamonds
    that were given to them as gifts or that were
    purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you
    that the diamond is worthless, or worth less
    than it actually is worth and offer to take it
    off your hands or trade it for a much better
    diamond, along with the cash to make up
    the difference. This is called low balling.
    Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion
    before taking any action.

    Another common dirty trick is to switch the
    diamond you have chosen and paid for with
    one of lesser quality and value when you
    leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or
    leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only
    way to avoid this is to do business with one
    trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you
    have not done business with in the past.

    There are many more scams that jewelry
    stores commonly pull on unsuspecting
    consumers. Just use your best judgment,
    and purchase your diamonds with the
    utmost care and consideration.

    ()

    PPPPP

  • 42 Gachala emerald

    42 Gachala emerald
    Emerald, the birthstone for May, is one of the world’s most valued gems. Mined by the Egyptians more than 3,500 years ago for the Pharaohs, this precious green stone also has been worshipped by the ancient Incas and Aztecs, the Indian Maharajas and Maharanis, and kings, queens and other royals all over the world throughout history.

    The stone is prized for its shades of green, which represent the color of life and the eternally returning spring. For this reason, emerald has held a special religious position in many cultures.
    The Gachala Emerald, an uncut 5-cm stone weight 858 carats, was found in Colombia in 1967. It was given to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., by famous New York jeweler Harry Winston.
    Another huge, rare emerald is the Sacred Emerald Buddha. It resides on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. This venerable image was, according to historic legend, accidentally uncovered after a lightning strike on a Chedi in Northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai district in AD 1434. The temple’s resident abbot discovered stucco flaking off the image exposing a hidden green colored Buddha statute. The remaining stucco was duly removed reveling what the world now refers to as the “Emerald Buddha.”
    The Mogul Emerald is one of the largest emeralds in the world. The rectangular cut tablet, which dates back to 1695, weighs 217.80 carats and is about 10 cm high. One side is inscribed with Islamic prayers and the other is engraved with opulent flower ornaments. The emerald is thought to have come from the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb –the last of the great Mogul rulers, who controlled much of India. It was discovered in Colombia by the Spanish conquistadors and most likely arrived in India through trade during the Mogul dynasty, according to experts. The emerald was auctioned off at Christie’s of London for $2.2 million to an anonymous buyer in 2001.