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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Gemstone”
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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Synthetic Gems: The Whole Story
Synthetic rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and more are everywhere. Man made gems come in many forms: every thing from simple glass to high tech chemical tongue twister like gadolinium gallium garnet (also called GGG) and the modern diamond simulant moissanite. Synthetic gems are not bad, fakes, or the curse of a modern society. The more you know about them, the better you can understand their place in our society and in the jewelry world.
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Gem in the Spotlight: Pearl
Pearls have been sought after and loved by people for hundreds of years of human history. In this in-depth article, we explore the science, history, and gemology of this incredible product of nature. Learn about famous pearls like La Peregrina, the seven value factors of pearls, the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls, and much more.
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How to Tell If a Diamond Is Natural or Lab Grown
How can I know if my diamond is real? This is a question we get all the time, and it’s not as simple as you might think. First, you have to decide what “real” means. If you are not familiar with lab grown diamonds, you might want to check out our introduction to lab grown and synthetic diamonds before continuing with this article. So, now you know that lab grown diamonds are just as real as natural diamonds, but we still want to be able to tell them apart. When
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Gem in the Spotlight: Amethyst
… as hard as tourmaline, softer than sapphire and topaz, and harder than opal and tanzanite. This makes it a durable gemstone that is resistant to scratching and chipping. It is also resistant to heat and chemicals which means that it can … tears of wine in remorse for his actions. These tears stained the quartz purple, resulting in the creation of the gemstone known as amethyst. Amethyst has a long history of being used in jewelry and other decorative items. It was highly …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Blue Zircon
Zircon may be last in the alphabet of gemstones, but it is first in sparkle. The crystal structure of zircon creates one of the liveliest displays found in any … then other colored gems? Zircon has a high refractive index (1.92-2.01). The refractive index (abbreviated RI) of a gemstone is its optical property that refers to the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light through a …. Brown zircons can be transformed into colorless or blue zircons through heat treatments. Zircon is a durable gemstone with good hardness on the Mohs scale (6 to 7.5). However, Zircon has what is known as indistinct cleavage which creates a…
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Jewelry Repair FAQ
… related questions. If you have a question that you don’t see answered here, please contact us and let us know. A gemstone fell out of my ring. Will the new stone match the old one? We get this question all the time. People want their jewelry… to again. What is retipping, and why do I need it? In a large number of jewelry pieces, the valuable diamonds and gemstones are held in place with prongs. With wear, the tops of these prongs can become worn down. If the prongs wear down too …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine
…, aquamarine was believed to guarantee a happy marriage and inspire mutual fidelity in newlyweds. Notable Aquamarine Gemstones The largest gem-quality aquamarine gemstone ever mined was 19 inches long. The largest cut aquamarine is named the … that the stone is not damaged. Caring For and Cleaning Aquamarine To maintain the brilliance of this beautiful gemstone, it should be immersed in jewelry cleaner or in lukewarm soapy water and cleaned with a small bristle brush. Don’t use …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Sapphire
… her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to shine when worn by the wicked or impure. Known as the celestial gemstone, the sapphire has been treasured for thousands of years. Known as the celestial gemstone, the sapphire has been …, which measures 10 on the Mohs scale, sapphire and ruby (9 on the Mohs scale) are the toughest and most durable gemstones. This toughness makes the sapphire a long lasting piece of jewelry as well as a useful industrial tool. One last legend…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Ruby
For much of human history, rubies have been the most prized gemstone. But, what is it about this red gem that has captivated our hearts and minds for so long? Is it ruby’s color? It’s … deeper? Whatever it is, ruby’s impact on humanity is broad and deep, with arguably the richest history of all gemstones. Gemology of Ruby Rubies are in the corundum gem family along with sapphires. Corundum is an extremely durable form of … properties have been known well for over 2,000 years. For much of human history, rubies have been the most prized gemstone. The ruby has always been a symbol of love, charity, and victory. The earliest cultures worshiped rubies, calling them…
