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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “History”
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The History of Diamond Cuts
…they show it in a dome effect. The Modern Round Brilliant Cut Now, we are nearing the end of our journey through the history of diamond cuts. The modern round brilliant cut is a product of math and science. Marcel Tolkowsky analyzed diamond … chosen diamond cut for engagement rings and other jewelry. We hope you have enjoyed this exploration of diamond history. What’s your favorite old diamond cut? Let us know in the comments below, and stop by the shop to see real life examples…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Amethyst
… has long been considered a royal color, so it is not surprising that amethyst has been in so much demand throughout history. Gemology Amethyst is a variety of quartz that is colored by the presence iron and aluminum. The violet color of … refractive. It has a vitreous polish luster and its specific gravity is 2.66. Its chemical composition is SiO2. History and Lore The rich history of amethyst dates all the way back to ancient Greek mythology. The word “amethystos,” is …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Jade
… as early as 6,000 BC, and it has been an incredibly important part of Asian, Central American, and North American history ever since. But, what is jade, and what has given it such a prominent place in human history? The term “jade” actually… gems. This is because even small differences in color or imperfections can drastically change the value of the gem. History and Lore of Jade Jade’s incredible toughness has made it a useful tool throughout history. During the Stone Age of …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… used in early sonar systems in the First World War as well as in extremely sensitive pressure gauges in submarines. History and Lore of Tourmaline The name tourmaline comes from the Singhalese word turamali, which means “mixed gems” owing …idea of buying a gem mined locally, right here in California . Maybe you just appreciate the vibrant colors and rich history of this very special gem. Whatever your reason, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful piece of tourmaline jewelry, and…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
… systems. It even has the potential to make its way onto our smartphones as a super durable, glass-like covering. History and Lore of Spinel Spinel is arguably the most overlooked and underappreciated gemstone of all time. Spinel has been … spinel jewelry can’t last for generations even becoming a treasured family heirloom. Why Spinel? Despite its long history spinel is relatively new to jewelry in the sense that it is only recently getting attention on its own and not just …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Topaz
…A third friend will chime in, “You’re both crazy, it’s like a beautiful peach.” Then, a passerby contributes, “You all are nuts, it’s like a rainbow with all the colors at once.” And of course, all of them are right. History and Lore Topaz in its pure form is naturally colorless, clear like a diamond. The famous “Braganza Diamond” was thought to be the largest diamond ever found (prior to the Cullinan Diamond) at 1,680 carats and was set in the Portuguese crown jewels as …
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How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
… lead into gold, many have tried to achieve this impressive feat. We have only recently been able to produce gem quality, lab grown diamonds that are large enough to be used in jewelry. But, how is it done? Early Efforts Throughout history, many people have claimed to have successfully synthesized diamonds. However, it was not until relatively recently that a documented and reproducible process was demonstrated. Henri Moissan was one of the early pioneers in the field. In …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
Iolite is maybe not the first gemstone people think of for their blue-violet jewelry, but it should be near the top of the list. Iolite’s color range of blue, blue-violet, and violet competes for public attention with sapphire, tanzanite, and amethyst. They may have name recognition, but iolite has a rich, unique color and great gem value on its side. It is more subtlety nuanced than amethyst and deeper than many tanzanites. Iolite’s name comes from its violet color. It is from the Greek word “ios” meaning violet. Unlike many
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Gem in the Spotlight: Alexandrite
…-change itself is often called “The Alexandrite Effect.” Stunning color change on a natural alexandrite. Alexandrite History and Lore Alexandrite was first found in the Ural Mountains in Russia in the 1830s. When it was first discovered by a… to the quality of those found in the Ural Mountains. While alexandrite doesn’t have a several thousand-year-old history like ruby, it quickly took the world by storm. Its use in top-quality pieces by companies like Tiffany & Co. and …