Search Results

Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)

1. Frequently Asked Question about Jewelry

   FJU Category: General Info | Tags: Diamond Information, Gemology, Jewelry Style

   … reach this level of trust. For more information see our Custom Design page . What are the 4 C’s? The four C’s are Carat Weight, Cut, Color and Clarity. Carat is the weight of a gem. A carat equals 1/5 of one gram. Cut has two components … from the Latin filum, thread, and granum, grain. What is the SI3 grade? The GIA Diamond clarity-scale refers to how clean, or free of imperfections a Diamond is. The GIA standard for the clarity scale consists of: FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, …

2. 

   Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz

   FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Amethyst, Citrine, Gem Spotlight, Gemology, Onyx, Prasiolite, Quartz

   … Gemology of Quartz Quartz is known for its durability with a Mohs hardness rating of 7 (harder than opal and peridot but softer than topaz or sapphire). This makes it a fairly hard gemstone that is resistant to scratching and chipping. It …quartz, others are exotic like Drusy Quartz. Some quartz material is a dollar per pound while others are $1,000+ per carat. Quartz is a gemstone with surprising variety. The most important reason for this variety is that quartz comes in 3 …

3. Measuring Gold Weight

   FJU Category: Jewelry Metals | Tags: Fun, Gold Information, Trivia

   …in the avoirdupois, troy, and apothecaries systems. Surprisingly it is identical in all three systems.” 4 grains = 1 carat; 24 grains =1 pennyweight; 480 grains = 1 troy ounce; 15.432 grains = 1 gram. “Although we have stated above that … gold? Some say gold because it is heavier. Others say they are both a pound so they weigh the same. Both are wrong. How can this be? Tradition. Gold is not weighed in the ordinary weights. Gold is weighed in the troy measurement system…

4. 

   Gem in the Spotlight: Topaz

   FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Colored Gemstones, Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology, Jewelry History, Topaz

   … Foul Bay, Egypt (now called Zabargad). Of course, topaz isn’t found there, but the island used to be a source for peridot which was confused with topaz before modern gemology. In ancient times, topaz was believed to protect its wearer. … “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 such. It wasn’t until many years later that more modern testing identified …

5. 

   Gem in the Spotlight: Emerald

   FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Emerald, Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology

   … structure. Hollywood celebrities have had a fondness for emeralds for many years. Elizabeth Taylor received a 23.46 carat emerald and diamond pendant/brooch from her future husband Richard Burton during the shooting of Cleopatra . She …, setting the record for the most expensive emerald jewelry ever sold at auction. The Chalk Emerald is a famous 37.8 carat emerald known for its clarity and rich green color. It was donated to the Smithsonian by Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk …

6. 

   Gem in the Spotlight: Opal

   FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology, Opal

   …, here are the Mohs hardness values for some other gemstones you may know: Diamond 10, Sapphire 9, Amethyst 7, and Peridot 6. Turquoise is about as hard as opal, but you would need to consider Pearl or Amber (both 2.5) to find a commonly … renowned for its extraordinary play of colors and its rarity. This opal is quite large, weighing approximately 180 carats (36 grams) and measuring 3 x 1.8 inches long. Its size and quality make it an exceptionally valuable gemstone. Care …

7. 

   Gem in the Spotlight: Amethyst

   FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Amethyst, Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology, Jewelry History

   …Notable Stones One of the most famous amethyst stones is in The Morris Amethyst Brooch which is set with a large 96 carat heart shaped amethyst. It resides in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural …used in jewelry. Purple 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 …

8. 

   How to Value Inherited Jewelry

   FJU Category: Selling Jewelry | Tags: Appraisal, Estate Jewelry, How To, Inherited Jewelry, Jewelry Buying, Selling Jewelry

   …be significantly lower than even the intrinsic value of a piece. We have even heard of cases where a ring with a one carat diamond and $50 in scrap gold was valued at $50 by these operations. The intrinsic values for the gems are based on … means that the current owner could only find a willing buyer at that price. So, how can we fairly determine how much a piece of jewelry is worth? The Standards of Jewelry Value The standard of value establishes the dollar value of a …