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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “What does ci mark mean”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz
What is common and yet rare? What is well known but surprising? What is affordably priced sometimes and sometimes … of Quartz The microcrystalline varieties have a long tradition of being special to people. Microcrystalline means that the stone is made up of smaller crystals and not one big crystal. Sometimes you can see this structure with your naked…fairly hard gemstone that is resistant to scratching and chipping. It is also resistant to heat and chemicals, which means that it can withstand daily wear and tear very well. All quartz has the same refractive index at 1.54-1.55 and is …
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How to Tell If a Diamond Is Natural or Lab Grown
…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 … organizations that are upfront about their products. Some even laser inscribe all of their diamonds to clearly mark them as lab grown. The Type IIa Test That said, we would still like to be able to tell if a diamond is natural or lab …
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The Difference Between White Gold and Platinum
…careful choice of the alloying metals, which bleach the yellow of pure gold. Platinum is a naturally white metal. It does not need to be alloyed for color. Jewelry platinum is typically an alloy containing 90% to 95% platinum and the … as a hardener alloy. Platinum is usually marked with .900 or .950 to mark its fineness. Some manufacturers state what alloy they are using like 90% Platinum 10% Iridium. How white gold and platinum start out is one of the key differences…
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Is a Lab Grown Diamond Right for Me?
… from inside the trade and from outside observers. I have heard people say that natural diamonds come with a 400% mark up, or that most mined diamonds are conflict diamonds (both wild falsehoods). On the other hand, I have heard some in …). We’re here to help cut through some of the rhetoric, so you can make an informed and logical decision about what kind of diamond is right for you. First of all, if you’re not sure what a lab grown or synthetic diamond is, please check …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Jade
…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 refers to two …, but its beauty and cultural importance have landed it a spot as one of the most important items in the global gem market. In fact, jadeite is often sold by the individual piece instead of by weight like most gems. This is because even …
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Art Deco vs. Art Nouveau Style Jewelry
… influence everywhere. They are also important guide posts that can aid in dating vintage and antique jewelry. So, what are these two movements all about, and where did they come from? Origins and Historical Context Originating in the …and the human form. Art Nouveau, also referred to as Jugendstil and Stile Liberty among many other monikers, simply means “New Art” and it impacted almost every artistic medium. Jewelry makers embraced materials such as enamel, horn, and …
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Types of Necklace Chains
…. You can wear one everyday and not think twice about it, or it can be your most treasured piece of jewelry. But, what kind of chain is best for you? In this article we’ll introduce you to the staggering variety of necklace (and bracelet…, it is easy to see why rope chains are so popular. PROS Durability – The redundant links in a solid rope chain means that even if one or two of the links fail, the chain can still hold together. Flexibility – Rope chains are very …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… proper care opals can last for generations. Opals have very high water content, typically hovering around the 5-10% mark. As opals dry out over time they can sometimes crack at the surface, which is called crazing. As of this writing … (see above). Other names for this kind of opal include: jelly opal and water opal. Australian Opal: This is a somewhat vague term that can be used to describe any opal that comes from Australia. In everyday conversation, some people use …
