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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “loose gemstone”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Morganite
Morganite is a beautiful, soft pink gemstone and a graceful expression of elegance. It is not a very well-known gem, but it definitely should be. It is pastel or…salmon. It is the subtle, understated nature of Morganite’s color that sets it apart from many of the more popular gemstones. Morganite has an impressive family tree. It is a beryl gem which puts it in the same family as emerald and … pink variety of beryl “Morganite”. It has good hardness, durability, luster, and brilliance which make it a great gemstone for jewelry. For the gem nerds out there, here are a few of the gemological properties of Morganite. Its durability is…
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Frequently Asked Question about Jewelry
… Certificate and an Appraisal? A Diamond Certificate is a document issued by a Gemological Laboratory describing a Loose Diamond. The laboratory will not issue certificates on Diamonds which are set in a mounting. A Diamond Certificate … period of time, assuming the Diamond does not chip or is not otherwise altered. An appraisal can be performed on a loose Diamond, a mounted stone, or jewelry. If the stone is not loose, the physical properties are estimated using various …
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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
… not intended for everyday wear. Rings take more abuse than necklaces or earrings, so wear your pearls rings for special occasions to help them last. Restring Often: Even following all of these rules most pearl strands will stretch, loosen, and discolor over time. We recommend that you have your strand checked once a year. If the silk thread is starting to wear out, it’s best to have them restrung before it breaks. Pearl Vocabulary There is a lot to know when you are …
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Is a Lab Grown Diamond Right for Me?
Picking a diamond for your engagement ring is a big decision. For most of us, buying a diamond is a significant financial undertaking, and we want to get it right. Unfortunately, understanding diamonds takes a lot of specialized knowledge that most people don’t have (anyone remember their refractive indexes from high school physics?). Even more unfortunately, the diamond industry suffers from a lot of misinformation and paranoia both from inside the trade and from outside observers. I have heard people say that natural diamonds come with a 400% mark up,
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Fake Diamonds: The Great Diamond Attack
A popular game show would have three people all say that they were someone and the contestant would try to find out who was the real person. Technology has created many new diamonds and diamond lookalikes. “What is a real diamond?” is a difficult question these days. And the problem of separating a fully natural diamond from all the modern possibilities is quite demanding. So what is a real diamond? Let’s start with the older diamond look a likes, (CZ, GGG, YAG, Synthetic corundum and spinal, Glass) or simulants are
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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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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 …
