Do you know your diamond cuts and shapes? ? https://bit.ly/2BrDXLV
BEYOND4CS.COM
Different Types of Diamond Cuts Explained (With Images & Videos)
Did you know that gold is edible?
But don't try and eat your jewelry. Not only is it a waste of beautiful jewelry, but it also has inedible metals in it.
Writers have compared opals to volcanoes, galaxies, and fireworks. Admirers gave extraordinary opals poetic names like Pandora, Light of the World, and Empress. In ancient Rome, this gem symbolized love and hope. The Romans gave it a name - Opalus - that meant “precious stone.”
GEMSOCIETY.ORG
Opal Symbolism and Legends - International Gem Society
When in doubt, get the biggest ones!
Hoop, tassel, drop - when it comes to this years trends, we're all ears!
Whether it be a diamond, ruby, or sapphire, all gemstones possess a distinct beauty. Despite this, the fact is that some gems are rarer than others. Here is the list of the 10 most valuable gemstones in the world.
THESPRUCECRAFTS.COM
10 Gems Rarer and More Valuable Than Diamonds
Gem Genius: Adularescence
Adularescnece is a quality of gems like moonstone which causes an iridescent luster beneath a gem's surface. This effect is achieved as light reflects between layers of minerals within a gem.
Gem Genius: Pleochroism
While not exclusive to gems, pleochroism describes a characteristic of certain gems involving color shifting. Pleochroic gems like tanzanite appear to switch between 2 or more colors depending on how light hits them.
With every birthstone comes a legend. It's fun to hear what the legend behind your particular birthstone is and if it somehow pertains to you and your life. So what month were you born?
BURKEMUSEUM.ORG
The Science and Legends of Birthstones
Gemstones are typically made from thousands of years of pressure and heat application. But the most classic of the gemstones, the pearl, is the only gemstone that comes from a living animal. Looking to purchase pearls for yourself or a loved one? Drop us a line!
If you've spent any time shopping for engagement rings, you likely know the 4 Cs of diamonds, but did you know that inclusions in both a VVS and a VS diamond are imperceptible to the human eye? Yet, price differences can be as high as 30%. Understanding inclusion grades can help inform your purchase.
4CS.GIA.EDU
VVS Diamond versus VS Diamond: What’s the Difference in Diamond Clarity?
Natural Pearls vs. Cultured Pearls: How are they different?
Think of cultured pearls as "farmed" pearls while natural pearls are "wild-caught" pearls. They grow in the same way, but cultured pearls occur because a "seed" is planted in a particular oyster. Natural pearls occur without any intervention by humans. They tend to form more organic and unusual shapes. With less than 2% perfect spheres or symmetrical.
Although most black diamonds on the market today are either superheated or irradiated to an almost black color, natural black diamonds do exist, though they are extremely rare.
4CS.GIA.EDU
Black Diamonds: What You Need to Know
Opal Myth: Opals are extremely fragile and will break very easily.
Fact: It's true that opals are more fragile than most gemstones, however, they're not as fragile as some people imagine. Opals are about the same hardness as glass, so imagine you're wearing a piece of glass and you'll get the idea.
Did you know that humans have been decorating themselves with gold since at least 4000 B.C.?
From Eastern Europe to the Middle East to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs, gold appears throughout the ancient world. A Stone Age woman found buried outside of London wore a strand of gold around her neck; Celts in the third century B.C. wore gold dental implants; a Chinese king who died in 128 B.C. was buried with gold-gilded chariots.
While brilliant cut is the standard for round diamonds today, there exist many other round cuts for those with unique tastes.
Rose and single round are two of the most popular non-brilliant round cuts. Rather than accentuate the refractive properties of the stone, they seek to highlight its clarity.
Did you know that some of the most valuable assets in your home may be unprotected?
We're talking about your fine jewelry: your diamond engagement ring, the vintage Rolex, the black-pearl necklace you picked up in Tahiti.
THEBALANCE.COM
Best Jewelry Insurance Options of 2021
Did you know some diamonds fluoresce blue under UV light?
Some believe that this can enhance the color of slightly yellow diamonds, while clouding otherwise clear, white diamonds. Ultimately, fluorescence has little effect on appearance or value of a diamond except in extreme cases.
Want to know just how special diamonds are? ?
Out of every 1,000 polished diamonds, only one will weigh more than a carat. A multi-carat diamond is truly something special!
Not only is that stone on your finger a valuable piece of jewelry, it also carries priceless sentimental value. For an item so important, knowing how to properly care for it is a must.
BRIDES.COM
How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring: 12 Dos and Don'ts
If you've read up on diamonds, you've probably heard popular cuts referred to as "brilliant". Brilliant cut refers to the use of numerous triangular facets, rather than few step-cut facets. Brilliant cut gems reflect more light, thus displaying greater "brilliance". Step-cuts like emerald cut gems, on the other hand, tend to highlight a gem's clarity, but are less dazzling.
