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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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What to Do When Your Ring Irritates Your Skin
Nothing is more frustrating than being unable to wear your engagement ring or other jewelry because it irritates your skin. Don…. There are many options you have when faced with this problem. The first step is to try to determine what the cause of the irritation is. There are actually several different possible causes and it’s easy to waste a lot of time and … solutions if you don’t know what the true source of the problem is. There are two main types of irritation: 1) Physical irritation caused by the metal rubbing against the skin, and 2) allergic reactions to jewelry. These types of …
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Platinum
Everything you ever wanted to know (and more) about Platinum and its use in jewelry. Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. Platinum‘…rich, white luster enhances the brilliance and will maintain its shining luminosity forever, unlike other white metals which can, in time, turn yellow or tarnish. Platinum belongs to the noble and precious metals family. It is …tarnishing and discoloration due to chlorine and other chemicals. These factors, along with its strength and white luster, have made platinum an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, either on its own or as the setting for diamonds …
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The Magic of Polarized Light
We use polarized light on a daily basis when we put on our sunglasses, turn on our TV, or sit down at our computer. But, … light exactly, and why is my jeweler writing about it? It turns out that polarized light is actually a very useful tool in gemology, and in this article we’ll show you why. What Is Polarized Light? Light from almost any light source … directions, and the vibrations around each ray of light are random. This is called unpolarized light. In the gemological world, this would be any light source that we use on a regular basis (e.g. overhead reflected light or a daylight…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Ruby
For much of human history, rubies have been the most prized gemstone. But, what is it about this red gem that has … so long? Is it ruby’s color? It’s rarity, and thereby its high cost? Or, is it something deeper? Whatever it is, ruby’s impact on humanity is broad and deep, with arguably the richest history of all gemstones. Gemology of Ruby Rubies … are in the corundum gem family along with sapphires. Corundum is an extremely durable form of aluminum oxide with a Moh’s hardness of 9. This makes ruby one of the hardest gems commonly used in jewelry second only to diamond (which …
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Styles of Earring Backs
Earrings come in many different styles. Here we will explore the more common types of earring backs, highlighting some of the…. Maybe you have a style in mind and don’t know the proper name for it. Maybe you are looking for the perfect gift. Maybe you are having trouble with your current earrings and are looking for alternatives. Or maybe you are simply … in expanding your general jewelry knowledge. Keep reading; we have your answers. Friction Backs (Butterfly Backs) Also called “butterfly backs,” and sometimes “push backs.” These are undoubtedly the most common style of earring back. …
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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 … displays found in any colored gem. In fact, before any of the manmade diamond simulates were made, the colorless version of zircon was used in jewelry to mimic diamond. Why? Natural zircon is known for its scintillation, brilliance, …, and flashes of color or fire just like diamond. Zircon also is known for its variety of colors. Blue zircon is the most popular color. But, zircon can be almost any color you can imagine including red, yellow, orange, brown, green, …
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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 … answered quartz to all these questions you would be right (but naturally you looked at the title and knew). Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth. Many quartz varieties are cut into gemstones, but some varieties are very … like rock 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 …
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Brands and Designer Jewelry
Status, style, and quality are the three attributes that luxury jewelry brands are known for. Jewelry brands or … a high standard to live up to or they are abandoned. There is no excuse for poor execution, and most deliver the style and quality their followers expect. Style Jewelry styles must look good and be wearable. A particular piece may be … very well made and last for years, but if it goes out of fashion, people won’t generally want to wear it. It is important that a jewelry brand changes to avoid becoming dated. Some jewelry designers can adapt, others cannot. When a …
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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 …. 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… 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, or that most mined diamonds are conflict diamonds (both wild falsehoods). On the other hand, I…
