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Styles of Earring Backs

FJU Category: General Info | Tags: Comparison, Earring Backs, Stud Earrings

Earrings come in many different styles. Here we will explore the more common types of earring backs, highlighting some of … 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 interested in expanding your general jewelry knowledge. … Backs) Also called “butterfly backs,” and sometimes “push backs.” These are undoubtedly the most common style of earring back. They work on earrings with posts, using friction to secure the earring in place–hence the name. Often times the …

Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite

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

…absolutely wonderful in jewelry. The subtle range of hues from blue to violet makes for elegant rings, pendants, and earrings. All in all, iolite is a great … pleochroic and will exhibit a different color when viewed at different angles.  Pleochroism is an optical phenomenon in which a substance appears to be different colors when observed at different angles, especially with polarized light… for this purpose. On a cloudy day, without being able to see the sun, iolite was used to find north. This phenomenon can still be observed today. However, if you ever need to find north, I would recommend a different approach. Just use …

Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline

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

… birthstone. Care and Cleaning of Tourmaline Tourmaline makes a great gem in a ring for occasional wear or a pendant/earrings for daily wear. Because it isn’t exceptionally hard (Mohs hardness of 7-7.5), it should be stored away from other … to display this unique property. One of tourmaline’s most distinctive traits is its ability to be multicolored as mentioned above with watermelon tourmaline. The gemological term for this is parti-colored tourmaline. This includes bi-…

Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine

FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Aquamarine, Birthstones, Colored Gemstones, Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology

… says, “to dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends.” Another saying is, “to wear aquamarine earrings brings love and affection.” Aquamarine as a precious stone has always been popular. In ancient times, the aquamarine was …, and control passion. In the body, aquamarine was thought to reduce swelling, prevent convulsions, heal liver ailments, calm nerves, and strengthen many organs. Spiritually, aquamarine has been used in meditation to enhance clarity of …

Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel

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

… spinel is a great choice for all forms of jewelry. We recommend occasional wear for rings and bracelets, but earrings and pendants are suitable for daily wear. Spinel can come in virtually any color of the rainbow which is one of the … as more than just “looks like ruby but isn’t.” A special variety of spinel called magnetite contains trace elements of iron and is naturally magnetic. This unique property made it especially valuable, and it was used hundreds of years …

Gem in the Spotlight: Alexandrite

FJU Category: Gemstones | Tags: Colored Gemstones, Folklore, Gem Spotlight, Gemology, Rarity

… natural alexandrite’s tremendous value and rarity, it is recommended to be worn carefully or put in jewelry such as earrings or pendants that are less prone to impacts than rings, for example. Alexandrite isn’t the only stone to display … incandescent light, candle, and firelight, alexandrite appears purplish-red. This is because of how the trace element chromium interacts with alexandrite’s crystal structure. It absorbs most wavelengths of light very well, only …