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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “History”
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The History of Diamond Cuts
…they show it in a dome effect. The Modern Round Brilliant Cut Now, we are nearing the end of our journey through the history of diamond cuts. The modern round brilliant cut is a product of math and science. Marcel Tolkowsky analyzed diamond … chosen diamond cut for engagement rings and other jewelry. We hope you have enjoyed this exploration of diamond history. What’s your favorite old diamond cut? Let us know in the comments below, and stop by the shop to see real life examples…
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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 captivated our hearts and …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 … thought of as the largest cut ruby) at the center of the British Imperial State Crown, is actually a red spinel. History and Lore of Ruby The first discoveries of ruby date back to 2,500 B.C. They were found alongside stone age tools in …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Amethyst
… has long been considered a royal color, so it is not surprising that amethyst has been in so much demand throughout history. Gemology Amethyst is a variety of quartz that is colored by the presence iron and aluminum. The violet color of … refractive. It has a vitreous polish luster and its specific gravity is 2.66. Its chemical composition is SiO2. History and Lore The rich history of amethyst dates all the way back to ancient Greek mythology. The word “amethystos,” is …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Jade
… as early as 6,000 BC, 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… gems. This is because even small differences in color or imperfections can drastically change the value of the gem. History and Lore of Jade Jade’s incredible toughness has made it a useful tool throughout history. During the Stone Age of …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
… systems. It even has the potential to make its way onto our smartphones as a super durable, glass-like covering. History and Lore of Spinel Spinel is arguably the most overlooked and underappreciated gemstone of all time. Spinel has been … spinel jewelry can’t last for generations even becoming a treasured family heirloom. Why Spinel? Despite its long history spinel is relatively new to jewelry in the sense that it is only recently getting attention on its own and not just …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Pearl
Pearls have captured the imagination and adoration of people from diverse backgrounds throughout history. They are both simple and infinitely complex. Let’s explore the science, history, and lore surrounding this most … look like pearls but are in fact a different material altogether (e.g. plastic, shell, or some type of composite). History and Notable Pearls Pearl is the traditional birthstone of June and is a favorite gem for weddings. Natural pearls … accessible. The La Peregrina pearl is one of the most famous natural pearls in the world, and it has a fascinating history that spans over 500 years. The pearl was first discovered off the coast of Panama in the 16th century. Over the years…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… used in early sonar systems in the First World War as well as in extremely sensitive pressure gauges in submarines. History and Lore of Tourmaline The name tourmaline comes from the Singhalese word turamali, which means “mixed gems” owing …idea of buying a gem mined locally, right here in California . Maybe you just appreciate the vibrant colors and rich history of this very special gem. Whatever your reason, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful piece of tourmaline jewelry, and…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz
… is the “Berns Quartz,” named after the donors that donated it to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. It is an 8,000 pound (yes you read that correctly) slab of natural clear quartz and is one of the largest clusters ever …, eras, and peoples. They are heralded in the Bible, Ancient Egypt, China, India, and many other civilizations. History is full of people who took power and comfort from one or another variety of quartz. So many of the quartz varieties …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Emerald
… are not necessarily considered flaws but rather add character and uniqueness to the stone. At this point in history, almost every emerald has had some level of treatment to make the fractures less visible. It is so common that if the stone …is released back into the chamber and the filler is cured (some cure in ovens and some cure from UV light exposure). History and Lore of Emerald Emeralds have been revered for thousands of years and have been associated with many different …
