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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “How to check loose stones”
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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… F. Kunz. He documented reports about the tourmaline deposits of Maine and California and praised the quality of the stones they produced. Along with opal, tourmaline is October’s birthstone. Care and Cleaning of Tourmaline Tourmaline makes… daily wear. Because it isn’t exceptionally hard (Mohs hardness of 7-7.5), it should be stored away from other gemstones that could potentially damage it. Tourmaline should not be put into an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaned, and should …
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The History of Diamond Cuts
…recorded statements about diamonds is: “the substance that possesses the greatest value, not only among the precious stones, but of all human possessions.” said by Pliny, the Roman historian. The story of the diamond cut is the story of … irregular shape cut a crude Old Mine cut. Old Mine cut is the last cut where individual cutters took liberty with how the facets are laid out. Some look like a modern round brilliant (in layout, not in angles or shapes) and others …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz
… 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 rare. Some are ordinary like rock quartz, others are exotic like Drusy Quartz. Some …create a dim light which is often called cold fire, as it creates enough light to see, but no heat. Famous Quartz Gemstones Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the earth’s crust, but there are still many noteworthy examples that …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tsavorite Garnet
… is also a very rare gemstone. It is uncommon to find Tsavorite in sizes larger than five carats, and most faceted stones are below two carats. By some estimates, Tsavorite is around 200 times rarer than the much better known Emerald. … doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. So, a proper name was definitely in order. The nomenclature of gemstones follows certain rules, and according to modern mineralogical methods, gemstones are given a name which ends in “-ite”. In honor …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Jade
Jade has one of the richest heritages of all gemstones. People have been using jade from as early as 6,000 BC, and it has been an incredibly important part of Asian, … far are dyed quartz, glass, and plastic. These imitations can be identified quickly by a trained gemologist. Other stones that have been confused with jade over the years are chrysoprase, serpentine, maw sit sit, and hydrogrossular garnet… hardness is its resistance to scratching. This may seem like splitting hairs, but it actually has a big impact on how gems are worn and what they can handle. We all know diamonds are the hardest gem commonly available on earth. If you …
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Platinum
… an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, either on its own or as the setting for diamonds and other precious gemstones. Platinum jewelry does not fade or tarnish and keeps its looks for a lifetime. Platinum’s purity makes it … wear. Its density and weight make it a durable jewelry metal. Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. Like all precious metals, platinum scratches. However, the scratch on a platinum piece is merely a …
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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 … of Zircon Since it has been known from antiquity, Zircon has a rich mythology. Zircon is one of December’s birthstones. In the middle ages, Zircon was said to aid in resting, induce sound sleep, drive away evil spirits, bring prosperity, … Zircon care and cleaning is simple: avoid steamers or ultrasonic cleaners. This is particularly important with stones that may have been color enhanced (like most Blue Zircon). Also, avoid the use of harsh cleaning chemicals or agents, …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Alexandrite
…emerald because of how exceptional the green was in daylight. Named after the Russian prince Alexander II, the first stones discovered were of unmatched quality and had a dramatic color change. While alexandrite is still being mined today … high-quality stone will last for generations. Why Alexandrite? Alexandrite is simply one of the most magnificent gemstones that exists. Its almost magical ability to change color has captivated our hearts and minds for generations. …