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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Loose gems”
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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Gem in the Spotlight: Peridot
…. If well cared for, Peridot jewelry can last generations. We have an excellent selection of Peridot jewelry and loose Peridot gems that we can set for you. Come by the shop to find your perfect Peridot is a lovely yellow-green gem with a rich history. Legend has it that Peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. The ancients called it the “gem of the sun”. It was believed that peridot could chase away evil …dissolve curses but only when set in gold. Peridot is the birthstone for August. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage. Peridot’s unique yellow-green color is very attractive. The name “Peridot” is …
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How to Tell If a Diamond Is Natural or Lab Grown
… are natural diamonds that are Type IIa, so it’s not a 100% conclusive test. Also, a diamond has to be completely loose (unmounted) to perform the test. Photoluminescence Spectroscopy and UV Radiation Going beyond the Type IIa test, more …
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Caring for and Cleaning Your Jewelry
… metals. This will take away the shine. Ammonia-based cleaners clean diamonds and gold well but they may hurt other gemstones. It is also not a good idea to soak jewelry for very long in ammonia-based cleaners. Some anti-bacteria cleaners…professions especially). It is safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner with diamond jewelry. Ultrasonic’s can damage other gemstones, know for certain it is safe to use. Ethyl alcohol is good for rinsing diamonds because it evaporates so …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… same stone). Gemology of Opal Opal’s captivating dance of colors is a result of its unique internal structure. This gemstone is composed of tiny silica spheres arranged in a pattern, which diffract light and create the spectacular play … opal”. Opal has a refractive index of 1.37 – 1.47 and a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6. This makes it one of the softest gemstones commonly used in jewelry. For reference, here are the Mohs hardness values for some other gemstones you may know: …
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How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
… so making artificial carbon crystal was the problem of lab grown diamonds. For decades, manufacturers of synthetic gemstones tried growing diamonds like they grew rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It failed. Then they had the idea to grow…, more modern cubic and split-sphere presses have been introduced which are more efficient, and larger, more perfect gems are being produced. As of the time of this writing, the largest gem quality, faceted, lab grown diamond has been …
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How to Value Inherited Jewelry
…, brand, market demand, or other factors. One quick warning, many “cash for gold” businesses do not pay for the gems. So, their offer can be significantly lower than even the intrinsic value of a piece. We have even heard of cases where a… with a one carat diamond and $50 in scrap gold was valued at $50 by these operations. The intrinsic values for the gems are based on the cash wholesale price of the gem minus any cost for re-cutting or re-polishing the gem if it is worn …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Alexandrite
… than sapphire, emerald, or even ruby, alexandrite has been known around the world as one of the most sought-after gems for the better part of 200 years. But, what makes this stone so special? Gemology of Alexandrite Alexandrite is the …. Alexandrite isn’t the only stone to display color-change phenomena. There are color-change varieties of many gems including sapphire, tourmaline, spinel, garnet, etc. Alexandrite is, however, the most famous for it. It is so famous, in …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Sapphire
Few gems capture the imagination as does sapphire. Sapphire’s beauty inspired people to wonder. Ancient cultures had many … a giant sapphire whose reflection gave the sky its color. Ancient priests and sorcerers honored sapphire above all gems, for this stone enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future. Symbolizing truth, sincerity and tradition… her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to shine when worn by the wicked or impure. Known as the celestial gemstone, the sapphire has been treasured for thousands of years. Known as the celestial gemstone, the sapphire has been …
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The Birthstones
… midst of cold, white (valley fog) and at times stark surroundings are rewarded with one of the most varying birth gemstones, Garnet. Garnet’s pizzazz energizes the gloomiest day. Garnet varieties brighten the world in colors of yellow to…was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it! The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety. The Amethyst was credited with many other extraordinary attributes. Among its reputed…
