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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Natural alexandrite-jewelry”
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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Styles of Earring Backs
… children may prefer an even more secure style. It also may compromise the security if the back does not properly fit the post, or through years of wear. Screw Backs (Threaded Backs) Occasionally called “threaded backs.” These are the natural upgrade from the friction back for those looking for a more secure option. The post is threaded and the back screws onto it, making a very secure mechanism that will keep your earring in your ear. PROS Security – Screw backs are among…
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The Difference Between White Gold and Platinum
… over 24. An example is a 14-karat gold wedding ring. It is 14/24, which equals 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy. The white color is achieved by a careful choice of the alloying metals, which bleach the yellow of pure gold. Platinum is a naturally white metal. It does not need to be alloyed for color. Jewelry platinum is typically an alloy containing 90% to 95% platinum and the balance alloy. Iridium or ruthenium is often used as a hardener alloy. Platinum is usually marked with…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tanzanite
… Gemologists refer to this gem as blue zoisite. The vast majority (current estimates are around 95%) of tanzanite is heat treated to help bring out the vibrant blues. The stones that haven’t been heated by humans were heated through natural effects while they were still underground. Without heating, most tanzanite would be a brown color, similar to smoky quartz. The very small percentage of tanzanite that isn’t heated and is still pretty enough for jewelry displays …
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Platinum
Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. Platinum's 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 is rare, the coveted treasure of discerning individuals. Platinum is one of the strongest and most enduring metals. Some of the world's greatest treasures are set in platinum, such as the Hope Diamond.
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Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz
… and sometimes unattainably expensive? If you 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 … 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 …
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What to Do When Your Ring Irritates Your Skin
There are many solutions when your ring or other jewelry causes skin irritation. The key is to correctly determine the cause of the irritation, and then decide on a solution that works for you. It can be as simple and sizing the ring, removing solder, smoothing out rough spots, or rhodium plating. Or, you may need to consider remaking your ring in a different metal. We are here to help you decide what course is best for you.
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… training and equipment will be able to detect this treatment. Opals can also sometimes be dyed, giving them an unnatural but fascinating body color such as a vibrant green or pink. Some opals that have cracked can sometimes be reused by …. This is also a good time to discuss doublet and triplet opals. These gems are manufactured using a thin slice of natural opal. In doublets, a lapidarist will use a piece of ironstone or black onyx and glue the fragile piece of opal to it …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Topaz
…re both crazy, it’s like a beautiful peach.” Then, a passerby contributes, “You all are nuts, it’s like a rainbow with all the colors at once.” And of course, all of them are right. History and Lore Topaz in its pure form is naturally colorless, clear like a diamond. The famous “Braganza Diamond” was thought to be the largest diamond ever found (prior to the Cullinan Diamond) at 1,680 carats and was set in the Portuguese crown jewels as such. It wasn’t until many years …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Peridot
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 spirits and 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 simply a French word derived from the Arabic for green. Peridot’s
