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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “what does ci on a ring mean”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… as their concentration, different colors will be present. Copper, manganese, chromium, and vanadium are the key coloring agents in tourmaline. Another unique facet of tourmaline is its ability to become electrically charged in certain … in submarines. History and Lore of Tourmaline The name tourmaline comes from the Singhalese word turamali, which means “mixed gems” owing to the fact that the gem can look like many others. Tourmaline was first discovered in 1554 in …
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Anatomy of a Ring
Knowing the different parts of a ring can help you make a better decision when choosing a new ring and it can help you know when your ring may need … ring has a shank. This is the technical term for the band of metal that encircles the finger. There would be no ring without the shank. If the ring has a distinct design feature on the top part, the ring shank is generally said to start … point that the design stops. A jeweler will usually add or remove metal from the bottom of the shank when sizing a ring. This can sometimes be done so well that you would never know it was sized looking at the shank with your naked eye. …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
… and deeper than many tanzanites. Iolite’s name comes from its violet color. It is from the Greek word “ios” meaning violet. Unlike many other popular gems, iolite cannot be heat treated to enhance its color. The color you see is the … different colors when observed at different angles, especially with polarized light. Pleochroism is caused by differing absorption of light rays in doubly refractive crystals. Thus, no singly refractive gemstone can exhibit pleochroism. …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tanzanite
…a gemstone. Tanzanite has them both. In fact, it is estimated that Tanzanite is 1,000 times rarer than diamond. But, what makes Tanzanite so popular is its color. Tanzanite’s gorgeous color is a captivating mix of blue and purple. The …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 …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Pearl
… changed hands many times, and was owned by several famous figures, including Napoleon III and Elizabeth Taylor. During Taylor’s ownership, the pearl was set into a necklace designed by Cartier, which also included diamonds and rubies. … once part of a larger piece of jewelry that also included the Hope Diamond, and that the two gems were separated during the French Revolution. Today, the Hope Pearl is owned by a private collector and is occasionally displayed at museums…
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Art Deco vs. Art Nouveau Style Jewelry
… influence everywhere. They are also important guide posts that can aid in dating vintage and antique jewelry. So, what are these two movements all about, and where did they come from? Origins and Historical Context Originating in the … 19th century (1890 – 1910), Art Nouveau emerged as a rebellion against the academic art of the time. It sought to bring the natural world into artistic design, emphasizing flowing lines, asymmetrical forms, and motifs inspired by plants…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… shall see the living fire of the ruby, the glorious purple of the amethyst, the sea green of the emerald, all glittering together in an incredible mixture of light.” During the Middle Ages, opal gained an interesting reputation for … of illness, particularly the plague. In Arabian cultures, opal was considered a celestial gift that rained down during lightning storms and carried with it the magic of the heavens. Arguably the most famous opal of all time is “Aurora …
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Gem in the Spotlight: 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 extremely rare, color-change variety of a gem …’s crystal structure. It absorbs most wavelengths of light very well, only transmitting green and red light. This means that depending on the light source the stone will reflect more of the accent colors of light. Since fluorescent light …
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Synthetic Gems: The Whole Story
…rare in their stunning beauty. These four gems have been coveted by rulers and the rich for thousands of years. But, what if anyone could own them? At gem shows and museums, I have seen jaw dropping rubies, sapphires and emeralds. These … price. Just a one carat gem could cost $3,000 and more. Most of the time people don’t wear them as an engagement ring where people can spend over $10,000 routinely. The answer was to find a less expensive way to have these gems. It took …
