Though we associate Diamonds with Engagement Rings, in reality diamond engagement rings are a fairly modern invention. They really only became popular after about 1890. Diamond rings had been used by royalty for about 500 years prior to that, but were out of reach of the ordinary person. In the 20th century with a good supply of diamonds being found in Africa, diamonds became more readily available, leading to a decrease in their price. Even so, it was really only around the time of the 2nd world war that diamonds became the most popular, infact the usual stone for engagement rings.
Some people feel that as diamond are the hardest stone, therefore technically the most enduring of all gemstones they are the most fitting stone for an engagement ring. What do you think?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, September 5, 2008
A Little about the HARDNESS of DIAMONDS
When you see I call myself Aprilviolet, there would be no prizes for guessing that yes, I was born in April & yes, I do like diamonds. There is much that could be said on the subject of diamonds – just think of some of the songs that were popular in the 20th century. How romantic they seem. Yet it should be remembered that dispute all the hype surrounding diamonds – they are carbon! Yes, nothing more than humble carbon!
One of the most remarkable changes in nature is that of a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly. Likewise pressure changes ugly soft soot-black carbon into a diamond, the hardest occurring of all gemstones. Because of its hardness, centuries ago diamonds were not easily cut & so were more regarded for their hardness than their beauty. As an example the Bible mentioned gemstones in several places. Heaven is symbolically filled with different layers of precious stones to emphasis its beauty. By contrast the only two mentions of diamond in the Bible, at Jer 17:1 & Eze 3:9 both refer to its hardness.
The hardness of diamond is also it ‘Achillis Heel’. Being so hard it can easily shatter. Diamonds have been found in my homeland of Tasmania. Most were accidentally destroyed by the early prospectors in the 19th century. The myth was that you tested for diamond by hitting the stone with a hammer! The few that got it right knew that you tested diamond by trying to mark it with flint. If you could not mark the stone, it probably was a diamond. It is quite well known that on the Mohs scale diamonds are number 10; & therefore the only thing that will cut a diamond is another diamond.
There is much of a technical nature we could say about diamonds; & we will do so on a later occasion. For those of you who are eager to learn right away about the '4C's' follow this long link http://www.thegemlovers.com/index.php?pr=Tips_for_Buying_Your_Engagement_Ring & you'll learn some good stuff. Being so 'hard' diamonds make excellent gem stones for me as the example above illustrates nicely. To buy the above ring for any male gemlover (& don't we love them) go to http://www.thegemlovers.com/Diamonds_.php
Monday, August 20, 2007
A Little About AMBER
Here’s a question for your next trivia pursuit game – what materials used in jewellery have are made by living creatures? Perhaps after a bit of thinking someone will probably answer “pearls”. Of course that answer is correct; but pearls are not alone. There are a number of different corals used in jewellery; the gorgeous black coral of the South Pacific, Red coral known since ancient times & the exquisite crystal coral of Australia.
For a really good answer, few will think of, say Amber. Amber is the resin or pine sap of ancient plants. It is used in carvings, particularly by the Chinese, & is set in silver or occasionally gold rings, earrings, pendants & bracelets. Only a small amount of amber is considered good to excellent quality. Amber of variable colour is considered by some to be the most valuable. Some amber contains preserved insects – which apart from their scientific uses – (this blog is about jewellery, so do a ‘google’ yourself!!) can make an interesting & certainly conversation promoting addition to an item of jewellery.
Like many other gems today, amber can be heat treated to improve its colour & experiments have been done adding a little dye to its surface. Being of organic origin it is very important to avoid harsh chemicals if you are wearing amber jewellery. Ultrasonic cleaning etc is also a no-no with amber. If amber is not a ‘gemstone’ you’re aquainted with, now is the time for you to get to know it better. Amber comes in several shades from red/brown through to yellow & green & more. One very recent discovery of amber has been made in Australia. Not only is this the first time amber has been found here, but it is red in colour. We awaiting more details with batted breath. Meanwhile, check out the details of the examples above at http://www.thegemlovers.com/Gemstone_Jewellery.php click on the tigerseye, amber link.
For a really good answer, few will think of, say Amber. Amber is the resin or pine sap of ancient plants. It is used in carvings, particularly by the Chinese, & is set in silver or occasionally gold rings, earrings, pendants & bracelets. Only a small amount of amber is considered good to excellent quality. Amber of variable colour is considered by some to be the most valuable. Some amber contains preserved insects – which apart from their scientific uses – (this blog is about jewellery, so do a ‘google’ yourself!!) can make an interesting & certainly conversation promoting addition to an item of jewellery.
Like many other gems today, amber can be heat treated to improve its colour & experiments have been done adding a little dye to its surface. Being of organic origin it is very important to avoid harsh chemicals if you are wearing amber jewellery. Ultrasonic cleaning etc is also a no-no with amber. If amber is not a ‘gemstone’ you’re aquainted with, now is the time for you to get to know it better. Amber comes in several shades from red/brown through to yellow & green & more. One very recent discovery of amber has been made in Australia. Not only is this the first time amber has been found here, but it is red in colour. We awaiting more details with batted breath. Meanwhile, check out the details of the examples above at http://www.thegemlovers.com/Gemstone_Jewellery.php click on the tigerseye, amber link.
Friday, May 25, 2007
A Little about CHAMPAGNE Diamonds
What do wine & diamonds have in common? Apart from the fact that yours truly is a fan & a little of an expert of both; in a word "Champagne". The French have banned others from using this word to describe their wine - after all Champagne is a region in France; & yes I have visited France twice, & contrary to what you sometimes hear the French are absolutely delightful people - but 'champagne' has become linked with Australia. We are ofcourse talking about CHAMPAGNE DIAMONDS.
Champagne diamonds are coloured diamonds that are shadys (according to me) of brown. To be technical their colour is graded by C's. C1 being the lightest, C3-4 medium, C5-6 dark & C7 being fancy Cognac diamonds - one of my favourite colours of diamonds. To check the colour of a champagne diamond view the stone in bright sunlight. What gives them their colours? Here is what the experts tell us. You may know already that Diamonds are carbon (soot!!!!) that is compressed over time under the earth till it becomes a diamonds. It is believed that since the diamonds formed over 3,000,000,000 years ago the compression of the Diamond lattice structure by tremendous forces deep beneath the earth is said to have caused the original clear diamonds to become coloured. This same process also causes pink & red natural diamonds. (To my way of thinking it is more strange that something that starts out black should end up clear! That it should finished up some shade of brown should seem less strange & should take less time according to my idea of conventional thinking. Perhaps that is why I am not an offical expert!)
Champagne diamonds are usually linked with the Kimberley region of Western Australia & while in fact most champagne diamonds you are likely to see do come from there, champagne diamonds have been found in other parts of Australia including Tasmania. (I have a nice story to tell you later.) Champagne diamonds have become quite popular with the rich & famous as anyone who closely follows the Oscars & what the Stars wear can confirm. My favourite Cognac diamond is not owned by anyone famous; it is owned by myself. About .5 of a carat it is a dark rich brown with just a hint of green through it. It is an I1-2, hence did not cost me an arm & a leg. That is my tip for saving you money this month. As a deep coloured diamond tends to hid its flaws easier than a clear one, a deep coloured well-cut coloured diamond will look okay in an I2 or even an I3 so you can afford to buy a larger stone.
Champagne diamonds are fashionable; also very popular, not only with the public but with jewellers. Why do we say this? Because champagne diamonds are used to create 'colour enhanced' diamonds of all colours. More about that later.........Meantime check out these great Champagne/Cognac earrings at http://www.thegemlovers.com/index.php?pr=Diamond_Earrings Also enjoy some French Champagne, I can recommend Pol Gessner used for many years by Formula 1. I am not get paid or re-imbused in any way for this recommendation. However complementary bottles of champagne by any great manufacturer will be gladly accepted for future recommendations by yours truly.
Champagne diamonds are coloured diamonds that are shadys (according to me) of brown. To be technical their colour is graded by C's. C1 being the lightest, C3-4 medium, C5-6 dark & C7 being fancy Cognac diamonds - one of my favourite colours of diamonds. To check the colour of a champagne diamond view the stone in bright sunlight. What gives them their colours? Here is what the experts tell us. You may know already that Diamonds are carbon (soot!!!!) that is compressed over time under the earth till it becomes a diamonds. It is believed that since the diamonds formed over 3,000,000,000 years ago the compression of the Diamond lattice structure by tremendous forces deep beneath the earth is said to have caused the original clear diamonds to become coloured. This same process also causes pink & red natural diamonds. (To my way of thinking it is more strange that something that starts out black should end up clear! That it should finished up some shade of brown should seem less strange & should take less time according to my idea of conventional thinking. Perhaps that is why I am not an offical expert!)
Champagne diamonds are usually linked with the Kimberley region of Western Australia & while in fact most champagne diamonds you are likely to see do come from there, champagne diamonds have been found in other parts of Australia including Tasmania. (I have a nice story to tell you later.) Champagne diamonds have become quite popular with the rich & famous as anyone who closely follows the Oscars & what the Stars wear can confirm. My favourite Cognac diamond is not owned by anyone famous; it is owned by myself. About .5 of a carat it is a dark rich brown with just a hint of green through it. It is an I1-2, hence did not cost me an arm & a leg. That is my tip for saving you money this month. As a deep coloured diamond tends to hid its flaws easier than a clear one, a deep coloured well-cut coloured diamond will look okay in an I2 or even an I3 so you can afford to buy a larger stone.
Champagne diamonds are fashionable; also very popular, not only with the public but with jewellers. Why do we say this? Because champagne diamonds are used to create 'colour enhanced' diamonds of all colours. More about that later.........Meantime check out these great Champagne/Cognac earrings at http://www.thegemlovers.com/index.php?pr=Diamond_Earrings Also enjoy some French Champagne, I can recommend Pol Gessner used for many years by Formula 1. I am not get paid or re-imbused in any way for this recommendation. However complementary bottles of champagne by any great manufacturer will be gladly accepted for future recommendations by yours truly.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
A little About Aquamarines
Good Aquamarine reminds us of the beauty of the sea. In fact it’s name is from the Latin for sea-water. Aquamarines are found in a range of blue shades, from the palest pastel to greenish-blue to deep blue, with the deeper blue gems being the most rare. Remember that Aquamarine is a pastel gemstone, therefore while colour can be quite intense in larger gemstones, in smaller Aquamarines the colour is often less vivid. This elegant gemstone is a symbol of youth, hope, health and fidelity. Aquamarines are mined in a number of different countries including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan and Mozambique; but most of the gemstones on the market at present come from Brazil. Queen Elizabeth II has a beautiful Aquamarine & diamond necklace & earrings set which was a present from the people of Brazil. (I will accept one any time too.) The Duchess of Kent also has a most magnificent tiara made from the finest Aquamarine which has been in the family for some generations, (although it has bee re-styled according to a recent blog I read.) This gemstone is ranked 7 on Mohs scale of hardness (diamond is 10 - the hardest substance). Although Aquamarines are from the Beryl family, they are not as prone to inclusions as are Emerald (also a beryl) and near-flawless gems are easier to find. Popular cuts for Aquamarines stones are emerald & oval. It is quite common for Aquamarine to be enhanced by heating to increase its blueness. This treatment is very stable & the stone needs no further care. Aquamarine stones that have a green twinge can be the most sort after as many people feel this colour is more like the sea. It is well known that Aquamarine is associated with March & also the 19th wedding anniversary, some also consider it a symbol of youth, hope, health and fidelity. Personally I just enjoy its beauty. Aquamarine jewellery is usually worn with pastel shades of blue & green, depending on its colour. Ladies with light blue/green or grey eyes may like to wear Aquamarine earrings or pendants. It is more common to wear it with matching colours rather than using it as a contrast. I think it look nice with very light grey. It looks good with both white & yellow gold or silver as our two examples show. Check out whether you prefer white or yellow gold yourself by going to http://www.thegemlovers.com/Gemstone_Jewellery.php and clicking on the aquamarine. Let us know your preference.
Ametrine - What is It?
Perhaps like myself you have seen Ametrine items listed for sale, but wondered what it is. Well it’s like Amethyst. Like we just learnt Amethyst is a type of quartz, later we will learn that Citrine is as well. Ametrine is the name given to a stone that is a mixture of purple & yellow quartz; or as is sometimes said a mixture of Amethyst and Citrine. It is an interesting stone to own particularly in a ring. I prefer it set with yellow gold. Obviously Ametrine has the same hardness & other properties as Amethyst.
Amethyst - purple Gemstone
Being mauve, Amethyst is one of my favourite gemstone. (Of course I love Royal Amethyst – but as this is actually a shade of Sapphire – we will deal with this later.) Amethyst is the purple form of quartz. Therefore it has a hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale – according to some experts & 7 according to others. (Diamonds are 10.) Amethyst stones can range from pale lilac to deep purple. Quality Amethyst stones are considered transparent & have a fairly even colour. It is a popular choice for jewellery because of its beautiful colour, (apparently many people have similar taste to me!) affordability and versatility.Amethyst can be found in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Namibia, Uruguay, and Zambia. Amethyst from in South America usually is larger than the African stones, but Amethyst from Africa usually has better, richer colour, The very dark, small stones are from Australia. Amethyst is not usually coloured treated, but some of the darker stones can be enhanced. I have read mixed reports as to whether these stones need any special care – so do your own research!
Amethyst is the associated with the month of February and recommended for the 4th and 6th wedding anniversaries. It is also recommended for calmness & ending hostility. Why this is the case I don’t know. Personally while being a Amethyst Lover, I would associated a more pastel coloured gem with ‘calmness’; I think of deep colour Amethyst with richness. Obviously history agrees with me because as everyone knows purple has always been associated with royalty. (I'm unsure how much amethyst Queen Elizabeth owns. One of my favourites of her jewellery set is Royal Amethyst, which is as noted before actually sapphire. Who are you leaving it to Your Majesty?) Personally I prefer Amethyst in yellow gold – but the deep shades look lovely in silver or white gold. You do not need diamond to enjoy Amethyst – but a little goes a long way in enhancing a ring or pendant. And if you can afford more diamond – why not. To view a selection of colourful amethyst in white, yellow gold as well as sterling silver please check out the lists at http://www.thegemlovers.com/Gemstone_Jewellery.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
