Italian Turquoise Birthstone Wedding Fashion Necklace Ring Ankle Bracelet Gold Jewellery 42

Italian Turquoise Birthstone Wedding Fashion Necklace Ring Ankle Bracelet Gold Jewellery.   

By Aamir Mannan.

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO

4)4(OH)8·4H

2O. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times, turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market.

Kuwait Lapis Lazuli Birthstone Gold Diamond Girl Fashion Jewellery 24

Kuwait Lapis Lazuli Birthstone Gold Diamond Girl Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan

Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan by Peter Bancroft

Sar-e-Sang Mine, Jurm, Afghanistan

Editor’s Note: We are pleased to reprint this selection from Peter Bancroft’s classic book, Gem and Crystal Treasures (1984) Western Enterprises/Mineralogical Record, Fallbrook, CA, 488 pp.

   Biography of Dr. Peter Bancroft   Palagems.com Lapis Buying Guide

Gem & Crystal Treasures by Peter Bancroft cover image

Royal blue lapis lazuli, the gem variety of lazurite and one of the most beautiful opaque gemstones, is a sodium and aluminum mineral of considerable complexity. Known as “sapphires” by the ancients, the stone occurs in only a few major deposits around the world, notably Lake Baikal in Siberia, Ocalle

Turks and Caicos Islands Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery 10042.

Turks and Caicos Islands Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

The Black Star of Queensland, the largest gem-quality star sapphire in the world, weighs 733 carats. The Star of India (mined in Sri Lanka) (weighing 563.4 carats) is thought to be the second-largest star sapphire (the largest blue), and is currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The 182-carat Star of Bombay, (mined in Sri Lanka), located in the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C., is another example of a large blue star sapphire. The value of a star sapphire depends not only on the weight of the stone, but also the body color, visibility, and intensity of the asterism

Uruguay Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 42

Uruguay Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.
Art Deco Period: 1920-1935

The introduction of cubism into the art world after 1925 brought about the strong geometrical patterns and angular shapes associated with Art Deco jewelry today. Fine diamonds and platinum were used without regard to cost. Art Deco engagement rings with their fine diamonds and filigree work are still highly sought after today. Stones were cut into triangles, pentagons, trapezoids along with oblong shapes and emerald cuts. Pave set diamonds were often accented with caliber cut colored gemstones- rubies, sapphire, emeralds and onyx set in strong contrasting combinations. The Asian influence can be seen by the carved jade and coral in pendants, bracelets, and earrings, as well as carved rubies, sapphires and emeralds from India. Well known French designers were, Cartier, Bucheron, Van Cleef and Arpels, Fouquet and Mauboussin. For the Americans, it was Tiffany and Company and Harry Winston.

Mexico Girl New Fashion Earring 2015 Gold Jewellery 1034

Mexico Girl New Fashion Earring 2015 Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

A comprehensive approach needed for sustainability in pearl industry

Pearl farming differs from gemstone and mineral mining in that it is a sustainable or renewable activity, and members of pearl grass-roots communities can be expected to remain actively involved in the industry for generations to come.  It, therefore, is important that these communities be provided with fair and equitable opportunities to benefit from the pearl farming enterprise, so that they will be incentivized to invest and reinvest in their future and that of the entire pearl industry.

The case for adopting procedures to encourage CSR in the international jewellery industry

The international jewellery retail community is under threat. Not only do 30,000 worldwide retailers face the daily security challenges of working in a high risk, high value business and bearing the margin implications of escalating raw material prices, they are also faced with the mounting array of audit regulations and the irregularities of traceability to be found in the jewellery supply chain.

Unravelling and then defending the gold supply chain

In the past ten years, ethical initiatives across all levels and segments of the gold jewellery sector have flourished. The supply chain is a complex one with a proliferation of companies and individuals playing their part in bringing products to market.

Jade Yemeni Birthstone Fashion 2015 And Wedding Jewellery 3042

Jade Yemeni Birthstone Fashion 2015 And Wedding Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

In China

the term jade is actually used to encompass several different minerals which include serpentine and aventurine which are not true types of jade. There are only two distinct stones that are true jades nephrite and jadeite. Both these tones share many qualities, but jadeite has a greater range of colours. The hardness and brittleness of jade requires great skill to craft, but great intricacy can be accomplished with this stone.

Coupled with its high lustre and translucency, jade is a gemstone that is much sought after. A Chinese proverb attributes greater attachment to jade than to gold, as gold has value, but jade is invaluable.

Aquamarine Birthstone Sri Lankan Girl Fashion 2015 Wedding Jewellery 2033

 Aquamarine Birthstone Sri Lankan Girl Fashion 2015 Wedding Jewellery.   

By Aamir Mamnnan.

While it was once fashionable to wear the sea-green color most commonly associated with aquamarine, today's consumers prefer shades of sky or deep blue. Because of this, aquamarine is routinely heat-treated to remove the naturally occurring green component. This is a highly sensitive and precise process requiring that the stone be heated between 725 and 850 degrees Fahrenheit. If the stone is overheated, it will permanently lose all its color.

Latvia Opal Birthstone Wedding Fashion 2015 Bridal Jewellery 100046

Latvia Opal Birthstone Wedding Fashion 2015 Bridal Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

The structure of low-pressure polymorphs of anhydrous silica consist of frameworks of fully corner bonded tetrahedra of SiO4. The higher temperature polymorphs of silica cristobalite and tridymite are frequently the first to crystallize from amorphous anhydrous silica, and the local structures of microcrystalline opals also appear to be closer to that of cristobalite and tridymite than to quartz. The structures of tridymite and cristobalite are closely related and can be described as hexagonal and cubic close-packed layers. It is therefore possible to have intermediate structures in which the layers are not regularly stacked.

Uzbekistan Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 41

Uzbekistan Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

Edwardian Period: 1901-1910

Edwardian jewelry was strikingly feminine with a lacy and delicate appearance. Favored motifs are bows, ribbons, urns, stars, crescents and garlands of small flowers. A common trait of Edwardian jewelry is platinum on yellow gold usually with all diamond trim, giving this period its all white appearance. Large focus fine diamonds were usually Old European cuts, with smaller diamonds in rose or single cuts for accents. Sometimes large high-quality faceted colored gemstones were used as focal points, but diamonds, pearls and moonstones were the most favored.

Jade Western Sahara Birthstone Fashion 2015 And Wedding Jewellery 3041

Jade Western Sahara Birthstone Fashion 2015 And Wedding Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

The Qualities of Jade

This milky green stone is seen as a metaphor for human virtues because of its hardness, durability and beauty. Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, famously said the good virtue of man is like jade. It represents dignity, blessing, fortune and longevity. White jade is the most highly valued, but the stone comes in a variety of translucent shades of green, brown and black.

Aquamarine Birthstone Vanuatu Girl Fashion 2015 Wedding Jewellery 2037

 Aquamarine Birthstone Vanuatu Girl Fashion 2015 Wedding Jewellery.   

By Aamir Mamnnan.

Geological Properties

Aquamarine is commonly heat treated to remove yellow color and enhance the bright blue tones of the gemstone. The natural blue and green colors of aquamarine come from ferrous iron and metallic ions. Aquamarine gemstones are found in a number of exotic places including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, and the most brilliant blue varieties of the gemstones available today come from Brazil.

Mayotte Girl New Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 1032

Mayotte Girl New Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

Jewelry in Ancient Rome

The long reach of Roman Republic and later on Empire meant that their jewelry style had numerous influences from many neighboring and conquered civilizations, but in spite o

Vatican City State Holy See Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 40

Vatican City State Holy See Amethyst Birthstone Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

Art Nouveau Period: 1890-1915

In the Art Nouveau period jewelers were inspired by flowing feminine and fantasy figures, stylized flowers, vines, leaves, scrolls, birds, serpents and insects in beautiful enamels. Plique-a-jour enamel, a beautifully transparent enamel without a metal backing, was commonly used. Cabochon gemstones as well as pearls were incorporated into the designs along with the scrolling gold work. Rene Jules Lalique led the French in Art Nouveau jewelry, while Louis Comfort Tiffany was the American Jeweler best known for his Art Nouveau designs.

Japan Lapis Lazuli Birthstone Gold Diamond Girl Fashion Jewellery 23

Japan Lapis Lazuli Birthstone Gold Diamond Girl Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan

Steam, chemical solvents, and ultrasonics should be avoided for cleaning. The old standby of a soft brush and mild soap would be safest.

Value

Value in lapis is determined almost exclusively by color, with deep, intense, blue with violet tones being at the apex. Fine grained, uniform specimens attain a smooth highly polished surface not seen in lower grades. Calcite inclusions always lower the value, but pyrite inclusions enhance it in the minds of many collectors and jewelry lovers. The quality of polish, and the artistry of fashioning are also factors in value.

Tuvalu Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery 10041

Tuvalu Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Misshapen stars or 12-rayed stars may also form as a result of twinning. The inclusions can alternatively produce a "cat's eye" effect[14] if the 'face-up' direction of the cabochon's dome is oriented perpendicular to the crystal's c-axis rather than parallel to it. If the dome is oriented in between these two directions, an 'off-center' star will be visible, offset away from the high point of the dome.

Argentina Birthstone Fashion Emerald Diamond Gold Jewellery 1035

Argentina Birthstone Fashion Emerald Diamond Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Jump up ^ "Pendant | V&A Search the Collections". Victoria and Albert Museum. Given by Dame Joan Evans. Retrieved 30 Jan 2014. Museum item number M.138-1975

Jump up ^ Giuliani G, Chaussidon M, Schubnel HJ, Piat DH, Rollion-Bard C, France-Lanord C, Giard D, de Narvaez D, Rondeau B (2000). "Oxygen Isotopes and Emerald Trade Routes Since Antiquity" 287 (5453). pp. 631–3. Bibcode:2000Sci...287..631G. doi:10.1126/science.287.5453.631. PMID 10649992.

Jump up ^ Badawy, Manuela (June 13, 2012). "Emeralds seek the 'De Beers' treatment". Reuters. Retrieved 14 June 2012.

Jump up ^ Dydyński, Krzysztof (2003). Colombia. Lonely Planet. p. 21. ISBN 0-86442-674-7.

Uganda Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery 10040

Uganda Sapphire Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

The stones are cut en cabochon, typically with the center of the star near the top of the dome. Occasionally, twelve-rayed stars are found, typically because two different sets of inclusions are found within the same stone, such as a combination of fine needles of rutile with small platelets of hematite; the first results in a whitish star and the second results in a golden-colored star. During crystallisation, the two types of inclusions become preferentially oriented in different directions within the crystal, thereby forming two six-rayed stars that are superimposed upon each other to form a twelve-rayed star.

Lao Opal Birthstone Wedding Fashion 2015 Bridal Jewellery 100045

Lao Opal Birthstone Wedding Fashion 2015 Bridal Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

The structure of low-pressure polymorphs of anhydrous silica consist of frameworks of fully corner bonded tetrahedra of SiO4. The higher temperature polymorphs of silica cristobalite and tridymite are frequently the first to crystallize from amorphous anhydrous silica, and the local structures of microcrystalline opals also appear to be closer to that of cristobalite and tridymite than to quartz. The structures of tridymite and cristobalite are closely related and can be described as hexagonal and cubic close-packed layers. It is therefore possible to have intermediate structures in which the layers are not regularly stacked.

Antigua And Barbuda Fashion Emerald Diamond Gold Jewellery 1034

Antigua And Barbuda Fashion Emerald Diamond Gold Jewellery.

 By Aamir Mannan.

Trade: the connoisseur's guide to precious gemstones. Brunswick House Press, p. 108, ISBN 0-9728223-8-0.

Jump up ^ Read, Peter (2008) Gemmology, 3rd rev. ed., NAG Press, p. 218, ISBN 0719803616.

Jump up ^ Gemstone Institute of America Grading & Reports

Jump up ^ http://www.findjewellery.co.uk/blog/diamond-gemstone-jewellery-technical-details.html

Jump up ^ Emerald. Gia.edu. Retrieved on 2013-04-19.

Jump up ^ Beryl. Gia.edu. Retrieved on 2013-04-19.

Jump up ^ http://www.gia.edu/emerald-quality-factor

Jump up ^ http://www.gemsociety.org/article/emerald-enhancement/ Mark Liccini: Understanding Emerald Enhancements and Treatments"

Jump up ^ "Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries". Ftc.gov. 1996-05-30. Retrieved 2010-07-30.

Mauritius Girl New Fashion Necklace 2015 Gold Jewellery 1033

Mauritius Girl New Fashion Necklace 2015 Gold Jewellery.  

By Aamir Mannan.

Jewelry in Ancient Greek

The art of jewel making received much attention from Greek artisan over the several thousand years of their civilization. Here you can find out more about their jewelry and the way they managed to retain their unique styles even though the ages.