Round Shape Diamond: Often referred to as brilliant or as RBC (round brilliant cut) by far the most popular because it is the most common brilliant-cut diamond and has the best angles for which to shine maximum brilliance. It has 58 facets, Created by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. In a nutshell, a well-set round diamond will give you the most sparkle for your buck.
Pear Cut Diamond: Pear cut occupies the second place after the brilliant. It is an intermediary shape between the brilliant and the marquise. The pear shape is also a unique and excellent choice for engagement rings. A flattering cut in the shape of a water drop. The round part glitters the most, resembles a twinkling teardrop, pretty sure those will be tears of joy.
Marquise or Navette Cut Diamond:This cut thanks its name to the Marquise of Pompadour: a legend relates that this cut was invented during the 18th-century reign of Louis XIV, allegedly named for his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and inspired by her smile. Offers a very luminous centre, but loses its sparkle towards the points. The uniquely tapered cut, essentially an oval with rounded sides and points at each end. Modern-day versions often have a hexagon-shaped surface with facets on the top and bottom to reflect light. It's ideal for those looking to maximize carat weight and for those who like a little opulence every now and again.
Emerald Cut Diamond: The emerald cut is usually rectangular but older, square cuts are still around. A rectangular cut with long, lean facets extending down the sides, it's this shape's large table that shows off the rock's clarity better than any other shape. A rectangular shape with cut corners that resemble stair steps (it's often called a step cut) and its name was taken from the most popular shape for emeralds in the 1920s. It is a step-cut diamond; that is, it has rows of facets - usually 48 to 50 - that resemble as staircase and usually are four-sided or elongated. The typical size of a 1 carat rectangular Emerald Cut would be 7 by 5 mm.
Oval Cut Diamond: Similar to round diamonds, based upon its shape and modifications of the traditional round brilliant configuration. The oval was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960's. 56 facets are typical for oval brilliants. This shape is popular as a solitaire among those with smaller hands or shorter fingers, because the oval's elongated shape gives the illusion of length to the hand, resulting in slender-looking fingers.
Princess Cut: The Princess is a brilliant-style shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut perfectly square, rather than as a rectangle. The year was 1961, London, jewelry designer Arpad Nagy was inventing the princess -- a square-cut diamond with an array of intricate facets (anywhere from 49 to 144, depending on the diamond's size). A Princess generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than a round brilliant. Princess diamonds are also one of the least expensive diamond shapes to create.
Radiant Cut Diamond: This cut is another variant on the rectangular cut. It forms the basis of a whole series of cuts derived from it, such as the princess cut. Hard to find and not commonly used for engagement rings due to its scarcity. Its extra special sparkle is the result of the way its underside is cut, with 70 facets to be exact, to maximize the effect of its color refraction.
Heart Cut Diamond: The technical name for this stone is the “Heart-Shaped Modified Brilliant”, based upon its shape and modifications of the traditional round brilliant configuration. Often more of a novelty and not commonly used for engagement rings. Like pear-shaped diamonds, heart-shaped rocks can be "fatter" or more elongated and it’s the skill and precision of the diamond cutter that defines the sparkle and beauty of this cut. Heart-shaped brilliants typically contain 59 facets.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Diamond Shapes
Friday, August 24, 2007
June Birthstone
June birthstone are often Alexandrite. Pearl is the Modern June birthstone. It is also the birthstone for the Star Signs of Gemini and Cancer. Alexandrite, the traditional birthstone, is a more durable stone. Pearls are a symbol of beauty and chastity; Alexandrite is thought to be a good omen. Alexandrite is a rare and very expensive gem which possesses a chameleon like quality. In sunlight, the stone appears greenish. The same stone under artificial light, would show a reddish hue! This gem is part of the chrysoberyl family. The unusual colours are believed to be produced by the presence of chronium.
The pearl is created when a grain of sand or rock fragment gets inside the clam or oyster. It irritates the animal which responds by coating the offending grain with layer after layer of shell material. Pearls formed in the inside surface of the shell are usually irregular in shape and of little value. Pearls formed within the tissue of the animal itself, result in a spherical or pear shaped pearl.
The colour of the pearl depends on what species of animal it forms in, and the environment in which it was created. White is the most common colour, but some pearl jewelry can also be found in shades of black, cream, gray, blue, yellow,lavender and green.
Color is noted next to birth stone name.
Modern Birthstone - Pearl (White), Moonstone (White)
Traditional Birthstone - Alexandrite (Red)
Mystical Birthstone - Moonstone (White)
Ayurvedic Birthstone - Pearl (White)
15th-20th Century Birthstone - Agate (Blue and Green), Cat's Eye (Yellow/Brown), Turquoise (Blue)
Other Birthstone - Opal (White or Black)
June's third birthstone is the Alexandrite, named after Prince Alexander of Russia who was to later become Czar Alexander II in 1855). Discovered in 1839 on the prince's birthday, Alexandrite was found in an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains of Russia.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
May's Birthstone
May's birthstone is the emerald. Emerald is the green version of the mineral Beryl. It was considered to be the talisman of the goddess Venus, and to represent faith, goodness and kindness.
The emerald's name is indirectly derived from the Greek word "smaragdos," a term ambiguously applied to several kinds of green stones. They were worn by royalty in Babylon and Egypt. During the reign of Rameses II, have been found in emerald mines in Egypt. Queen Cleopatra's emeralds were believed to originate from mines in Southern Egypt, near the Red Sea.
Emeralds vary in color from light to deep green. Emerald's precious green color is caused by small amounts of chromium and enhanced by traces of iron. Unlike other beryls, emeralds usually contain inclusions and other flaws. These flaws are not looked on as negative aspects for emerald like they would be for other gemstones. Indeed, these flaws are considered part of the character of the stone and are used to assure the purchaser of a natural stone. The stone can, however, lose its color when heated strongly.
Color is noted next to birth stone name:
Modern Birthstone - Emerald (Green)
Traditional Birthstone - Emerald (Green)
Mystical Birthstone - Sapphire (Blue)
Ayurvedic Birthstone - Agate (Blue or Green)
15th-20th Century Birthstone - Emerald (Green), Agate (Blue or Green)
Other Birthstone (from elsewhere on the internet) - Chrysoprase (Green), Beryl (Green, Blue or Pink)
Emerald has been considered as a "medicinal" stone to soothe strained and tired eyes, just by gazing at a nice green one. Engraved with the image of a frog, it is supposed to help restore peace It is supposed by many to be good for preventing epileptic attacks, stopping bleeding and soothing fears and irritations. It was also believed that laying the emerald on the forehead would break a fever. In "gem elixirs" emerald is supposed to be good for all kinds of digestive problems. It is also said to be of value in immune system deficiencies, and to improve meditation and psychic abilities.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
April Birthstone
April birthstone is diamonds. Diamonds symbolize purity, eternal love and faith. Known as one of the hardest substances on earth, diamonds are thought to be billions of years old .The word diamond derives from an ancient Greek word, "adamas", meaning invincible. The ancient Hindus called the Diamond "Vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength. The Diamond is harder than any other substance on earth.
There are many kinds of diamonds: transparent, translucent or opaque; ranging from colorless to sooty black, with many colors in between. Mostly transparent diamonds, colorless or tinted, are used as jewelry. Others are used widely in industry. The color of a diamond depends on the kind of impurities embedded inside it. Yellow diamonds, for example, betray minute quantities of nitrogen, while boron imparts a bluish hue.
Color is noted next to birth stone name
Modern Birthstone - Diamond (White, Clear)
Traditional Birthstone - Diamond (White, Clear)
Mystical Birthstone - Opal (White or Black - both with hints of other colors)
Ayurvedic Birthstone - Diamond (White, Clear)
15th - 20th Century Birthstones - Diamond (White), Sapphire (Blue)
Other Birthstones from the internet - Quartz (White), White Sapphire (White)
A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the ages.
Friday, August 10, 2007
March Birhtstone
Derived from the Roman word "Aqua," meaning water, and "mare," meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater. They were considered sacred to Neptune, god of the sea, having fallen from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore. Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea.
Its first documented use was by the Greeks between 480-300 BC. They wore aquamarine amulets engraved with the god Poseidon on a chariot. Beginning in the Roman period.
The legends say that Aquamarine has the power to calm the waves, prevent seasickness, curing ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws and throat. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to be an effective antidote against poison. Aquamarines were thought to be the source of power for soothsayers, who called it the "magic mirror", and used it for telling fortunes and answering questions about the future. It is also said to be the treasure of mermaids.
Aquamarines is also said to have a soothing effect in relationships and thus helps foster a long and happy marriage. This makes Aquamarine the ideal anniversary gift. Aquamarine was considered a healing gem, and it was believed to help treat anxiety. An owner of aquamarine is said to be endowed with foresight, courage and happiness, it is also said to increase intelligence and make one more youthful.
Aquamarines vary in color from deep blue to blue-green of different intensities, caused by traces of iron. Naturally occurring deep blue stones are the most prized because they are rare and expensive. However, yellow beryl stones can be heated to change them to blue aquamarines.
The major source for Aquamarine today is Brazil. It is however also found in Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar, and the United States.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
February Birthstone
The gemstone Amethyst is the Birthstone for February. Amethyst is the purple variety of the mineral quartz and is a popular gemstone. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. The amethyst symbolizes humor and wit and was reputed to sharpen the mind and intellect.
Color is noted next to birth stone name.
Modern Birthstone - Amethyst (Purple)
Traditional Birthstone - Amethyst (Purple)
Mystical Birthstone - Bloodstone (Dark Green with Red markings)
Ayurvedic Birthstone - Amethyst (Purple)
15th-20th Century Birthstones - Amethyst (Purple), Hyacinth (White, Clear), Pearl (White)
Other Birthstones from the internet - Onyx (Black), Moonstone (White)
The word amethyst comes from the Greek word "amethystos" meaning "not drunk", and was believed to prevent its wearers from intoxication.
According to legend, amethyst originated when Bacchus, the God of Wine, grew angry at mortals. He vowed the next mortal that crossed his path would be eaten by tigers. At that time, a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to worship the Goddess Diana. Diana, knowing of Bacchus vow, turned Amethyst into a pillar of colorless quartz to protect her from the tigers. Bacchus, witnessing the miracle, repented and poured wine over Amethyst, staining her purple.
The early Egyptians believed that the amethyst possessed good powers, and placed the stones in the tombs of pharaohs.
Amethysts are very sensitive to heat. When heated to 400 or 500 degrees Celsius, an amethyst's color can change to a brownish-yellow or red. Under some circumstances, the stones can even change to a slightly greenish hue when heated. Heat may even transform an amethyst into a naturally-rare mineral called citrine. But even without the influence of heat an amethyst may fade in colour over time.