Sunday, February 26, 2012

History of The Earth's 3 Most Famous Gems


To this day, people are still debating over the effectiveness of cubic zirconia as a diamond substitute. Did you know that aside from cubic zirconia, there is a diamond alternative called moissanite?

Statistics comparing hardness, refractive indexes and dispersion don’t seem to end any arguments; to most people they are merely numbers that don’t really solve anything. Perhaps if we knew more about the gems’ histories, we would have an easier time deciding how useful each gem actually is.

So let’s delve into the past of the diamond, the moissanite and the cubic zirconia stones:


1.       History of Diamonds
Naturally, no one can say with certainty when the very first diamond was discovered. However, one can say with confidence that the role they’ve come to play in our lives truly began in the 19th century, through man’s developing knowledge of technology and word of mouth. Our new-found methods to improve cut and polish while constructing a successful advertising campaign proved a recipe for success in a time when economy was going through a growth spurt. Before the 19th century, we have vague clues suggesting that diamonds had their place in religious belief systems and ancient tools, which can be traced back to 3,000 – 6,000 years ago. It also would seem that the Indian culture may have been the source of their origin; but no one can be certain.

Their main use throughout their known history has always been adornment, due to the attractive display that results from dispersing white light into spectral colors. After all, this stunning property is their main purpose.

Between 1772 – 1797 scientists conducted experiments that were able to determine the diamonds’ composition (which is made up of carbon) and other various properties. These natural diamonds can be found in 3 typical places: cratons (where diamonds crystallized at deep depths within the earth); meteorite impact craters (where diamonds were left as deposits from asteroid impacts and were most likely not formed post-crash) and volcanic pipes (whereby rocks and minerals are transported out by magma during a volcanic eruption).

2.       History of Moissanite
Typically named after Henri Moissan, who discovered this rare mineral in 1983, this diamond alternative was initially mistaken for an actual diamond. But nearly ten years after its discovery in the Canyon Diablo meteorite, Moissan learned that its crystals consisted of silicon carbide, disassociating it from the diamond’s immediate family. However, for nearly a century it was argued whether moissanite was the earth’s natural product or whether it was a result of human abrasive tools. This question was fuelled by the fact that there were so few locations where this mineral was ever discovered. Today’s assumption is that it is in fact one of nature’s beauties, as it was discovered as an inclusion in kimberlite in a Yakutia diamond mine back in 1959.

Their debut into the jewelry industry began somewhere around 1998, but the rarity of this mineral forced the hand of the industry and so the only moissanite stones on the market today are lab-grown. Interestingly, certain properties including hardness surpass the diamonds’, but the appearance is definitely distinctive, which is why it is considered a diamond alternative and not a simulant or substitute.

Their discovery as a natural form of zirconium oxide in 1982 seemed like a hopeful yet pointless end, until a Soviet scientist figured out how to grow zirconium in a laboratory. Thanks to the Russian Space Program, cubic zirconia resulted when trying to produce a stone with the same optical properties as rubies, as natural rubies were both scarce and yet essential to the development of the lasers used by the Space Program. Cubic zirconia was then formally introduced to the jewelry industry in 1977 as “djevalite” and truly found its popularity when Swarovski & Co. decided it was worth mass production.

More good news is that manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to improve cubic zirconia and make it as competitive a diamond substitute as possible. Cubic zirconia currently fails to sparkle quite as strongly as diamonds, but they flash more in terms of rainbow color, also known as “fire”. The contradiction is quite hard to fathom.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Why Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings Are A Good Idea


Now that Valentine’s Day has passed – a sweet and sour day for many people – many of you might find yourself engaged. I hear wedding bells…

Approximately 2.5 million weddings per year take place in the USA alone. What does that mean in dollars? Well, let’s simplify… The average wedding costs between $20,000 - $30,000. That’s not including the engagement ring and the honeymoon that follows. If your fiancĂ© isn’t bald now, he might be after your vows.



Jewelry – often associated with deep wallet reaching – can actually help your wallet, in such a case as the Wedding Day. How, you might ask. Well, let me explain to you the benefits of cubic zirconia jewelry… (Don’t turn away just because I didn’t type “diamond” in there.) Can anyone really afford to ignore cubic zirconia in our current economical day and age? No Rockefeller, I was referring to the average, 7-11 person.

You’d love to know that at first glance, most experts can’t tell the difference between cubic zirconia and diamond stones. Now that you know appearances can be deceiving, your little heart has probably already stopped fluttering. In a comparison chart between cubic zirconia and diamonds, cubic zirconia is very competitive. In fact, here are the stats:

Properties
Cubic Zirconia
Definition:
synthesized mineral to simulate diamonds in appearance
Crystal:
isometric
Crystal Habit:
dipyramidal prismatic
Hardness:
8.05 (harder than most natural gemstones)
Density:
between 5.5 – 5.9
Luster:
adamantine
Flaws:
flawless
Color:
can be made utterly colorless
Dispersion:
0.06
Specific Gravity:
between 5.6 - 6
Cut:
facet shape is often different from that of diamond

Properties
Diamond
Definition:
natural
Crystal:
isometric
Crystal Habit:
octahedral
Hardness:
hardest
Density:
between 3.5 – 3.53
Luster:
adamantine
Flaws:
flawed
Color:
yellow/brownish tinge; colorless is extremely rare
Dispersion:
0.044
Specific Gravity:
3.52
Cut:
can be of various cuts



For us simpletons, I’ll explain to you what the difficult ones mean:
  • Isometric: To consist of three equal axes, that lie at right angles to one another (Yes - my brain’s freezing, too)
  • Crystal Habit: A description of the mineral’s external shape. A more detailed description can be found here: http://www.answers.com/topic/crystal-habit and a better understanding of the shapes’ different meanings can be found here: http://webmineral.com/crystall.shtml
  • Luster: It looks like it sounds; it’s basically the type of “shine” or how the stone reflects light. It contains two categories: metallic and non-metallic. Both diamond and cubic zirconia fall under the latter.
  • Dispersion: The color that results when white light disperses into different colors of the spectrum. Higher fractal values naturally equal greater dispersion.
  • Specific Gravity: Let wiki do the talking here; it’s so much easier for me.


        Wednesday, September 28, 2011

        I love you in 120 different languages on pendant jewelry

        Like any lover you want to be original when you express your love and this magnificent pendent allows you to be original in 120 languages. If you find the words “I love you” difficult to utter, then this uniquely designed pendant allows you to express them in 120 languages- “I love you” in 120 different languages on jewelry.


        With the help of innovative technology we managed to engrave the most miniature text on top of semi precious stone creating a jewelry that resembles no other and in this magnificent pendent we chose to create a maze of the words I love you in 120 languages simply because we believe in love. We created the perfect gift of love with this 120 I love you gold imprints on a golden framed pendant.

        When it feels that all the words have been said, this I love you pendant will save the day and make your love declaration the most true and original. A love declaration that comes straight from the heart cannot be ignored. Order the pendent now through the order form on our website.

        Thursday, January 13, 2011

        Nano Style Jewelry - A Matrix of Technology and Pure Beliefs

        Framed by hi technology equipment and our perpetual search of inspirational picturesque, Nano Jewelry developed a unique crafting matrix, converting the traditional concepts into a contemporary and sophisticated collection of astonishing jewelries. Throughout our artistic empowering beliefs, we pursue to spread the powerful words and the emblematic symbols of comprehending among worldwide individuals of all faiths. Nano Style concentrates and spins on the positive and progressive elements that each culture and belief hast to offer, correlating the universal genuine positive messages that exists in every teaching. Our inspirational journey fulfills a spiritual tale of each culture, belief and faith gather from each corner of the world, encompassing a versatile and unique selection of jewelry.


        NanoStyle blends a unique and innovative technology with the ethereal passion for art, fulfilling an avant-garde imprint technology, which makes possible to meld religious texts, love symbols and emblematic illustration over semi precious stones with high resolution. Our design imprints are pure yellow gold, either 24 karat or 14 karat and can be engraved over two celestial semi-precious stones: the sassy black onyx and the sparkling cubic zirconia. Nano Style revolutionary imprint technology establishes and guarantees a maximum resolution of the alluringly miniature designs, allowing the small texts and illustrations to be incorporated into the design. Having a high attention towards the smallest details, Nano Style pendants collection is framed in 925 Sterling Silver, 14 Karat Gold or Top Gold and moreover, we offer a matching delicate silver chain for each pendant, empowering our customer dedication.


        Nano Styles puts an inspirational deal of thoughts and pure concepts into each jewelry item, metamorphosing our visionary artistic passion with our ingenuity and authenticity. Our timeless Jewelry collection blends the spirituality with the modern style, offering the wearer the possibility to have  the most sacred words and symbols close to his heart as microscopic miniature that can only be viewed using a magnifying glass. It will give the wearer that mysterious, yet genuine allure, revealing a soul secret of his faith. 

        Wednesday, January 5, 2011

        The New Girl`s Best Friend- The Cubic Zirconia Pendants

        Love rose on cubic zirconia
        Considered as a clichĂ© and adored by women all around the world, the “diamond is a girl`s best friend”. In general, jewelry makes a woman feel sexy, appreciated and, moreover gives her a mysterious confidence. Appropriate to celebrate any type of occasions: birthdays, anniversaries or simply a love gesture, the Nano Jewelry Collection is the most sophisticated and inspired gift idea. Combining innovative technology with profound concepts, Nano Jewelry developed and especially designed for the most refined and sublime tastes, a sparkling and dazzling alternative of the expensive diamond, the revolutionary Cubic Zirconium, which will instantly make a women embrace her feminity.
        “Looking good” is the nonexclusive attribute of style, being the fundamental base of the Cubic Zirconia Pendants Collection. In our perspective the style is an elaborated life component, which incorporates many things, but it is the most crucial and sublime representation of how a woman presents herself in the society. Sometimes the style is born with us, other times you have to develop this sense, both ways this unconventional sense of style is bewitched by the delightful feminine jewelry. The Nano Cubic Zirconia pendants are especially designed with passion and devotion, highlighting a perfect combination between style, delicacy and avant-grade concepts. Our wide selection of impressing Cubic Zirconia pendants are blending the contemporary style with the colorful gemstones, crossing the bridges between cultures, faith and trends inspiring all with universal symbols.
        The Nano Jewelry pendants are the perfect present for women of all ages, as the cubic zirconia surpasses many age obstacles, making the women and girls alike feel young, stylish and happy. Our astonishing Cubic Zirconia collection provides different color variation and designs, custom made for each client apart with peaceful messages and symbols ancient motifs, inspiring words, celebrating love figures and many other exclusives designs. The Nano Jewelry high-tech imprints can be engraved on the great variety of Cubic Zirconia Pendants in 24 karat gold or 14 karat gold. Framed by our dedication for our client`s needs, we developed a wide range of different sizes and shapes Cubic Zirconia Pendants in order to complement with your on-trend style and to give you that unique look, attracting all the attention.
        Metamorphosing the contemporary with the modern jewelry, Nano Cubic Zirconia Pendants are focusing and capturing the femininity factor and transfiguring the style in the most dashing representations of accessories. The designs along with the ethereal imprints will make anyone wearing the innovative pendants feel extraordinary. Besides the elegance and femininity, the cubic zirconium is a beneficial semi precious stone, which will bring in your life the benefice universal energies along with a peaceful inner balance.
        Nano Jewelery are representing a passionate expression of culture, beliefs and signs, concentrating on the allure of each belief. The culture comprehension and the distributive attention for the smallest details, make the Nano Cubic Zirconium Pendants an artistic unique sensation, becoming the food of the soul and the drink of the style.