Herkimer Diamonds - What are they?

Nowadays more and more people are choosing silver over gold and more affordable gems over diamonds. One name that popped up in a search I was doing was "Herkimer Diamonds". At a price of less than $50 for a necklace, it seems quite affordable. So, what is a Herkimer Diamond?

By Ra'ike (see also: de:Benutzer:Ra'ike) - Eigenes Werk (own work), mit freundlicher Unterstützung durch GemArt-Unikate (Marianne Kempf, Hatten), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5838542

Herkimer diamonds are not actually diamonds, but are double-terminated quartz crystals of exceptional clarity (water-clear) discovered within exposed outcrops of dolostone in and around Herkimer County, New York and the Mohawk River Valley. The "diamond" in their name is due to both their clarity and natural faceting - crystals possess double termination points and 18 total facets (six on each point, six around the center). Because the first discovery sites were in the village of Middleville and in the city of Little Falls, respectively, the crystal is also known as a Middleville diamond or a Little Falls diamond.

Herkimer diamonds became widely recognized after workmen discovered them in large quantities while cutting into the Mohawk River Valley dolostone in the late 18th century. Geologists discovered exposed dolostone in Herkimer County outcroppings and began mining there, leading to the "Herkimer diamond" moniker. Double-point quartz crystals may be found in sites around the world, but only those mined in Herkimer County can be given this name.

A typical Herkimer diamond has 18 facets: six upper, middle, and lower facets.  They are also known for being very bright and incredibly clear, although they can also come in other rare formation and colors.

For example, these Raw Stone Engagement Rings, Rose Gold Plated Herkimer Diamond from https://www.etsy.com/shop/thefoxandstone

or

This Herkimer Diamond Necklace in Silver or Gold from https://www.etsy.com/shop/AbizaJewelry

The World's Rarest Gems - part 2

Continuing the list of the world's rarest gems, here are 5 more:

5. Alexandrite

Named for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, this exceedingly rare gemstone was thought to be mined out after the original deposits, found in 1830 in Russia's Ural Mountains, were nearly exhausted.

Alexandrite is a color-changing gemstone: its hue shifts from red to green depending on the light it's exposed to. Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia can be green by daylight and red by incandescent light. Other varieties of alexandrite may be yellowish or pink in daylight and a columbine or raspberry red by incandescent light.
Stones that show a dramatic color change and strong colors (e.g. red-to-green) are rare and sought-after.

Recent finds in Brazil, East Africa and Sri Lanka have brought this stone back on the market, but it is still one of the world's most coveted stones.

Today, several labs can produce synthetic lab-grown stones with the same chemical and physical properties as natural alexandrite. One of these methods produces what is called flux-grown alexandrite, which produces gems that are fairly difficult to distinguish from natural alexandrite as they contain inclusions that can look natural.

Composition: Beryllium, Aluminum, Oxygen | Market Value: $12,000 per carat.

4. Blue Garnet

Although red is the most commonly occurring colour, garnet occurs in almost every colour. One of the most recently discovered colours of garnet is the rare blue garnet, which was discovered in the late 1990s in Madagascar. It has since been found in other regions, such as the USA, Russia, Kenya, Tanzania and Turkey.

It changes color from blue-green in the daylight to purple in incandescent light, as a result of the relatively high amounts of vanadium. The most expensive, a 4.2 carat gem sold in 2003 for $6.8 Million.


3. Musgravite
Another precious stone in the same family as Taaffeite, this stone's color ranges from a brilliant greenish gray to purple. Musgravite was discovered in 1967 in the Musgrave Range of Southern Australia, and for many years there were only eight known specimens.

Recently, small quantities of Musgravite have been located in Greenland, Antarctica, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Tanzania. Don't let this new "surplus" fool you, though: this incredibly hard stone is still exceedingly rare, fetching $35,000 - or more - per carat.

Composition: Magnesium, Beryllium, Aluminum, Zinc, Iron, Oxygen | Market Value: $35,000 per carat. Its hardness is 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale.

2. Red Diamonds
Technically speaking, red diamonds are diamonds, but they serve to highlight the fact that that diamonds actually come in a range of colors. They are, in order of rarity: yellow, brown, colorless, blue, green, black, pink, orange, purple and red. In other words, The clear diamonds you're liable to encounter at your local jeweler aren't even rare as far as diamonds go.

As a point of reference, the largest red diamond on Earth — The Moussaieff Red, pictured here — weighs just 5.11 carats (about 1 gram). The largest traditional diamonds — such as those cut from the 3,106.75-carat Cullinan diamond — weigh in at well over 500 carats. [Photo Credit: The Gemological Institute of America]

1. The Pink Star Diamond

The Pink Star, formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink, is a diamond weighing 59.60 carat (11.92 g), rated in color as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America. The Pink Star was mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, and weighed 132.5 carat in the rough. The Pink Star is the largest known diamond having been rated Vivid Pink. As a result of this exceptional rarity, the Steinmetz Group took a cautious 20 months to cut the Pink. It was unveiled in Monaco on 29 May 2003 in a public ceremony.

The Pink Star was displayed (as the Steinmetz Pink) as part of the Smithsonian's "The Splendor of Diamonds" exhibit. In 2013 the Pink Star was auctioned by Sotheby's in Geneva on 13 November 2013. The sale price was USD 83,187,381, a world record for a diamond of any colour and, indeed, for any gemstone.

Famous People and Famous Jewelry: Elizabeth Taylor

Text: Sandra Kemppainen, wikipedia

Photos: wikipedia

One of the most famous actresses in the history of the big screen, Elizabeth Taylor is remembered for her iconic beauty, but also for her astonishing collection of jewellery. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age. As one of the world’s most famous film stars, she was recognised for her acting ability and for her glamorous lifestyle, beauty, and distinctive violet eyes.

Her much-publicized personal life included eight marriages and several life-threatening illnesses. From the mid-1980s, Taylor championed HIV and AIDS programs; she co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research in 1985, and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1993. 

She received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the Legion of Honour, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute, who named her seventh on their list of the “Greatest American Screen Legends”. Taylor died of congestive heart failure in March 2011 at the age of 79, having suffered many years of ill health. 

Taylor had a passion for jewelry. At her death, Taylor’s jewelry collection was reportedly worth $150 million. 

Over the years she owned a number of well-known pieces, two of the most famous being the 33.19-carat (6.64 g) Krupp Diamond, which she wore daily, and the 69.42-carat (13.88 g) pear-shaped Taylor-Burton Diamond; both were among many gifts from husband Richard Burton. 

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a diamond made famous when purchased by actor Richard Burton for his wife Dame Elizabeth Taylor in 1969, receiving worldwide publicity for its size and value. 

The original rough diamond was found in 1966 in the Premier Mine in South Africa, weighing 241 carats (48 g). It was cut by Harry Winston to 69.42 carats (13.88 g) in the shape of a pear.

The diamond was originally owned by Harriet Annenberg Ames. It was subsequently purchased at auction by Robert Kenmore, owner of the luxury brand Cartier, for a then record $1,050,000. It is regarded as the world’s first million-dollar diamond—although other stones may have previously changed hands privately for seven figures or more, this was the first one to do so at a public auction. The sale of the diamond carried with it naming rights, and it was named “The Cartier Diamond”. The Cartier company placed the diamond into a diamond necklace.

Richard Burton purchased the diamond for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor. Cartier parted with the diamond for a small premium (Burton is believed to have paid $1.1 million for the diamond) due to the great publicity that the sale generated, Burton and Taylor then being top movie stars and arguably the most famous couple in the world. Taylor wore it publicly on a necklace for the first time at Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th birthday celebration held in Monaco.

After their divorce, Taylor auctioned the diamond in 1978 for $5,000,000, which was used to build a hospital in Botswana.

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond is a 33.19-carat (6.638 g) stone, formerly known as the Krupp Diamond, sold at Christie’s on December 16, 2011, for $8,818,500, by the estate of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. Welsh actor Richard Burton gave the stone to the British-American actress in 1968 after acquiring it at auction for $305,000, during the fourth year of their first marriage.

The diamond was originally named for the Krupp family of German industrialists, and it was sold as part of the estate of Vera Krupp (1909-1967), second wife of Alfried Krupp.

Elizabeth Taylor wore the Krupp Diamond as a ring, and called it her favorite piece. The Krupp Diamond and other famous pieces of jewelry in Taylor’s collection became part of Taylor’s image. After Dame Elizabeth’s death, the stone was rechristened “The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond.”

On December 16, 2011, the diamond (renamed The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond by her Estate) was sold on auction by Christie's for $8,818,500 (including buyer's premium), by South Korean conglomerate E-Land, setting a record price per carat ($265,697) for a colorless diamond.

Taylor also owned the 50-carat (10 g) La Peregrina Pearl, purchased by Burton at a Sotheby’s auction for $37,000; as a Valentine’s Day present in 1969, and formerly owned by Mary I of England. La Peregrina is one of the most famous pearls in the world and remains one of the largest perfectly symmetrical pear-shaped pearls in the world.

La Peregrina is one of the most famous pearls in the world. Its history spans almost 500 years, and it has passed from the African slave who found it at Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama, to European kings and queens. Most recently, the pearl belonged to Elizabeth Taylor.

The original weight of this pear-shaped pearl was 223.8 grains, (55.95 carats, 11.2 g). At the time of its discovery, it was the largest pearl ever found. In 1913 the pearl had to be drilled and cleaned to secure it firmly to its setting. After drilling and cleaning, the pearl’s weight decreased to 203.84 grains. 

La Peregrina remains one of the largest perfectly symmetrical pear-shaped pearls in the world.

The pearl was found by an African slave on the coast of the isle of Santa Margarita in the Gulf of Panama in the mid-16th century. The pearl was given to Don Pedro de Temez, the administrator of the Spanish colony in Panama. The slave who found it was rewarded with freedom.

The pearl was carried to Spain and given by Temez to the future Philip II of Spain. It was in anticipation of his marriage to Mary I of England that Philip presented her La Peregrina. Mary wore the pearl as a pendant to a brooch, as seen in the famous portrait of her by Hans Eworth, which is exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London, as well as other portraits drawn by various artists between 1553 and 1558.

After her death in 1558, the pearl was returned to the Crown of Spain, where it remained as part of the crown jewelry for the next 250 years. It became one of the favorite ornaments for the Spanish queens of that time. Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III, wore the pearl for the celebration of the peace treaty between Spain and England in 1605. Portraits made by Diego Velázquez are evidence that the pearl was prized by both Elisabeth of France and Mariana of Austria, wives of Philip IV. The equestrian portrait of Elisabeth, Philip IV’s first wife, shows her wearing the pearl. Mariana, her successor, was painted with the pearl as well.

In 1808 the elder brother of Napoleon, Joseph Bonaparte, was installed as king of Spain. His rule continued for five years, and when he was forced to leave the kingdom, after the defeat of the French forces at the Battle of Vitoria, he took some of the crown jewels with him, including La Peregrina. 

At that time, the pearl got its name “La Peregrina - the Wanderer”. In his will, Joseph Bonaparte left the pearl to his nephew, the future Napoleon III of France. During his exile in England, the Emperor sold it to James Hamilton, Marquess and later Duke of Abercorn. 

Abercorn bought the pearl for his wife, Louisa. The pearl was very heavy and it fell out of its necklace’s setting on at least two occasions.

The first time, the pearl got lost in a sofa in Windsor Castle; the second time, during a ball at Buckingham Palace. On both occasions, the pearl was recovered. The Hamilton family owned the pearl until 1969 when they sold it at auction atSotheby’s in London.

Richard Burton purchased the pearl at the Sotheby’s auction for $37,000. He gave it to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, as a Valentine’s Day gift during their first marriage. On one occasion, the pearl went missing in the Burtons’ suite at Caesar’s Palace, Paradise, Nevada. In her book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, Taylor writes:

“At one point I reached down to touch La Peregrina and it wasn’t there! I glanced over at Richard and thank God he wasn’t looking at me, and I went into the bedroom and threw myself on the bed, buried my head into the pillow and screamed. Very slowly and very carefully, I retraced all my steps in the bedroom. I took my slippers off, took my socks off, and got down on my hands and knees, looking everywhere for the pearl. Nothing. I thought, “It’s got to be in the living room in front of Richard. What am I going to do. He’ll kill me! Because he loved the piece.”

After few minutes of mental anguish, Taylor looked at their puppies. One of them was apparently chewing on a bone, but nobody gave bones to the puppies. Taylor continues:

“I just casually opened the puppy's mouth and inside his mouth was the most perfect pearl in the world. It was—thank God—not scratched.”

Burton sought a portrait of Mary I of England wearing the pearl. Upon the purchase of such a painting, the Burtons discovered that the British National Portrait Gallery did not have an original painting of Mary, so they donated the painting to the Gallery.

In December 2011 the pearl sold for a record price of more than $11 million (£7.1m). La Peregrina was sold as part of Elizabeth Taylor's collection, which was being auctioned at Christie's in New York. It was sold mounted on the diamond Cartier necklace.

Elizabeth Taylor was a fashion icon during her years as an active film star. 

In addition to her own purchases, MGM costumers Edith Head and Helen Rose helped Taylor choose clothes that emphasised her face, chest, and waist. Taylor helped popularize Valentino and Halston's designs, and in the 1980s Schering-Plough developed violet contact lenses, citing Taylor's eyes as inspiration.

Sandra Kemppainen.

Featured Designer: Ivanka Trump

Text: Sandra Kemppainen, ivankatrumpcollection.com;

Photos: Image Courtesy of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry

IVANKA MARIE TRUMP (born October 30, 1981) is an American businesswoman, writer, heiress, and former model.

Ivanka Trump is the principal of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry. The Ivanka Trump Lifestyle Collection also includes fragrance, footwear, handbags, outerwear and eyewear collections. She was born in New York City, New York to parents Ivana Trump and American business magnate Donald Trump. 

Before joining the family business, Trump worked for Forest City Enterprises, and joined forces with Dynamic Diamond Corp., a diamondtrading company sightholder, to design and introduce a line of jewelry at the brand’s first flagship retail store called Ivanka Trump on Madison Avenue.

In her jewellery collection, Ms. Trump combines her innate understanding of modern luxury with a vision of heirloom-chic jewellery that fits perfectly into the lives of today’s intelligent, self-assured women and inspires elegance in a new generation. 

Her jewellery collections are inspired by travels, architecture and design. Each 2013 collection is directly influenced by her favourite travel locations around the world.

- Metropolis, inspired by her home city, New York and early 20th century art deco architecture

- Patras, named after the city with the same name in Greece, jewelry line of white gold and blue gemstone pieces reminiscent of the crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Patras.

- Toulouse, known as “The Pink City”, due to its art deco architectural brick buildings that look pink in the sun.

- Aberdeen is a softer look for the Ivanka Trump jewellery customer. The collection is comprised of designs reflecting the rolling waves from the Aberdeenshire coastline and the impressive sand dunes from the golf course.

Being part of the online social media nowadays is extremely important. And Ivanka Trump has truly embraced it. With over 1.5million followers on twitter, almost 23k fans on her jewellery Facebook page and over 240k fans on her other Facebook page. Through the social media, she strives to show a personal side to her brand. People need authenticity.

Speaking about nowadays' marketplace, Ivanka Trump speaks of tremendous opportunities, but they are harder to come by because more people are competing for distressed assets. Back in the days of 2006 banks were throwing money at everyone. "Now they have their purse strings closed, and you have to do a lot more work on each deal to secure financing. This is exactly the time when people should be transacting–not at the height, but at the trough. It represents an opportunity for companies who have been conservative and didn’t expose themselves and now have the ability to be more predatory in terms of what they are looking for."

“I never mind when somebody underestimates me,” she says. “I joke about this with my father all the time. If somebody has a meeting with Donald Trump, they will come in fully armed, whereas if they have a meeting with me, they are less likely to be prepared. That’s an advantage for me.” 

Ivanka Trump

IVANKA TRUMP DIAMONDS:

Diamonds stand for some of the deepest human emotions – so it is very important for the clients to feel confident about their purchase - right down to the origin of the diamond they choose. 

To that end, Ivanka Trump jewellery is committed to upholding the highest business, social and environmental standards. 

Every diamond in the Ivanka Trump Collection has been sourced from legitimate sources, in compliance with Global Trade and UN regulations, and are not "Conflict Diamonds." 

Conflict diamonds are diamonds that are illegally obtained by rebels and sold to fund conflict in certain African nations, also known as “blood diamonds”.

In 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification System was established to eradicate the trade in conflict diamonds. Today, over 99% of diamonds are from conflict-free sources. Ivanka Trump guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of the diamonds.

The diamond industry at large also strives to ensure that the revenue from diamond ventures contributes to the ongoing development of the people involved in mining and manufacturing around the world, and that any activities that challenge this are stopped.

In addition, diamonds are also making a difference in lives around the globe, particularly in Africa. 

Revenues generated from diamonds provide employment, education and healthcare to developing countries. They also provide help in the fight against HIV/AIDS so consumers can buy with confidence. Learn more at diamondfacts.org.

IVANKA’S GUIDE TO THE 4CS:

The diamond, already from ancient times, has been one of the best-known and most sought-after gemstones. One of the characteristics of diamonds that makes them so desirable as jewelry is their tendency to disperse white light into its component colors, giving the diamond its characteristic “sparkle.” 

Other characteristics, such as shape and presence or lack of fluorescence also affect the desirability and thus the value of a diamond used for jewelry. Perhaps the most common use of a diamond in jewelry is its use in engagement rings. One of the first occurrences of the diamond engagement (or wedding) ring can be traced back to the marriage of Maximilian I (then Archduke of Austria) to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.

Ivanka Trump’s diamonds are analyzed, examined and selected with extreme care and attention.

Diamonds are such a highly traded commodity that multiple organizations have been created for grading and certifying diamonds based on the four Cs which are carat, cut, color, and clarity. Here is what to look for whether you are looking to buy an engagement ring, a diamond solitaire pendant or earrings.

1. Color

Color grading represents a fundamental element of the diamond.

The more colorless a stone is, the greater its rarity and value.

Even though many diamonds appear colorless to an inexpert eye, the majority of stones have a color leaning slightly towards yellow or brown. Colors are graded from D to Z, with D being “colorless” and every grade down reflecting varying degrees of coloration. D colorless diamonds are extremely rare and therefore very valuable.

The value of a diamond can vary considerably with the slightest increase in the shade of color. Ivanka Trump’s diamonds are classified following the standards of the Gemological Institute of America.

2. Clarity

The number, position, kind, color and prominence of inclusions contained in the diamond determine the grade of clarity.

A diamond is ‘clear’ if examination under a microscope with a 10x magnifying lens does not reveal inclusions or flaws on the surface.

Truly clear diamonds are extremely rare.

The majority of diamonds have natural inclusions, invisible to the naked eye, that do not affect their beauty.

The clarity of a diamond is classified according to the Gemological Institute of America international standards.

3. Cut

The cut enhances the Diamond’s power to pick up and reflect light. The stone is revealed and the diamond shows itself in all its splendor and brilliance.

In order to reach perfection, the diamond cutter determines every facet and angle of the stone following a strict set of geometric guidelines, thus obtaining maximum importance and greatest brilliance for each gem.

In a brilliant-cut diamond there must be 57 or 58 facets lined up with precision.

Although many consumers picture diamonds as round brilliants, most of the world’s famous diamonds are fancy shapes. Ivanka Trump uses fancy shape diamonds as Emerald, Pear, Oval and Heart, and has also introduced a new proprietary cut which is a modified version of the much desired Asscher Cut. This diamond was first used in Ivanka’s engagement ring and is now available to the public and featured in our Bridal Bar.

Ivanka Trump’s diamonds have only the best proportions and finish displaying the maximum brilliance and dispersion.

4. Carat weight

The carat represents the unit of weight of a diamond.

The size of a diamond increases its value and rarity, but has a lesser importance if it is not matched with a good grade of color and clarity and a properly proportioned cut.

Two stones of the same carat weight will have, in fact, very different values depending on their other characteristics.

Nevertheless, size does indeed contribute to increase the value of a diamond, as large stones are rarer than small ones.

Ivanka Trump’s consultants are also diamond experts and invite you for a complimentary consultation, to help you chose and find the best diamond for you. Our designer is also available to work with you should a custom design be what you’re looking for.

DIAMONDS AND CHAMPAGNE SATURDAYS

At the Ivanka Trump Boutique on Mercer Street, Saturdays are for Diamonds and Champagne. 

Join us on a Saturday for a leisure conversation about diamonds. Ask our experts any question you may have, browse our assortment, see the possibilities. We’re confident you won’t find an assortment like ours, both in scope and value, and a more friendly and relaxed environment in which to start or finish your search for the perfect stone. 

See more details on Ivanka Trump's website.

http://www.ivankatrumpcollection.com/

The Prettiest Engagement Ring You Have Ever Seen... from Andrew Geoghegan

Introducing the devastatingly pretty Cannelé Pink Bridal from Andrew Geoghegan. With a brilliant cut pink sapphire 33pt centre stone surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds – this is a ring that will fulfill every girls princess fantasy. 

The Cannelé engagement rings have become some of the most sought after AG pieces ever to be created and it’s easy to see why. With a unique fluted design, the Cannelé rings are utterly lovely.

Created in AG’s inimitable style and attention to detail, the setting and finishing is achieved under microscope, leaving a ring that is as close to perfect as you’re likely to get.

Cannelé Pink Bridal from Andrew Geoghegan

Pictured with a brilliant cut pink sapphire 33pt centre stone surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds.

Stockist info contact: info@andrewgeoghegan.com / www.andrewgeoghegan.com 

Cannele Pink Bridal 33pt 18ct White is £1951

Did you know? - A few interesting facts about diamonds

  
1. The word “Diamond” comes from the Greek word “Adamas” and this means “unconquerable and indestructible”.
2. In 1477 the Archduke of Austria gave a diamond to Mary of Burgundy. This was the earliest record of man giving diamond to a woman.
3. Diamonds worn in ancient times were believed to promote strength, invincibility and courage.
4. To produce a single one-carat diamond, 250 tons of earth will be mined.
5. The diamond is the hardest natural substance found on the earth.
6. Diamond is a birthstone for people born in the month of April.
7. Diamonds were first discovered in India and then in Brazil.
8. Diamonds have very large melting point of 3820K (3547’ C/ 6420’ F) and a boiling point of 5100K (4827’ C/ 8720’ F).
9. Most diamonds found in nature are between one to three billion years old.
10. A single diamond of two carats is worth more than twice a much as 2 one carat diamonds.
11. On average, each stone will lose 50% of its original weight during cutting and polishing.
12. Diamonds are carried to the surface by volcanic eruptions.
13. Although the US accounts for less than one-percent of total global gemstone production, America buys more than half of the world’s total gem quality diamonds - accounting for the world’s largest diamond market.
14. There are white dwarf stars in space that have a diamond core. Biggest diamond known in universe weights 2.27 thousand trillion trillion tons which is 10 billion trillion trillion carats, or a 1 followed by 34 zeros.
15. The largest diamond ever found was the Cullinan at 3106 carats.
16. 80% of the world’s diamonds are not suitable for jewelry.
17. Color of diamond is usually pale yellow to colorless, but can also be brown, blue, green, orange, red, pink and black.
18. The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the worlds only diamond mine open to the public — this is a dig-for-free operation for tourists and rock enthusiasts. Since as far back as 1906, there have been more than 70,000 diamonds discovered in the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas — this includes the 40.23 carat “Uncle Sam Diamond” — the largest diamond of its kind ever found in the US discovered in 1924.
20. In traditional Hinduism diamond with some kind of flaw or flat or incut should be avoided because it carries bad luck.
21. Greek historian Pliny wrote that “diamond baffles poison, keeps of insanity and dispels vain fears”.
22. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen on the earth.
23. Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil and wore them as talismans. They inherited this belief from Indian mythology.
24. A law in Thirteenth-century France decreed that only the King could wear diamonds.

Sandra Kemppainen

Photos: wikipedia, freedigitalphotos.net

Did you know? - A few interesting facts about jewelry

• Did you know that even though a Diamond is known to be the hardest material mineral known to man, if you hit it with a hammer you would crush it to a powder? This so called “hardness” relates to it’s ability to scratch other materials. 

And by the way: Never test a diamond by scratching a glass surface, it will damage the surface of the diamond. Even an imitation glass diamond will scratch the surface of glass.

• Did you know that Platinum is one of the world’s strongest metals? It weighs 60% more than karat gold. Just holding it in your hand, you can feel the difference. 

Not everyone can own Platinum jewelry because there simply isn’t enough of it in world. For example: all the Platinum ever mined would fit in an average sized living room.

• Did you know that the largest gold nugget found in the U.S.A. was in California and it weighed 195 pounds? 

• Did you know that gold in it’s pure form (24 carats) is so soft that it bends easily like lead metal and has to be mixed with other metals to make durable jewelry? That is why gold comes in 18  carat gold, 14 carat gold, 10 carat gold, 10 carat gold being the one with less gold in it.

• Did you know that colored Diamonds are called “fancies” and are rare and those with pronounced colors are worth more than the finest white varieties?














Text: Sandra Kemppainen, photos: wikipedia, freedigitalphotos.net

Birthstones – Gemstones that tell about you April, May

Are sapphires lucky for you and when will you benefit from using them the most? Do you know your birthstone?

For every month, there is a gemstone that is set to describe the person thatis born in during the month. Birthstones include precious gemstones, like diamonds, and semiprecious gems, for example turquoise. Birthstones describe the twelve months and people that are born in certain month the same way than horoscopes do.

All the birthstones are believed to have healing powers for different illnesses and health problems. All the birthstones also have different good features in them, like creativity or happiness. Birthstones are believed to bring extra luck on its own chosen month, so if you feel like you need some extra help with your lottery numbers, read on what gemstone will benefit you the most.

April: Diamond

The most appreciated gemstone of all, Diamond, is the birthstone for April. These expensive birthstones come in almost every color. Diamond is believed to bring increasing inner strength and make relationships better. Diamonds bring balance, clarity and abundance to its user. 

If you have health  problems relating with brain diseases or want to remove toxins, diamonds are believed to help.

May: Emerald

May birthstone is gorgeously green emerald. Emeralds are said to bring Friendship, loyalty and faithfulness to its user. Emeralds will help with clairvoyance, memory and faith. If you have problems with fertility, spine or headaches, emeralds are believed to help.

Text: Susan Fred; photos: Sandra Rugina, Pasi Torkkeli