Colorful gemstones are just anybody's dream to have. Their natural colors more than match your very fashionable dresses. Their sheer range could strike you spell bound. Gemstones are precious or semiprecious mineral stones which when cut and faceted can be used as jewels.
There is more to gemstones than just being jewelry items. They are regarded as lucky when worn specific to an individual's birth month. Before we deal with this aspect in detail lets see the classification of gemstones.
Classification and Characteristics of Gemstones
There is a tri-level classification of gemstones namely, groups, species and varieties. Simply put, rubies which are red in color belong to conundrum species which in turn belong to hematite group. Others like emerald, aquamarine, goshenite, heliodor and morganite, all of them belong to that variety known as beryl. There are over 150 different species available.
Gemstones display all characteristics of crystals like dispersion, refractive indices, hardness, and specific gravity etc. They also possess characters like inclusions, fractures and cleavage which play upon their quality and values. However gemologists include all gems into the precious list.
Hardness is another important characteristic of gemstones. Simply put, hardness means resistance to scratch which is measured in Mohs, a system developed by an Austrian mineralogist F. Mohs. The scale of hardness reads from 1-10 with higher number indicating the hardest. If talc is at the bottom with just 1Moh, diamond has 10Mohs. Other popular gemstones like feldspar, topaz and sapphire having Mohs of 6, 8 and 9 respectively.
Birth Stones
US Geological Survey lists gemstones classified as birth stones. It is believed by most people that wearing birthstones brings luck to their lives. It is not surprising that all societies have this kind of faith with regards to gemstones, albeit with differences here and there, looking at the romancing tryst every society had with these 'stones'. The list is in the order of calendar months with each month having at least one gemstone specific to that month. One can find a list of birth stones on official website of USGS.
Buying Gemstones
USGS cautions buyers against unscrupulous sellers as more and more of them are trying to push through synthetic gemstones as genuine pieces to unsuspecting, inexperienced buyers. Gemstones are measured by size and carats. (1carat=1/5th of a gram.)
When buying gemstones, watch out for:
1. Heating alters the color sometimes improving clarity
2. Irradiation darkens colors
3. Impregnation with wax, resins etc fills cracks, flaws
4. Fractures filled by injecting plastic
5. Differential colors in center and surface indicates diffusion treatment
Always buy from reputed sellers who produce certificates by Gemological Institute of America to prevent a lucky stone turn unlucky.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
How to Choose the Perfect Body Jewelry
Body piercing practices and body jewelry are common things among various groups of people who are keen on preserving their social and cultural inheritance. For instance, such practices may be regarded as genuine rites of passage. They can also indicate the real social status. But many people think that such jewelry can be used in order to underline and enhance the natural beauty.
Body jewelry can also be used in order to try and rise above the crowd because you may stand out when using the body jewelry that fits your style and personality. Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, belly button rings, eyebrow, lip and tongue piercing can make the difference for the way you look and if you are daring enough, you can go for the piercing in more private areas. However, we should acknowledge the fact that the body jewelry has been a genuine way for people to prove their status or wealth within their community. Actually, body jewellery dates as far back as 75,000 years ago.
Nowadays, there are plenty of people who are keen on wearing such body jewelry, in order to adorn themselves and even attract attention from the opposite sex. It can also be regarded as a way to express themselves and emphasize their genuine personality. The more daring the body jewelry, the bolder and stronger the personality. Body jewelry gained extra popularity and even the younger crowds embraced this practice in order to proclaim their personal statements, vitality and strength. Various materials are used for creating body jewelry, among which there's gold, silver, surgical steel, titanium, plastic, ivory, and many other precious mediums that can address the demands coming from the current customers.
Body jewelry one of the most popular ways of enhancing natural beauty. For instance, celebrities are keen on showing their precious jewelry but this "fashion" has become popular about fifteen years ago. The young adults were the ones to wear piercing on their faces, however, body piercing trends advanced to other body areas as well. For instance, now there's piercing on the nipples, genitals and navel. The facial piercing has conquered new realms because excess was the keyword when it came to eyebrows, cheek, lips and tongue. All these piercings could be found on one face.
Actually, some of these people began to like as if they were wearing faces made of steel. But the current trends have lost their initial popularity and the facial and navel piercing are among the most accepted forms of piercing. Moderation has become the rule that governs the world of body jewelry because every excessive piercing placed on a particular area of the body is likely to be regarded as some sort of taboo. Such excessive piercings are usually associated with rebellion against authority and laws.
If you are wondering what body jewelry is best for you, you have come to the right place because the type of jewelry you decide to wear should match your personal style and personality. So, you should choose your pieces of jewelry according to the things you want to express. Body jewelry may come in a wide range of colors, materials, sizes and shapes and you will have to take your time in order to make the wisest choice.
It goes without saying that body piercing must be performed in a perfectly clean and safe environment in order for you to avoid any possible infection. The piercing tools must be sterilized as well. Once you have had your piercing, you will need to keep your pierced areas clean because the jewelry will be placed right inside a hole in the body. Therefore, proper caring and cleaning is mandatory in order to avoid the nasty infections and scaring that may even cause some mild disfiguration unless you take great care.
Just come to our Funkytownmall.com store and you will discover a beautiful line of very unique, yet surprisingly affordable quality jewelry pieces, mostly in durable stainless steel. You will find unique rings, pendants, and a huge selection of affordable body jewelry. Enjoy your new elegant beauty!
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
Body jewelry can also be used in order to try and rise above the crowd because you may stand out when using the body jewelry that fits your style and personality. Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, belly button rings, eyebrow, lip and tongue piercing can make the difference for the way you look and if you are daring enough, you can go for the piercing in more private areas. However, we should acknowledge the fact that the body jewelry has been a genuine way for people to prove their status or wealth within their community. Actually, body jewellery dates as far back as 75,000 years ago.
Nowadays, there are plenty of people who are keen on wearing such body jewelry, in order to adorn themselves and even attract attention from the opposite sex. It can also be regarded as a way to express themselves and emphasize their genuine personality. The more daring the body jewelry, the bolder and stronger the personality. Body jewelry gained extra popularity and even the younger crowds embraced this practice in order to proclaim their personal statements, vitality and strength. Various materials are used for creating body jewelry, among which there's gold, silver, surgical steel, titanium, plastic, ivory, and many other precious mediums that can address the demands coming from the current customers.
Body jewelry one of the most popular ways of enhancing natural beauty. For instance, celebrities are keen on showing their precious jewelry but this "fashion" has become popular about fifteen years ago. The young adults were the ones to wear piercing on their faces, however, body piercing trends advanced to other body areas as well. For instance, now there's piercing on the nipples, genitals and navel. The facial piercing has conquered new realms because excess was the keyword when it came to eyebrows, cheek, lips and tongue. All these piercings could be found on one face.
Actually, some of these people began to like as if they were wearing faces made of steel. But the current trends have lost their initial popularity and the facial and navel piercing are among the most accepted forms of piercing. Moderation has become the rule that governs the world of body jewelry because every excessive piercing placed on a particular area of the body is likely to be regarded as some sort of taboo. Such excessive piercings are usually associated with rebellion against authority and laws.
If you are wondering what body jewelry is best for you, you have come to the right place because the type of jewelry you decide to wear should match your personal style and personality. So, you should choose your pieces of jewelry according to the things you want to express. Body jewelry may come in a wide range of colors, materials, sizes and shapes and you will have to take your time in order to make the wisest choice.
It goes without saying that body piercing must be performed in a perfectly clean and safe environment in order for you to avoid any possible infection. The piercing tools must be sterilized as well. Once you have had your piercing, you will need to keep your pierced areas clean because the jewelry will be placed right inside a hole in the body. Therefore, proper caring and cleaning is mandatory in order to avoid the nasty infections and scaring that may even cause some mild disfiguration unless you take great care.
Just come to our Funkytownmall.com store and you will discover a beautiful line of very unique, yet surprisingly affordable quality jewelry pieces, mostly in durable stainless steel. You will find unique rings, pendants, and a huge selection of affordable body jewelry. Enjoy your new elegant beauty!
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
