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A foundation made with bricks or cement blocks may last for many years without any cracks. But if you do notice cracks caused by the ground settling around the foundation, you should take immediate steps to repair the joints, a process known as "repointing," using mortar that matches the color of the original mortar as closely as possible. While well within the capabiities of most homeowners, repointing a foundation so that the new work blends with the old does take time. Shop around until you find mortar mix that contains sand that is the same color as the original mortar.
Diamond Cut 7 enables users to both enhance desirable sounds and eliminate unwanted sounds from your audio file. The program is ideal for removing noise artifacts from analog recording or simply filtering out background noise from an audio file. If you'd like to remove the sound of a hammer blow from one of your recordings, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with Diamond Cut 7's audio filters.
Whether used as siding or as flooring, stone brick provides the look of quality and luxury while standing up to an impressive amount of wear and weathering without fading or losing its shape. While the raw material in stone brick adds to the cost of a stone brick construct, so do the processes used in its manufacture. These processes require the input of both man and machine.
In addition to making eye-catchingly beautiful accessories, it has been suggested that diamonds can also reveal a great deal about the personalities of the women who wear them, as there tends to be a correlation between the shape of a diamond and the type of women who gravitate toward that particular shape. What does your favorite diamond shape tell the world about you?
When it comes to cutting gems, dozens of options allow you to prep gems for jewelry, this includes the style known as "Cabochon." Cabochon is easily identified by its rounded or ellipse shape that can come in various sizes and be placed in several different settings. Typically used on opaque gems, it is best to use gems that are a level seven or higher on Mohs hardness scale, including sapphires.
Diamond in its uncut state looks like a shiny gray stone, but when cut and polished properly it reflects light, making its surface shinier. Cutting diamonds is not complex but it is a process that takes time to master. The process entails splitting, cutting, setting and polishing the diamond.
Just like a leading man is better with a sidekick, flashy solitaire stones benefit when surrounded by tapered baguette diamonds. A slender stone that adds shine instead of sparkle, a tapered baguette diamond can accentuate showy solitaires or combine with other baguettes to form shimmering jewelry in the shape of knots, hearts and circles.
The white sapphire, although lacking the diamond's fire, is often paired with the diamond in multi-stone settings because it mimics the diamond in color, brilliance and hardness. The white sapphire has a refractive index of 1.766 to 1.774 and a hardness value of 9. These characteristics are only slightly lower than those of the diamond, but the white sapphire costs costs considerably less.
The diamond is the most popular gemstone in the world and has been for centuries. In modern times, it has become the gemstone of choice for engagement and wedding rings. Diamond stud earrings are a wardrobe staple, and elaborate diamond creations are the ultimate accessories for high-profile public events. The cut of a diamond refers to its shape. While cut does not change anything about the stone, aside from its physical appearance, each of the many cuts carry their own values and presentation advantages.
A diamond cut is a term used to denote the set of characteristics set out to be achieved when shaping a diamond for commercial sale. The quality of a diamond is considered to be, in part, related to how well the instructions for cutting it are followed. Each style of cut has its own unique physical shape, symmetry, proportioning and polish, and the emerald cut is no exception.
A baguette diamond has a long, rectangular shape and plain, simple lines. The name comes from the French word baguette which means long stick. Baguette diamonds have an understated look with a quiet sheen rather than the fire of a brilliant-cut diamond. Because of this the diamonds used for baguette cuts must be clear and high-quality, as any flaws or imperfections in the diamond are readily seen with this cut.
Cutting diamonds is both mathematically precise and elegantly artistic. The cut of a diamond does not refer to its shape (heart, round, pear, etc.), but to the number of facets, the measurement and proportion of the stone and its reflectivity. The best cut diamonds sparkle with fire, as light enters the stone and reflects back. The quality of a diamond's cut is the most important of the four Cs that determine a diamond's quality and value (the others are clarity, color and carat). It is also one of the most difficult qualities to determine with the untrained eye.
Every diamond shape has distinctive characteristics that determine the quality and clarity in each stone. While the round-shaped diamond is the most-often worn, other shapes have proven successful, each in its own way.
Well before Marilyn Monroe sang about square cuts and pear shapes, a diamond's cut helped determine its price. Cut means different things to jewelers and lapidaries than it does to diamond buyers and jewelry wearers. To a professional, a diamond's cut refers to how well the gemcutter worked the stone and involves precise measurements. For casual conversation, "cut" and "shape" are interchangeable.
If diamonds are truly a girl's best friend, they're a rare one, found under very specific geological conditions in only a few parts of the world. South Africa is the world's largest producer of diamonds, but there are also major diamond mines in countries such as Russia, China and Canada. If you're a prospective buyer of a diamond, knowing the different shapes of diamonds can help you make the right purchase.
Though they may look similar on the surface, emerald cut and radiant cut diamonds are different. Emerald cut diamonds are known for neat and long trimmed lines, while the radiant cut diamond is recognized for its sparkling reflection of light. Each cut has its own unique history, brilliance and beauty.
To determine if you have a ideal cut or fine cut diamond, look at size, clarity and cost. An ideal cut diamond will generally look more expensive than a fine cut diamond because it is cut to catch and reflect light almost perfectly. There are many variations of an ideal cut depending on the size of the diamond, but unlike fine cut diamonds, an ideal cut will generally cost more and shine more.
Cut is considered one of the four essential C's for determining a diamond's quality. The other three C's are: carat, color and clarity. A diamond's cut determines its sparkle, brilliance and light reflection. The more precise and sharply cut a diamond is, the more it will sparkle and shine. A diamond's cut does not refer to its shape but rather its symmetry, proportions and polish. The Gemological Institute of America has a diamond cut grading system for round brilliant diamonds. The cut grades are excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. These grades take into consideration a number of components…
A freshly mined diamond appears dull and gray. It requires expertise to transform it into the gem most recognize as a diamond. While the quality of the final product is limited by some unchangeable characteristics -- including color, size of the original stone and amount and type of inclusions -- the quality of cut rests on the decisions and skills of the diamond cutter.
Knowing how to tell the difference between European-cut diamonds and other cuts of diamonds will help you make an educated purchase or understand more about the diamond you own. Today, the European-cut diamond is most often seen in antique and estate jewelry. The old European-cut diamond was studied by Henry Morse and Marcel Tolkowsky to produce the round brilliant cut and ideal cut diamond popular today. With a jeweler's loupe and these directions, you will be able to distinguish if your diamond is a European-cut diamond.
The name of a diamond style is determined by the way the diamond is cut. The overall shape, edges and types of facets, which are the flat surfaces cut into the diamond, are slightly different for each different cut. Each diamond style is designed to highlight a certain aspect of the diamond, such as brilliance or clarity.
Mounting gemstones onto fabric or objects can be an inexpensive and crafty way to add details and embellishments to home decor or clothing items. Gem glues are designed specifically to mount gems onto fabric or hard surfaces, such as wood or vinyl. It is not recommended to use glue to mount onto metal objects, as this can lead to rusting. Choose flat-backed gemstones for easy mounting. Gems can also be used as a way to add detail and sparkle to gifts and wedding or baby shower favors.
The hunt for the perfect diamond can be a daunting one, but when armed with the right knowledge, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. One of the most important facts to know before hitting the stores is the difference in diamond cuts. Two diamond cuts that are often confused are the princess cut and the radiant cut. They may look similar, but each shape has specific qualities that make it unique.
When evaluating and judging diamonds, the "Four Cs" help to determine the value of the gemstone. They are color, clarity, carat-weight and cut. Among the six types of cuts,"ideal" and "fine" cuts describe the way in which the diamond is "faceted to catch and reflect light," according to Loose Diamonds Reviews.
Most women dream of owning diamonds. The rich and famous, royalty, collectors and thieves also seek after these precious jewels. The discovery of the first diamond is unknown, but historians believe the location was somewhere near India. The top 10 most precious diamonds are the most expensive and the most beautiful of these precious stones.
Jewelry makers and sellers need several tools to make quality jewelry and keep the pieces looking their best. One type of jewelry cutting tools includes the specialized tools used to shape the stones and gems that come from mines and natural sources. The stones and gems are then placed in ring settings, necklaces, bracelets, or on earrings, strung together usually by metal or sometimes string. The term jewelry cutting tools can also refer to the tools used to cut the metal, string, or leather used in some pieces.
Diamonds go through several processes before they become the sparkling stones that you see in the window of your local jeweler. In fact, a natural diamond in the rough doesn't look at all like what we see displayed in the settings of our jewelry. The brilliance and beauty of a diamond is created by a master diamond cutter, and there are many cuts and cutting styles that can be used to achieve this.
Diamonds are forever, so it is wise to put in time and thought before purchasing one of these precious stones. There are roughly a dozen common diamond cuts, ranging from the simplicity of an emerald-cut to the staggering brilliance of a princess-cut diamond. The right cut can give brilliance, depth and clarity to a stone, while the wrong cut can expose flaws and make the stone appear dull or lifeless. Exercise care, caution and thought, and you'll be enjoying your diamond for years to come.
Diamonds are one of the most popular gemstones and they can be cut into a variety of shapes. One of the popular accent cuts is the baguette.
No two diamonds are exactly the same-their differences in quality and size have a dramatic effect on how much you'll pay. Each diamond retailer may also charge considerably different prices for two stones of the same size, shape and with similar characteristics.
The cut of a diamond determines its fire, sparkle and brilliance by affecting how it reflects light. To determine the quality of a cut, pay attention to its shape, depth, polish and symmetry.
The process of cutting and polishing gemstones is known as lapidary but it is more often simply referred to as gem-cutting. The uncut stones are called rough material, and are turned into a finished gem by a process of gradually applying finer grit or small particles of a harder substance. Usually diamond dust is used since it is the hardest natural substance. In some cases a man-made compound of silicon carbide is used for softer stones.
The flamingo topaz is a type of topaz gemstone that is a brilliant pink. This gem was named after the flamingo bird, because it has a similar hue. A coating process that changes the base color of the gem creates the flamingo topaz. Without this scientific process, the flamingo topaz would not exist.
The emerald cut diamond ring is a popular type of engagement ring. This rectangle shape offers the wearer a unique style that is sure to capture the attention of those around her. Found in retail stores around the world, the emerald cut diamond shape is popular in a variety of sizes, proportions and settings.
A beautiful diamond sitting in a jewelry store case was not born that beautiful. Diamonds all start out as a rough rock or crystal. The diamond is known as the hardest material on earth, and as such requires a special process to finish the stone, producing the brilliant diamond that you see in the jewelry store.
Once upon a time, Louis XV became so enamored with the smile of his mistress, Marquise de Pompadour, that he commissioned a special diamond cut in its honor. Over time, this cut became known as the marquise cut. Also known as the boat shape or navette, the marquise cut looks like a variation of the brilliant cut (tapered at both ends instead of rounded). When cut properly, a marquise diamond can be exquisite. The secret is knowing what qualities to look for when choosing a stone.
Fine opals sparkle and shine, radiating color in every direction. Capturing that color in all its glory is the responsibility of the opal cutter. Applying both science and art, the opal cutter usually cuts every fine opal into a cabochon, a convex, rounded surface which is polished but not faceted. A cabochon cut brings out an opal's finest qualities.
When diamonds are taken from the mine they are translucent, rough and dull. It is not until a jeweler cuts and polishes the diamond that it will sparkle and shine. This sometimes raises the value of the diamond by 50 percent.
A diamond's cut is arguably its most important characteristic. The cut refers to the way in which the craftsman cuts the diamond and forms the facets. A diamond that is cut well is better at reflecting light than one than one that is cut less skillfully. Specialty cuts have more facets than regular cuts and create more sparkles of light.
Flanders cut diamonds are very beautiful, more unusual diamonds that involve complex cutting and intricate symmetry.
The carat weight of a diamond can only be accurately determined by weighing the stone, as carats are specific weight measurements equaling 200 milligrams, or 1/142 of an ounce. However, if you can make accurate measurements of the physical dimensions of the stone, you can get a rough estimate of the total carat weight. As a stone is rarely symmetrical, you will have to take a number of different measurements.
A diamond's cut is one of the most important factors in the way the diamond sparkles. The cut of a diamond determines the amount of light that is reflected out of the diamond, or its sparkle. There are many different diamond shapes, anywhere from a traditional round diamond to a heart-shaped diamond. However, there are a few diamond styles that are the most popular because of their brilliant sparkle.
Carat weight is the primary form of measuring a diamond, but it is not the only one or the only one that determines value. While carat weight is a big factor in price, so is cut. Cut is a term that not only refers to the shape of a diamond--round, marquise, pear or emerald--but to how the weight of a diamond is distributed. The best way to measure the actual dimensions of a diamond is by using a Leveridge gauge. A Leveridge gauge shows the millimeter measurement on a round dial and has two sides that are used to measure.…
Diamond evaluations are based on the four Cs: cut, clarity, color and carat. Some of these factors that affect value are created naturally; for instance, diamonds are formed under such rare circumstances that the larger they are, the more expensive. Other factors, such as cut, and to some degree, clarity, have to do with the skill of the gem cutter. All of these factors should be assessed and given a grade on a diamond certificate. Ideally this certificate will have been issued by an independent accredited gem lab that was not involved in the purchase or sale of the diamond…
Diamonds are the most popular gemstones and are prized for the hardness, their ability to refract light and their color. The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek meaning unbreakable or unalterable. Diamonds are rated by the using the four C's including clarity, color, cut and carat.
Diamonds are the desired gemstones. Symbolic of romance, love and commitment, their beauty reflects the sentiments of the human heart. Diamonds come in a variety of sizes, as well as colors. Diamonds also come in numerous cuts. Square-cut diamonds are a popular choice for all types of jewelry; there are many types of square-cut diamonds.
A table-cut diamond has been cut so that its top is a flat square, like a table. The other sides of the stone are cut into a rounded facet to enhance the diamond's sparkle.
An old mine diamond is one that has been cut in a manner consistent with 19th century jewelry design. It resembles the modern cushion cut.
The radiant cut diamond blends the proportions of the emerald cut with that of the classic round diamond. It has a unique style and a radiant sparkle that will grab your attention.
European cut diamond rings, especially engagement rings, are very popular. They invoke an old-world style elegance and status. They were the predecessor to the brilliant cut diamond.
The cut of a diamond is one of the "four C's" of diamond quality (clarity, color, cut and weight) and refers to the proportions, symmetry and polish of a diamond.
Without diamond-cutting tools, chipping a diamond is very difficult. Unintentional chips occur on the girdle, or thin edge, the rare times they happen. Diamond has a complex lattice structure at the molecular level, which is weakest at certain very specific angles. These are the angles along which a gemologist would cut the diamond, and along which an inadvertent cut would also occur. Intentional "chips" may be needed to eliminate unintentional chips. This correction can unfortunately reduce a diamond's volume up to 20 percent. Fortunately, insurance companies usually pay for a full replacement.
When choosing the perfect pair of earrings, whether pendant or stud, finding the right cut of diamond is an important step. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of choices in diamond cuts for earrings, making it possible for anyone to find something that suits her style.
Radiant and cushion are two different styles of diamond cut. The cut of a diamond is one of four "C" factors used to judge a stone, the others being clarity, color and carat weight.
When most people think of a diamond, they think of a round stone with many facets that bring out the brilliance and fire in these clear minerals. However, many shapes and cuts are possible, depending on the size and shape of the raw, uncut diamond. Diamond cutters use different shapes and cuts to bring out different aspects of each stone. By cutting a diamond in a particular shape, the cutter can reduce waste and increase the value of the final cut diamond.
Gemstones are reputed to possess healing properties, which are transmitted through touching the stone. It is for this reason, combined with their natural beauty, that gemstones appear frequently in jewelry, usually as a setting or a bead. Gemstone beads can be made from any type of gemstone so long as it is of good quality (no cracks or chips) and it is thick enough to withstand the pressure applied by a drill. Large gemstones are easier to drill, carry less risk of breakage and are the most versatile, giving you the option of one large bead or multiple smaller beads.
In the 1300s, jewelers began cutting diamonds to capitalize on the gemstones' brilliance. The miner's cut is an antique method that peaked in popularity from the early 1800s to early 1900s.
Diamonds are available in a wide variety of shapes, from the simple round cut diamond to the more intricate heart-shaped diamond. One of the lesser-known shapes is the cushion cut diamond. Although this cut is not very popular, it has a classically romantic look.
Chain link jewelry has a variety of sizes and designs. Some designs are sleek, while others rectangular or oval shaped. Charms and pendants can also be used to decorate chain link jewelry.
Natural pink diamonds are extremely rare and come in shades ranging from a light pastel rose to intense purple-reds. When selecting between a naturally pink diamond or a chemically treated pink diamond, the cost variation can be great. Because the price is determined by the intensity of the color, natural pink diamonds have sold for up to $1 million a carat, rivaling the chemically treated ones for a little more than the average price of a regular diamond. In cases when it's not an affordable means, these diamonds can be laboratory engineered to accommodate any size or shade. The three-step…
"Hearts on Fire" is a style of round-cut diamond developed in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky. It earned its name from the eight tiny hearts visible through the pavilion of a hearts on fire stone. Hearts on Fire diamonds are available only through the company of the same name.
Diamonds are often used as fashion accessories, but they have other applications. Their durability and ability to capture light make them ideal components for jewelry made to last a lifetime, and for use in low- and high-tech manufacturing. Whether used in jewelry or by industry, many diamonds can be recycled.
The cushion-cut diamond is a rare gem with an interesting history that reflects the culture of the time. Not seen as often today due to its ability to accentuate flaws, it is highly sought out and can be very expensive when found. When selecting a diamond of high quality, this cut can be a unique way to show off your love of diamonds.
When diamonds are first unearthed, they are nothing to behold. Roughly circular in shape, they exhibit none of the shiny, beautiful attributes common to the ones seen at the jewelers. How the diamond is cut and the way it reflects light is what contributes to the sparkle so many people adore. There are two components that contribute to the sparkle a diamond gives off: brightness and contrast. Bright diamonds will reflect more light upwards, so if you are viewing the diamond from above, it will look very bright. For a diamond to really sparkle, you need to create contrast. For…
Cushion-cut diamonds are also referred to as "pillow diamonds" because their shapes can resemble a pillow as well as "candlelight diamonds" because the cut originated in the time before electricity.
Not all diamonds are the same, and one noticeable difference can be found in the cut. The cut of a diamond determines the style of the piece it is put in. There are six major types of diamond cuts, round brilliant, oval, pear, marquise, heart and emerald, among others.
A diamond is the traditional stone for an engagement ring. The different shapes of the diamond allow brides to show off their own personal style. The shape is often referred to in the jewelry industry as the cut. The shape of the diamond can affect the price of the ring. Diamond shapes don't have a set meaning, but the shape of the gem can imply personality traits. Since diamonds are expensive, and they last forever, choose a shape that you will want to wear often.
Frederick Wells, superintendent of Premier Mine in the Transvaal (a South African province), found the Cullinan diamond in 1905. He had been inspecting the mine when he glimpsed what looked like a chunk of glass jutting out of a wall. Pried out and appraised, the stone turned out to be the largest rough, gem-quality diamond ever seen. It weighed over 3,000 carats, or about 1 1/2 pounds.
Rhinestones tend to make people think of the costumes of Las Vegas dancers. However, Rhinestones have their roots in Germany. The original rhinestones were rock crystals from the Rhine River. They could be used to imitate diamonds, when coated with a metallic powder. When glass or quartz imitation diamonds arrived on the scene, people began to call them rhinestones as well.
White sapphires can provide you with all the benefits of a diamond, but at a reduced price. The naturally occurring and artificially created gems carry many of the same characteristics as diamonds; they can be cut and polished to a gleaming brightness. What follows is a brief primer on the popular gem.
Diamonds are among the most popular gemstones in the world. Formed from carbon that has been heated and pressurized in the earth, only a diamond can scratch or measure the hardness of another diamond. Diamonds are also synthetically made in laboratories. Diamond jewelry is rated based on four characteristics; cut, color, clarity and carat weight.
A GIA-certified diamond has been inspected by a diamond expert and is accompanied by a certificate of clarity, cut and color. Purchase only GIA-certified diamonds to have documentation of the diamond's value with advice from a freelance fashion reporter in this free video on style.
A diamond's beauty and brilliance is determined primarily by its cut. The differences between various cuts can be quite dramatic, and no cut is more renowned than an ideal cut. An ideal cut is a round-cut diamond that is cut in a predetermined way to give the diamond maximum shine, fire and brilliance. They are cut precisely to mathematically ideal proportions to best highlight the beauty and brilliance of the stone.
Diamonds can be cut in countless numbers of ways. There are fancy-shaped diamonds that sparkle in unique shapes and sizes and other types of faceting that can make a diamond dazzle your eyes. For the more artistic jewelry owner, you may wish to select an unusual cut that makes your stone appear to glimmer rather than sparkle or that can cause a rock to seem to absorb light around it rather than reflect it. When you are selecting a cut of diamond, you may have so many choices that you may feel bewildered. If this happens, calm down and simply…
Diamond certificates are a report showing a diamond's appraisal. Learn more about diamond certifications in this free diamond video.
Emerald cut diamonds are one of the oldest cuts of diamond. Learn all about emerald cut diamonds with expert tips from a gemologist in this free diamond video.
Marquis cut diamonds are a fairly new cut of diamonds. Learn more about marquis cut diamonds with expert tips from a gemologist in this free diamond video.
Round brilliant cut diamonds are the standard cut of diamonds and are usually considered the best at producing prismatic affect. Learn more about round brilliant cut diamonds in this free diamond video.
Diamonds come in a variety of cuts, including emerald cuts, princess cuts and round cuts. Learn more about different diamond cuts in this free diamond video.
It is very important to familiarize yourself with the four C's of diamonds before you pick a diamond for that special piece of jewelry. The four C's, or components, of diamonds are cut, color, clarity and carat. Knowing what to look for when diamond shopping protects you from costly mistakes and enables you to choose a diamond that gives you the most value for your money.
Emerald cuts really show off a diamond's best assets. An emerald cut is square or oblong with diagonally cut corners, stacked in a terrace formation. The effect is a long sight line that takes advantage of clarity and color. Emerald cuts are not as popular as traditional round or princess radiant cuts, so you'll enjoy a nice price savings. Use the extra money to purchase the highest quality diamond you possibly can.
