Jewelry Glossary R-Z

Remount: The act of removing gems from one jewelry item and setting them into a new jewelry item. The term remount is sometimes used interchangeably with ”semi-mount,“ when referring to jewelry designed for this purpose. Ring: A piece of jewelry worn on the finger. Very small rings may be worn on the toes.  Ring Guard: A ring designed with two shanks assembled so that a solitaire ring may be inserted into it. Riviera: A necklace style comprised of flexible gemstone links which are typically tapered in size.  Rolling Ring:  A ring usually consisting of three or more bands. As the ring is slid on and off the finger, the bands roll over one another. Roundel/Rondelle: A doughnut-shaped or flattened, disk-shaped bead that is used as a spacer or an accent between other beads.  Rub Over: See Flush Set. Safety Clasp: A secondary closure added to some bracelets and necklaces for extra security. Scalloped-Set: A technique for setting gemstones in which the prongs are created from the shank. Fishtail is one example of a scalloped setting. Scintillation: The intense sparkles and flashes of light visible when either the person viewing the diamond or the lighting moves. Scooped Band: A band with a concave groove on the inside of the band, designed to lessen the weight of the piece, therefore lowering the price.  Secondary Metal: When describing a two-tone item, the metal alloy that makes up the minority of the weight of the jewelry item. See Primary Metal. Selling System: A pre-merchandised collection of items marketed in a packaged format, designed as a turn-key sales solution. Semi-Precious Gemstone: A gemstone that is not a diamond, emerald, sapphire, or ruby – historically thought to be less valuable than a precious gemstone, i.e., amethyst, peridot, aquamarine, etc. Semi-Mount Ring with Head: Any engagement ring set and sold to the jeweler with side stones or melee, but without the center stone. The fixed head for the center stone is in place.  Semi-Mount Ring without Head: Any engagement ring set and sold to the jeweler with side stones or melee but without the center stone. The head for the center stone is NOT in place. May also be referred to as a set shank since it is not a completely assembled ring.  Setting  The act of securing a gemstone. The term setting is sometimes used interchangeably with head and/or mounting. Shadow Band:  A wedding band designed and contoured to be worn with a specific engagement ring. The design is such that it would not usually be worn on its own.  Shank: A ring designed for, but stocked without a center head and that is not complete without such head. The part of a ring that encircles the finger.  Shepherds Hook: See French Hook. Shoulders: The upper part of a ring shank.  Side Stones: Gemstones that complement and place emphasis on the center gemstone. Side gemstones are typically larger than accent gemstones. Side View: A way to describe looking at a ring from the side.  Silver: A precious metal that is commonly alloyed to create the more durable alloy known as sterling silver.  Signet Ring:  A ring with letters (usually one’s initials), or a design carved into it. A college ring is an example of a signet ring. Sizing Area: The area at the bottom of a ring shank where metal can be inserted or removed to reduce or increase the finger size of the ring.  Slide Pendant: A bail-less pendant that incorporate holes into the design to allow passage of a chain or cord.  Solitaire:  A piece of jewelry containing or designed to hold a single diamond.  Stainless Steel: A contemporary metal (a form of steel containing chromium and/or nickel) resistant to tarnishing and rust.  Station Necklace: A necklace with repeating elements.  Sterling Silver: A precious metal alloy of 92.5% silver and copper, or another material.  Strip Setting: A metal strip jewelry finding that is usually comprised of repeating patterns in which gemstones can be set. Stud Earring: Jewelry attached to the ear with an earring post through a piercing and secured with an earring back.  Synclastic: A surface or a portion of a surface that is curved towards the same side in all directions. Table: Referring to the top, flat part of the cut of a gemstone.  Tennis Bracelet: See Line Bracelet. Tension-Set: A setting that holds the gemstone in place entirely with compression/ tension and not prongs. Three-Stone Ring: A ring consisting mainly of three larger stones.  Through Finger View: A way to describe looking at a ring through the finger hole.  Tie Tack/Tie Clip:  A piece of jewelry used to hold a necktie in place.  Titanium: A strong, low-density, highly corrosion-resistant and lustrous white element that occurs widely in igneous rocks and is mainly used to alloy aircraft metals. It is also a popular choice for piercing jewelry. Trellis Setting:  A structure of open latticework especially used as a gallery support for gemstones.  Trim: A decorative finding that can be added to another jewelry component to create a finished jewelry item. Troy Ounce: A unit of troy weight, used for weighing precious metals. The ounce contains 20 pennyweights (dwt) each of 24 grains. One troy ounce is equivalent to 31.10 grams. Tungsten: A contemporary metal containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms.  Two-Tone: A jewelry item comprised of two different metals or alloys of different color.  Unset Semi-Mount: A ring mounting designed to hold side stones or melee, but in which no stones have been set and the head for the center stone is NOT in place. May also be referred to as a shank.  Vermeil: Gold-plated or gilded silver. The FTC allows a product to be described as "vermeil" if it consists of a base of sterling silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with gold or gold alloy of not less than 10 karat fineness, that is of substantial thickness and a minimum thickness throughout equivalent to 21⁄2 microns of fine gold. Wedding Band:  See Band. White Gold: A white-colored alloy of gold with nickel, platinum, or another metal. Work-Hardened: The change in hardness of metal due to repeated cold flexing or stress. The annealing process can be used to relieve the stress.

Jewelry Glossary R-Z

Remount: The act of removing gems from one jewelry item and setting them into a new jewelry item. The term remount is sometimes used interchangeably with ”semi-mount,“ when referring to jewelry designed for this purpose. Ring: A piece of jewelry worn on the finger. Very small rings may be worn on the toes.  Ring Guard: A ring designed with two shanks assembled so that a solitaire ring may be inserted into it. Riviera: A necklace style comprised of flexible gemstone links which are typically tapered in size.  Rolling Ring:  A ring usually consisting of three or more bands. As the ring is slid on and off the finger, the bands roll over one another. Roundel/Rondelle: A doughnut-shaped or flattened, disk-shaped bead that is used as a spacer or an accent between other beads.  Rub Over: See Flush Set. Safety Clasp: A secondary closure added to some bracelets and necklaces for extra security. Scalloped-Set: A technique for setting gemstones in which the prongs are created from the shank. Fishtail is one example of a scalloped setting. Scintillation: The intense sparkles and flashes of light visible when either the person viewing the diamond or the lighting moves. Scooped Band: A band with a concave groove on the inside of the band, designed to lessen the weight of the piece, therefore lowering the price.  Secondary Metal: When describing a two-tone item, the metal alloy that makes up the minority of the weight of the jewelry item. See Primary Metal. Selling System: A pre-merchandised collection of items marketed in a packaged format, designed as a turn-key sales solution. Semi-Precious Gemstone: A gemstone that is not a diamond, emerald, sapphire, or ruby – historically thought to be less valuable than a precious gemstone, i.e., amethyst, peridot, aquamarine, etc. Semi-Mount Ring with Head: Any engagement ring set and sold to the jeweler with side stones or melee, but without the center stone. The fixed head for the center stone is in place.  Semi-Mount Ring without Head: Any engagement ring set and sold to the jeweler with side stones or melee but without the center stone. The head for the center stone is NOT in place. May also be referred to as a set shank since it is not a completely assembled ring.  Setting  The act of securing a gemstone. The term setting is sometimes used interchangeably with head and/or mounting. Shadow Band:  A wedding band designed and contoured to be worn with a specific engagement ring. The design is such that it would not usually be worn on its own.  Shank: A ring designed for, but stocked without a center head and that is not complete without such head. The part of a ring that encircles the finger.  Shepherds Hook: See French Hook. Shoulders: The upper part of a ring shank.  Side Stones: Gemstones that complement and place emphasis on the center gemstone. Side gemstones are typically larger than accent gemstones. Side View: A way to describe looking at a ring from the side.  Silver: A precious metal that is commonly alloyed to create the more durable alloy known as sterling silver.  Signet Ring:  A ring with letters (usually one’s initials), or a design carved into it. A college ring is an example of a signet ring. Sizing Area: The area at the bottom of a ring shank where metal can be inserted or removed to reduce or increase the finger size of the ring.  Slide Pendant: A bail-less pendant that incorporate holes into the design to allow passage of a chain or cord.  Solitaire:  A piece of jewelry containing or designed to hold a single diamond.  Stainless Steel: A contemporary metal (a form of steel containing chromium and/or nickel) resistant to tarnishing and rust.  Station Necklace: A necklace with repeating elements.  Sterling Silver: A precious metal alloy of 92.5% silver and copper, or another material.  Strip Setting: A metal strip jewelry finding that is usually comprised of repeating patterns in which gemstones can be set. Stud Earring: Jewelry attached to the ear with an earring post through a piercing and secured with an earring back.  Synclastic: A surface or a portion of a surface that is curved towards the same side in all directions. Table: Referring to the top, flat part of the cut of a gemstone.  Tennis Bracelet: See Line Bracelet. Tension-Set: A setting that holds the gemstone in place entirely with compression/ tension and not prongs. Three-Stone Ring: A ring consisting mainly of three larger stones.  Through Finger View: A way to describe looking at a ring through the finger hole.  Tie Tack/Tie Clip:  A piece of jewelry used to hold a necktie in place.  Titanium: A strong, low-density, highly corrosion-resistant and lustrous white element that occurs widely in igneous rocks and is mainly used to alloy aircraft metals. It is also a popular choice for piercing jewelry. Trellis Setting:  A structure of open latticework especially used as a gallery support for gemstones.  Trim: A decorative finding that can be added to another jewelry component to create a finished jewelry item. Troy Ounce: A unit of troy weight, used for weighing precious metals. The ounce contains 20 pennyweights (dwt) each of 24 grains. One troy ounce is equivalent to 31.10 grams. Tungsten: A contemporary metal containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms.  Two-Tone: A jewelry item comprised of two different metals or alloys of different color.  Unset Semi-Mount: A ring mounting designed to hold side stones or melee, but in which no stones have been set and the head for the center stone is NOT in place. May also be referred to as a shank.  Vermeil: Gold-plated or gilded silver. The FTC allows a product to be described as "vermeil" if it consists of a base of sterling silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with gold or gold alloy of not less than 10 karat fineness, that is of substantial thickness and a minimum thickness throughout equivalent to 21⁄2 microns of fine gold. Wedding Band:  See Band. White Gold: A white-colored alloy of gold with nickel, platinum, or another metal. Work-Hardened: The change in hardness of metal due to repeated cold flexing or stress. The annealing process can be used to relieve the stress.

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Jewelry Glossary I-P

Illusion-Set:  Invisible-Set  A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place.  A setting technique patented by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 (Mystery Setting) in which a diamond is placed in a colletion of reflective, highly-polished metal so that it appears to be part of the gemstone in order to enhance the perceived size of the diamond.  Inlay: The insertion of pieces of gemstones, wood, ivory, etc. into slots created on a surface for embellishment. Invisible-Set:  A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place. Jump Ring: A wire ring of any size, usually round or oval in shape, used for attaching jewelry parts.  Karat: A unit of measure of the purity of gold. Pure gold equals 24 karats. Key Ring: A device for holding keys together usually consisting of a metal ring.  Kinetic  Jewelry designed to move, rotate, or revolve. Moving parts are trapped and cannot usually be removed from the main jewelry object. Kit: An assortment of products, often components, sold together, usually for back of store use, often at a lower price than if the items were purchased individually.  Lapel Pin: A small piece of jewelry with a post-type pin affixed to it with a clutch mechanism to secure it. May also be assembled with a small brooch-type, hinged pin assembly. A lapel pin is usually smaller than an inch in length. Lariat Necklace:  A long cord-like necklace without a clasp, usually looped into a knot, thus allowing the ends to hang down in the front. Lever Back:  A spring-loaded closure on the back of some earrings. When in the closed position, it secures the earring to the earlobe.   Line Bracelet: A flexible bracelet that can be unclasped and laid out to form a “line.” The links are usually joined by hinge pins. A tennis bracelet is a type of line bracelet. Link Bracelet: A bracelet made from connecting or linking various, sometimes similar, components together. The links are usually interlocking, eliminating the need for hinge pins.  Locket: A small, decorative case with one or more spaces to hold a picture or memento, designed to be suspended from a chain. May also be incorporated into the design of a ring or bracelet. Looking Down/Top View:  A way to describe looking at a ring from the top down or bird’s eye view. Medical ID: Jewelry  Designed with a medically identifiable emblem and engraved to inform others of medical issues such as drug and food allergies and other medical conditions. Melee: Classification used in the sorting of diamonds weighing less than .17 carats or 17 points each. Micro Pavé: A highly precise setting technique similar to pavé but using extremely small gemstones. Milgrain: Having the edge shaped into fine beading. Minimalist: A term used to describe a movement in design and architecture around the 1960s and 1970s, where the subject is reduced as much as possible to only its necessary elements. Moissanite:  A rare mineral discovered by Henri Moissan, later synthesized in the laboratory and used as a high-quality diamond substitute. Money Clip: A folded clip used to keep folded cash and/or credit cards in lieu of a wallet. Mounting: A jewelry item that has stone settings, but in which no stones have been set. It requires no further assembly work; the exception being an unset semi-mount mounting which requires a head to be attached.  Neckwear: A piece of jewelry that may be a string of gemstones, beads, jewels, etc., or a metal chain worn around the neck.  Niobium: A silver-gray contemporary metal.  Notched Band: See Shadow Band. Nugget Ring/Jewelry: Jewelry designed to mimic and exaggerate the look of a native lump of precious metal, usually yellow gold.  Omega Clip: A wire attached and hinged on the back of an earring and used as a mechanism to hold the earring in place. Openwork: See Pierced. Organic: A design style using freeflowing curves and surfaces similar to those from nature such as in leaves, vines, etc. Packages/Kits: See Selling Systems. Patina: Discoloration that forms naturally over time on metals such as silver and bronze. Patinas may also be introduced artificially through certain chemicals for aesthetic value. Pavé: A field of bead-set gemstones closely set, usually in rows, whereby the entire surface of the jewelry is covered or pavéd.  Pavilion: The lower part of a cut gemstone below the girdle. Pearl Enhancer: A pendant with a hinged, clasp-type bail that allows it to be attached to a pearl or bead necklace, or any necklace that doesn’t allow a pendant to be slid onto it. Peg Head: A setting with a peg attached to it that can be easily attached to a jewelry item by inserting the peg into a drilled hole. Peg heads are commonly used in semi-mount engagement rings. Pendant: An adornment designed to be suspended from a necklace. Pendant Enhancer: A pendant designed so that another pendant, usually a solitaire, can be suspended inside of it. Pennyweight: Pennyweight is a common weight unit of measure used in the valuation and measurement of precious metals. One pennyweight equals 1⁄20 of a ounce (troy). See DWT. Pierced: In jewelry it refers to perforated or openwork designs with regular patterns of openings and holes. Pin: Any type of jewelry that is fastened to clothing using a sharp, pointed post and a catch or clasp. May be a brooch, lapel pin, or tie tack. Pin Assembly: Jewelry findings used to secure a pin to the wearer. This assembly is comprised of a pin-stem and pin-catch.  Pin-Catch: The securing mechanism for a pin-stem. Pin Stem:  A sharply-pointed pin on a hinge that is suitable for piercing fabric or clothing. It is secured with a pin-catch. Platinum:  A heavy, non-corrosive white metal with high tensile strength which dulls as it is worn but holds its detail for many years, giving it heirloom characteristics. Plique-à-Jour: An enameling technique by which the design is outlined with metal and filled in with colored enamels, but with no backing so that the effect is similar to a stained glass window. Precious Metals: Metals that are rare and have high economic value. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.  Precious Gemstone: The group of gemstones consisting of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Primary Metal: The metal alloy that, when describing a two-tone item, makes up the majority of the weight of the jewelry item. See Secondary Metal. Profile:  A profile is a cross sectional view. Flat inside round, comfort-fit, inside round, flat, knife-edge, etc., are examples of band profiles. Promise Ring: A ring worn to show commitment to a monogamous relationship, usually set with one or more diamond melee.  Prong-Set: A setting technique in which a gemstone is held in place by metal projections or tines, called prongs.  Prototype: An example of a piece of jewelry created from inexpensive, non-precious materials. Puzzle Ring: Several rings that fit together to create a single ring.

Jewelry Glossary I-P

Illusion-Set:  Invisible-Set  A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place.  A setting technique patented by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 (Mystery Setting) in which a diamond is placed in a colletion of reflective, highly-polished metal so that it appears to be part of the gemstone in order to enhance the perceived size of the diamond.  Inlay: The insertion of pieces of gemstones, wood, ivory, etc. into slots created on a surface for embellishment. Invisible-Set:  A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place. Jump Ring: A wire ring of any size, usually round or oval in shape, used for attaching jewelry parts.  Karat: A unit of measure of the purity of gold. Pure gold equals 24 karats. Key Ring: A device for holding keys together usually consisting of a metal ring.  Kinetic  Jewelry designed to move, rotate, or revolve. Moving parts are trapped and cannot usually be removed from the main jewelry object. Kit: An assortment of products, often components, sold together, usually for back of store use, often at a lower price than if the items were purchased individually.  Lapel Pin: A small piece of jewelry with a post-type pin affixed to it with a clutch mechanism to secure it. May also be assembled with a small brooch-type, hinged pin assembly. A lapel pin is usually smaller than an inch in length. Lariat Necklace:  A long cord-like necklace without a clasp, usually looped into a knot, thus allowing the ends to hang down in the front. Lever Back:  A spring-loaded closure on the back of some earrings. When in the closed position, it secures the earring to the earlobe.   Line Bracelet: A flexible bracelet that can be unclasped and laid out to form a “line.” The links are usually joined by hinge pins. A tennis bracelet is a type of line bracelet. Link Bracelet: A bracelet made from connecting or linking various, sometimes similar, components together. The links are usually interlocking, eliminating the need for hinge pins.  Locket: A small, decorative case with one or more spaces to hold a picture or memento, designed to be suspended from a chain. May also be incorporated into the design of a ring or bracelet. Looking Down/Top View:  A way to describe looking at a ring from the top down or bird’s eye view. Medical ID: Jewelry  Designed with a medically identifiable emblem and engraved to inform others of medical issues such as drug and food allergies and other medical conditions. Melee: Classification used in the sorting of diamonds weighing less than .17 carats or 17 points each. Micro Pavé: A highly precise setting technique similar to pavé but using extremely small gemstones. Milgrain: Having the edge shaped into fine beading. Minimalist: A term used to describe a movement in design and architecture around the 1960s and 1970s, where the subject is reduced as much as possible to only its necessary elements. Moissanite:  A rare mineral discovered by Henri Moissan, later synthesized in the laboratory and used as a high-quality diamond substitute. Money Clip: A folded clip used to keep folded cash and/or credit cards in lieu of a wallet. Mounting: A jewelry item that has stone settings, but in which no stones have been set. It requires no further assembly work; the exception being an unset semi-mount mounting which requires a head to be attached.  Neckwear: A piece of jewelry that may be a string of gemstones, beads, jewels, etc., or a metal chain worn around the neck.  Niobium: A silver-gray contemporary metal.  Notched Band: See Shadow Band. Nugget Ring/Jewelry: Jewelry designed to mimic and exaggerate the look of a native lump of precious metal, usually yellow gold.  Omega Clip: A wire attached and hinged on the back of an earring and used as a mechanism to hold the earring in place. Openwork: See Pierced. Organic: A design style using freeflowing curves and surfaces similar to those from nature such as in leaves, vines, etc. Packages/Kits: See Selling Systems. Patina: Discoloration that forms naturally over time on metals such as silver and bronze. Patinas may also be introduced artificially through certain chemicals for aesthetic value. Pavé: A field of bead-set gemstones closely set, usually in rows, whereby the entire surface of the jewelry is covered or pavéd.  Pavilion: The lower part of a cut gemstone below the girdle. Pearl Enhancer: A pendant with a hinged, clasp-type bail that allows it to be attached to a pearl or bead necklace, or any necklace that doesn’t allow a pendant to be slid onto it. Peg Head: A setting with a peg attached to it that can be easily attached to a jewelry item by inserting the peg into a drilled hole. Peg heads are commonly used in semi-mount engagement rings. Pendant: An adornment designed to be suspended from a necklace. Pendant Enhancer: A pendant designed so that another pendant, usually a solitaire, can be suspended inside of it. Pennyweight: Pennyweight is a common weight unit of measure used in the valuation and measurement of precious metals. One pennyweight equals 1⁄20 of a ounce (troy). See DWT. Pierced: In jewelry it refers to perforated or openwork designs with regular patterns of openings and holes. Pin: Any type of jewelry that is fastened to clothing using a sharp, pointed post and a catch or clasp. May be a brooch, lapel pin, or tie tack. Pin Assembly: Jewelry findings used to secure a pin to the wearer. This assembly is comprised of a pin-stem and pin-catch.  Pin-Catch: The securing mechanism for a pin-stem. Pin Stem:  A sharply-pointed pin on a hinge that is suitable for piercing fabric or clothing. It is secured with a pin-catch. Platinum:  A heavy, non-corrosive white metal with high tensile strength which dulls as it is worn but holds its detail for many years, giving it heirloom characteristics. Plique-à-Jour: An enameling technique by which the design is outlined with metal and filled in with colored enamels, but with no backing so that the effect is similar to a stained glass window. Precious Metals: Metals that are rare and have high economic value. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.  Precious Gemstone: The group of gemstones consisting of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Primary Metal: The metal alloy that, when describing a two-tone item, makes up the majority of the weight of the jewelry item. See Secondary Metal. Profile:  A profile is a cross sectional view. Flat inside round, comfort-fit, inside round, flat, knife-edge, etc., are examples of band profiles. Promise Ring: A ring worn to show commitment to a monogamous relationship, usually set with one or more diamond melee.  Prong-Set: A setting technique in which a gemstone is held in place by metal projections or tines, called prongs.  Prototype: An example of a piece of jewelry created from inexpensive, non-precious materials. Puzzle Ring: Several rings that fit together to create a single ring.

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Jewelry Glossary D-H

Dangle Earring:  An earring that extends below the earlobe and is designed to swing to and fro. Danish Modern: A design style using elements from the period of the 1960s. The designs are of the “form follows function” genre and are minimalist in presentation. See Minimalist. Depth:  In reference to a gemstone, it is the length from table to culet. See Table/Culet. Design Element:  An attribute type used to describe features of a jewelry item. Diameter:  In reference to a gemstone, it is the overall width. Diamond-Cut Chain:  Sharp edgescut onto the surface of a chain so that the links flash and catch the light. Die Struck:  A process for manufacturing heads in which the item is stamped under extreme pressure, resulting in a work hardened rigid part. See Anneal. Dispersion:  The power of a diamond when breaking up its light into its constituent colors. See Fire. Drop Earring:  An earring that extends below the earlobe and is stationary. DWT:  Abbreviation for pennyweight. There are 20 pennyweights in a ounce (troy). See Pennyweight. Ear Trim: An earring designed to follow the contour of the ear. Earring:  A piece of jewelry worn on the lobe or edge of the ear. Popular earring types are chandelier, cluster, dangle, drop, earring jacket, ear trim, huggie, hinged, hoop, lever back, and stud. Earring Jacket:  An adornment for the ear that is an accessory to an earring, designed to be secured to the lobe with a stud. Earring Post   A pin-like or wire finding attached to the back of an earring that passes through a pierced earlobe. Examples included screw posts and friction posts. Earring Back: A disc or bead witha hole, through which an earring post is threaded for the purpose of securing the earring to the earlobe. Examples include nut, screw, tension, omega, and clutch. Earring Clutch: A type of earring back that attaches to an earring post after it passes through a hole in the earlobe. The earring clutch is used to secure an earring in place. Earwire: A wire used for pierced earrings. Popular styles include French hooks, lever back, and kidney. Edwardian: Characteristically containing lace-like, fine filigree work with milgrain settings. Popular from 1900-1914, it was usually produced in platinum for strength. Intricate, airy, and feminine. See Filigree and Milgrain. Enamel: An opaque or semi-transparent glass or substance applied to a metal surface for protection or ornamental purposes. Engagement Ring: Traditionally worn only by women (especially in Western cultures), an engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married. Enhancer: An enhancer attaches to an existing jewelry item to create a new look. Some examples of enhancers include ring enhancers, pearl enhancers, and pendant enhancers. Engraving  The process or art of cutting or carving a design into a hard surface. Eternity Band  A band set with one or more continuous rows of gemstones that completely encircle the band.  Facet: The flat, polished surface of a gemstone that affects a gemstone's brilliance and sparkle. Fancy: Describes any jewelry that incorporates whimsy, fun, and innovation in its design. It is trendy and stylish and may not become a classic or be considered a basic item. It makes a great fashion statement or conversation starter. Family Jewelry: A jewelry item created with personal significance to the family usually using birthstones to represent each member of the family. Fancy Wedding Band:  A wedding band with more decorative styling than a simple, traditional band. Fashion Ring:  A type of ring worn to express style or a current trend. Filigree:  Lace-like ornamental work formed from thin wires of intricately-arranged intertwined precious metal. May be plain, twisted, or plaited. Finding:  A component or part used in the making of a piece of jewelry.  Finish: A decorative texture applied to the surface to enhance its appearance. Fire: Dispersed light that appears as flashes of spectral colors (rainbow) on a diamond.  See Dispersion. Fishtail Setting: A setting technique consisting of four prominent triangular corners cut from the existing shank that hold the gemstone in place. When viewed from the through finger view it looks like the tail of a fish.  Fitted Band:  See Shadow Band. Flush-Set  A setting technique in which the gemstone is embedded within the band and the metal from the band is used to secure the gemstone, leaving only the top of the gem visible. Fluted: An ornamental groove in a surface which creates visual interest. Free form: An asymmetrical, flowing shape or design. French Hook: An ear wire shaped like a hook used for pierced drop earrings. Gallery: The negative space located on a head/setting. Gemstone:  A mineral or organic material with sufficient beauty, rarity, and durability to be set into jewelry. Gallery Rail/Bearing: The metal rim located on a head/setting, below the girdle  of a gemstone. Gemstone Shape:  Referring to the potential options of shape and size that a gemstone can be cut. The outline form of a gemstone, not to be confused with the faceting pattern. Genuine Stone:  A gemstone that is produced by nature without interference from man, other than cutting or fashioning. Do not confuse “natural” with untreated gemstones. Girdle: The narrow band or edge separating the upper and lower faceted portions of a gem. Gold: A precious, yellow, metallic element, highly malleable and ductile and not subject to oxidation or corrosion. Gram: A gram is a metric system unit of mass/weight. One ounce (troy) is equivalent to 31.10 grams. Graver: A tool used to cut designs into metal and for precision gemstone setting that is made of highly-polished steel. Granulation:  A surface adornment technique in which minute grains or tiny balls of precious metal are applied to a surface in patterns to create visual interest. Guilloché:  An enameling technique in which precise, intricate, symmetrical patterns are mechanically engraved into a metal base; sometimes referred to as “engine turning.” It was named after a French engineer who invented a machine to replicate these precise patterns that were previously done by hand Example: Faberge’ eggs). Gypsy-Set: See Flush Set. Half Bezel-Set:  A method for securing a gemstone in which a band of metal partially encircles the girdle of the gemstone and is folded over the gem to hold it in place. Hallmark: A quality mark indicating precious metal content (10kt, 14kt, 18kt, platinum, etc). Typically stamped on a jewelry item in an inconspicuous location (back, inside ring shank, etc.). FTC requires the manufacturer or distributor of said product to disclose their identity by accompanying the quality mark with a trademark or company name Hammer-Set: See Flush Set. Halo: A jewelry style featuring a central gemstone surrounded by a border of smaller gemstones.  Head: The part of a jewelry item that secures the gemstone. This is sometimes referred to as the setting. Hidden Bail: A bail located inconspicuously on the reverse side of a pendant, so that the pendant appears to float on the chain or cord. See Bail. Hinge: A pin that fits through pieces of metal tubing that allow an item to articulate. Hinges are commonly found on lockets and boxes. Hoop Earring: A (usually) circular, ringlike earring that may be a complete circle or may only go part of the way around. Huggie Earring:  A small hoop ear-ring that fits closely around the ear lobe. It is thicker than a standard hoop so that it appears to be “hugging” the ear lobe. It is designed with a hinge at the base of the hoop, facing the shoulder, and a groove in the post enables it to snap into place to close securely. Hypo-Allergenic:  A term used to describe items (in this case jewelry) that cause or are claimed to cause fewer allergic reactions. Depending on the allergen of the subject, these may include metals such as stainless steel, titanium, gold, etc.  

Jewelry Glossary D-H

Dangle Earring:  An earring that extends below the earlobe and is designed to swing to and fro. Danish Modern: A design style using elements from the period of the 1960s. The designs are of the “form follows function” genre and are minimalist in presentation. See Minimalist. Depth:  In reference to a gemstone, it is the length from table to culet. See Table/Culet. Design Element:  An attribute type used to describe features of a jewelry item. Diameter:  In reference to a gemstone, it is the overall width. Diamond-Cut Chain:  Sharp edgescut onto the surface of a chain so that the links flash and catch the light. Die Struck:  A process for manufacturing heads in which the item is stamped under extreme pressure, resulting in a work hardened rigid part. See Anneal. Dispersion:  The power of a diamond when breaking up its light into its constituent colors. See Fire. Drop Earring:  An earring that extends below the earlobe and is stationary. DWT:  Abbreviation for pennyweight. There are 20 pennyweights in a ounce (troy). See Pennyweight. Ear Trim: An earring designed to follow the contour of the ear. Earring:  A piece of jewelry worn on the lobe or edge of the ear. Popular earring types are chandelier, cluster, dangle, drop, earring jacket, ear trim, huggie, hinged, hoop, lever back, and stud. Earring Jacket:  An adornment for the ear that is an accessory to an earring, designed to be secured to the lobe with a stud. Earring Post   A pin-like or wire finding attached to the back of an earring that passes through a pierced earlobe. Examples included screw posts and friction posts. Earring Back: A disc or bead witha hole, through which an earring post is threaded for the purpose of securing the earring to the earlobe. Examples include nut, screw, tension, omega, and clutch. Earring Clutch: A type of earring back that attaches to an earring post after it passes through a hole in the earlobe. The earring clutch is used to secure an earring in place. Earwire: A wire used for pierced earrings. Popular styles include French hooks, lever back, and kidney. Edwardian: Characteristically containing lace-like, fine filigree work with milgrain settings. Popular from 1900-1914, it was usually produced in platinum for strength. Intricate, airy, and feminine. See Filigree and Milgrain. Enamel: An opaque or semi-transparent glass or substance applied to a metal surface for protection or ornamental purposes. Engagement Ring: Traditionally worn only by women (especially in Western cultures), an engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married. Enhancer: An enhancer attaches to an existing jewelry item to create a new look. Some examples of enhancers include ring enhancers, pearl enhancers, and pendant enhancers. Engraving  The process or art of cutting or carving a design into a hard surface. Eternity Band  A band set with one or more continuous rows of gemstones that completely encircle the band.  Facet: The flat, polished surface of a gemstone that affects a gemstone's brilliance and sparkle. Fancy: Describes any jewelry that incorporates whimsy, fun, and innovation in its design. It is trendy and stylish and may not become a classic or be considered a basic item. It makes a great fashion statement or conversation starter. Family Jewelry: A jewelry item created with personal significance to the family usually using birthstones to represent each member of the family. Fancy Wedding Band:  A wedding band with more decorative styling than a simple, traditional band. Fashion Ring:  A type of ring worn to express style or a current trend. Filigree:  Lace-like ornamental work formed from thin wires of intricately-arranged intertwined precious metal. May be plain, twisted, or plaited. Finding:  A component or part used in the making of a piece of jewelry.  Finish: A decorative texture applied to the surface to enhance its appearance. Fire: Dispersed light that appears as flashes of spectral colors (rainbow) on a diamond.  See Dispersion. Fishtail Setting: A setting technique consisting of four prominent triangular corners cut from the existing shank that hold the gemstone in place. When viewed from the through finger view it looks like the tail of a fish.  Fitted Band:  See Shadow Band. Flush-Set  A setting technique in which the gemstone is embedded within the band and the metal from the band is used to secure the gemstone, leaving only the top of the gem visible. Fluted: An ornamental groove in a surface which creates visual interest. Free form: An asymmetrical, flowing shape or design. French Hook: An ear wire shaped like a hook used for pierced drop earrings. Gallery: The negative space located on a head/setting. Gemstone:  A mineral or organic material with sufficient beauty, rarity, and durability to be set into jewelry. Gallery Rail/Bearing: The metal rim located on a head/setting, below the girdle  of a gemstone. Gemstone Shape:  Referring to the potential options of shape and size that a gemstone can be cut. The outline form of a gemstone, not to be confused with the faceting pattern. Genuine Stone:  A gemstone that is produced by nature without interference from man, other than cutting or fashioning. Do not confuse “natural” with untreated gemstones. Girdle: The narrow band or edge separating the upper and lower faceted portions of a gem. Gold: A precious, yellow, metallic element, highly malleable and ductile and not subject to oxidation or corrosion. Gram: A gram is a metric system unit of mass/weight. One ounce (troy) is equivalent to 31.10 grams. Graver: A tool used to cut designs into metal and for precision gemstone setting that is made of highly-polished steel. Granulation:  A surface adornment technique in which minute grains or tiny balls of precious metal are applied to a surface in patterns to create visual interest. Guilloché:  An enameling technique in which precise, intricate, symmetrical patterns are mechanically engraved into a metal base; sometimes referred to as “engine turning.” It was named after a French engineer who invented a machine to replicate these precise patterns that were previously done by hand Example: Faberge’ eggs). Gypsy-Set: See Flush Set. Half Bezel-Set:  A method for securing a gemstone in which a band of metal partially encircles the girdle of the gemstone and is folded over the gem to hold it in place. Hallmark: A quality mark indicating precious metal content (10kt, 14kt, 18kt, platinum, etc). Typically stamped on a jewelry item in an inconspicuous location (back, inside ring shank, etc.). FTC requires the manufacturer or distributor of said product to disclose their identity by accompanying the quality mark with a trademark or company name Hammer-Set: See Flush Set. Halo: A jewelry style featuring a central gemstone surrounded by a border of smaller gemstones.  Head: The part of a jewelry item that secures the gemstone. This is sometimes referred to as the setting. Hidden Bail: A bail located inconspicuously on the reverse side of a pendant, so that the pendant appears to float on the chain or cord. See Bail. Hinge: A pin that fits through pieces of metal tubing that allow an item to articulate. Hinges are commonly found on lockets and boxes. Hoop Earring: A (usually) circular, ringlike earring that may be a complete circle or may only go part of the way around. Huggie Earring:  A small hoop ear-ring that fits closely around the ear lobe. It is thicker than a standard hoop so that it appears to be “hugging” the ear lobe. It is designed with a hinge at the base of the hoop, facing the shoulder, and a groove in the post enables it to snap into place to close securely. Hypo-Allergenic:  A term used to describe items (in this case jewelry) that cause or are claimed to cause fewer allergic reactions. Depending on the allergen of the subject, these may include metals such as stainless steel, titanium, gold, etc.  

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Jewelry Glossary A-C

  4 Cs: A universal grading system developed by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to evaluate the quality of a diamond. The 4 Cs are Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut. Accent Gemstones: Gemstones within a jewelry design that are not the main focus, but instead accent or complement the center gemstone and side gemstones. Accent gemstones are typically comprised  of melee gemstones.  Alloy:  A mixture of two or more metals to create more desirable characteristics and/or added strength. Anneal:  A process used to bring metal alloys to a desired consistency, texture, or hardness by gradually heating and cooling.  Anniversary Band:  A ring of three or more diamonds or gemstones, typically set in a channel or prong setting. The stones partially encircle the ring. Antique Jewelry: Jewelry that is 100 years old or more. Anticlastic:  A form that is curved in two directions opposite one another (saddle-shaped). See Synclastic. Art Deco:  A decorative style of the 1920s and 1930s that features bold geometric shapes, linear patterns, and diverse colors. Art Nouveau:  A decorative style from the late 1800s to early 1900s characterized by free flowing lines and stylized natural forms such as flowers, leaves, and feminine form. Assay: The process used when determining the proportions of precious metal contained in a piece of gold, silver or other alloys. Attribute:  A characteristic of a product that can include a color, design, style, form, shape, or feature. Azured:  A mounting that leaves a gemstone's pavilion facets uncovered so that light can enter. Baby/Youth:  Describes items small in scale to be worn by babies, toddlers, and teens. Earring posts are usually shorter and are often threaded or have some sort of safety clasp. Rings are usually sizes 0–3. Bracelets are usually 5–5½" long. Necklaces are usually 15"–16" long.  Bail:  An arched (often oval, teardrop, or d-shaped) metal component used to hang a pendant from a chain or cord. It is meant to slide onto the chain rather than being soldered to it so that the pendant moves independently from the chain and is not a permanent part of the chain or cord. Band  A ring, usually uniform in width,  with no distinguishable “top”; may be set with gemstones. Bangle Bracelet:  A closed, rigid bracelet – with or without hinge and clasp – that slides over the hand. Baroque:  An irregular-shaped stone or pearl. Also an art style characterized by ornate detail. Bar Set:  A setting technique where the gemstone is secured between two parallel bars, while the sides of the gem remain open. Base Metal: A term informally referring to non-precious metals (such as copper, zinc, tin, nickel, lead, or iron), which are commonly used in costume jewelry. Basket Setting:  A type of prong setting with open sides similar to a basket weave, that allows the lower portion of the gemstone to be visible.  Basse-taille:  An enameling technique in which a low-relief pattern is created in metal by engraving or chasing, then the entire pattern is filled with translucent enamel (similar to French “low height” champlevé). See Enamel. Bead:  A small, usually spherical component made from a variety of materials, which may be partially drilled or fully drilled. A full drilled bead will have one or more holes through it, allowing it to be strung singularly or with others in a sequence. Beads in shapes other than round are sometimes described as “fancy.” Bead Set:  A method for securing a gemstone where a small bur of metal is raised with a graver and pushed over the edge of the gemstone. Belcher:  A ring mounting in which the prongs for the setting are formed from the shank of the ring so that the gemstone does not extend above the circumference of the shank. Bezel-Set:  A method for securing a gemstone in which a band of metal encircles the girdle of the gemstone and is folded over the gem to hold it in place. Birthstone:  A precious or semi-precious gemstone popularly associated with the month of birth. January- Garnet February- Amethyst March- Aquamarine April- Diamond May- Emerald June- Pearl July- Ruby August- Peridot September- Sapphire October- Opal November- Citrine December- Topaz Body Jewelry:  Jewelry that was manufactured specifically for use in body piercing. Bracelet:  An ornamental band or circlet for the wrist, arm, or sometimes for the ankle.  Bracelet Slide: A bead-type adornmentdesigned with two sets of holes to allow it to be strung onto a bracelet constructed of two rows of chain. The resulting bracelet is known as a slide bracelet. Bridal Set: A matching set of rings that includes an engagement ring and a wedding band, which are worn stacked together. Bridge: The structural portion of a mounting that connects one side of the shank to the other. stones, equal to 200 milligrams.  Bridge Accent:  A design element located beneath the center stone that can be seen when looking at the ring in the through finger view. Bright-Cut:  A metal engraving technique created by chiseling the metal with a polished tool creating a highly reflective surface.  Brilliance  Pertaining to diamonds, this term has two components: brightness and contrast. Brightness refers to the amount of light returned from the diamond’s surroundings and back to the observer. To be brilliant, a diamond also needs contrast, intensity of the white light from the crown of a polished diamond or other gemstone. Brilliance is affected by: hardness, refractive index, reflectivity, polish, luster, and proportions. Brooch:  A piece of jewelry that may be fastened to clothing, usually with a mechanism that consists of a straight, sharp pin finding, a hinge, and a catch. Bulk Chain:  Chain that does not include a clasp assembly. It has raw, cut ends and cannot be worn in its current state. Buttercup Setting: A setting usually consisting of six prongs connected to a scalloped-shaped base that resembles a buttercup flower. Bypass:  A ring mounting design in which the two sides of the band do not meet in a straight line, but overlap or crisscross each other as seen in the top/looking down view. Cabochon: A polished, convex-cut, unfaceted gemstone. CAD/CAM: Computer-aided design and manufacturing. Cameo:  A design cut in relief, usually into a hard gemstone or shell. Carat:  A unit of weight for precious and semi-precious gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams Computer-aided design and manufacturing. Cameo:  A design cut in relief, usually into a hard gemstone or shell. Carat: A unit of weight for precious and semi-precious gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams. Cathedral Setting:  A style of mounting in which the sides of the ring arch above the band on either side of the stone as seen in the through finger view. Catch:  See Pin-Catch. Center Gemstone: The main gemstone in the design which is usually the focal point of the jewelry. Chain:  A series of connected metal links or loops with an attached clasp assembly.  Clasp Assembly:  The mechanism used to secure a chain and typically consists of a chain end and clasp. Chain End:  The hoop located on one end of a chain, through which the other end can be looped.  Chain Tag:  A flat metal piece with a hole in each end where the quality mark or trademark can be stamped. Champlevé:  An enameling technique of decoration in which the design is made by lines or cells cut into a metal base. Similar to cloisonné, but the partitions are part of the base. See Enamel. Chandelier Earring:  One of a pair of long ornate earrings that dangle from the earlobes, usually dropping more than one level. Channel-Set:  A setting style in which a series of gemstones are set close together into grooves in two parallel walls.  Charm:  A miniature object that may depict symbols, figures, letters, etc., usually attached to a bracelet using a spring-type clasp or a jump ring.  Chevron or V-Prong:  A prong in the shape of a V usually found on gemstone shapes with sharp corners. Charm Bracelet:  A bracelet to which charms may be or have been attached. Choker:  A non-rigid necklace that fits snugly around the throat, usually 14"–15" in length. Claddagh  A traditional Irish ring design depicting two hands holding a crowned heart, representing friendship or love. Clarity:  A term used to describe the absence or presence of internal or external flaws in a gemstone. See 4 Cs. Clasp:  A mechanism used to attach objects or parts together, such as both ends of a chain. Claw (Prong): A wire used to fasten and hold a gemstone in a setting. Cloisonné: shape of a V usually found on gemstone shapes with sharp corners. An ancient enameling technique in which a design is outlined on a metal base with bent wire of metal strips (typically soldered to the base) forming individual sections or compartments that are filled in with colored enamel (French “cloison” = cell or partition). See Enamel. Cluster: Multiple gemstones grouped together in a setting, which may or may not overlap each other. Clutch Back:  See Earring Clutch. Dura Colbalt:  A corrosion and wear-resistant contemporary metal alloy consisting of cobalt and chromium. Collar:  A rigid choker-style necklace that fits snugly around the neck. Color Grade:  As it pertains to diamonds, color is one of the characteristics used to define the quality of a diamond. The GIA color scale ranges from D to Z, D being considered colorless and higher in value. See 4 Cs. Comfort-Fit: Describes the convex interior of a ring or band. Contemporary:  Designs that are up-to-date with current trends in the industry with a modern flair. Contemporary Metal: Metal alloys and industrial metals that are not part of the traditional “precious metal” group. These low-cost alternatives include, but are not limited to, titanium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, and cobalt chrome. Contour Band:  See Shadow Band. Costume Jewelry:  Jewelry made with inexpensive materials or imitation gems. Cord:  A long, thin, flexible strand that can be used instead of chain for necklaces and bracelets. Cord can be made from satin, leather, rubber, and other alternative materials. Crown:  As it refers to a cut gemstone, the faceted area of a gemstone located above the girdle, but below the table. Cuff Bracelet:  A rigid bracelet designed with an opening for easily slipping the bracelet onto the wrist. Cuff Link:  A decorative fastener – similar to a button – which is used to secure the ends of a shirt cuff. It may consist of two buttons or button-like parts connected with a chain or peg that passes through two slits in the cuff. Culet: Refers to the base point of a diamond. Cut:  As it refers to a round diamond, cut is the factor that determines the diamond‘s brilliance. Cut qualifies the brilliance, fire, and scintillation of a round, brilliant cut diamond by analyzing the diamond‘s symmetry, proportions, and polish. See 4 Cs. CZ: Short for Cubic Zirconia, a man-made gemstone created to simulate a diamond. Approximately 64% heavier than diamond.  

Jewelry Glossary A-C

  4 Cs: A universal grading system developed by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to evaluate the quality of a diamond. The 4 Cs are Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut. Accent Gemstones: Gemstones within a jewelry design that are not the main focus, but instead accent or complement the center gemstone and side gemstones. Accent gemstones are typically comprised  of melee gemstones.  Alloy:  A mixture of two or more metals to create more desirable characteristics and/or added strength. Anneal:  A process used to bring metal alloys to a desired consistency, texture, or hardness by gradually heating and cooling.  Anniversary Band:  A ring of three or more diamonds or gemstones, typically set in a channel or prong setting. The stones partially encircle the ring. Antique Jewelry: Jewelry that is 100 years old or more. Anticlastic:  A form that is curved in two directions opposite one another (saddle-shaped). See Synclastic. Art Deco:  A decorative style of the 1920s and 1930s that features bold geometric shapes, linear patterns, and diverse colors. Art Nouveau:  A decorative style from the late 1800s to early 1900s characterized by free flowing lines and stylized natural forms such as flowers, leaves, and feminine form. Assay: The process used when determining the proportions of precious metal contained in a piece of gold, silver or other alloys. Attribute:  A characteristic of a product that can include a color, design, style, form, shape, or feature. Azured:  A mounting that leaves a gemstone's pavilion facets uncovered so that light can enter. Baby/Youth:  Describes items small in scale to be worn by babies, toddlers, and teens. Earring posts are usually shorter and are often threaded or have some sort of safety clasp. Rings are usually sizes 0–3. Bracelets are usually 5–5½" long. Necklaces are usually 15"–16" long.  Bail:  An arched (often oval, teardrop, or d-shaped) metal component used to hang a pendant from a chain or cord. It is meant to slide onto the chain rather than being soldered to it so that the pendant moves independently from the chain and is not a permanent part of the chain or cord. Band  A ring, usually uniform in width,  with no distinguishable “top”; may be set with gemstones. Bangle Bracelet:  A closed, rigid bracelet – with or without hinge and clasp – that slides over the hand. Baroque:  An irregular-shaped stone or pearl. Also an art style characterized by ornate detail. Bar Set:  A setting technique where the gemstone is secured between two parallel bars, while the sides of the gem remain open. Base Metal: A term informally referring to non-precious metals (such as copper, zinc, tin, nickel, lead, or iron), which are commonly used in costume jewelry. Basket Setting:  A type of prong setting with open sides similar to a basket weave, that allows the lower portion of the gemstone to be visible.  Basse-taille:  An enameling technique in which a low-relief pattern is created in metal by engraving or chasing, then the entire pattern is filled with translucent enamel (similar to French “low height” champlevé). See Enamel. Bead:  A small, usually spherical component made from a variety of materials, which may be partially drilled or fully drilled. A full drilled bead will have one or more holes through it, allowing it to be strung singularly or with others in a sequence. Beads in shapes other than round are sometimes described as “fancy.” Bead Set:  A method for securing a gemstone where a small bur of metal is raised with a graver and pushed over the edge of the gemstone. Belcher:  A ring mounting in which the prongs for the setting are formed from the shank of the ring so that the gemstone does not extend above the circumference of the shank. Bezel-Set:  A method for securing a gemstone in which a band of metal encircles the girdle of the gemstone and is folded over the gem to hold it in place. Birthstone:  A precious or semi-precious gemstone popularly associated with the month of birth. January- Garnet February- Amethyst March- Aquamarine April- Diamond May- Emerald June- Pearl July- Ruby August- Peridot September- Sapphire October- Opal November- Citrine December- Topaz Body Jewelry:  Jewelry that was manufactured specifically for use in body piercing. Bracelet:  An ornamental band or circlet for the wrist, arm, or sometimes for the ankle.  Bracelet Slide: A bead-type adornmentdesigned with two sets of holes to allow it to be strung onto a bracelet constructed of two rows of chain. The resulting bracelet is known as a slide bracelet. Bridal Set: A matching set of rings that includes an engagement ring and a wedding band, which are worn stacked together. Bridge: The structural portion of a mounting that connects one side of the shank to the other. stones, equal to 200 milligrams.  Bridge Accent:  A design element located beneath the center stone that can be seen when looking at the ring in the through finger view. Bright-Cut:  A metal engraving technique created by chiseling the metal with a polished tool creating a highly reflective surface.  Brilliance  Pertaining to diamonds, this term has two components: brightness and contrast. Brightness refers to the amount of light returned from the diamond’s surroundings and back to the observer. To be brilliant, a diamond also needs contrast, intensity of the white light from the crown of a polished diamond or other gemstone. Brilliance is affected by: hardness, refractive index, reflectivity, polish, luster, and proportions. Brooch:  A piece of jewelry that may be fastened to clothing, usually with a mechanism that consists of a straight, sharp pin finding, a hinge, and a catch. Bulk Chain:  Chain that does not include a clasp assembly. It has raw, cut ends and cannot be worn in its current state. Buttercup Setting: A setting usually consisting of six prongs connected to a scalloped-shaped base that resembles a buttercup flower. Bypass:  A ring mounting design in which the two sides of the band do not meet in a straight line, but overlap or crisscross each other as seen in the top/looking down view. Cabochon: A polished, convex-cut, unfaceted gemstone. CAD/CAM: Computer-aided design and manufacturing. Cameo:  A design cut in relief, usually into a hard gemstone or shell. Carat:  A unit of weight for precious and semi-precious gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams Computer-aided design and manufacturing. Cameo:  A design cut in relief, usually into a hard gemstone or shell. Carat: A unit of weight for precious and semi-precious gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams. Cathedral Setting:  A style of mounting in which the sides of the ring arch above the band on either side of the stone as seen in the through finger view. Catch:  See Pin-Catch. Center Gemstone: The main gemstone in the design which is usually the focal point of the jewelry. Chain:  A series of connected metal links or loops with an attached clasp assembly.  Clasp Assembly:  The mechanism used to secure a chain and typically consists of a chain end and clasp. Chain End:  The hoop located on one end of a chain, through which the other end can be looped.  Chain Tag:  A flat metal piece with a hole in each end where the quality mark or trademark can be stamped. Champlevé:  An enameling technique of decoration in which the design is made by lines or cells cut into a metal base. Similar to cloisonné, but the partitions are part of the base. See Enamel. Chandelier Earring:  One of a pair of long ornate earrings that dangle from the earlobes, usually dropping more than one level. Channel-Set:  A setting style in which a series of gemstones are set close together into grooves in two parallel walls.  Charm:  A miniature object that may depict symbols, figures, letters, etc., usually attached to a bracelet using a spring-type clasp or a jump ring.  Chevron or V-Prong:  A prong in the shape of a V usually found on gemstone shapes with sharp corners. Charm Bracelet:  A bracelet to which charms may be or have been attached. Choker:  A non-rigid necklace that fits snugly around the throat, usually 14"–15" in length. Claddagh  A traditional Irish ring design depicting two hands holding a crowned heart, representing friendship or love. Clarity:  A term used to describe the absence or presence of internal or external flaws in a gemstone. See 4 Cs. Clasp:  A mechanism used to attach objects or parts together, such as both ends of a chain. Claw (Prong): A wire used to fasten and hold a gemstone in a setting. Cloisonné: shape of a V usually found on gemstone shapes with sharp corners. An ancient enameling technique in which a design is outlined on a metal base with bent wire of metal strips (typically soldered to the base) forming individual sections or compartments that are filled in with colored enamel (French “cloison” = cell or partition). See Enamel. Cluster: Multiple gemstones grouped together in a setting, which may or may not overlap each other. Clutch Back:  See Earring Clutch. Dura Colbalt:  A corrosion and wear-resistant contemporary metal alloy consisting of cobalt and chromium. Collar:  A rigid choker-style necklace that fits snugly around the neck. Color Grade:  As it pertains to diamonds, color is one of the characteristics used to define the quality of a diamond. The GIA color scale ranges from D to Z, D being considered colorless and higher in value. See 4 Cs. Comfort-Fit: Describes the convex interior of a ring or band. Contemporary:  Designs that are up-to-date with current trends in the industry with a modern flair. Contemporary Metal: Metal alloys and industrial metals that are not part of the traditional “precious metal” group. These low-cost alternatives include, but are not limited to, titanium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, and cobalt chrome. Contour Band:  See Shadow Band. Costume Jewelry:  Jewelry made with inexpensive materials or imitation gems. Cord:  A long, thin, flexible strand that can be used instead of chain for necklaces and bracelets. Cord can be made from satin, leather, rubber, and other alternative materials. Crown:  As it refers to a cut gemstone, the faceted area of a gemstone located above the girdle, but below the table. Cuff Bracelet:  A rigid bracelet designed with an opening for easily slipping the bracelet onto the wrist. Cuff Link:  A decorative fastener – similar to a button – which is used to secure the ends of a shirt cuff. It may consist of two buttons or button-like parts connected with a chain or peg that passes through two slits in the cuff. Culet: Refers to the base point of a diamond. Cut:  As it refers to a round diamond, cut is the factor that determines the diamond‘s brilliance. Cut qualifies the brilliance, fire, and scintillation of a round, brilliant cut diamond by analyzing the diamond‘s symmetry, proportions, and polish. See 4 Cs. CZ: Short for Cubic Zirconia, a man-made gemstone created to simulate a diamond. Approximately 64% heavier than diamond.  

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The Most Famous Diamonds of The World

The Most Famous Diamonds of The World: It is no secret that along with the history of mankind, the history of diamonds also formed. Some diamonds were owned by emperors, others have been famous for their size, shape, color. This blog page of our website is dedicated to such famous diamonds in the world.   1-Diamond "Kohinoor" : Once the diamond with the name "Kohinoor" (in the lane "Mount of Light") was the largest diamond in the world. Initially, its owners were the rulers of India, today this diamond is part of the precious crown of the British royal family. For the first time a huge diamond was mentioned in the annals of the early 12th century, then in 1526 the diamond was found in the treasuries of the Great Mongols. The diamond acquired its name in 1739 after it fell into the hands of the Persian Shah Nadir, who conquered the capital of India. Kochinor, and in the translation “The Mountain of Light”, stayed in Punjab and Afghanistan before becoming the property of the East India Company in 1849. The company, in turn, brought a gem as a gift to Queen Victoria of Great Britain. In the UK, Kohinoor acquired its modern look. The original location of the gem, and where it was cut, is still unknown. Most likely, this place was India, because the minerals of the rulers of this country are famous throughout the world. The diamonds of Orlov , Shah , Indore pears, Arkots, Dariya-i-Nor, as well as Kohinor today are the ornaments of private and public collections in different parts of the world. The third name of the gem is "the eye of the storm." For all the time of its existence, the gem has never been bought or sold, but managed to change many influential owners. At the same time, the “Mountain of Light” never differed in its special beauty, the magic of attraction of this mineral consisted in something else. It looked like a diamond Kohinor until 1852 Most of the legends tell that Kohinor was discovered more than 4,000 years ago in India. According to Indian legend, a charming child was found on the banks of the Yamuna River. On the child's brow, the stone shimmered and glistened - Kohinor. And the first historical mention of the mineral appears in the oldest "Notes of Babur." As one of the descriptions says, after the arrival of Mohammed Babur to Agra, such a valuable gem was handed to him by the Indian king, Vikramadity. Events date back to the spring of 1526. After that, for two centuries, the mineral was called "Babur's diamond". After the transfer of the golden throne of the Great Mongols to Nadir Shah, one of the servants of the harem of the former Shah Mohammed, wanting to become the favorite of the new Shah, revealed to him the place where Kohinor was: Mohammed constantly wore a precious gem in a turban on his head. Then Nadir Shah invented a trick: he ordered to arrange a grand celebration, coinciding with the return of the throne to Mohammed Shah. During the festival, Nadir-Shar, as a sign of eternal brotherhood and friendship, suggested that Muhammad exchange turbanas. He, of course, did not dare to refuse. During the night after the exchange took place, the cunning Nadir Shah entered his apartment, unrolled a turban and, of course, found the desired diamond in it. Later, together with the stone, called “Kohinor”, ​​the shah returned to Persia, where he was expected to be betrayed, mutinous, poisoned and, as a result, he would die by the hand of his own military leader. So began to look like the diamond Kohinor 1852 In the 19th century, the flag of the British Empire was raised in Punjab. One of the terms of the contract was that the precious stone, called Kohinor, is donated to the Queen of England. So, the famous gem on a warship left Bombay, apparently forever. However, as you know, the stone did not impress the queen at all, and it seemed to the royal nobility that the diamond was too dull. Even the fact that at that time the mineral still had a gigantic mass - about 109 carats - did not save the situation. After the arrival of the stone in England, Prince Albert, together with the jeweler Sebastian Gerrard, stated that the gem has an irresistible diamond shape of a rose and that the new cut will make Kohinor begin to play again. They decided to turn to experienced mineral cutters. In order to re-cut Kokhinor, a small machine with a steam engine was installed. After 38 days of painstaking work, which cost the British treasury a round sum, the mineral was almost spared from yellowness, and became lighter. Thus, a modern oval-shaped diamond, weighing 108.93 carats, appeared. In the process of recutting, a diamond lost 43 percent of its weight. The expediency of this procedure caused a storm of criticism and doubt, since the diamond, with its original Indian cut in the shape of a rose, was of tremendous cultural and historical value. In 1853, the magnificent diamond Kohinor became an adornment of the royal tiara, which already included more than two thousand precious stones. In 1937, the gem was transferred to the crown, which was made similar to the precious crown of Victoria, Queen of England. Cochinor was inserted into the Maltese cross, located in front of the new headdress of the rulers of England. Today, one of the most famous diamonds, Kohinor, is in the corona, which crowned Elizabeth. The product is stored in the Tower of London.   2-Diamond Great Mogul: The imperishable symbol of India, striking in its magnificence and tragic history, the Taj Mahal is the brainchild of the legendary ruler of the Mughal Empire, Shah-Jahan. But not only the glorious deeds and the majestic tomb brought to our day the name of a powerful ruler.In the middle of the 17th century, in the very heyday of the emperor's rule, the diamond mines of Golconda revealed a treasure to the world, the likes of which India had not yet known - a diamond weighing 787 carats or 900 Indian rati. Up to the beginning of the 20th century, the stone was considered the largest of those found in nature. Bloody history Diamond Great Mogul, illustration from the encyclopedia "Nordisk familjebok" Such an amazing treasure could not hide from the gaze of Shah-Jahan, who knew a lot about everything beautiful, especially jewelry. It is not surprising that the stone that adorned the treasury of Raja Golconda was stolen by the perfidious servant Mirgimola and ran under the protection of the emperor, seducing him with a great gift. So begins the story of the legendary diamond “Great Mogul” full of secrets. According to legend, the diamond became the cause of hostility within the royal dynasty, and the constant intrigues and conspiracies between relatives created a bloody halo around the stone. Aurangzeb, who took the throne from his father Shah-Jahan, became the new ruler of the Mughal dynasty and, of course, seized an amazing diamond. Only the best craftsman, who became the Venetian jeweler Hortensio Borghis, could entrust the cutting of the true natural miracle. Having been in the hands of an Italian, the stone has almost tripled in size, and the faceting has become the traditional form of roses in India. It is believed that the work of the master did not suit Aurangzeb, because “the Great Mogul”, as the diamond has since been called, has significantly lost weight, besides it had a barely discernable speck inside and a defect on the bottom. As a result, Borgis did not receive any payment for his work, having lost the advance payment, which was a fabulous sum of 10,000 rupees for those times. The only European, besides the jeweler, who saw the Great Mogul alive is considered to be the Frenchman Jean-Batista Tavernier. The French traveler, kindly invited to the court of Vladyka Aurangzeb in 1655, described the magnificent diamond in his Indian notes with sketches. According to him, the stone weighing about 280 carats was like a half of an egg, had a bluish tint and a rose-shaped cut. It seems that the Frenchman was the last official to see the diamond, because the fate of the greatest Indian treasure is covered in mystery. It is believed that the stone was the property of the Mughal dynasty until 1739, but due to the plundering of Delhi by the troops of Nadir Shah and the brutal massacre perpetrated by the Persians in the capital, was stolen along with the rest of the treasures. The references to the bloody diamond can still be found in the Persian chronicles for the period before the murder of its last owner in 1747, but after the death of Nadir Shah, the traces are lost, and the fate of the treasure forever becomes a mystery. Where did the legendary diamond go? For a long time, the fate of the stone did not give rest to the scientific minds and jewelers, different versions were born. Some claimed that the Indian diamond was divided into two equally legendary stones “ Kohinur ” and “ Orlov ”. And the gemologist Tennan did believe that there were three stones at all: a diamond, called the “Big Table”, was added to the decoration of the British crown and the wealth of the Russian Diamond Fund. According to the version peculiar, for example, to the Russian mineralogical scientist Fersman, it was believed that the “Great Mogul” and the “Eagles” were one and the same stone, and the difference in weight was due to Tavernier’s mistake in terms of carats. The hypothesis is confirmed by the external similarity of diamonds. Although the most plausible version can be considered recutting the "Great Mogul" in the "Eagles", as a result of which there was a weight loss.   3- The Jonker Diamond: Jonker, as he is sometimes called, is named after the prospector Jacob Jonker, who found him on his land. It happened in January 1934 in South Africa, in the Transvaal. At the time of discovery, he was the second among the largest diamonds, and today occupies the eighth position. This completely transparent stone was rounded with a small chip on one side, weighed 726 carats and was distinguished by a bluish tinge. The size of the raw stone was 63 mm long and 38 mm wide. For 315 thousand dollars a diamond from Jonker bought the association of diamond producers. And next year, he was very successfully resold to the future king of diamonds - Harry Winston, then little-known American, for 700 thousand dollars. Winston was very risky, because the money was rather big, and no one could predict how the stone would behave during processing. The insurance company, of which Harry was a client, refused to pay the risk of failing to cut Jonker. The chances that a diamond will not crumble into the smallest particles when trying to split it were estimated at 50%. Lazar Kaplan was invited to conduct a dangerous operation. This hereditary jeweler from New York spent a year studying the structure of the stone, before starting to cut. As a result, 12 diamonds were obtained (total weight 370.87 carats), they all received the name Jonker with the corresponding number from I to XII. All of them, except for the largest, sold with a multi-million profit. The largest (142.9 carats) diamond, which received an emerald cut of 58 facets, was left to a successful businessman. First, he flashed in a luxurious necklace of platinum, but later (in 1937) was subjected to repeated processing. He received a new, more elongated shape, increased to 66 the number of its faces, and began to weigh less - 125 carats. In 1949, Winston still sold the diamond to the king of Egypt. The upheaval in 1952 led to the flight of King Farouk I, and with him all the valuables in the royal treasury were gone. There is no reliable evidence, but it was said that Jonker I was sold by the exiled king for only 100 thousand dollars, other sources claimed that for some time he was in the possession of the Queen of Nepal Ratna. The last mention of this perfect diamond dates back to 1974, when, according to rumors, it was acquired by a businessman from Hong Kong for $ 4 million. 4- Cullinan Diamond:In January 1905, the largest diamond in the world, Cullinan, was discovered at the Premier mine in Transvaal (South Africa). The gem weighed 3,106 carats, and, apparently, broke away along the soldering plane from the crystal, which had twice the size. The story of how to find the largest natural diamond in the world, has long been overgrown with various fictions. There are several versions telling of finding such a gem of such an impressive size. One of them tells that the manager of the African mine, Frederick Wells, while conducting the evening round of the mine, noticed a strange brilliance at a height of about 9 meters on the wall of the quarry. From there, the mine workers extracted a large diamond, the dimensions of which were 10x5x6.5 centimeters. It was established that this diamond is only a fragment of a much larger stone, although it was not possible to find it. Photo by Thomas Cullinan (leftmost) The find was named after the owner of the mine of Thomas Cullinan. The crystal was strikingly clean, there were completely no cracks, inclusions and bubbles in it. The only defect of the diamond was the presence of a black spot in the center of the stone. The diamond color game was gorgeous. It varied depending on the angle of incidence of light, which indicated the presence of internal stress in the crystal, which is not uncommon for large-sized diamonds. However, due to the presence of stresses, there was a high probability of cracking. That is, the stone was heterogeneous, which excluded its faceting in its original form. Diamond Cullinan before processing Many wanted to see the largest diamond, but for a long time there were no people willing to buy a stone, due to its high cost. The rulers of the Transvaal Republic acquired a stone after the end of the war in 1907. The stone was a birthday present for the English king Edward VII. The nine largest parts of the Cullinan diamond after separation Initially, the ruler of England did not appreciate the gem. In 1908, the king ordered to split the mineral into several parts and cut it. Famous Asskar brothers - jewelers from Amsterdam studied the structure of a crystal for about half a year, choosing the most suitable place for a strike, in order to split the diamond into several parts. A half-inch long incision was made in the gem, into which a knife made especially for this was placed. One bounce cracked a diamond at its defective points. Glass copies of nine Cullinan diamonds after separation After four years, 2 large, seven 7 medium and about 96 small diamonds were made, the purity of which hit. Below we consider the largest and most famous of them. “ Cullinan 1 ” is a colorless transparent drop-shaped stone with a weight of 530.2 carats. Diamond has 74 facets. "Big Star of Africa" ​​adorns the rod of King Edward VII. It is the largest processed diamond in the world. Can be removed and used as a brooch. Storage - London Tower. “ Cullinan 2 ” is a large diamond having a mass of 317.4 carats. "The Second Star of Africa" ​​adorns the crown of the British Empire. Next to this gem is a ruby ​​"Black Prince". The crown is kept in the Tower of London. This crystal can also be taken out and used as a brooch, along with “Cullinan-I”. “ Cullinan 3 ” and “ Cullinan 4 ” are pear-shaped (94.4 carats) and square (63.6 carats) diamonds. The latter could be inserted into the crown of Mary, the wife of King George V. Queen Mary often wore a brooch from the Small Stars of Africa for important events, such as meetings and weddings. “ Cullinan 5 ” is a heart shaped ornament weighing 18.8 carats. In 1910, the ruling leadership of South Africa presented an unusual cut and shape stone as a gift to Queen Mary. The gem was made as a brooch with a frame of platinum and diamonds. The Heart Brooch was used as a removable center for a belt made for Delhi Durbar in 1911. Mineral " Cullinan 6 " - "King of Stones", having a cut "Marquis", weighing 8.8 carats. In 1907, the stone was a gift to Queen Alexandra from her husband, King Edward VII. Later, after the death of her husband, Alexandra handed over the diamond to the throne to Queen Mary. Soon, she decided to transform Delhi Durbar's Necklace, adding gem to it as a removable diamond-encrusted pendant. “ Cullinan 7 ” together with “ Cullinan 8 ” today is an integral piece of jewelry. “Cullinan VII” - a 11.5 carat gemstone with a “Marquis” cut - a pendant bought by Edward VII from Asher. His wife, Queen Alexandra, placed her on her royal crown. Today, the pendant, coupled with “Cullinan VIII”, an emerald cut crystal, weighing 6.8 carats, make up a solid brooch. "Cullinan 8" was donated to the English Queen Maria by the authorities of South Africa in 1910. The diamond "Cullinan VIII" was also used in the corsage prepared for Delhi Durbar. The Cullinan 9 gem is a 4.4 carat diamond that adorns the ring.   5-Diamond The Promise of Lesotho: The White Diamond, dubbed the “Promise of Lesotho”, was found in 2006 in the Letsing mine of the South African Kingdom of Lesotho. With a size of 603 carats (121 g), he was not included in the list of the 10 largest diamonds in the world, but at that time headed the 15th position in the gemstones rating in terms of size, was recognized as one of the wonders created by nature. After research, the diamond “The Promise of Lesotho” was assigned a class D - the purest diamond. Since then, it began its history and travel across the European continent. After a month and a half, the diamond was delivered to Belgium, where it was sold at an auction in Antwerp for $ 12.4 million to Lawrence Graff, the owner of the British company Graff Diamonds. Lawrence Graff recruited about 35 specialists to make several large cut diamonds from a large raw stone. Thanks to their painstaking efforts over the course of 5 months, the largest of 224 carat transparent jewels found a pear shape and became the “heart” of a beautiful necklace of 26 stones (all the stones of the necklace are parts of a diamond, the Promise of Lesotho). All components of the product were polished and acquired an impeccable look. Each diamond has a laser engraving with the graff inscription: however, it can only be seen at a tenfold magnification. The total cost of the decoration is 50 million dollars. Potential buyers crave to seize diamonds separately. But all applications Lawrence Graff answers the same thing: "The necklace can be sold only in full."   6-Orlov Diamond: "Orlov" (or "Lazarev" or "Amsterdam") is the largest of the seven famous gems in the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. This stone is an ornament of the Imperial scepter of Catherine the Great since 1784. The diamond "Orlov" is related to the equally well-known diamond "Shah" , as they were found in one place. Stone found in India at the beginning of the 17th century. At that time it was a piece of 300 carats, most likely separated from an even larger diamond, which had the shape of a dodecahedron. Gem is about two-thirds of the main diamond, which was supposed to weigh about 450 carats. Transparent and pure diamond has a nice blue-green tint. The base of the gem is not a very smooth cleaved surface. The shape of the stone resembles a chicken egg, divided across. The stone cut is a form of Indian rose and has a large number of small faces, which are arranged in tiers. The stone has retained the original cut, so it is of immense historical interest. The first owner of the gem was a descendant of the great Mongol dynasty - Shah Cihan. A solid stone was sent to the jewelry workshop for artistic cutting. According to the legend, Shah was extremely upset that the weight of the stone had greatly decreased, and Cihan not only did not pay the master for the work, but also confiscated all the jeweler’s property for “spoiling” the gem. According to legend, “Orlov” is one of the diamonds, paired with “ Koch-i-Nor ”, which served as the eyes of the statue of Brahma. The statue stood in a temple in southern India. The gem stole from a Hindu temple a French soldier who managed to ingratiate himself with the priest of the temple. And one evening, because of the raging storm, there was no one left in the temple except for a stranger. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Frenchman takes out a diamond from the statue's eye. The temple had a lot of jewels and besides the stone, but the thief did not have enough restraint and calm. Taking only a diamond, he embarks on flight, fearing that the servants of the temple will return. The Frenchman sells the gem to the captain of an English ship for a ridiculous price, and he resold it to a Jewish trader in London. But is the legend right? The early history of the stone is little known to us. The reliable fact of history is that Prince GG Orlov, a former favorite of Catherine the Great, in Amsterdam, bought this stone from the Armenian merchant Lazarev (hence the second name of the stone). Orlov knew that the ruler loved diamonds and even preferred to play cards on stones, not on money. With this gift he hoped to return to the Empress's favorites. Catherine II received a generous gift, but Orlov remained the former. Catherine named the stone after the donor and ordered her to be inserted into the upper part of the Russian scepter. Today, the Orlov diamond is the largest stone in the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation.   7-President Vargas Diamond: In 1938, a huge crystal was accidentally discovered near the Santo Antonio River in Brazil. It was a transparent diamond weighing 726.6 carats.Flat in shape, on two edges with a pale yellow color, a large cleavage surface and two distinct faces of a rhombododecahedron. The stone was named after the country's president, Hethulio Dornelles Vargas. There are two stories about the founders who were lucky to bring the stone into the eyes. The first one says: these were workers who worked near the river. The other is that two farmers, wandering along the bed of a dried-up reservoir, noticed a stone glistening in the rays of the sun. After going through a lot of hands, in 1939, the diamond acquired Harry Winston. The price was 600,000 dollars. 29 diamonds were made of stone. The largest was a mass of 48.26 carats; it was called the diamond President Vargas. 14 large stones gave emerald faceting, 10 medium - triangular. From 1944 to 1958, the diamond was with the wife of Robert Windorf. Then he again came to Harry Winston. In 1961, the stone was transferred to an unknown owner. A diamond of 28.03 carats in 1989 at Sotheby's auction cost 781 thousand dollars. A crystal of 25.4 carats in 1992 at the same auction - 396 thousand dollars. The 27.33 carats stone is from Robert Muawad, an Arab collector.   8-Regent Diamond: In antiquity, diamonds were said to be the light of the sun, condensed in the earth and cooled by time. Behind the famous stones, the train of mysterious stories always stretched, giving them even greater uniqueness and often raising their price considerably.Stones weighing more than 100 carats are considered unique. Of course, after the discovery of a diamond of 1,100 carats in November 2015 at the mines of Botswana, which was considered one of the largest Regent's diamond, it no longer seems so significant, because it weighed only 400 carat. Later, a diamond, cut to 140 carats, served as an ornament to a collection of jewelry belonging to French monarchs. His story of the rise to the heights of royal power began on the famous Indian mines in Golconda in 1701. The Hindu, who found a huge diamond, wanted to get his freedom with his help. According to legend, he hid it in his wound under a bandage and gave the stone to the captain of the ship. The story then claims that the slave was killed and thrown overboard, and the stone fell into the hands of the then governor of Fort St. George in Madras, a certain Pitt, after whom he received his first name. Further contradictory information agrees that after returning to Britain, Pitt found a jeweler who agreed to cut the diamond, which cost the former governor about 5,000 thousand pounds sterling, and the jeweler 2 years of hard work. In 1717, the diamond was acquired by the then regent of the minor king Louis XV, Duke Philip of Orleans. It was in his honor, the stone was given a different name, which eventually stuck with it in history. In the years of the French Revolution, after the execution of Louis XVI, the diamond was stolen during the Republican revision. But a year later, he unexpectedly found himself again among the treasures of now Republican France. He was sold to the Russian merchant Treskov in order to equip the troops of the French army with the proceeds. Diamond Regent. Illustration from the encyclopedia "Nordisk familjebok" Then the Regent's diamond returned to France again. This time its owner was Napoleon Bonaparte, who decorated him with the hilt of the sword that was on him during the coronation. After his abdication, the diamond traveled for some time around the courtyards of European monarchs and again found itself in Paris as a gift from the Hapsburgs to Napoleon III. The diamond was set in the diadem of his wife - Empress Eugenia. The sparkling snow-white handsome with a barely noticeable bluish tint, since 1886 the Regent's diamond, as the historical heritage of France, forms part of the exposition of the museum heritage of the Louvre.   9-River Oye Diamond:The “Uoe River” is a diamond that is among the ten most important in the world. According to the latest data, he is in ninth place, behind “Cullinan”, “Excelsior”, “Star of Sierra Leone”, “Great Mogul”, and Botswana with a weight of 1111 carats, found in the fall of 2015. The diamond “River Uoye” was discovered in West Africa in early 1945. He was found at the reservoir of the same name near the town of Sefadu in Sierra Leone. The stone was diamond shaped. The weight of a unique find is 770 carats. He received another name - "The Diamond of Victory", he was given in honor of the defeat of the Nazis in the same year. From the “Diamond of Victory” turned out 30 diamonds. The largest of them was a stone weighing 31.35 carats. The fate of precious products is still unknown. The owners keep the secret, so now nobody knows what they looked like. Their descriptions and photographs are not even in specialized jewelry editions.10- The Shah Diamond:The story of the famous stone Diamond "Shah" is of Indian origin. In Russia, this stone appeared in 1829, when, as a result of the massacre in Tehran, the Russian embassy was killed, headed by A.S. Griboedov. This stone received its name only on arrival in Russia: it did not have a proper name in Persia. The stone is not faceted, the edges are merely polished: a part of the natural faces of the octahedron has been preserved on it. The Shah diamond has an elongated shape, and a ring-shaped groove indicates that it was worn as a talisman. On three well-polished diamond planes inscriptions were inscribed: the names of the three rulers of Persia. Currently, the stone has a weight of 88.7 carats, but it is believed that before processing it weighed about 95. The mineralogist and geochemist AE Fersman who studied the stone in 1922 noted the perfect transparency of the stone. Diamond "Shah" has a yellowish color with brown patches. The beginning of the history of this gem dates back to the 16th century. Diamond was found on the banks of the river Krishna, in the mines of Golkonda (India, shortly before they were completely abandoned. By 1591, the diamond belonged to the ruler of one of the Muslim states in India - Burkhan II. A large transparent stone struck the imagination of the ruler, it was he who ordered the first inscription engraved on the diamond, calling itself the "Lord of Order." We know that diamond is the hardest stone, it is extremely difficult to even scratch it. Today, in addition to mechanical grinding (when diamond is polished with diamond), three more processing methods are used: an electric spark, a laser beam, and chemical etching. One can only wonder at the master's patience, who managed to cut out the inscription on such stubborn material, given the primitiveness of the tools of the day. But the diamond was not long in the treasury of Burkhan: in 1592, Shah Akbar, who conquered this state, appropriated a stone. Thus, a large diamond became the regalia of the Great Mongols. For about forty years, the stone was in the treasury, until it was noticed by Akbar's grandson - Shah Jihan, who exalted the Mongolian state even more. Having settled with all the claimants to the throne, Cihan began to rule. This ruler led a controversial policy: simultaneously with a twofold increase in taxes, Cihan built irrigation canals in certain parts of the state. The life of this ruler was decorated with love for a single woman - the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. The emergence of the Taj Mahal - one of the wonders of the world - we owe it to Shah Jihan: after the death of his wife, he ordered the best masters to build a mausoleum, which is not equal in the whole universe. It is curious that this ruler combined government affairs with the faceter's craft — he spent a lot of time in his workshop, devoting time to processing the gems. Cihan gave the order to cut the second one on the stone: his name and the dates of his reign. At this time, the unknown master used all the properties of the graphics of the language: now the inscription looked like an ornate, whimsical pattern, and not like ordinary text. Tavernier, we know that the throne of the Persian rulers was endowed with a canopy, richly decorated with various precious stones. Diamond “Shah” was hung on this canopy so as to be constantly in sight of the ruler. The third inscription on the stone ordered Fatah Ali Shah to be made in 1827, in honor of the thirty-year anniversary of his reign. Writing on the last free face of diamond amazes with talent, perfection of work and intricate fantasy. After victory in the Russian-Persian war, Russia sent ambassadors to Tehran led by A.S. Griboyedov to sign a peaceful conversation. After the massacre of the Russian ambassadors, the ambassadors of Persia went to Nicholas I. The price of spilled blood was a diamond, which received the name "Shah" in Russia. Due to this stone, the death of the great writer and the last two kururs were forgiven - about 4 million rubles. Before the October Revolution, the diamond "Shah" was kept in the treasury of the Winter Palace, after the revolution the stone was transported to the Kremlin. Today this stone belongs to the diamond fund of the Russian Federation.  

The Most Famous Diamonds of The World

The Most Famous Diamonds of The World: It is no secret that along with the history of mankind, the history of diamonds also formed. Some diamonds were owned by emperors, others have been famous for their size, shape, color. This blog page of our website is dedicated to such famous diamonds in the world.   1-Diamond "Kohinoor" : Once the diamond with the name "Kohinoor" (in the lane "Mount of Light") was the largest diamond in the world. Initially, its owners were the rulers of India, today this diamond is part of the precious crown of the British royal family. For the first time a huge diamond was mentioned in the annals of the early 12th century, then in 1526 the diamond was found in the treasuries of the Great Mongols. The diamond acquired its name in 1739 after it fell into the hands of the Persian Shah Nadir, who conquered the capital of India. Kochinor, and in the translation “The Mountain of Light”, stayed in Punjab and Afghanistan before becoming the property of the East India Company in 1849. The company, in turn, brought a gem as a gift to Queen Victoria of Great Britain. In the UK, Kohinoor acquired its modern look. The original location of the gem, and where it was cut, is still unknown. Most likely, this place was India, because the minerals of the rulers of this country are famous throughout the world. The diamonds of Orlov , Shah , Indore pears, Arkots, Dariya-i-Nor, as well as Kohinor today are the ornaments of private and public collections in different parts of the world. The third name of the gem is "the eye of the storm." For all the time of its existence, the gem has never been bought or sold, but managed to change many influential owners. At the same time, the “Mountain of Light” never differed in its special beauty, the magic of attraction of this mineral consisted in something else. It looked like a diamond Kohinor until 1852 Most of the legends tell that Kohinor was discovered more than 4,000 years ago in India. According to Indian legend, a charming child was found on the banks of the Yamuna River. On the child's brow, the stone shimmered and glistened - Kohinor. And the first historical mention of the mineral appears in the oldest "Notes of Babur." As one of the descriptions says, after the arrival of Mohammed Babur to Agra, such a valuable gem was handed to him by the Indian king, Vikramadity. Events date back to the spring of 1526. After that, for two centuries, the mineral was called "Babur's diamond". After the transfer of the golden throne of the Great Mongols to Nadir Shah, one of the servants of the harem of the former Shah Mohammed, wanting to become the favorite of the new Shah, revealed to him the place where Kohinor was: Mohammed constantly wore a precious gem in a turban on his head. Then Nadir Shah invented a trick: he ordered to arrange a grand celebration, coinciding with the return of the throne to Mohammed Shah. During the festival, Nadir-Shar, as a sign of eternal brotherhood and friendship, suggested that Muhammad exchange turbanas. He, of course, did not dare to refuse. During the night after the exchange took place, the cunning Nadir Shah entered his apartment, unrolled a turban and, of course, found the desired diamond in it. Later, together with the stone, called “Kohinor”, ​​the shah returned to Persia, where he was expected to be betrayed, mutinous, poisoned and, as a result, he would die by the hand of his own military leader. So began to look like the diamond Kohinor 1852 In the 19th century, the flag of the British Empire was raised in Punjab. One of the terms of the contract was that the precious stone, called Kohinor, is donated to the Queen of England. So, the famous gem on a warship left Bombay, apparently forever. However, as you know, the stone did not impress the queen at all, and it seemed to the royal nobility that the diamond was too dull. Even the fact that at that time the mineral still had a gigantic mass - about 109 carats - did not save the situation. After the arrival of the stone in England, Prince Albert, together with the jeweler Sebastian Gerrard, stated that the gem has an irresistible diamond shape of a rose and that the new cut will make Kohinor begin to play again. They decided to turn to experienced mineral cutters. In order to re-cut Kokhinor, a small machine with a steam engine was installed. After 38 days of painstaking work, which cost the British treasury a round sum, the mineral was almost spared from yellowness, and became lighter. Thus, a modern oval-shaped diamond, weighing 108.93 carats, appeared. In the process of recutting, a diamond lost 43 percent of its weight. The expediency of this procedure caused a storm of criticism and doubt, since the diamond, with its original Indian cut in the shape of a rose, was of tremendous cultural and historical value. In 1853, the magnificent diamond Kohinor became an adornment of the royal tiara, which already included more than two thousand precious stones. In 1937, the gem was transferred to the crown, which was made similar to the precious crown of Victoria, Queen of England. Cochinor was inserted into the Maltese cross, located in front of the new headdress of the rulers of England. Today, one of the most famous diamonds, Kohinor, is in the corona, which crowned Elizabeth. The product is stored in the Tower of London.   2-Diamond Great Mogul: The imperishable symbol of India, striking in its magnificence and tragic history, the Taj Mahal is the brainchild of the legendary ruler of the Mughal Empire, Shah-Jahan. But not only the glorious deeds and the majestic tomb brought to our day the name of a powerful ruler.In the middle of the 17th century, in the very heyday of the emperor's rule, the diamond mines of Golconda revealed a treasure to the world, the likes of which India had not yet known - a diamond weighing 787 carats or 900 Indian rati. Up to the beginning of the 20th century, the stone was considered the largest of those found in nature. Bloody history Diamond Great Mogul, illustration from the encyclopedia "Nordisk familjebok" Such an amazing treasure could not hide from the gaze of Shah-Jahan, who knew a lot about everything beautiful, especially jewelry. It is not surprising that the stone that adorned the treasury of Raja Golconda was stolen by the perfidious servant Mirgimola and ran under the protection of the emperor, seducing him with a great gift. So begins the story of the legendary diamond “Great Mogul” full of secrets. According to legend, the diamond became the cause of hostility within the royal dynasty, and the constant intrigues and conspiracies between relatives created a bloody halo around the stone. Aurangzeb, who took the throne from his father Shah-Jahan, became the new ruler of the Mughal dynasty and, of course, seized an amazing diamond. Only the best craftsman, who became the Venetian jeweler Hortensio Borghis, could entrust the cutting of the true natural miracle. Having been in the hands of an Italian, the stone has almost tripled in size, and the faceting has become the traditional form of roses in India. It is believed that the work of the master did not suit Aurangzeb, because “the Great Mogul”, as the diamond has since been called, has significantly lost weight, besides it had a barely discernable speck inside and a defect on the bottom. As a result, Borgis did not receive any payment for his work, having lost the advance payment, which was a fabulous sum of 10,000 rupees for those times. The only European, besides the jeweler, who saw the Great Mogul alive is considered to be the Frenchman Jean-Batista Tavernier. The French traveler, kindly invited to the court of Vladyka Aurangzeb in 1655, described the magnificent diamond in his Indian notes with sketches. According to him, the stone weighing about 280 carats was like a half of an egg, had a bluish tint and a rose-shaped cut. It seems that the Frenchman was the last official to see the diamond, because the fate of the greatest Indian treasure is covered in mystery. It is believed that the stone was the property of the Mughal dynasty until 1739, but due to the plundering of Delhi by the troops of Nadir Shah and the brutal massacre perpetrated by the Persians in the capital, was stolen along with the rest of the treasures. The references to the bloody diamond can still be found in the Persian chronicles for the period before the murder of its last owner in 1747, but after the death of Nadir Shah, the traces are lost, and the fate of the treasure forever becomes a mystery. Where did the legendary diamond go? For a long time, the fate of the stone did not give rest to the scientific minds and jewelers, different versions were born. Some claimed that the Indian diamond was divided into two equally legendary stones “ Kohinur ” and “ Orlov ”. And the gemologist Tennan did believe that there were three stones at all: a diamond, called the “Big Table”, was added to the decoration of the British crown and the wealth of the Russian Diamond Fund. According to the version peculiar, for example, to the Russian mineralogical scientist Fersman, it was believed that the “Great Mogul” and the “Eagles” were one and the same stone, and the difference in weight was due to Tavernier’s mistake in terms of carats. The hypothesis is confirmed by the external similarity of diamonds. Although the most plausible version can be considered recutting the "Great Mogul" in the "Eagles", as a result of which there was a weight loss.   3- The Jonker Diamond: Jonker, as he is sometimes called, is named after the prospector Jacob Jonker, who found him on his land. It happened in January 1934 in South Africa, in the Transvaal. At the time of discovery, he was the second among the largest diamonds, and today occupies the eighth position. This completely transparent stone was rounded with a small chip on one side, weighed 726 carats and was distinguished by a bluish tinge. The size of the raw stone was 63 mm long and 38 mm wide. For 315 thousand dollars a diamond from Jonker bought the association of diamond producers. And next year, he was very successfully resold to the future king of diamonds - Harry Winston, then little-known American, for 700 thousand dollars. Winston was very risky, because the money was rather big, and no one could predict how the stone would behave during processing. The insurance company, of which Harry was a client, refused to pay the risk of failing to cut Jonker. The chances that a diamond will not crumble into the smallest particles when trying to split it were estimated at 50%. Lazar Kaplan was invited to conduct a dangerous operation. This hereditary jeweler from New York spent a year studying the structure of the stone, before starting to cut. As a result, 12 diamonds were obtained (total weight 370.87 carats), they all received the name Jonker with the corresponding number from I to XII. All of them, except for the largest, sold with a multi-million profit. The largest (142.9 carats) diamond, which received an emerald cut of 58 facets, was left to a successful businessman. First, he flashed in a luxurious necklace of platinum, but later (in 1937) was subjected to repeated processing. He received a new, more elongated shape, increased to 66 the number of its faces, and began to weigh less - 125 carats. In 1949, Winston still sold the diamond to the king of Egypt. The upheaval in 1952 led to the flight of King Farouk I, and with him all the valuables in the royal treasury were gone. There is no reliable evidence, but it was said that Jonker I was sold by the exiled king for only 100 thousand dollars, other sources claimed that for some time he was in the possession of the Queen of Nepal Ratna. The last mention of this perfect diamond dates back to 1974, when, according to rumors, it was acquired by a businessman from Hong Kong for $ 4 million. 4- Cullinan Diamond:In January 1905, the largest diamond in the world, Cullinan, was discovered at the Premier mine in Transvaal (South Africa). The gem weighed 3,106 carats, and, apparently, broke away along the soldering plane from the crystal, which had twice the size. The story of how to find the largest natural diamond in the world, has long been overgrown with various fictions. There are several versions telling of finding such a gem of such an impressive size. One of them tells that the manager of the African mine, Frederick Wells, while conducting the evening round of the mine, noticed a strange brilliance at a height of about 9 meters on the wall of the quarry. From there, the mine workers extracted a large diamond, the dimensions of which were 10x5x6.5 centimeters. It was established that this diamond is only a fragment of a much larger stone, although it was not possible to find it. Photo by Thomas Cullinan (leftmost) The find was named after the owner of the mine of Thomas Cullinan. The crystal was strikingly clean, there were completely no cracks, inclusions and bubbles in it. The only defect of the diamond was the presence of a black spot in the center of the stone. The diamond color game was gorgeous. It varied depending on the angle of incidence of light, which indicated the presence of internal stress in the crystal, which is not uncommon for large-sized diamonds. However, due to the presence of stresses, there was a high probability of cracking. That is, the stone was heterogeneous, which excluded its faceting in its original form. Diamond Cullinan before processing Many wanted to see the largest diamond, but for a long time there were no people willing to buy a stone, due to its high cost. The rulers of the Transvaal Republic acquired a stone after the end of the war in 1907. The stone was a birthday present for the English king Edward VII. The nine largest parts of the Cullinan diamond after separation Initially, the ruler of England did not appreciate the gem. In 1908, the king ordered to split the mineral into several parts and cut it. Famous Asskar brothers - jewelers from Amsterdam studied the structure of a crystal for about half a year, choosing the most suitable place for a strike, in order to split the diamond into several parts. A half-inch long incision was made in the gem, into which a knife made especially for this was placed. One bounce cracked a diamond at its defective points. Glass copies of nine Cullinan diamonds after separation After four years, 2 large, seven 7 medium and about 96 small diamonds were made, the purity of which hit. Below we consider the largest and most famous of them. “ Cullinan 1 ” is a colorless transparent drop-shaped stone with a weight of 530.2 carats. Diamond has 74 facets. "Big Star of Africa" ​​adorns the rod of King Edward VII. It is the largest processed diamond in the world. Can be removed and used as a brooch. Storage - London Tower. “ Cullinan 2 ” is a large diamond having a mass of 317.4 carats. "The Second Star of Africa" ​​adorns the crown of the British Empire. Next to this gem is a ruby ​​"Black Prince". The crown is kept in the Tower of London. This crystal can also be taken out and used as a brooch, along with “Cullinan-I”. “ Cullinan 3 ” and “ Cullinan 4 ” are pear-shaped (94.4 carats) and square (63.6 carats) diamonds. The latter could be inserted into the crown of Mary, the wife of King George V. Queen Mary often wore a brooch from the Small Stars of Africa for important events, such as meetings and weddings. “ Cullinan 5 ” is a heart shaped ornament weighing 18.8 carats. In 1910, the ruling leadership of South Africa presented an unusual cut and shape stone as a gift to Queen Mary. The gem was made as a brooch with a frame of platinum and diamonds. The Heart Brooch was used as a removable center for a belt made for Delhi Durbar in 1911. Mineral " Cullinan 6 " - "King of Stones", having a cut "Marquis", weighing 8.8 carats. In 1907, the stone was a gift to Queen Alexandra from her husband, King Edward VII. Later, after the death of her husband, Alexandra handed over the diamond to the throne to Queen Mary. Soon, she decided to transform Delhi Durbar's Necklace, adding gem to it as a removable diamond-encrusted pendant. “ Cullinan 7 ” together with “ Cullinan 8 ” today is an integral piece of jewelry. “Cullinan VII” - a 11.5 carat gemstone with a “Marquis” cut - a pendant bought by Edward VII from Asher. His wife, Queen Alexandra, placed her on her royal crown. Today, the pendant, coupled with “Cullinan VIII”, an emerald cut crystal, weighing 6.8 carats, make up a solid brooch. "Cullinan 8" was donated to the English Queen Maria by the authorities of South Africa in 1910. The diamond "Cullinan VIII" was also used in the corsage prepared for Delhi Durbar. The Cullinan 9 gem is a 4.4 carat diamond that adorns the ring.   5-Diamond The Promise of Lesotho: The White Diamond, dubbed the “Promise of Lesotho”, was found in 2006 in the Letsing mine of the South African Kingdom of Lesotho. With a size of 603 carats (121 g), he was not included in the list of the 10 largest diamonds in the world, but at that time headed the 15th position in the gemstones rating in terms of size, was recognized as one of the wonders created by nature. After research, the diamond “The Promise of Lesotho” was assigned a class D - the purest diamond. Since then, it began its history and travel across the European continent. After a month and a half, the diamond was delivered to Belgium, where it was sold at an auction in Antwerp for $ 12.4 million to Lawrence Graff, the owner of the British company Graff Diamonds. Lawrence Graff recruited about 35 specialists to make several large cut diamonds from a large raw stone. Thanks to their painstaking efforts over the course of 5 months, the largest of 224 carat transparent jewels found a pear shape and became the “heart” of a beautiful necklace of 26 stones (all the stones of the necklace are parts of a diamond, the Promise of Lesotho). All components of the product were polished and acquired an impeccable look. Each diamond has a laser engraving with the graff inscription: however, it can only be seen at a tenfold magnification. The total cost of the decoration is 50 million dollars. Potential buyers crave to seize diamonds separately. But all applications Lawrence Graff answers the same thing: "The necklace can be sold only in full."   6-Orlov Diamond: "Orlov" (or "Lazarev" or "Amsterdam") is the largest of the seven famous gems in the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. This stone is an ornament of the Imperial scepter of Catherine the Great since 1784. The diamond "Orlov" is related to the equally well-known diamond "Shah" , as they were found in one place. Stone found in India at the beginning of the 17th century. At that time it was a piece of 300 carats, most likely separated from an even larger diamond, which had the shape of a dodecahedron. Gem is about two-thirds of the main diamond, which was supposed to weigh about 450 carats. Transparent and pure diamond has a nice blue-green tint. The base of the gem is not a very smooth cleaved surface. The shape of the stone resembles a chicken egg, divided across. The stone cut is a form of Indian rose and has a large number of small faces, which are arranged in tiers. The stone has retained the original cut, so it is of immense historical interest. The first owner of the gem was a descendant of the great Mongol dynasty - Shah Cihan. A solid stone was sent to the jewelry workshop for artistic cutting. According to the legend, Shah was extremely upset that the weight of the stone had greatly decreased, and Cihan not only did not pay the master for the work, but also confiscated all the jeweler’s property for “spoiling” the gem. According to legend, “Orlov” is one of the diamonds, paired with “ Koch-i-Nor ”, which served as the eyes of the statue of Brahma. The statue stood in a temple in southern India. The gem stole from a Hindu temple a French soldier who managed to ingratiate himself with the priest of the temple. And one evening, because of the raging storm, there was no one left in the temple except for a stranger. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Frenchman takes out a diamond from the statue's eye. The temple had a lot of jewels and besides the stone, but the thief did not have enough restraint and calm. Taking only a diamond, he embarks on flight, fearing that the servants of the temple will return. The Frenchman sells the gem to the captain of an English ship for a ridiculous price, and he resold it to a Jewish trader in London. But is the legend right? The early history of the stone is little known to us. The reliable fact of history is that Prince GG Orlov, a former favorite of Catherine the Great, in Amsterdam, bought this stone from the Armenian merchant Lazarev (hence the second name of the stone). Orlov knew that the ruler loved diamonds and even preferred to play cards on stones, not on money. With this gift he hoped to return to the Empress's favorites. Catherine II received a generous gift, but Orlov remained the former. Catherine named the stone after the donor and ordered her to be inserted into the upper part of the Russian scepter. Today, the Orlov diamond is the largest stone in the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation.   7-President Vargas Diamond: In 1938, a huge crystal was accidentally discovered near the Santo Antonio River in Brazil. It was a transparent diamond weighing 726.6 carats.Flat in shape, on two edges with a pale yellow color, a large cleavage surface and two distinct faces of a rhombododecahedron. The stone was named after the country's president, Hethulio Dornelles Vargas. There are two stories about the founders who were lucky to bring the stone into the eyes. The first one says: these were workers who worked near the river. The other is that two farmers, wandering along the bed of a dried-up reservoir, noticed a stone glistening in the rays of the sun. After going through a lot of hands, in 1939, the diamond acquired Harry Winston. The price was 600,000 dollars. 29 diamonds were made of stone. The largest was a mass of 48.26 carats; it was called the diamond President Vargas. 14 large stones gave emerald faceting, 10 medium - triangular. From 1944 to 1958, the diamond was with the wife of Robert Windorf. Then he again came to Harry Winston. In 1961, the stone was transferred to an unknown owner. A diamond of 28.03 carats in 1989 at Sotheby's auction cost 781 thousand dollars. A crystal of 25.4 carats in 1992 at the same auction - 396 thousand dollars. The 27.33 carats stone is from Robert Muawad, an Arab collector.   8-Regent Diamond: In antiquity, diamonds were said to be the light of the sun, condensed in the earth and cooled by time. Behind the famous stones, the train of mysterious stories always stretched, giving them even greater uniqueness and often raising their price considerably.Stones weighing more than 100 carats are considered unique. Of course, after the discovery of a diamond of 1,100 carats in November 2015 at the mines of Botswana, which was considered one of the largest Regent's diamond, it no longer seems so significant, because it weighed only 400 carat. Later, a diamond, cut to 140 carats, served as an ornament to a collection of jewelry belonging to French monarchs. His story of the rise to the heights of royal power began on the famous Indian mines in Golconda in 1701. The Hindu, who found a huge diamond, wanted to get his freedom with his help. According to legend, he hid it in his wound under a bandage and gave the stone to the captain of the ship. The story then claims that the slave was killed and thrown overboard, and the stone fell into the hands of the then governor of Fort St. George in Madras, a certain Pitt, after whom he received his first name. Further contradictory information agrees that after returning to Britain, Pitt found a jeweler who agreed to cut the diamond, which cost the former governor about 5,000 thousand pounds sterling, and the jeweler 2 years of hard work. In 1717, the diamond was acquired by the then regent of the minor king Louis XV, Duke Philip of Orleans. It was in his honor, the stone was given a different name, which eventually stuck with it in history. In the years of the French Revolution, after the execution of Louis XVI, the diamond was stolen during the Republican revision. But a year later, he unexpectedly found himself again among the treasures of now Republican France. He was sold to the Russian merchant Treskov in order to equip the troops of the French army with the proceeds. Diamond Regent. Illustration from the encyclopedia "Nordisk familjebok" Then the Regent's diamond returned to France again. This time its owner was Napoleon Bonaparte, who decorated him with the hilt of the sword that was on him during the coronation. After his abdication, the diamond traveled for some time around the courtyards of European monarchs and again found itself in Paris as a gift from the Hapsburgs to Napoleon III. The diamond was set in the diadem of his wife - Empress Eugenia. The sparkling snow-white handsome with a barely noticeable bluish tint, since 1886 the Regent's diamond, as the historical heritage of France, forms part of the exposition of the museum heritage of the Louvre.   9-River Oye Diamond:The “Uoe River” is a diamond that is among the ten most important in the world. According to the latest data, he is in ninth place, behind “Cullinan”, “Excelsior”, “Star of Sierra Leone”, “Great Mogul”, and Botswana with a weight of 1111 carats, found in the fall of 2015. The diamond “River Uoye” was discovered in West Africa in early 1945. He was found at the reservoir of the same name near the town of Sefadu in Sierra Leone. The stone was diamond shaped. The weight of a unique find is 770 carats. He received another name - "The Diamond of Victory", he was given in honor of the defeat of the Nazis in the same year. From the “Diamond of Victory” turned out 30 diamonds. The largest of them was a stone weighing 31.35 carats. The fate of precious products is still unknown. The owners keep the secret, so now nobody knows what they looked like. Their descriptions and photographs are not even in specialized jewelry editions.10- The Shah Diamond:The story of the famous stone Diamond "Shah" is of Indian origin. In Russia, this stone appeared in 1829, when, as a result of the massacre in Tehran, the Russian embassy was killed, headed by A.S. Griboedov. This stone received its name only on arrival in Russia: it did not have a proper name in Persia. The stone is not faceted, the edges are merely polished: a part of the natural faces of the octahedron has been preserved on it. The Shah diamond has an elongated shape, and a ring-shaped groove indicates that it was worn as a talisman. On three well-polished diamond planes inscriptions were inscribed: the names of the three rulers of Persia. Currently, the stone has a weight of 88.7 carats, but it is believed that before processing it weighed about 95. The mineralogist and geochemist AE Fersman who studied the stone in 1922 noted the perfect transparency of the stone. Diamond "Shah" has a yellowish color with brown patches. The beginning of the history of this gem dates back to the 16th century. Diamond was found on the banks of the river Krishna, in the mines of Golkonda (India, shortly before they were completely abandoned. By 1591, the diamond belonged to the ruler of one of the Muslim states in India - Burkhan II. A large transparent stone struck the imagination of the ruler, it was he who ordered the first inscription engraved on the diamond, calling itself the "Lord of Order." We know that diamond is the hardest stone, it is extremely difficult to even scratch it. Today, in addition to mechanical grinding (when diamond is polished with diamond), three more processing methods are used: an electric spark, a laser beam, and chemical etching. One can only wonder at the master's patience, who managed to cut out the inscription on such stubborn material, given the primitiveness of the tools of the day. But the diamond was not long in the treasury of Burkhan: in 1592, Shah Akbar, who conquered this state, appropriated a stone. Thus, a large diamond became the regalia of the Great Mongols. For about forty years, the stone was in the treasury, until it was noticed by Akbar's grandson - Shah Jihan, who exalted the Mongolian state even more. Having settled with all the claimants to the throne, Cihan began to rule. This ruler led a controversial policy: simultaneously with a twofold increase in taxes, Cihan built irrigation canals in certain parts of the state. The life of this ruler was decorated with love for a single woman - the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. The emergence of the Taj Mahal - one of the wonders of the world - we owe it to Shah Jihan: after the death of his wife, he ordered the best masters to build a mausoleum, which is not equal in the whole universe. It is curious that this ruler combined government affairs with the faceter's craft — he spent a lot of time in his workshop, devoting time to processing the gems. Cihan gave the order to cut the second one on the stone: his name and the dates of his reign. At this time, the unknown master used all the properties of the graphics of the language: now the inscription looked like an ornate, whimsical pattern, and not like ordinary text. Tavernier, we know that the throne of the Persian rulers was endowed with a canopy, richly decorated with various precious stones. Diamond “Shah” was hung on this canopy so as to be constantly in sight of the ruler. The third inscription on the stone ordered Fatah Ali Shah to be made in 1827, in honor of the thirty-year anniversary of his reign. Writing on the last free face of diamond amazes with talent, perfection of work and intricate fantasy. After victory in the Russian-Persian war, Russia sent ambassadors to Tehran led by A.S. Griboyedov to sign a peaceful conversation. After the massacre of the Russian ambassadors, the ambassadors of Persia went to Nicholas I. The price of spilled blood was a diamond, which received the name "Shah" in Russia. Due to this stone, the death of the great writer and the last two kururs were forgiven - about 4 million rubles. Before the October Revolution, the diamond "Shah" was kept in the treasury of the Winter Palace, after the revolution the stone was transported to the Kremlin. Today this stone belongs to the diamond fund of the Russian Federation.  

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Corundum Mineral

Corundum Mineral

Women love Corundum Minerals. Bright, unusual, attracting and somewhat magical. It is a gem species second only to diamond in hardness that is found in many colors. Red corundum is called ruby (July’s birthstone) and all other varieties are called sapphire. Blue sapphire (September’s birthstone) is the most familiar; however pink sapphire and yellow sapphire are also relatively popular.. One of the most famous representatives in the vast world of gems. Many will say with confidence that sapphire and ruby ​​are two different stones that have nothing in common with each other. But thanks to the development of science, it became known that this is one group of minerals, which is called corundum. Independent names took root thanks to jewelers. Of course, it is easier to call each separately, but the scientific distinction does not change from this. An interesting and memorable name goes back centuries. The opinions of historians are divided, there is a version that it appeared in India. Others believe that this is the second name of a ruby, in an ancient dialect. In chemical terms, this stone is alumina. The mineral has a gray color and it is quite common. The real treasure is crystal clear corundum, but it is extremely rare in nature. That is why jewelers appreciate it, such a mineral can be colored in almost any color. More common corundum from nature can be endowed with a separate color: yellow, red, blue. Corundum is no longer a century known to mankind. It is known that corundum ornaments were popular in ancient Egypt and Jerusalem. Later they came to India and gained real popularity there. Types of Corundum and Its Colors: Ruby and sapphire are the two most popular types of corundum. Stones are recognized as very valuable. Ruby belongs to transparent corundum, which have a rich scarlet hue. The intensity of the color varies, but, of course, the most expensive is the dark cherry gamma. Sapphire is not inferior to ruby ​​in price, but has a hue from pale blue to deep. However, sapphire has subgroups of rare colors: yellow, orange, pink. Such sapphires began to be called fantasy. Sapphire has absolute transparency, probably this particular feature gave him a comparison with a diamond. Padparadja, the name suggests India, where this species is very much appreciated. The color is between yellow and orange. Chlorosapphire, fancy name, and yet it is often compared with emerald, and all thanks to the intense green color. Mineral Deposits: The gemstone is produced in India, on the island of Sri Lanka, in Thailand and, of course, in the Urals. The distribution of the mineral is quite extensive. The largest finds are always in Russia. All beloved rubies and sapphires are more often located in the Urals, a large deposit was recently discovered in Kazakhstan. The Magical Properties of Corundum: Corundum has been attributed to magical influences from ancient times. It is believed that he is very active and helps people who set themselves big goals. It can not be worn lazy and mediocre individuals. Mineral does not like these and may even harm because of incompatible energy. Corundum has the ability to awaken inner potential. He directs all the thoughts and desires of the owner in the right direction, but only if he makes efforts and shows interest. Stone has a function that drives away fears. They are inherent in many. Before the start of an important business, everyone is insecure. This mineral completely breaks down barriers to success. Previously, it was worn by everyone who was engaged in mental activity. In the modern world, it can be advised to students, analysts and all who need an increased concentration of attention and logic. The connection of corundum and its host is inseparable. The owner of the stone feeds him with his aspirations, and he, in turn, gives him all his energy promises, aimed at the accomplishment of his plan. Here is such an interesting whirl and exchange. Stone wraps energy, transforms it. It automatically eliminates failures. Ancestors believed in all this. The impact of the stone itself can be controlled and it depends on the color of the mineral and the place on the body where it will be located. If you wear corundum around your neck, in the form of beads, pendants or necklaces, you can find unearthly calm. Irritability and fears will disappear. They will be replaced by prudence and a competent view of things. Everyone thinks about the meaning of life and trying to catch a wave of harmony. Corundum will help with this if you wear earrings with it. Since ancient times, it was believed that when corundum was worn in the ears, it seemed to whisper to the owner all the right actions and deeds. Corundum rings activate all talents, even those that were not previously known. He will push people to gain new knowledge. Here such corundum can have a powerful effect on actions and way of thinking. Medicinal properties: Hand in hand with the magical effect of the stone go its healing properties. It is believed that te stone gives peace of mind, it can treat depressive states on the verge of breakdowns, as well as nightmares. There is an opinion that corundum can help people with serious mental disorders. Corundum has an effect on the digestive tract and the cardiovascular system. It normalizes high blood pressure and contributes to the proper functioning of the heart, nourishes the muscle and normalizes blood circulation. Those who believe in the healing properties of corundum, argue that different colors affect different diseases. Reds are responsible for blood and blood vessels. Blue - for the health of the eyes. Purple treats those very mental and nervous disorders on the background of various events. Everyone who wants to get help from corundum should be respectful of the stone. Legends say that the stone is severe to mockingbirds. Mineral Applications: Of course, the first and main field of application is jewelry craftsmanship. For framing and inserts in products use popular sapphires and rubies. But this mineral has found a niche in other areas. It is used for the manufacture of abrasive powders, emery, grinding wheels. But only opaque corundum rocks with a porous and granular texture are used. Modern production has learned to use corundum as a glass substitute. And it received the beautiful name "sapphire". Most often it can be found in cameras, mobile phones. It is amazing what albeit inexhaustible, but the important field of application took corundum. How Much does Corundum Cost? The price of a mineral always depends on color and transparency. The corundums, which are endowed with a brown subtone, are the cheapest. And that is logical, bright representatives are considered expensive. Artificial synthetic corundum The first synthetic corundum was obtained back in 1877. Now such laboratory production is concentrated in Russia, Germany and Switzerland. This mineral is among the most popular minerals that are profitable and convenient to grow by artificial method. In the future, they are also used in jewelry. Corundum and Zodiac Signs: If a stone has a huge magical effect on a person, then it must also relate to astrological indicators. Not all zodiac signs are lucky to be able to wear this gemstone. He favors only some. Crayfish, Aquarius and Pisces are the "favorites" of corundum. He will promote these signs, help and guide. Capricorns and male Aries should avoid this stone. These representatives, he literally can bring to madness. The power of the stone will not concentrate in that direction. Women-Aries, especially in advanced age, can safely wear corundum. Maybe he will not do anything supernatural, but will return the former enthusiasm and thirst for life, which is not bad. The remaining signs of the zodiac can safely wear corundum, but it is unlikely he will bring them some kind of support and help. Only its beauty and nothing more. Choosing corundum as an amulet, you should take into account all the parameters, both zodiacal and internal. Passive and naturally calm people should not prefer corundum. All bright, bold, active people can choose this stone as a reliable talisman. The natural beauty of corundum attracts the eye. Hardness makes you compare it with a diamond. Unusual properties, mysterious and domineering, make respect for the stone. Here it is such a famous mineral, with an unknown name. Key terms: barrel shapes scratch resistant padparadscha sapphire yellow green corundum crystallizes aluminum oxide hardest mineral gem quality synthetic rubiesproduce synthetic fe and ti heat treatment nepheline syenite varieties of corundum synthetic rubies gem quality corundum red variety of corundum

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Corundum Mineral

Women love Corundum Minerals. Bright, unusual, attracting and somewhat magical. It is a gem species second only to diamond in hardness that is found in many colors. Red corundum is called ruby (July’s birthstone) and all other varieties are called sapphire. Blue sapphire (September’s birthstone) is the most familiar; however pink sapphire and yellow sapphire are also relatively popular.. One of the most famous representatives in the vast world of gems. Many will say with confidence that sapphire and ruby ​​are two different stones that have nothing in common with each other. But thanks to the development of science, it became known that this is one group of minerals, which is called corundum. Independent names took root thanks to jewelers. Of course, it is easier to call each separately, but the scientific distinction does not change from this. An interesting and memorable name goes back centuries. The opinions of historians are divided, there is a version that it appeared in India. Others believe that this is the second name of a ruby, in an ancient dialect. In chemical terms, this stone is alumina. The mineral has a gray color and it is quite common. The real treasure is crystal clear corundum, but it is extremely rare in nature. That is why jewelers appreciate it, such a mineral can be colored in almost any color. More common corundum from nature can be endowed with a separate color: yellow, red, blue. Corundum is no longer a century known to mankind. It is known that corundum ornaments were popular in ancient Egypt and Jerusalem. Later they came to India and gained real popularity there. Types of Corundum and Its Colors: Ruby and sapphire are the two most popular types of corundum. Stones are recognized as very valuable. Ruby belongs to transparent corundum, which have a rich scarlet hue. The intensity of the color varies, but, of course, the most expensive is the dark cherry gamma. Sapphire is not inferior to ruby ​​in price, but has a hue from pale blue to deep. However, sapphire has subgroups of rare colors: yellow, orange, pink. Such sapphires began to be called fantasy. Sapphire has absolute transparency, probably this particular feature gave him a comparison with a diamond. Padparadja, the name suggests India, where this species is very much appreciated. The color is between yellow and orange. Chlorosapphire, fancy name, and yet it is often compared with emerald, and all thanks to the intense green color. Mineral Deposits: The gemstone is produced in India, on the island of Sri Lanka, in Thailand and, of course, in the Urals. The distribution of the mineral is quite extensive. The largest finds are always in Russia. All beloved rubies and sapphires are more often located in the Urals, a large deposit was recently discovered in Kazakhstan. The Magical Properties of Corundum: Corundum has been attributed to magical influences from ancient times. It is believed that he is very active and helps people who set themselves big goals. It can not be worn lazy and mediocre individuals. Mineral does not like these and may even harm because of incompatible energy. Corundum has the ability to awaken inner potential. He directs all the thoughts and desires of the owner in the right direction, but only if he makes efforts and shows interest. Stone has a function that drives away fears. They are inherent in many. Before the start of an important business, everyone is insecure. This mineral completely breaks down barriers to success. Previously, it was worn by everyone who was engaged in mental activity. In the modern world, it can be advised to students, analysts and all who need an increased concentration of attention and logic. The connection of corundum and its host is inseparable. The owner of the stone feeds him with his aspirations, and he, in turn, gives him all his energy promises, aimed at the accomplishment of his plan. Here is such an interesting whirl and exchange. Stone wraps energy, transforms it. It automatically eliminates failures. Ancestors believed in all this. The impact of the stone itself can be controlled and it depends on the color of the mineral and the place on the body where it will be located. If you wear corundum around your neck, in the form of beads, pendants or necklaces, you can find unearthly calm. Irritability and fears will disappear. They will be replaced by prudence and a competent view of things. Everyone thinks about the meaning of life and trying to catch a wave of harmony. Corundum will help with this if you wear earrings with it. Since ancient times, it was believed that when corundum was worn in the ears, it seemed to whisper to the owner all the right actions and deeds. Corundum rings activate all talents, even those that were not previously known. He will push people to gain new knowledge. Here such corundum can have a powerful effect on actions and way of thinking. Medicinal properties: Hand in hand with the magical effect of the stone go its healing properties. It is believed that te stone gives peace of mind, it can treat depressive states on the verge of breakdowns, as well as nightmares. There is an opinion that corundum can help people with serious mental disorders. Corundum has an effect on the digestive tract and the cardiovascular system. It normalizes high blood pressure and contributes to the proper functioning of the heart, nourishes the muscle and normalizes blood circulation. Those who believe in the healing properties of corundum, argue that different colors affect different diseases. Reds are responsible for blood and blood vessels. Blue - for the health of the eyes. Purple treats those very mental and nervous disorders on the background of various events. Everyone who wants to get help from corundum should be respectful of the stone. Legends say that the stone is severe to mockingbirds. Mineral Applications: Of course, the first and main field of application is jewelry craftsmanship. For framing and inserts in products use popular sapphires and rubies. But this mineral has found a niche in other areas. It is used for the manufacture of abrasive powders, emery, grinding wheels. But only opaque corundum rocks with a porous and granular texture are used. Modern production has learned to use corundum as a glass substitute. And it received the beautiful name "sapphire". Most often it can be found in cameras, mobile phones. It is amazing what albeit inexhaustible, but the important field of application took corundum. How Much does Corundum Cost? The price of a mineral always depends on color and transparency. The corundums, which are endowed with a brown subtone, are the cheapest. And that is logical, bright representatives are considered expensive. Artificial synthetic corundum The first synthetic corundum was obtained back in 1877. Now such laboratory production is concentrated in Russia, Germany and Switzerland. This mineral is among the most popular minerals that are profitable and convenient to grow by artificial method. In the future, they are also used in jewelry. Corundum and Zodiac Signs: If a stone has a huge magical effect on a person, then it must also relate to astrological indicators. Not all zodiac signs are lucky to be able to wear this gemstone. He favors only some. Crayfish, Aquarius and Pisces are the "favorites" of corundum. He will promote these signs, help and guide. Capricorns and male Aries should avoid this stone. These representatives, he literally can bring to madness. The power of the stone will not concentrate in that direction. Women-Aries, especially in advanced age, can safely wear corundum. Maybe he will not do anything supernatural, but will return the former enthusiasm and thirst for life, which is not bad. The remaining signs of the zodiac can safely wear corundum, but it is unlikely he will bring them some kind of support and help. Only its beauty and nothing more. Choosing corundum as an amulet, you should take into account all the parameters, both zodiacal and internal. Passive and naturally calm people should not prefer corundum. All bright, bold, active people can choose this stone as a reliable talisman. The natural beauty of corundum attracts the eye. Hardness makes you compare it with a diamond. Unusual properties, mysterious and domineering, make respect for the stone. Here it is such a famous mineral, with an unknown name. Key terms: barrel shapes scratch resistant padparadscha sapphire yellow green corundum crystallizes aluminum oxide hardest mineral gem quality synthetic rubiesproduce synthetic fe and ti heat treatment nepheline syenite varieties of corundum synthetic rubies gem quality corundum red variety of corundum

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