Diamond – April's Gemstone Of Sparkling Glamour
by: Sarah Stephens
Diamond is a precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is a clear stone revered for its ability to reflect light, and is widely recognized as the April Birthstone and the center stone used in most American engagement rings. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, diamonds hold a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that add nostalgic value to their already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your diamond jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!
Diamonds are prized for their beauty and durability. A form of carbon, the Diamond is the world’s hardest known natural material. In fact, the word "Diamond" comes from the ancient Greek adamas, which means invincible. Because of their durability, Diamonds have been used in tools for since antiquity. Diamonds were first used as religions icons in India nearly 2,500 years ago. Since then, they've become highly coveted gemstones.
Diamonds are often described and valued by their gemological characteristics: The Four C's (carat, color, cut and clarity). Although Diamonds are used in many types of fine jewelry, they are traditionally associated with engagement and wedding rings. Most people think diamonds are white or colorless. In fact, yellow and brown Diamonds are the most common. Any Diamond with a hue other than brown or yellow is considered a colored Diamond. Colorless Diamonds are pure or nearly pure. The color scale for colorless diamonds goes from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Diamonds look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, dark amethyst or cool blue sapphire. More casual combinations include lighter, bridal colored blends with aquamarine, pearls and carnelian. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring raw diamonds, visit http://www.dashaboutique.com/shopbygemstone. Diamond is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of blue or green eyes.
Almost half of all Diamonds come from mines in central and southern Africa. The other half comes from mines in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia. Today, the jewelry industry is buzzing about high-quality or lab-created diamonds. These synthetic diamonds possess the same molecular structure as natural diamonds. With public concerns about the mining industry, these man-made beauties offer a compelling alternative to the real thing.
Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Diamonds are often proved real by the fact that they can scratch glass. Because they are such scratch resistant stones, diamonds are extremelty suitable as a component of oft-worn jewelry. Diamonds should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.
Learn more about all semi-precious and precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart: http://www.dashaboutique.com/gemstone chart.html.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Diamond – April's Gemstone Of Sparkling Glamour
Diamond – April's Gemstone Of Sparkling Glamour
by: Sarah Stephens
Diamond is a precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is a clear stone revered for its ability to reflect light, and is widely recognized as the April Birthstone and the center stone used in most American engagement rings. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, diamonds hold a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that add nostalgic value to their already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your diamond jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!
Diamonds are prized for their beauty and durability. A form of carbon, the Diamond is the world’s hardest known natural material. In fact, the word "Diamond" comes from the ancient Greek adamas, which means invincible. Because of their durability, Diamonds have been used in tools for since antiquity. Diamonds were first used as religions icons in India nearly 2,500 years ago. Since then, they've become highly coveted gemstones.
Diamonds are often described and valued by their gemological characteristics: The Four C's (carat, color, cut and clarity). Although Diamonds are used in many types of fine jewelry, they are traditionally associated with engagement and wedding rings. Most people think diamonds are white or colorless. In fact, yellow and brown Diamonds are the most common. Any Diamond with a hue other than brown or yellow is considered a colored Diamond. Colorless Diamonds are pure or nearly pure. The color scale for colorless diamonds goes from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Diamonds look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, dark amethyst or cool blue sapphire. More casual combinations include lighter, bridal colored blends with aquamarine, pearls and carnelian. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring raw diamonds, visit http://www.dashaboutique.com/shopbygemstone. Diamond is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of blue or green eyes.
Almost half of all Diamonds come from mines in central and southern Africa. The other half comes from mines in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia. Today, the jewelry industry is buzzing about high-quality or lab-created diamonds. These synthetic diamonds possess the same molecular structure as natural diamonds. With public concerns about the mining industry, these man-made beauties offer a compelling alternative to the real thing.
Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Diamonds are often proved real by the fact that they can scratch glass. Because they are such scratch resistant stones, diamonds are extremelty suitable as a component of oft-worn jewelry. Diamonds should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.
Learn more about all semi-precious and precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart: http://www.dashaboutique.com/gemstone chart.html.
by: Sarah Stephens
Diamond is a precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is a clear stone revered for its ability to reflect light, and is widely recognized as the April Birthstone and the center stone used in most American engagement rings. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, diamonds hold a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that add nostalgic value to their already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your diamond jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!
Diamonds are prized for their beauty and durability. A form of carbon, the Diamond is the world’s hardest known natural material. In fact, the word "Diamond" comes from the ancient Greek adamas, which means invincible. Because of their durability, Diamonds have been used in tools for since antiquity. Diamonds were first used as religions icons in India nearly 2,500 years ago. Since then, they've become highly coveted gemstones.
Diamonds are often described and valued by their gemological characteristics: The Four C's (carat, color, cut and clarity). Although Diamonds are used in many types of fine jewelry, they are traditionally associated with engagement and wedding rings. Most people think diamonds are white or colorless. In fact, yellow and brown Diamonds are the most common. Any Diamond with a hue other than brown or yellow is considered a colored Diamond. Colorless Diamonds are pure or nearly pure. The color scale for colorless diamonds goes from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Diamonds look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, dark amethyst or cool blue sapphire. More casual combinations include lighter, bridal colored blends with aquamarine, pearls and carnelian. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring raw diamonds, visit http://www.dashaboutique.com/shopbygemstone. Diamond is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of blue or green eyes.
Almost half of all Diamonds come from mines in central and southern Africa. The other half comes from mines in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia. Today, the jewelry industry is buzzing about high-quality or lab-created diamonds. These synthetic diamonds possess the same molecular structure as natural diamonds. With public concerns about the mining industry, these man-made beauties offer a compelling alternative to the real thing.
Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Diamonds are often proved real by the fact that they can scratch glass. Because they are such scratch resistant stones, diamonds are extremelty suitable as a component of oft-worn jewelry. Diamonds should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.
Learn more about all semi-precious and precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart: http://www.dashaboutique.com/gemstone chart.html.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Makeup and Cosmetic Cases - Choosing the Right One for Your Needs
Makeup and Cosmetic Cases - Choosing the Right One for Your Needs
By Nicole Essler
Being a professional makeup artist is not an easy job. Whether you work with celebrities on movie or television sets or in a beauty salon for special occasions such as weddings, proms or birthdays the job of a true cosmetic artist is always filled with pressure, urgency and the need for precision and accuracy. When people request the services of a make up artist it's usually for something pretty important, which puts a lot of pressure on you - the makeup artist. The last thing a beautician wants to be doing is trying to find the right shade or brush - or in a worst case scenario realize that she forgot to bring the right brush or color!
Because of pressure filled situations such as the one described above, every makeup artists understands the importance of being highly organized when it comes to cosmetics and other tools of the trade. A good cosmetic case can go a long way toward making you more organized, but you must be careful to choose one that is right for your needs otherwise you can end up with an extra headache.
First decide on the size of the case you will need because they come in many sizes and shapes. How much makeup, cosmetics and brushes do you need to take with you to your assignments or to your salon? If you do not work with a wide variety of pallets and brushes you may opt for a smaller size makeup case in order to make thing easier to find and quick to retrieve. If however your practice involves hundreds of shades and many different brushes, you will need a larger case that can accommodate all your tools.
Next you should consider the tray and storage compartments of the cosmetic case you need. Once again this should be decided by the variety of colors and tools that you most often use. An optimal case will have easier to reach trays on top for your every day needs and deeper, pull-out trays underneath for those makeup shades that are used rarely, but still come in handy.
Finally decide if you will need a soft or a hard makeup case. A hard cosmetic case that is used for traveling in airplanes is called a train case. When deciding on the outside finish of your case consider your working and travel conditions. If you plan on checking in your case often or traveling with it a lot then a hardtop, aluminum or plastic shell case is the way to go. However if you need something that will easily fit into your carry-on luggage or just something to keep at the shop then a soft, leather case will do.
To summarize, remember that choosing the right makeup case is very important for a cosmetic professional because it can mean the difference between being able to find the right beauty tool or shade at the needed, urgent time or not. In this profession we all know the pressure we are under so try to reduce the gray hairs by staying organized and professional.
Nicole Essler is the head beautician at Cleopatra's Choice which carries professional makeup cases and cosmetic cases and mineral makeup online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Essler
By Nicole Essler
Being a professional makeup artist is not an easy job. Whether you work with celebrities on movie or television sets or in a beauty salon for special occasions such as weddings, proms or birthdays the job of a true cosmetic artist is always filled with pressure, urgency and the need for precision and accuracy. When people request the services of a make up artist it's usually for something pretty important, which puts a lot of pressure on you - the makeup artist. The last thing a beautician wants to be doing is trying to find the right shade or brush - or in a worst case scenario realize that she forgot to bring the right brush or color!
Because of pressure filled situations such as the one described above, every makeup artists understands the importance of being highly organized when it comes to cosmetics and other tools of the trade. A good cosmetic case can go a long way toward making you more organized, but you must be careful to choose one that is right for your needs otherwise you can end up with an extra headache.
First decide on the size of the case you will need because they come in many sizes and shapes. How much makeup, cosmetics and brushes do you need to take with you to your assignments or to your salon? If you do not work with a wide variety of pallets and brushes you may opt for a smaller size makeup case in order to make thing easier to find and quick to retrieve. If however your practice involves hundreds of shades and many different brushes, you will need a larger case that can accommodate all your tools.
Next you should consider the tray and storage compartments of the cosmetic case you need. Once again this should be decided by the variety of colors and tools that you most often use. An optimal case will have easier to reach trays on top for your every day needs and deeper, pull-out trays underneath for those makeup shades that are used rarely, but still come in handy.
Finally decide if you will need a soft or a hard makeup case. A hard cosmetic case that is used for traveling in airplanes is called a train case. When deciding on the outside finish of your case consider your working and travel conditions. If you plan on checking in your case often or traveling with it a lot then a hardtop, aluminum or plastic shell case is the way to go. However if you need something that will easily fit into your carry-on luggage or just something to keep at the shop then a soft, leather case will do.
To summarize, remember that choosing the right makeup case is very important for a cosmetic professional because it can mean the difference between being able to find the right beauty tool or shade at the needed, urgent time or not. In this profession we all know the pressure we are under so try to reduce the gray hairs by staying organized and professional.
Nicole Essler is the head beautician at Cleopatra's Choice which carries professional makeup cases and cosmetic cases and mineral makeup online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Essler
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