| The mystery and magic of colored
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| | weighing gemstones is the carat, which is
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| gemstones has been an integral aspect or
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| | equal to one-fifth 91/5th) of a gram.
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| the "Lore" of most cultures for many
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| | Carats are divided into 100 units called
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| centuries. Here is what noted gemstone
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| | points. For example, a half-carat
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| experts Antoinette L. Matlins and A.C.
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| | gemstone would weigh .50 carats or 50
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| Bonanno have to say on the matter.
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| | points. When gemstones are measured by
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| "The fascination with colored gemstones
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| | dimensions, the size is expressed in
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| dates back to the very beginning of
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| | millimeters (for example, 7x5
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| civilization. For our ancestors, the blue
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| | millimeters).
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| of sapphire produced visions of the
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| | Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer
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| heavens; the red of ruby was a reminder
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| | to the way some gems are treated to
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| of the very essence of life. By Roman
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| | improve their appearance or durability,
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| times, rings containing colored gems were
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| | or even change their color. Many
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| prized symbols of power-and the most
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| | gemstones are treated in some way. The
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| powerful wore rings on every joint of
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| | effects of some treatments may lessen or
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| every finger!
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| | change over time and some treated stones
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| Since ancient times, colored stones have
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| | may require special care. Some
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| been thought to possess innate magical
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| | enhancements also affect the value of a
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| powers and the ability to endow the
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| | stone, when measured against a comparable
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| wearer with certain attributes. According
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| | untreated stone.
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| to legend, emeralds are good for the
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| | Jewelers should tell you whether the
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| eyes; yellow stones cure jaundice; red
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| | gemstone you're considering has been
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| stones stop the flow of blood. At one
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| | treated when: the treatment is not
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| time it was believed that a ruby worn by
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| | permanent; the treated stone requires
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| a man indicated command, nobility,
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| | special care; or the treatment
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| lordship, and vengeance; worn by a woman,
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| | significantly affects the value of the
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| however, it indicated pride, obstinacy,
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| | gemstone.
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| haughtiness. A blue sapphire worn by a
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| | Some common treatments that you may be
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| man indicated wisdom, and high and
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| | told about and their effects include:
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| magnanimous thoughts; on a woman,
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| | * Heating can lighten, darken or change
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| jealousy in love, politeness, and
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| | the color of some gems, or improve a
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| vigilance. The emerald signified for a
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| | gemstone's clarity.
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| man joyousness, transitory hope, and the
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| | * Irradiation can add more color to
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| decline of friendship; for woman,
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| | colored diamonds, certain other gemstones
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| unfounded ambition, childish delight, and
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| | and pearls.
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| change.
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| | * Impregnating some gems with colorless
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| Colored gems, because of the magical
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| | oils, wax or resins makes a variety of
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| powers associated with them, achieved
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| | imperfections less visible and can
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| extensive use as talismans and amulets;
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| | improve the gemstones' clarity and
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| as predictors of the future; as
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| | appearance.
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| therapeutic aids; and as essential
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| | * Fracture filling hides cracks or
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| elements to many religious
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| | fractures in gems by injecting colorless
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| practices-pagan, Hebrew, and Christian."
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| | plastic or glass into the cracks and
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| Gemstones 101
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| | improves the gemstones' appearance and
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| Natural gemstones are found in nature.
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| | durability.
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| Laboratory-created stones, as the name
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| | * Diffusion treatment adds color to the
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| implies, are made in the laboratory.
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| | surface of colorless gems; the center of
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| These stones, which also are referred to
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| | the stone remains colorless.
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| as laboratory-grown, {name of
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| | * Dyeing adds color and improves color
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| manufacturer} - created, or synthetic,
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| | uniformity in some gemstones and pearls.
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| have essentially the same chemical,
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| | * Bleaching lightens and whitens dome
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| physical and visual properties as natural
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| | gems, Including jade and pearls.
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| gemstones. Laboratory-created stones do
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| | In this day and age, gemstones are
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| not have the rarity of naturally colored
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| | generally worn for their natural beauty
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| stones and they are less expensive than
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| | or as a fashion statement, but there are
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| naturally mined stones. By contrast,
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| | many that "buy-in" to the mythical and
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| imitation stones look like natural stones
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| | mystical symbolisms of gems as well.
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| in appearance only, and may be glass,
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| | Whatever a persons reason, the world of
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| plastic, or less costly stones.
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| | gems today offers an almost endless
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| Laboratory-created and imitation stones
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| | choice. Many new gems have been
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| should be clearly identified as such.
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| | discovered and are widely available in
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| Gemstones may be measured by weight,
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| | reds, blues, greens and many unusual
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| size, or both. The basic unit for
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| | shades as well. Enjoy!
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