Information about Jewellery The word Jewellery is derived from the word jewel. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural material such as shell, wood, animal teeth and carved stone. Jewellery was created for practical uses during earlier times. That uses are for storage, pinning clothes together and for wealth. It has been used exclusively for decoration in recent times.Jewellery was often made for people of high importance to show their status and, in many cases, they were buried with it. There are many more types of Jewellery, it has been made to adorn nearly every body part from Hairpins to toe rings. Jewellery is made from gemstones and precious metals is high quality jewellery. jewellery where design and creativity is prized above material value is called Art Jewellery, and there is also growing demand for this Jewellery. Costume Jewellery is less costly, made from less valuable materials and mass produced. Gemstones are identified by gemologists Gemstones are identified by gemologists. The first characteristic a gemologist uses to identify a gemstone is its chemical composition. Gems are characterized in terms of refractive index, dispersion, specific gravity, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and luster. They may exhibit pleochroism or double refraction. Who describe gems and their characteristics using technical terminology specific to the field of gemology.Next, many gems are crystals which are classified by their crystal system such as cubic or trigonal or monoclinic. They may have luminescence and a distinctive absorption spectrum. For example, diamonds are made of carbon (C) and rubies of aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Another term used is habit, the form the gem is usually found in. For example diamonds, which have a cubic crystal system, are often found as octahedrons. Taking care of gemstones Steam cleaning is quite effective but can result in thermal shock because of the often-quick temperature change. It can result in cracking because parts of the stone are forced to expand at different times. Most gemstones can be immersed in a solution of mild detergent and warm water.Likewise with pearls; although soaking can result in discoloration, so this should always be avoided. After soaking for a few minutes, gently clean the stone with a soft brush. Pearls should be dried after cleaning, using a soft towel, and air-blown dry. Extra care should be taken to remove dirt from the bottom of the setting, a common place for build-up to occur.
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