The Guide to All Things of Fashion | Forever-taylor.net

Archive for September, 2011

There are several ways to cut a polished rock and turn it into a gemstone. Below is a list of the most common cuts and how to know what to look for. This won’t make you an expert but you will be able to tell a round from an oval. Usually the number of cuts, called facets, determines the price. A few definitions are in order:

 

Facet: the cut portion of the gem.

Girdle: the sides of the gem

Pavilion: the part of the gem above the setting

Crown: the top of the gem

 

The various cuts:

 

Round: The most expensive cut stone. This is often used for engagement rings.

 

Princess: This cut may have 50 facets, 21 crown, four girdle and 25 pavilion or 58 facets, 21 crown, four girdle, 33 pavilion. This is the smallest of the shapes of the same carat weight and tends to be the most delicate.

 

Oval: The more cost efficient cut because you get more stone by carat weight than the round and still maintain the normal 58 facets.

 

Emerald: This form of design allows for less brilliance but larger facets. These are called step cuts and reveal mirror like qualities.

 

Marquise: The name is derived from the legend of the Marquise of Pompadour and it is said the sun king wanted a stone cut into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise. This provides a much larger stone at a normally lower cost.

 

Trillion: This is a relatively new type of cut. It is designed as a triangle with equilateral sides.

 

Baguette: Most stones cut in this step fashion are used as side stones. The corners are not beveled as in the emerald cut.

 

There are other cuts but these are the most common ones you will find in ring settings.

For many online shoppers the ability to find rare items is one of the many appeals of online shopping. Online shopping may offer other benefits such as convenience but when it comes to hard to find collectibles online shopping can result in a tremendous time savings for the savvy online shopper. This is a direct result of the online shopper being able to visit websites of a variety of different retailers in a relatively short period of time. Without this ability the search for a specific item could not only take significantly longer but may result in the shopper never finding the item he seeks. However, although online shopping can be an excellent option for shoppers seeking rare items, it can be more difficult to verify the authenticity of these items when they are purchased online.

The Ability to Shop around the World

The ability to shop retailers located around the world is one of the primary reasons why online shoppers seeking rare items often turn to online shopping. This is important because these rare items may not be readily available in the shopper’s vicinity. However, retailers on the other side of the country or even the other side of the world may have access to these items. Obviously traveling to these distant locations to purchase an item is not always feasible but when these items are offered for sale online the buyer can purchase hard to find items from retailers anywhere in the world.

Whether a shopper is looking for an expensive one of a kind item or an item which has a great deal of sentimental value and very little financial value, traveling around the world to find this item would be time consuming and expensive. However, when this trip around the world is taken virtually by visiting online retailers around the world the shopping excursions take relatively little time and are very inexpensive. Furthermore the ability to shop online greatly increases the possibility that the shopper will be successful in his search for a particular item.

Verifying the Authenticity of Items Purchased Online

Although online shopping may be a wonderful opportunity for shoppers seeking rare items, there are some aspects of purchasing these items which are more difficult when the shopping is done online. Specifically the ability to verify the authenticity of the item is more difficult online than it is when shopping in traditional stores. This is because the buyer does not have the opportunity to carefully examine the item in person to ensure it is authentic. The authenticity of items purchased for sentimental value may not be very important because the buyer may simply be looking for an item which symbolizes a fond memory for them. However, when items are purchased as part of a collection or for the purpose of reselling the item, verifying the authenticity is critical.

Online shoppers who are concerned about verifying the authenticity of an item should ask the online retailers for any additional photos or information which will assist the buyer in verifying the authenticity of the item. If the seller is unable to provide sufficient information for the buyer to verify whether or not the product is authentic the buyer will have to decide whether or not they still want to make the purchase.

There are many reasons to wear sunglasses, and everyone has one of their own.  Whether it is to mask a hangover, create mystery or escape the paparazzi, sunglasses are a part of everyday life.  However, often the true benefits of this popular accessory are lost when fashion or other purposes take over.  It may not be your only reason, but your best reason for sunglasses should be to protect your eyes.

Science has come a long way in correcting vision gone bad.  Corneal transplants help a blind person see again.  Laser treatment can restore your eyesight to 20/20 or better in mere minutes.  Even with all this technology, wouldn’t it be easier to take care of your eyes from the start?  By simply wearing good sunglasses, you will reduce your need for these scientific breakthroughs later in life.

The sun creates ultraviolet light rays which contribute to the heat it produces.  These rays, called UVA and UVB can cause irreparable damage to your retina and corneas.  If you’ve ever watched an eclipse, you know you had to do so through a pinhole in a shoebox.  This is because staring directly to the sun can cause great damage to your eyes.  Unfortunately, many people are unknowingly allowing their eyes to suffer the same fate by simply choosing not to wear sunglasses.

Such disorders as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer around the eyes can be signs of sun damage and can be prevented in part by the use of sunglasses.  Cataracts are an eye condition that involves clouding of the lens behind the Iris and Pupil.  Although no one truly knows what causes cataracts, studies have shown links between this condition and increased exposure to ultraviolet light.  Though we do not know 100% that this is the cause, it has been determined that people who habitually wear sunglasses have seen a decreased incidence of this eye disorder.

Macular degeneration causes those who suffer from it to have difficulty seeing in detail.  Often even faces are hard for these people to distinguish.  This disease, like cataracts, is most prevalent in elderly patients.  However, also like cataracts, prolonged exposure to sunlight without the protection of sunglasses has been included as a probable cause.  Individuals who practice care in selecting sunglasses with 99%-100% UV protection stand a greater chance at avoiding this fate.

Think about the last time that you spent all day in the sun and were really badly sunburned.  You probably took cold baths and slathered yourself in Aloe Vera.  It is a painful condition to be in when this happens to your skin.  Now, imagine what that same sunlight that gave you second degree burns on your skin is doing to your eyes when you choose not to protect them with proper sunglasses.  That alone should be motivation to hit the sunglass kiosk at the mall.

You don’t often think of sunglasses as something that will protect your skin.  In reality, a good pair of sunglasses can save your face in more ways than one.  Increased exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer and will attach the most sensitive areas first.  How much more sensitive can you get then the skin around your eyes.  Sunglasses can reduce the risk of skin cancer in the eyelids and areas around your eyes.

Another benefit your skin will enjoy from a good pair of sunglasses is a decreased appearance of lines around the eyes.  Simply logic tells us that distorting the face in certain ways on a regular basis can cause premature wrinkles and increase the signs of aging.  When you do not wear sunglasses, you tend to squint, as your eyes are uncomfortable being opened under bright light.  Sunglasses can actually help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet by allowing your facial muscles to remain relaxed.

Your eyes are one of your most valued features.  Can you imagine waking up tomorrow and not being able to see?  Many people are born blind and would give anything for the eyes you take for granted every day.  A good pair of sunglasses will protect you against a world of eye disorders and pain.  If you don’t protect this valuable possession, before you know it, it could be gone.