Professional insight and education from from IGI Worldwide
Photo credit: Geppi Imperatore
Are close-ups of gemological inclusions actually works of art, painted by Mother Nature in anticipation of our creative human inspirations? When exploring the mysterious spaces of crystals we must sometimes ask ourselves whether we've stepped into another area, the field of real art.
Last weekend I was asked to provide guidance for a quarantined self-gifter buying a diamond online. In order to make this online purchase she wanted a no-fail combination of weight, color, clarity and (drum roll, please) cut-quality.
Image credit, Alrosa
Have you heard of X-Ray diamond sorting? If not, be my guest and travel behind the scenes to an alluvial diamond-mining operation overseen by our friends at Alrosa. They have provided an amazing video example of this efficient method of separating the wheat from the chaff, as it were.
Photo credit, Colonialdomestics.com
Humans need variety right now. We're always hungry for something new, sick of eating the same old thing. So let's change things up. Set out your tableware, put on the candles and prepare for a nouvelle experience in three courses. Bon appétit!
Photo credit: Suzanne Kalan
Some amazing, creative and vivid jewelry pieces from iconic designers at last year's Couture show, presented to you in all the colors of the rainbow.
Photo credit: News.msn.com
The oldest earth-born object known to man, this tiny item is a part of our planet's crust which crystallized an astounding 4.4-billion-years ago. Older than our planet's diamonds. Older, even, than extraterrestrial iron and crystal that fell to earth from the sky.
Photo credit: Documentarytube.com
This fascinating game gets played where the resources are rich, but the people are poor. It is like being on the stock market floor, I suppose. A point upward or downward can quickly bring delight - or defeat.
Image credit: Salkom.ua
Living in our world's new normal, is there a chance the thieves who shattered the Green Vault and plundered Dresden Castle would turn to e-Fencing or even outright anonymous sale?
Image credit: Fineartamerica.com
Considered a gift from the mermaids, this translucent gemstone became worn by ancient sailors for the protection it was thought to offer at sea. As we bring March to close it's fitting to visit the wonderful aspects of this month's birthstone, the aquamarine.
Albert Einstein | Photo credit: JTA.org
I was visiting with my esteemed colleague Luigi Costantini in Italy - practicing safe social email-distancing of course - and the topic of expressions came up. Namely, how the internet has influenced symbology.