History of a Famous Diamond - The Hope Diamond

By Luo Fu Sheng on August 10, 2011
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One of the most famous diamonds in history, the Hope diamond, came from India and weighed 112 3/16 carats when it was acquired around 1642 by French merchant Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who was struck by its "beautiful violet" color. He sold it to the King of France, Louis XIV, who had it re-cut to a 67 1/8 carat stone which royal inventories thereafter listed as the Blue Diamond of the Crown of France. The blue diamond passed through ownership by French and British royalty,Cartier wedding bands, famed jeweler Pierre Cartier, and U.S. socialites before it was purchased by jeweler Harry Winston along with the 94.8 carat Star of the East diamond,Cartier diamonds shop cheap online, 1949. In 1958, Winston donated the Hope diamond to the Smithsonian Institution, where it quickly became a star attraction.

Resetting and re-cuttings over the centuries reduced the Hope diamond to its present 45.52 carats, 40% of its original size. Today, it is set in a spectacular pendant surrounded by sixteen white diamonds, and still attracts countless admirers at the Smithsonian.

The Hope Diamond was long believed to have been cut from the French Blue, but this remained unconfirmed until a three-dimensional leaden model of the latter was recently rediscovered in the archives of the French Natural History Museum in Paris. Previously, the dimensions of the French Blue had been known only from two drawings made in 1749 and 1789; although the model slightly differs from the drawings in some details, these details are identical to features of the Hope Diamond, allowing CAD technology to digitally reconstruct the French Blue around the re-cut stone.

Many superlatives have been used to describe the hope diamond as a "superfine deep blue", often comparing it to the color of a fine sapphire "blue of the most beautiful blue sapphire". As colored diamond expert Stephen Hofer points out, blue diamond similar to the Hope can be shown by colorimetric measurements to be grayer than blue sapphires. In 1996, it was examined by using of proprietary scale, graded it fancy deep grayish blue. Visually, the gray modifier is so dark that it produces an "inky" effect appearing almost blackish-blue in incandescent light. Current photographs of the Hope utilize high-intensity light sources that tend to maximize the brilliance of gemstones.

Even jewelers who may have handled the Hope Diamond were not spared from its reputed malice: The insanity and suicide of Jacques Colot, who supposedly bought it from Eliason, and the financial ruin of the jeweler Simon Frankel, who bought it from the Hope family, were linked to the stone. But although he is documented as a French diamond dealer of the correct era, Colot has no recorded connection with the stone, and Frankel's misfortunes were in the midst of economic straits that also ruined many of his peers.

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Luxury Watches- Not Likely Just Jewelry However Stunning Works of Art

By Sam Adams on April 16, 2011
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During these current times, a wristwatch is actually certainly not basically a gadget that helps you tell time, it is actually deemed much more of a rank mark, in particular luxury watches this type of as Blancpain, Rolex, Cartier or Daniel Roth. They are actually specific pieces of fine art,Cartier Love Bracelet in Stainless Steel with Yellow Gold Screws, wonderful and also highly-priced jewelry made for people of the upper class, available for the wealthy and popular,Cartier bleu balloon discount sale, for those who admire high quality, style and luxury.

Nowadays, when almost everyone possesses at least one mobile phone or a electronic digital pager which they all use a little electronic timepiece incorporated in their display, what require is there anymore for luxury watches on one's wrist when they can merely tell the time period just by looking on their mobile or pager? They have basically become significantly less of an thing of purpose and much more of a bit of modern tradition.

Really, today's luxury watches are simply an infinitely more advanced variant of the transportable spring driven clocks who have first came out in the 15th century. However the particular development of wrist watches as we all know them now had commenced in the second half of the 18th century which is really nonetheless in progress. Remembering the fashionable model of today's luxury watches, we are typically surprised to discover that they were initially just restricted to ladies and them to be really viewed as for a lengthy time frame much more of a shifting fad than a genuine wristwatch. In fact, during those times adult males commonly declared that they "would sooner wear a skirt than wear a wristwatch."

Luxury watches have come quite a distance since then and also, in currently they are worn not only by females, but additionally by men. They represent lovely, sophisticated and stylish pieces of present day jewelry. These types of products are quite well-known for their high quality. Designers are proud of the way in which this kind of timepieces are in reality created, in their complexity and very superior level of resistance. Luxury watches are not just beautiful and costly jewelry, they're also elaborate and incredibly well designed art pieces and so they may last an eternity.

Luxury watches are not really for just anybody mainly because truth being told, not all people are able to afford to spend about 7000 or frequently even a lot more on a wristwatch as most turn out obviously over the typical budget for an everyday particular person.

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Consider Men's Luxury Wrist Watches

By Terrell Johnson on October 07, 2011
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There are lots of different types of wrist watches for men. There are luxury watches, sports watches, pocket watches, the list goes on and on. Most people buy a watch that fits their lifestyle. If you're a weekend warrior you probably wear a watch with a plastic/rubber band and the watch itself is digital and waterproof. If you're relatively successful and go to special events quite often you probably wear a luxury watch like a Rolex or Cartier. And if you're a classic and admire antique timepieces you probably have a pocketwatch or two.

Some people are very diverse and have all 3 types of watches and several of each. For example, there are guys that play baseball and football on the weekends and wear sports watches for that occasion. These very same guys could have a family heirloom in the form of a pocket watch. And these very same guys again could be very successful and happen to own a Rolex or Cartier. It doesn't really matter. Wrist watches are made to fit occasions and lifestyles.

Wrist watches do a lot more than just tell time. They often have features such as heart monitors, stop watches, water and heat resistant, chronographs,Cartier love 18-carat yellow gold love ring, and the like. The band can be made of rubber, plastic, stainless steel, leather, gold, silver, or platinum. The face and bezel could be made of and/or contain precious and semi-precious materials.

Something that is important but is often overlooked is the glass on the watch itself. It should be of high quality to prevent being scratched and damaged easily. But it's difficult to tell if the glass is high quality or not. A good rule of thumb is that the greater the cost,Cartier Love Bracelet in Sterling Silver, the better the quality.

Luxury wrist watches are the cream of the crop. People will notice your watch. A watch is an accessory much like shoes. They tell a lot about you even when you're not talking. A luxury wrist watch is a status symbol. You will need to research and consider your lifestyle when purchasing a luxury wrist watch. You might want to wear it every day. Or you might want to wear it for special occasions. Either way, it's best not to just rush out and buy one. It's best to consider these things before diving in head first.

Men's luxury watches are designed with a particular type of person in mind. The things that are important to you may not be as important to others and vice versa. These watches are made for men who take pride in their possessions as a symbol for a job well done or a sacrifice made.

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Cartier Plans For 2011

By Melissa Smith on January 09,cartier love bracelet white gold, 2011
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Outstanding expertise,cartier love bangle rose gold, technical innovation, as well as a long track record of luxury watch making are merely a few of the list of aspects Cartier can boast of. In 2011, there is no doubt that Cartier will continue to stun as well as excite its devoted patrons. One of several must-visit events that will reveal is its current collection, the 21st Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie that will take place in January 2011. True, this specific by-invitation party won't be open to everybody but take heart simply because there is no doubt that the 2011 Cartier models will quickly be unveiled in the market.

Cartier 2011 Watches for Men

Last year, Cartier revealed the Calibre de Cartier with its exquisite round shape. The watch manufacturer will go even further this coming year by introducing the Calibre 9451MC for the Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillion timepiece. There are several significant improvements on this invention. Among these include a special rotational axis within the tourbillon carriage which is positioned in the core of the wrist watch complication. The tourbillion is over two dials above the movement. This captures a person's view to the complications within the movement. Besides this, the balances as well as the escape wheel are placed on a single side for a more spectacular visual impact.

Just as its name indicates, Cartier's astrotourbillon finishes one revolution every minute while the balance bridge illustrates the seconds. Measuring 46mm in diameter, individuals might assume that it would be hefty. But astonishingly, it's not because of its titanium make. The new Calibre the Cartier is built to be as "weightless" as possible on your wrist. Yet, the timepiece continues to be effective, innovative, and genuinely remarkable. Only 100 pieces of this watch are going to be obtainable. Interested individuals will need to go to their dealer today to get a head start against other wrist watch connoisseurs.

Cartier 2011 Timepieces for Women

Cartier wouldn't be the brand it is today without its stunning ladies timepieces. For 2011, the beautiful Geneva Seal watch is at the forefront of the season's must-haves. It is a grand complication watch for ladies looking for something different. The crocodile style of the watch is just one of its impressive features. What makes it much more special is the C-shaped carriage which displays the seconds. This attractive watch set in diamonds is sure to capture ladies' hearts. All things are gracefully shaped and the delicate details of this watch including water lilies can make anyone feel lost in the splendor of the craftsmanship.

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