GEMS April – Mines of Diamond
by JewelStruck on Apr.19, 2010, under GEMS
With second post of Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) for April month, we would be posting about Diamond mines. Also showcasing a very beautiful 3 stone ring by sirtrentalot. If you would like to share anything on Diamonds, please email us at info@jewelstruck.com
Continuing with Diamond mines – with a value of about 9 billion USD, approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg) of diamonds are mined annually. About 49% of them come from central and southern Africa, with Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia being other significant sources.
- As said above Africa is the largest source of Diamonds currently. Diamond extraction from primary deposits (kimberlites and lamproites) started in the 1870s after the discovery of the Diamond Fields in South Africa. Other than South Africa, diamonds mines are located in Angola, Botswana, Zimbawe and Tanzania.
- Historically diamonds were found only in alluvial deposits in southern India led the world in diamond production from the time of their discovery in approximately the 9th century BC to the mid-18th century AD, but the commercial potential of these sources had been exhausted by the late 18th century.The current Indian mines include Golkunda, Kollur, Panna and Bunder project.
- Russia is one other major source of commercially viable diamond deposits, mostly in Sakha Republic, for example Mir pipe and Udachnaya pipe.
- Northern and Western Australia have good diamond deposits as well. Two of the big mines there include, Argyle and Merlin Diamond mine.
- Some north western teritorries of Canada and Brazil also have commercial deposits used right now for mining.
Controversial sources (Blood Diamonds) – Some revolutionary groups in central and west African countries (which are politically unstable), have taken control over various Diamond mines. They use the proceeds of diamond sales via this process to find their operations. Diamonds coming illegally via such route are termed ‘Blood Diamonds’. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central and western Africa, the United Nations, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberley Process in 2002. The Kimberley Process aims to ensure that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. This is done by requiring diamond-producing countries to provide proof that the money they make from selling the diamonds is not used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities.
So this was all about Diamond mines and sources, we will be back with next post on Diamonds for GEMS series sooner. Again, if you have any ideas, or you want to share anything, do email us at info@jewelstruck.com
Image credit :- sirtrentalot
Gold rings
by Maura Nicholson on Apr.18, 2010, under Handmade Jewelry
Lots of gold rings, starting from the left: 9ct gold and lapis lazuli stone ring, 9ct gold, ruby and black moonstone stone ring, 9ct gold square ring with a lapis lazuli stone and gold beads, 9ct gols ring with a labradorite stone, black pearl beads and a handcut brass heart.
Owl Obsession
by geisha on Apr.17, 2010, under News & Events
Anytime I find an owl bead, I have to buy it! I don’t know where the obsession came from, but I just love owls! They remind me of the 1970’s and my grandparents basement, that is, well, stuck in the 1970’s! They just have a very retro quality, especially when you find owl beads with big exaggerated eyes. I have made several pairs of owl earrings in my days, people either love them or hate them. Here is a pair I did with they lovely colorful enameled beads.
And here is another page I did with brown czech glass owl beads that have a gold finish on them to emphasize the details of the beads.
You never know where you will find your next owls beads. I have found them at pawn shops, thrift stores and antique stores. (And well of course in the funky bead stores) Well, I hope you enjoy owls as much as I do!
If you like these designs, you can see more at my shop at GeishaCreations.etsy.com
Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – Diamond for April
by JewelStruck on Apr.16, 2010, under GEMS
Diamond, also the birthstone of April month, has been chosen for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) this month. Being one of the best known and most sought after gem, there is a lot to explore on Diamonds. We would try our best to cover as much as possible of it. So lets get started with some quick facts on Diamonds for the first part of this series.
- A chemically pure and structuraly perfect diamond is transparent (colourless), but diamonds can be found in many other colours too.
- Being the hardest substance on earth (10 on Mohs scale) and having characterstic properties like – high dispersion of light, makes it desirable to be used for many applications other than jewelry too. About 75% of worlds mined Diamonds are not suitable for Jewelry.
- Most famous use of Diamonds is in Engagement rings. It has been used to symbolize engagements since 15th century.
- The largest ever found Diamond was Cullinan at 3,106 carats.
- Most of diamonds are atleast 1-3 billion years old, and they are found more than 100 miles below the earth.
- Thermal conductivity of Diamonds is higher than other colorless gemstone, and is four times higher than copper.
So these were some quick facts on Diamonds. You will find us exploring more with details soon in coming days. If you have anything to share on Diamonds, do email us at – info@jewelstruck.com
Image credit – dbking
For Yoga Lovers.. Yoga Inspired Jewelry
by Jewels of Saraswati on Apr.16, 2010, under Handmade Jewelry
These items are handmade especially for those who love yoga! I used sterling silver spiritual charms of lotuses, Om’s and Sanskrit phrases. They are delicately hung from sterling silver chain and include semi-precious stones, faceted crystal and fire polished glass.
I hope you find these images as inspiring as I do! Namaste!
These items are available for purchase at Jewels Of Saraswati’s shop.