Natural Gemstones How to...

Fahmi Rizwansyah says:

The aesthetic appeal, magic and mystery have lured mankind since ages. Different cultures across the world have lore and beliefs associated to colored gemstones. In this day and age, natural gemstones are more of a fashion accessory, though the mystical symbolism remains.

What are natural gemstones
A gemstone is defined as a mineral or petrified material that when cut and polished, can be used in jewelry. It is a mineral that is valuable, rare and often beautiful.

Minerals were forged beneath the surface of the earth over millions of years through the forces of heat and pressure, resulting in a distinct crystal form with an orderly pattern of atoms. This internal arrangement determines a mineral’s chemical and physical properties, including its color. Crystals are not necessarily formed only in rocks or beneath the surface of the earth; they are also formed within plants and animals. Such gemstones are called Organic gemstones (coral, amber etc.). Every mineral originates as a small crystal and “grows" as more atoms are added. A particular gem or mineral can be a variety of different colors, depending on impurities, also known as inclusions, in its atomic structure. Quartz, for example, is normally colorless, but occurs in a range of colors from pink to brown to the deep purple of amethyst, depending on the amount and type of impurities in its structure.

Gemstones are precious because the extreme climatic conditions and the nurturing inside earth’s womb for millions of years, are not just rare conditions but almost impossible to occur again. And this is the reason that the importance of gemstones is much beyond the obvious aesthetic appeal.

Of almost 4,000 different types of minerals found on earth, fewer than 100 are considered beauteous or durable enough to be used as gemstones. Of those, only around 20 are commonly used in jewelry. The traditionally included category of most valuable gemstones is emerald, ruby, sapphire and pearl. Because of their aesthetic appeal and glorious history, these gemstones are more valuable than other colored gemstones. Finest quality emeralds and rubies can sometimes be more valuable than diamonds of comparable size.

Gemstones are classified into different varieties, species and groups. For instance, ruby (gemstone) is the red variety of the species corundum (mineral) that belongs to the hematite (crystal) group. Varieties of the mineral beryl include emerald (green), aquamarine (blue), heliodor (yellow), bixbite (red), goshenite (colorless) and morganite (pink).

Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer to the way some gems are treated to improve their aesthetic appeal or durability, or even change their color. Almost all gemstones are treated in some or the other way. Most of these treatments are permanent in nature and an accepted norm in the industry. Treatments do not affect a gemstone’s value.

Seeking quality
Akin diamonds, gemstones are judged by the "Four Cs" of color, clarity, cut and carat weight, with color being the most important consideration, by far. As a general rule for all gemstones, the better the color, the higher the value; better clarity and better cut are also valued more - and generally, the larger the stone, the more it will cost per carat. Even to an untrained novice eye, many of these types of differences can be seen when similar stones are examined side-by-side.

Other factors that may influence the price of a gemstone include whether it is available readily or is rare in existence; whether it is a rare fancy shape or a calibrated size; and sometimes the origin of the gem. For instance, sapphires from Kashmir or rubies from Burma command a higher price than their equivalents from other origins.

by Rajesh Kumar is a writer for gemstones and jewelry working with www.angara.com.

Cheers, frizzy2008.

Another sad story of our forestry

Fahmi Rizwansyah says:

SIARAN PERS
Nomor: S.632/PIK-1/2008

POHON KI TENJO (Anisoptera costata Korth) TERANCAM PUNAH

Pohon Ki Tenjo yang dalam bahasa latinnya disebut Anisoptera costata (Korth) tumbuh alami di Cagar Alam Leuwi Sancang dan Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon. Menurut hasil penelitian Pusat Litbang Hutan dan Konservasi Alam Bogor, di habitat alam aslinya pohon Ki Tenjo tinggal satu batang, dan tidak ditemukan anakannya.

Eksplorasi yang dilakukan oleh Titi Kalima pada tahun 2008 di Kawasan TN Ujung Kulon hanya menemukan satu batang Anisoptera costata Korth yang berdiameter 121 cm. Pohon tersebut masih berdiri tegak pada ketinggian 80 m di atas permukaan laut. Keberadan spesies pohon tersebut sangat rawan punah. Dari pohon yang tersisa tersebut tidak ditemukan anakan. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa A. costata Korth di tempat tersebut tidak dapat melanjutkan keturunan.

Ancaman yang paling mengkhawatirkan adalah penebangan yang dilakukan oleh perambah hutan. Aktivitas perambahan yang makin mendekati lokasi pohon ini sangat mengancam percepatan kepunahannya. Pada tahun 2005 Titi Kalima mencatat bahwa di Cagar Alam Leuwi Sancang terdapat masyarakat yang berkebun sayur mayur, kelapa, coklat, karet, dan lain-lain. Pada saat itu masih ditemukan pohon-pohon A. costata Korth, D. gracilis, D. hasseltii, dan D. littoralis. Satu tahun kemudian (2006) banyak pohon-pohon tersebut yang ditebang. Pada tahun 2007 ditemukan pohon-pohon D. Littoralis, D. gracitis, dan D. Hasseltii yang berdiameter 76 cm, 58 cm, dan 64 cm telah ditebang. Saat itu masih tersisa satu batang A. costata berdiameter 105 cm pada ketinggian 560 m di atas permukaan laut.

Jakarta, 16 Desember 2008
Kepala Pusat Informasi Kehutanan,
ttd.
Masyhud
NIP. 080062808

Cheers, frizzy2008.

Informasi ini berguna gak ya? -- gak ngerti deh!!!

Fahmi Rizwansyah says:

10 besar orang terkaya di Indonesia:

1. Sukanto Tanoto,�� 2 miliar dolar AS
2. R. Budi Hartono,�� 1,72 miliar dolar AS
3. Michael Hartono,� 1,68 miliar dolar AS
4. Putera Sampoerna, 1,5 miliar dolar AS
5. Martua Sitorus, 1,3 miliar dolar AS
6. Peter Sondakh, 1,05 miliar dolar AS
7. Eddy William Katuari, 1,04 miliar dolar AS
8. Eka Tjipta Widjaja, 950 juta dolar AS
9. Aburizal Bakrie, 850 juta dolar AS
10. Murdaya Poo, 825 juta dolar AS

Daftar orang kaya seluruhnya 40 orang akan dilaporkan Majalah Forbes Asia edisi 22 Desember

Cheers, frizzy2008.

Launching Dell Mini 9 di Fx Mall

Fahmi Rizwansyah says:

Barusan habis menghadiri launching produk Dell Inspiron mini 9 dan mini 12.

Seru banget acaranya...Yang hadir adalah master2 community dan blogger2 paten.
Diantaranya adalah Andrew Darwis, founder & CEO Kaskus Network. Trus ada mas Budi Putra, blogger senior. Trus ada pasukan gatorade, gadget to trade community dan banyak lagi.

Acaranya yang bertempat di 3 Degress - FX Mall ini dipandu oleh Steny Agustaf dan Rahmah Umayya, dengan bintang acaranya adalah si cantik Maylaffayza, violis piawai yg baru married dan katanya menunda bulan madu demi bela2in ngisi acara ini. Bersamanya berkolaborasi biola dan racikan musik oleh DJ Ellen dan yang gak kalah menariknya...wow...sexy dancernya bo.

Maap, motretnya cuma pake Motorola V6 Razr Maxx...

Asiknya euy, dapat makan malam gratis prasmanan ditambah freeflow coke dan juice...

Bos Andrew dalam kesempatannya mengatakan akan mereview produk dell tersebut di kaskus secepatnya.

Ok d, aku gak dapat door price tapi dapat tas dell besar dan payung, lumayanlah mumpung lagi musim hujan n' pulang2 kekenyangan..phew.

Yang ini sih biasa...numpang keren doang.

Cheers, frizzy2008.