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.
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:
Cheers, frizzy2008.
10 besar orang terkaya di Indonesia:
- Sukanto Tanoto,�� 2 miliar dolar AS
- R. Budi Hartono,�� 1,72 miliar dolar AS
- Michael Hartono,� 1,68 miliar dolar AS
- Putera Sampoerna, 1,5 miliar dolar AS
- Martua Sitorus, 1,3 miliar dolar AS
- Peter Sondakh, 1,05 miliar dolar AS
- Eddy William Katuari, 1,04 miliar dolar AS
- Eka Tjipta Widjaja, 950 juta dolar AS
- Aburizal Bakrie, 850 juta dolar AS
- Murdaya Poo, 825 juta dolar AS
Cheers, frizzy2008.
Launching Dell Mini 9 di Fx Mall
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
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.
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.
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.
LASIK Eye Surgery and Other Refractive Surgeries: An Updated Guide
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
LASIK surgery is one type of refractive surgery. Refractive surgery can eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses in people with these conditions:
* Nearsightedness
* Farsightedness
* Astigmatism (unevenly curved cornea)
* Presbyopia (age-related loss of sharp close-up focusing)
Done on both eyes, these procedures work by changing the eyes' focus to improve vision.
You might assume that refractive surgery is fairly new. But it goes back about 100 years! You're right, however, to think that today's state-of-the-art refractive surgery procedures are of more recent development. These newer techniques were first performed in the U.S. in 1978.
Types of Refractive Surgery
Three types of refractive surgery procedures are available. They include:
* Excimer laser procedures (including LASIK surgery)
* Artificial lens implantation
* Cornea reshaping procedures (including radial keratotomy, the first-used refractive surgery)
The Excimer Laser Used in LASIK Surgery
Developed in the 1980s, the excimer laser is computer-controlled.It gives eye surgeons the ability to remove precise amounts of tissue from the surface of the eye. This provides a high degree of safety and precision for laser-assisted procedures like LASIK.
LASIK Surgery Steps
LASIK is an abbreviation for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." The steps of LASIK surgery include:
1. Eye numbing drops are given before surgery to prevent pain.
2. The eye surgeon creates a flap in the cornea. The surgeon may use either an instrument called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is folded back to reveal the cornea's midsection (stroma).
3. The excimer laser vaporizes part of the stroma.
4. The corneal flap is put back in place. It reattaches within a few minutes without sutures.
5. Eye drops or ointment is applied to aid healing.
Recovery from LASIK surgery is usually fast and painless.You may notice improved vision by the next day or sooner.
Procedures Related to LASIK Surgery
Doctors have developed other surgeries similar to the standard LASIK procedure. These include the following.
* Epi-LASIK uses a special instrument, the Epi-keratome, to create the corneal flap on the layer of cells covering the cornea (epithelium). Epi-LASIK is used in patients with corneas too thin to allow the standard LASIK surgery.
* Wavefront-guided LASIK creates a highly detailed "map" of how light moves through the eye. This shows even the subtlest distortions of focus. The goal is to reduce the chance of after-surgery problems such as glare, light "halos," and poor night vision.
* PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) corrects low to high nearsightedness, low to moderate farsightedness, and astigmatism. The eye surgeon removes the epithelium. Then the surgeon uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. Healing occurs with help from a "bandage contact lens" applied at the end of the procedure. Healing takes three to four days and may involve some discomfort. Full recovery may take several weeks. For these reasons, LASIK surgery has generally replaced PRK except for patients with corneas too thin for LASIK surgery.
* LASEK (later epithelial keratomileusis) is similar to PRK. The difference is that the surgeon replaces the epithelium after completing the surgery. LASEK may be recommended for people with thin corneas. As with PRK, healing may involve some discomfort.
Implant Refractive Surgery
Several types of refractive surgery rely on implants to help improve vision. These procedures include the following:
* Intrastromal corneal ring segment (INTACS) implants
* Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs)
* Accommodative IOLs, multifocal IOLs, and refractive lens exchange
Each implant is described below.
* Intrastromal corneal ring segment (INTACS) implants. Semicircular pieces of plastic are implanted in the cornea. These objects are called INTACS (intrastromal corneal ring segments). They change the cornea's shape and adjust the person's power to focus. INTACS are inserted through a small corneal incision. The incision is closed with two small sutures, or stitches, typically removed two to four weeks later. If necessary, INTACS can be removed. The cornea returns to its original shape within a few weeks.
* Phakic IOLs. These areused for people whose degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness is too high for safe use of the excimer laser. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery except that the natural lens is not removed. The eye surgeon positions a vision-correcting plastic lens in front of the patient's natural lens, which is left in place to preserve reading vision. Because the eye is actually entered, phakic IOL surgery carries a higher risk of complications.
* Accommodative IOLs, multifocal IOLs, and refractive lens exchange. These implants areused to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia. Vision-correcting, surgically implanted artificial lenses replace natural lenses. No corneal reshaping is done.
Surgery to Reshape the Cornea
Two surgical procedures are used to change the shape of the cornea, achieving vision correction. These procedures include the following:
* Conductive keratoplasty (CK) uses heat to reshape the cornea. The heat source may be a type of laser (not the excimer laser used in LASIK surgery). The heat is applied to the cornea's outer edge so it tightens and makes the cornea steeper. This can be used to correct farsightedness, presbyopia, and near-focus problems in people over age 40. CK causes little or no discomfort. It improves vision almost instantly. This effect may not last, however. Later re-treatment may be required.
* Radial keratotomy (RK) is the first form of refractive surgery used in the U.S. It has been largely replaced by LASIK surgery. RK may be chosen to correct very mild nearsightedness and astigmatism. The eye surgeon uses a diamond scalpel to make spoke-like (radial) cuts on the cornea. These cuts flatten and reshape the cornea. RK weakens the eye's structure, a primary reason it is seldom done now.
Who Can - and Cannot -- Have LASIK Surgery or Other Refractive Procedures?
Everyone considering refractive surgery should make the decision only after meeting with a refractive surgeon. General requirements include:
* Being age 18 or older
* Having healthy eyes
* Not needing a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription over the past year
* Having vision that refractive surgery can correct
Most forms of refractive surgery cannot be done on people who:
* Have a history of eye disease, including autoimmune disease, or previous eye injury
* Take certain prescription medications known to affect vision or corneal healing
* Are pregnant or nursing
Ask your surgeon about the risks of surgery as well as the benefits. That way, you can make a more informed decision. The outcome will be more likely to meet your expectations.
The Cost of LASIK Surgery
Most types of health insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Only about 3% of LASIK surgery procedures cost less than $1000 per eye. The good news is that the cost seems to be coming down.
On average nationally in mid-2006, the cost of having LASIK surgery done on both eyes was $1950. Using wavefront technology or the "laser microkeratome" costs more. Price also varies slightly by region.
Be sure your surgeon makes clear what is and is not included in the price you are quoted. Ask, too, if you will have to pay more if you need follow-up visits or treatment for complications.
by webMD
Cheers, frizzy2008.
LASIK surgery is one type of refractive surgery. Refractive surgery can eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses in people with these conditions:
* Nearsightedness
* Farsightedness
* Astigmatism (unevenly curved cornea)
* Presbyopia (age-related loss of sharp close-up focusing)
Done on both eyes, these procedures work by changing the eyes' focus to improve vision.
You might assume that refractive surgery is fairly new. But it goes back about 100 years! You're right, however, to think that today's state-of-the-art refractive surgery procedures are of more recent development. These newer techniques were first performed in the U.S. in 1978.
Types of Refractive Surgery
Three types of refractive surgery procedures are available. They include:
* Excimer laser procedures (including LASIK surgery)
* Artificial lens implantation
* Cornea reshaping procedures (including radial keratotomy, the first-used refractive surgery)
The Excimer Laser Used in LASIK Surgery
Developed in the 1980s, the excimer laser is computer-controlled.It gives eye surgeons the ability to remove precise amounts of tissue from the surface of the eye. This provides a high degree of safety and precision for laser-assisted procedures like LASIK.
LASIK Surgery Steps
LASIK is an abbreviation for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." The steps of LASIK surgery include:
1. Eye numbing drops are given before surgery to prevent pain.
2. The eye surgeon creates a flap in the cornea. The surgeon may use either an instrument called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is folded back to reveal the cornea's midsection (stroma).
3. The excimer laser vaporizes part of the stroma.
4. The corneal flap is put back in place. It reattaches within a few minutes without sutures.
5. Eye drops or ointment is applied to aid healing.
Recovery from LASIK surgery is usually fast and painless.You may notice improved vision by the next day or sooner.
Procedures Related to LASIK Surgery
Doctors have developed other surgeries similar to the standard LASIK procedure. These include the following.
* Epi-LASIK uses a special instrument, the Epi-keratome, to create the corneal flap on the layer of cells covering the cornea (epithelium). Epi-LASIK is used in patients with corneas too thin to allow the standard LASIK surgery.
* Wavefront-guided LASIK creates a highly detailed "map" of how light moves through the eye. This shows even the subtlest distortions of focus. The goal is to reduce the chance of after-surgery problems such as glare, light "halos," and poor night vision.
* PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) corrects low to high nearsightedness, low to moderate farsightedness, and astigmatism. The eye surgeon removes the epithelium. Then the surgeon uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. Healing occurs with help from a "bandage contact lens" applied at the end of the procedure. Healing takes three to four days and may involve some discomfort. Full recovery may take several weeks. For these reasons, LASIK surgery has generally replaced PRK except for patients with corneas too thin for LASIK surgery.
* LASEK (later epithelial keratomileusis) is similar to PRK. The difference is that the surgeon replaces the epithelium after completing the surgery. LASEK may be recommended for people with thin corneas. As with PRK, healing may involve some discomfort.
Implant Refractive Surgery
Several types of refractive surgery rely on implants to help improve vision. These procedures include the following:
* Intrastromal corneal ring segment (INTACS) implants
* Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs)
* Accommodative IOLs, multifocal IOLs, and refractive lens exchange
Each implant is described below.
* Intrastromal corneal ring segment (INTACS) implants. Semicircular pieces of plastic are implanted in the cornea. These objects are called INTACS (intrastromal corneal ring segments). They change the cornea's shape and adjust the person's power to focus. INTACS are inserted through a small corneal incision. The incision is closed with two small sutures, or stitches, typically removed two to four weeks later. If necessary, INTACS can be removed. The cornea returns to its original shape within a few weeks.
* Phakic IOLs. These areused for people whose degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness is too high for safe use of the excimer laser. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery except that the natural lens is not removed. The eye surgeon positions a vision-correcting plastic lens in front of the patient's natural lens, which is left in place to preserve reading vision. Because the eye is actually entered, phakic IOL surgery carries a higher risk of complications.
* Accommodative IOLs, multifocal IOLs, and refractive lens exchange. These implants areused to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia. Vision-correcting, surgically implanted artificial lenses replace natural lenses. No corneal reshaping is done.
Surgery to Reshape the Cornea
Two surgical procedures are used to change the shape of the cornea, achieving vision correction. These procedures include the following:
* Conductive keratoplasty (CK) uses heat to reshape the cornea. The heat source may be a type of laser (not the excimer laser used in LASIK surgery). The heat is applied to the cornea's outer edge so it tightens and makes the cornea steeper. This can be used to correct farsightedness, presbyopia, and near-focus problems in people over age 40. CK causes little or no discomfort. It improves vision almost instantly. This effect may not last, however. Later re-treatment may be required.
* Radial keratotomy (RK) is the first form of refractive surgery used in the U.S. It has been largely replaced by LASIK surgery. RK may be chosen to correct very mild nearsightedness and astigmatism. The eye surgeon uses a diamond scalpel to make spoke-like (radial) cuts on the cornea. These cuts flatten and reshape the cornea. RK weakens the eye's structure, a primary reason it is seldom done now.
Who Can - and Cannot -- Have LASIK Surgery or Other Refractive Procedures?
Everyone considering refractive surgery should make the decision only after meeting with a refractive surgeon. General requirements include:
* Being age 18 or older
* Having healthy eyes
* Not needing a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription over the past year
* Having vision that refractive surgery can correct
Most forms of refractive surgery cannot be done on people who:
* Have a history of eye disease, including autoimmune disease, or previous eye injury
* Take certain prescription medications known to affect vision or corneal healing
* Are pregnant or nursing
Ask your surgeon about the risks of surgery as well as the benefits. That way, you can make a more informed decision. The outcome will be more likely to meet your expectations.
The Cost of LASIK Surgery
Most types of health insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Only about 3% of LASIK surgery procedures cost less than $1000 per eye. The good news is that the cost seems to be coming down.
On average nationally in mid-2006, the cost of having LASIK surgery done on both eyes was $1950. Using wavefront technology or the "laser microkeratome" costs more. Price also varies slightly by region.
Be sure your surgeon makes clear what is and is not included in the price you are quoted. Ask, too, if you will have to pay more if you need follow-up visits or treatment for complications.
by webMD
Cheers, frizzy2008.
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