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, 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, 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,Cartier 14K Rose Gold Plated Love Ring with 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,ronde solo Cartier, 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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The Wonderful Joys of Shopping In France

By Jessica Emily Lynn on March 21, 2011
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France is the supreme shopping destination for the sophisticated consumer. It offers every thing from the final in haute couture to perfumes to wines and cheeses. And shopping in France isn't the utilitarian go through it can be elsewhere. Rather it's a difficult activity that demands attention together with a certain flair.

Initial we look at Paris - capital of Frech or so remarked as The capital of light where the shops make up an essential component of the fabric of the city's cultural identity. Then we'll head to Bordeaux which provides more than just its famous wines.

Shopping In Paris

Think of Paris and you believe of designer fashions,Cartier Ruby Charm Rose Gold Bracelet with Toggle Clasp, perfumes, and accessories with brand names famous for their chic the world over. But naturally they accompany hefty price tags. Here's a tip. Bargain seekers ought to do their window shopping at the grand fashion houses to acquired a feel of what's stylish. Then head to the spending budget shops and markets to get similar items at pennies on the dollar.

If you are short on time it is achievable to get all your designer labels under one roof at 1 of the large French department stores. The two queens, les grands magasins Printemps and Galeries Lafayette,Cartier Earring in Stainless Steel with White Gold Plated and Di, sit side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Fully exploring them could take days.

In case you want the real Paris shopping experience, head for one of the unique wonders of the city - the galleries or passages. These are glass-roofed shopping arcades that date back to the 19th century. They ooze charm and transform rainy days into installments of romanticism and discovery.

Don't' forget that Sundays are closing days for most stores in Paris. But fear not, 1 of the city's several flea markets will supply a great alternative shopping experience.

Shopping In Bordeaux

Bordeaux is truly one of Europe's very best kept shopping secrets. In the scenic charm of the city you will discover the world's most well-liked brand names: Cartier and Rolex for watches, Hermes and Christian Lacroix for fabrics and clothes, Louis Vuitton for luggage, Mont Blanc for pens, the list is endless.

Bordeaux is house to the longest pedestrianised street in Europe. Rue St. Catherine runs from the stately Place de la Comedie to the pupil district near the place de la Victoire. And its whole length is graced with a few the country's premier shopping outlets.

Bordeaux's epicenter for shopping is known fittingly as the Golden Triangle. This triangle incorporates the prime shopping zones of the Allees de Tourny, the Cours de l'Intendance and the Cours Clemenceau. In its heart is the Place des Grands-Hommes, where you will encounter Bordeaux's most prestigious outlets.

If such luxury doesn't tempt you, don't worry. Bordeaux is house to a plethora of chain stores that offer great value purchases. Together with the local boutiques supply distinctive items without the brand mark ups.

And plainly do not forget the wine. The Bordeaux region is France's premier wine making area and you are able to get sublime local vintages by the bottle or by the case.

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Latest in New Luxury Watches

By Chickie Maxwell on August 09, 2011
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If you are looking for the latest time stopping models of luxury watches, then read on. You must note that now people are going for slim and lightweight varieties. Wearing the latest in Swiss, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Gucci, Perrelet, etc. will make you look like someone who is in touch with recent times. There are several other brands that exhibit ultimate brilliance in their technology and art. If you want a luxury watch, then you will have to try some of the latest varieties produced by these brands.

The second newest trend in luxury watches is to display the time in a way that is as simple as possible; no more riddles to baffle your mind and no more straining to read the dial. One look at it and you will know the time. Luxury watches have a distinctive style and uniqueness that makes their wearers instantly become the center of attention. When you need something special to complete your outfit,Cartier for men, a luxury watch will bridge the gap and push you into the "group with class." If you want to be a showstopper, you may want to furnish one of the latest luxury watches.

If you have the flow, then you will not think twice about spending it on one of these showstoppers:

Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month by IWC - This is the newest one in the market and is the successor of the 2007 model. Its graceful tonneau shaped case has won many hearts. However, you have to get the IWC model if you want to enjoy the multitude of features available. Many enjoy its ratchet wheel chronograph and double-pawl automatic winding system. You can manipulate its perpetual calendar mechanism with its easy-to-twist winding crown. The watch features a transparent rear portion that lets you see what is happening inside. If you want this watch,Cartier Bracelet With Stylish Charms Paved Diamonds, then hurry up and buy it because only a few have been manufactured so far. The platinum version is in huge demand and its red-gold variety is very popular too.

Calibre de Cartier - For a redefined style and to add a touch of elegance to your appearance, you could go for this specially designed circular watch. It lends the wearer a certain richness and character that could boost one's social life. In pink and 18k gold, this watch will redefine your look for any occasion.

Tag Heuer's Women's Aquaracer White Diamond White Mother of Pearl Dial Stainless Steel - The name itself is enough; it will give you that classy and elegant look; a look that you will not get with any other watch in the same class. The diamonds set on the stainless steel bracelet will dazzle you with their brilliance. It is a clasp-type watch with a luminous minute and hour hand and silver tone second.

Gucci's Men's G Timeless Brown Chronograph Diala - Men can wow their way into any party with this watch. It is nothing short of glitz and glamour and will be your best bet of the season. This Italian watch is a trendsetter from a company that keeps up its tradition of producing excellent luxury watches. The watch sports a brown dial with silver tones on the three hands and it is water resistant. It is the perfect way to complete your fashion statement.

Ebel's Men's Two Tone Silver Chronograph Dial - If you love a splash of gold and silver on your watch, then this watch should adorn your wrist. With technology that knows no boundaries and characterized by seamless creativity and expert craftsmanship, this watch will go a long way in defining your character. The watch lends its unique style to your overall appearance. The sensual shape, the bountiful elegance and distinctive engineering distinguish this watch from any other.

Perrelet's Power Reserve Day-Date Cushion Silver Dial Leather Crocodile Men's Automatic Power Reserve - Leather, which plays an important part in many luxury watches is present in this watch too. Women go gaga over its unique style and appearance. You can wear your attitude with this watch. For more information regarding luxury watches, please visit MyReviewsNow.net Online Shopping Store.

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The Immense Fires

By Kitty Lee on August 09, 2010
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Not so many years ago the immense fires that blackened the dense forests on the Bitterroot Mountains would have been labeled a severe disaster, millions of board feet of timber down the drain. Many of the trees that were salvageable would have been quickly logged.

But in this land of the environmentally savvy, the management of the publicly owned forests is under a microscope. The biological toll that logging can take on a landscape is well known, a toll that is especial!) Harsh on a forest hit hard by high-intensity fires. So in its struggle to cut and sell trees burned in the enormous fires of the summer of 2000, the United States Forest Service finds itself trying to convince environmentalists that Hublot Replica careful logging is not only benign, but critical to the forests' recovery am protection. The service, which is responsible for both forest health and selling timber, has proposed salvaging 176 million board feet of ponderosa pine other trees - more than three times as much as would normally be sold in the area.

Environmentalists, however, are not buying the notion that the forest must be logged to save it, at least not on the scale the Forest Service proposes They challenged the sale on a procedural issue, and in early January a federal judge agreed and stopped the project. On Jan. 16 the Fore Service said it would appeal,Cartier history online, and asked the judge to allow five "emergency sales to go ahead.

During "the Ninth Five-year Plan" period (1996 - 2000), thanks to the recognition of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, China's environmental protection undertaking achieved tremendous headway: the tendency of the country's deteriorating industrial pollution was brought under preliminary control, the environment quality in some cities and regions was somewhat improved, and the protection and construction of the ecological environment were strengthened, thus making positive contributions to expediting the sustained, rapid and sound development of the national economy and social progress, and laying a solid foundation for environmental protection in the new century.

One of the most controversial parts of the recovery plan for the burn< area may be the Cartier Replica Watches potential for damage to the soil. Forest Service officials any damage will be minimized by restrictions that allow logging only on frozen and snow-covered ground and by using techniques like helicopter and "Skylab logging that keeps heavy equipment and dragged logs from disturbing soil. B Ken McBride, a forest soils scientist with the Forest Service, who has study soil conditions on the Bitterroot National Forest since 1988, argues that the protections don't go far enough and that the logging could cause lasting damage. "The organic layer is gone and the soils lose their ability to grow plants," he said.

Efforts must be intensified to close down and suspend the production of small enterprises that use backward techniques, cause serious resource wastes and pollution and fail to achieve the specified economic scale. In industrial pollution control, we should combine technical renovation with clean production, and integrate the raise of the quality of economic growth and the reduced load of contamination, so as to realize increased production and decreased pollution. For urban environmental protection, major efforts should be exerted to come to proper grips with readjusting the energy structure, with the emphasis placed on solving the problems concerning water, air and garbage pollution. We should continue to boost the construction of model cities that distinguish themselves in environmental protection. In the prevention and control of agricultural pollution, we should combine readjustment of the agricultural structure with the control on agricultural contamination, vigorously develop ecological agriculture, build ecological demonstration areas,Cartier love leve bracelet with leathern 18K, and reduce surface and source pollution.

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How to Buy An Engagement Ring For Your Lover

By Isabella TU on January 04,cartier love bracelet white gold price, 2011
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It is a very easy thing to find various designs and brands engagement ring for your lover nowadays. If you want to buy an engagement ring to proposal to your beloved, first of all, you should think about the budget which is very important before you go for buy it. The ring is very important to both of you, so you should choose it carefully and cautiously. Here are some tips for when you buying the ring.

If you want to give a surprise to your lover then you must choose her favorite shape. You have to also remember the size of her ring finger, then take the cost of the ring in the size of diamonds in mind.

There is another factor which is very important that you must pay attention to select a right gemstone of the engagement ring. If you choose a correct diamond engagement ring to your lover, she must be very happy. However if you want to choose a right diamond you must have some knowledge about the 4C'S ( colour, cut, carat and clarity )of the diamond in your mind. In the following we would talk about the details about how those four factors could influence the price of the diamond ring.

First, The colour of the diamond could refer to the original essence. And also you should also know that if a diamond has the fewer colors then it would be much more expensive than the diamond which just have one color. Colourless diamond or closing to the colourless tend to be more valuable.

Second, The cut of your diamond stand the fact that how much enthusiasm as well as brilliance you have to your lover. In case your diamond offers ideal clarity and colour but the cut of gemstone is bad after that it won't glitter glue or sparkle as it should. Therefore while you buy the diamond engagement ring you have to pay attention to the cut. And also you must choose the favorite cut of your lovers. You are able to give up upon the areas but when you want a stunning gemstone for the ring then you should not scorn the factor.

Third, Carat is a unit of measurement of the diamond. Usually you have to select the carat of the diamond according to your budget. You should remember that the larger diamonds the greater costly it will be and also the more rare it is.

Fourth, Clarity stands for the flaws and inclusions which you'll found of the diamonds. If the diamonds has very few flaws it would cost more than the one which has several flaws. But we could not you see these flaws with our human eye. Hence if you want you'll be able to choose diamonds with flaws. So if think it is no matter, thus you can buy a diamond ring with flaws.

Finally you must ask for the certificate of the diamond ring from the shop assistant when you buy it in the shop. But if want to buy a cheap and high quality diamond ring you can surf online,cartier love charity bracelet sale, there you can find many beautiful and high quality diamond ring with the affordable prices.

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