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Oceans of liquid diamond topped with solid "icebergs" of the precious gems could be on Uranus and Neptune, new research has revealed. The De Beers family are probably already on their way to these two planets.

The first ever detailed research into the melting point of diamond found it behaves like water during melting and freezing - with its solid form floating on the liquid.

A large diamond ocean on one or both of the planets could provide an explanation for an oddity they both share.

The two giant gas planets, unlike Earth, do not have magnetic poles which match up with their geographical poles.

As much as 10 per cent of both planets is carbon, and a liquid diamond ocean could deflect the angle of the magnetic field out of alignment with the planet's rotation, the researchers believe.

In laboratory conditions which simulated pressure levels on the gas planets, the scientists found that little crystals of solid diamond formed like icebergs in the liquid carbon they created.

Dr Jon Eggert, of the Laser Shock Equation of State (EOS) group in the Department of Physical and Life Sciences Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, said: "The idea of significant quantities of pure carbon existing in giant planets such as Uranus and Neptune has gained both experimental and theoretical support.

"It is now accepted that the high-pressure, high-temperature behaviour of carbon is essential to predicting the evolution and structure of such planets.

"An ocean of diamond could help explain the orientation of Uranus' and Neptune's magnetic field."

The researchers took a half-millimetre wide diamond a tenth of a carat in weight and blasted it with lasers at high pressure, similar to that which found on Uranus and Neptune.

The diamond was liquified at pressures 40 million-times greater than at sea-level on Earth, and from there the scientists slowly reduced the temperature and pressure.

When the pressure fell to only 11 million-times Earth sea level and temperatures dipped to 50,000 degress Celsius, solid chunks of diamond began to appear in the liquid.

As the pressure continued to drop more and more chunks formed in the liquid diamond, and did not sink.

With most materials the solid state is more dense than the liquid state - with water one of the few exceptions.

Dr Eggert went on: "Diamond is relatively common material on Earth, but its melting point has never been measured.

"You can't just raise the temperature and have it melt, you also have to go to very high pressures, which makes it very difficult to measure the temperatures."

The new article is published in the journal Nature Physics.

Source : Mina

So, guys get ready to start selling those diamonds from Neptune & Uranus on eBay. ;)

Colored Stone magazine, an industry trade publication focused on the colored gemstone industry, is folding, according to published reports and industry sources.

In a recent edition of The Roskin Gem News Report, a weekly e-newsletter sent out by gemologist and journalist Gary Roskin, Roskin reported that Colored Stone would "soon be no more."

The shutdown includes the print magazine, its Web site,Colored-Stone.com, and e-newsletters, according to Gem News.

National Jeweler heard similar reports over the weekend at the 24 Karat Club dinner.

A call placed Monday to Colored Stone editor-in-chief and veteran industry journalist David Federman went unreturned.

Colored Stone magazine is a bi-monthly publication that features information on new sources for colored gemstones, mining and processing, manufacturing, retail sales, consumer buying trends, marketing and promotion, gem cutting, jewelry design and technological developments that pertain to the trade.

Its bi-weekly newsletter, GemMail, had a mailing list that included thousands of readers, according to its Web site.

In addition, Colored Stone publishes three show issue guides: the Tucson Show Guide, Vegas Show Guide and Fall Show Guide.

The magazine also has an annual awards program called The Gemmys, recognizing excellence in colored gemstone jewelry design.

Zimbabwe's military still appears to control large swaths of a major diamond field, where soldiers are accused of forcing civilians to mine the gems, a rights group said on Friday.

Global Witness, a British-based group that monitors the exploitation of natural resources, welcomed Zimbabwe's decision to halt a diamond auction on Thursday, saying the sale would have violated international rules meant to stem the trade in "blood diamonds".

Elly Harrowell, a campaigner on conflict diamonds, said that Global Witness did not believe statements by Zimbabwe's mines minister Obert Mpofu who said that soldiers and police had withdrawn from the fields in November.

"We would not take as credible as the statement made by minister Mpofu," she told AFP.

"Our information shows that that is not true. What we think is likely that the military has withdrawn from two small areas," she said.

The eastern Marange diamond fields cover some 66 000 hectares, but the gems were only discovered there in 2006.

"Given its past history, it's very likely that the military is still there," Harrowell said. "It's very likely that they're still forcing local people into mining syndicates."

Global Witness had pushed for a ban on Zimbabwe's international sales over the abuses at Marange, after a Kimberley investigation documented "unacceptable and horrific violence against civilians by authorities", including forced labour, torture and beatings by soldiers against villagers.

Instead, Zimbabwe was given until June to comply with Kimberley's regulations.

The government says two South African firms now run Marange. The companies had tried to begin auctioning the diamonds on Thursday, until the government suspended the sale.

- SAPA

Source : news24.com

"They are more peace than just pretty," Adrienne Walker Hoard, fine artist and professor, said of the wearable pieces of art and peace she makes. Amulets for Transformation are necklaces, bracelets and occasional set of earrings Hoard makes with pure gemstones.

Typically, amulets are believed to be objects that promote a feeling, opportunities and more. The items are not thought to bring about the change by themselves but in conjunction with a spiritual belief about a higher being.

In their pure form, gemstones (amulets) supposedly invoke color Chakra balancing and promote the transformation or growth of the person wearing them and enhances the person's own unique energy signature.

The amulets are supposed to work with one's internal rhythmic patterns to release a specific energy the wearer is seeking. The wearers benefit from the amulets, in part, due to their connection and belief in a higher being.

Hoard found her inspiration in Revelations 21:19-22.

The verse reads: "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: Every several gate was of one pearl: And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."

The 12 stones Hoard uses stand for the 12 gates into heaven.

"Some people see the natural benefits of using the gemstones. Others see and connect with the spiritual connotation," she said. "The women in South Africa are praying as they are beading. They are praying for the soul of the person wearing the beads. They are my inspiration."

The colors of the amulets are said to specifically benefit certain systems and bolster certain energies, as they correlate to the color of the Chakra, a concept rooted in traditional Indian medicine dealing with internal sacred centers for greater awareness and well being.

The Crown Chakra is purple; Third Eye, indigo; Throat, blue/turquoise; the Heart, greens and pink; Solar Plexus, yellow and Tiger's Eye; Sacral, the sexual Chakra is represented with orange and the Root and belief we all stem from the Earth is red or black.

Those seeking certain healing or for enhancement of aspects of their lives are typically drawn to those amulets.

"I do not recommend certain things unless someone asks — you are drawn to what will fit your needs," Hoard said.

Those seeking needs and a deeper connection to the Earth are drawn to red amulets; those with wants they wish to have met or who are in need of pleasures are drawn to the oranges from the Sacral Chakra; those wanting to focus on themselves and self-esteem are drawn to yellows and Tiger Eye. Those wanting a love connection are drawn to green or pink amulets, and blues tend to appeal to those who use their voice frequently or are heavily involved in communications trades. Those wishing to strengthen their connection to the divine seek help from the Crown Chakra found in purples.

The amulets are all 100 percent pure form, Hoard only works with a handful of dealers around the world, to ensure she is getting high-quality stones.

"I have to be true to myself, and for my sense of integrity it has to all be complete gemstones," Hoard said, noting — she makes the pieces on her own or specifically for someone at their request. "I take this very literally — I choose the stones very much based off of my feelings or the feelings they wish to invoke."

She also says a blessing and Reiki prayers as she creates the items. Those who do gain benefit from the amulets are not asked to believe or practice a certain religion, as they are not a religious piece.

"It is all very much a spiritual connection," Hoard said.

Source : Jefferson City News Tribune

The Heart of the Ocean (Le Cœur de l'Océan) is the name of a fictional blue diamond featured prominently in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. It is based on the famous Hope Diamond (which never traveled on the Titanic). Many believe it was also inspired by a sapphire necklace owned by Titanic survivor, Kate Florence Phillips.

In the film, treasure hunter Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) searches for the necklace, which he believes to be within the wreck of the RMS Titanic. His hunch seems to be confirmed when his team salvages a drawing, dated the day the Titanic sank, in which a naked woman is portrayed wearing only the necklace. The necklace was fashioned from a large blue diamond worn by Louis XVI. (Ironically, this very diamond happens to be the Hope Diamond, which Lovett said is worth less then the Heart.) Shortly after his execution in 1793, the diamond disappeared and was recut into a heart like shape, known as "The Heart of the Ocean". The story of the heart of the ocean is very like the story of the Hope Diamond, except that the Hope Diamond was worn by Louis XIV in a royal necklace rather than a crown.

The woman in the picture, Rose DeWitt Bukater (now named Rose Calvert) (played by Gloria Stewart and Kate Winslet) contacts Lovett and is flown out to his recovery ship where she relates the story of her trip. She reveals that, although now known as Rose (Dawson) Calvert, she isSteve Calverts Grandma, believed to have perished. Dewitt Bukater's fiancé Caledon Hockley (Billy Zane) had bought the "Le Cœur de la Mer" necklace as a symbol of his love for her. Rose wore the necklace when Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) drew her nude, the very drawing that was later salvaged. When Rose and Jack return to her room after running around the ship fleeing Spicer Lovejoy, Cal's valet, he meets them outside the door and chastises them, taking hold of Jack's arm and stealthily dropping the necklace into Jack's coat undetected. As soon as they enter the room, they are confronted by Cal, who claims Jack has stolen the necklace. In a short search of Jack, the diamond is found in the coat he is wearing. Jack's pleas of innocence are thrown in doubt when it is discovered that he has "borrowed" the coat he is wearing to sneak into first class, and he is branded a thief.

Before the Titanic sinks, Cal puts his outer coat on Rose in a show of care for her, forgetting that the necklace was in its pocket. When theTitanic sinks, Rose is still wearing the coat. After being rescued from the water and traveling to New York City, Rose discovers the necklace in the coat.

At the end of the film, Rose walks alone to the stern of the salvage ship and opens her hands to reveal the necklace, which she has kept all of her life. She lets the necklace fall from her hand and into the water.

Many of the deleted scenes from the film displayed Lovett's obsessive curiosity as to the whereabouts of the diamond during the course of Rose's story. In the alternate ending, Lovett and Rose's granddaughter notice her walking along the deck, toward the stern of the ship. They notice her stepping on to the railing and quickly run to confront her. She shows them the diamond, dangling it over the rail threatening to drop it in order to keep them back. When questioned about having the diamond all this time, Rose admits that there were many times she thought of selling it, but refrained from doing so in order to live on her own without Cal's money. She allows Lovett to hold it in the palm of his hand, something he wanted to do since he first began the search for the gem, before flinging it overboard.

Historically, there was a blue sapphire pendant on the ship. It was given to Titanic passenger Kate Florence Phillips by her married lover, Samuel Morley, as the pair fled to America to make a new life for themselves. Morley perished in the sinking, and it is believed that this tragic love story was the inspiration for James Cameron's film. The necklace has recently been featured in many Titanic exhibits.

The idea of a blue diamond is also in the 1943 film version of "Titanic," where a blue diamond plays an important role in a love affair as well. In the film the diamond was stolen, and creates a dramatic break in a romantic relationship.

London based jewelers Asprey & Garrard created the necklace used during the filming with a blue cubic zirconium set in white gold. The cost of the necklace was approximately $10,000. Today it resides in Twentieth Century Fox's archives.

§ The diamond is mentioned in the dialogue of and appears in the music video of Britney Spears's song "Oops!... I Did It Again", as a gift from the astronaut to the Martian princess.

§ In "The Suite Life on Deck", one episode focused entirely on a Titanic parody - "The Kidney of the Sea".

§ In the American Dad! episode 'The Magnificent Steven', at one point Roger is 'drawing you nude wearing the Heart of the Ocean' (referring to Hayley)

Asprey & Garrard was commissioned during the release in 1997 to make a real "Heart of the Ocean" necklace using the original design. The result was a platinum-set, 170 carat heart-shaped Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a row of 65 round diamonds, totaling 36 carats. The necklace was valued at $3.5 million. It was sold at a benefit auction for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and Southern California's Aid for AIDS for $2.2 million, with the condition that Celine Dion would wear it to the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony. She sang the film's theme song "My Heart Will Go On." The necklace now belongs to the daughter of a wealthy Asprey client.

During the same period, jeweler Harry Winston used a 15 carat blue diamond in his interpretation of the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace. This $20 million necklace was worn by Gloria Stuart to the 1998 Academy Awards.

Less expensive reproductions have also been available since the release of the film. Nouveau Treasures makes reproductions consisting of 1 1/2" or 1" heart-cut blue cubic zirconia. Price Range $249–299.

The J Peterman Company made reproductions in 1997 when the film was released. Their necklace consisted of 137 Austrian crystals and a detachable, inauthentic "blue diamond" pendant packaged in a navy blue, hinged presentation box. Although no longer available at retail, this necklace can often be found on Ebay.

Thanks : wikipedia

eThaiJewels.com is a Bangkok, Thailand based online Jewelry store.

They are famous for offering quality jewelries for very reasonable price.

Here is a 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry with a olive green color CZ stone mounted on it. This fabulous jewelry costs only $4.99 per piece.

Nice offer, isntit?!

There was a period when Indian diamonds were very famous the world over. These included the Koh-i-noor, Orlov, the Great Moghul, Darya-i-noor, Indore pears, Shah and Arcots. These were all part of the treasure houses of the great emperors of India. Today, they are all in the hands of outsiders.

The legendary Koh-i-noor has been in the eye of the storm ever since it left the hands of its original owners - a diamond which was never bought or sold, but changed many hands. Koh-i-noor has left a trail that speaks of greed, power, murder, mayhem and unhappiness.

According to all references, Koh-i-noor was never that great to look at in its early days. It was just another diamond that was dull, non-sparkling and a little yellow in appearance.

Many legends say that the Koh-i-noor was mined in India, and at least 4,000 years old. It received a mention in the 1300s, when it was named in the Baburnama. One account states that Babur got his hands on the diamond in Gujarat; another says he got it in the Deccan. But when Babur came to Agra in May 1526, the ruler Vikramaditya most likely gave him the great diamond. There is also evidence that his son Humayun carried a large diamond that his father had handed back to him at Agra and was known as Babur’s diamond for the next 200 years.

There are still so many unresolved questions surrounding the precious stone. Many believe that the Koh-i-noor was also the Great Mogul and that Babur's diamond was separate; others say the Koh-i-noor and Babur’s diamond were one and same, while the rest identified it with both Babur's diamond and the Great Mogul. Information gathered over the years shows that in fact, three diamonds existed: - the Great Mogul – was the Orlov, weighing 189.62 metric carats, in Kremlin; and Babur's diamond – was the Darya-i-noor, weight 175 gm and 195 metric carats, the Iranian Crown Jewels; and the Koh-i-noor re-cut, Crown Jewels, England.

When the peacock throne was handed over to Nadir Shah, the hiding place of this diamond was given away. A member of Mohammad Shah’s harem gave away the hiding place of Koh-i-noor. It is said that the Shah kept it hidden in his turban. So, Nadir Shah devised a plan - he ordered a grand feast to coincide with the restoration of Mohammed Shah to his throne. During the feast Nadir Shah suddenly proposed an exchange of turbans, a sign of brotherly ties and eternal friendship. Mohammed Shah was hardly likely to resist. After the exchange, Nadir Shah entered his private apartment only at night, where he unfolded the turban and found the diamond concealed within. When he set his eyes on it, he exclaimed "Koh-i-noor", meaning "Mountain of Light".

The next sixty years of its history are the most violent and bloodstained. The final owner was Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in the backdrop of the two Sikh Wars leading to the annexation of the Punjab by the British. The hoisting of British flag was on March 29th, 1849 Lahore where Punjab was formally proclaimed a part of the British Empire in India. One of the terms of the Treaty of Lahore was:- "The gem called the Koh-i-noor which was taken from Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk by Maharajah Ranjit Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharajah of Lahore to the Queen of England."

Dr Sir John Login was entrusted with two charges: to take the Koh-i-noor out of the Toshakhana (the jewel house), and also the guardsmanship of the young Duleep Singh. It was formally handed over to the Punjab government of Sir Henry Lawrence (1806-1857), his younger brother John Lawrence (afterwards Lord Lawrence, the man who in February of 1859 would break ground on the future Lahore railroad station), and C.C. Mausel.

The Koh-i-noor sailed from Bombay in H.M.S. Medea. It was put in an iron box and kept in a dispatch box and deposited in the Government Treasury. For security reasons, this piece of news was suppressed, even among officers of the Treasury - and withheld from Commander Lockyer, the ship's captain. HMS Medea's voyage turned out to be a perilous one - cholera broke out on board in Mauritius and the local people demanded its departure. They asked their governor to open fire and destroy the vessel if it did not respond. After leaving Mauritius, a severe gale hit the vessel that lasted for about twelve hours. They reached Plymouth, England, where the passengers and the mail were unloaded, but not the Koh-i-noor, which was forwarded to Portsmouth.

From there, the two officers took the diamond to the East India House, handing it over to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the company.

The stone
Prince Albert (Prince Consort) and Sebastian Garrard stated that the Koh-i-noor was badly cut, it is rose-not-brilliant-cut. It was decided to seek the advice of practical and experienced diamond cutters. A small steam engine was set up at Garrard's shop, while two gentlemen, Messrs Coster, Mr. Voorzanger and Mr. Fedder, travelled to London to undertake the re-cutting of the diamond. The Koh-i-noor was embedded in lead, two weeks later, after examining the stone. Mitchell thought that it had lost nearly all its yellow colour and become much whiter. The re-cutting took 38 days and cost £8000 ($40,000). The final result was an oval brilliant diamond weighing 108.93 metric carats, which meant a loss of weight of just under 43 per cent. Its was now in stellar brilliant-cut, possessing the regular 33 facets, including the table, while the pavilion has eight more facets than the regular 25 bringing the total number of facets to 66.

In 1853, it was mounted on a magnificent tiara for the Queen, which contained more than two thousand diamonds. Five years later, Queen Victoria ordered a new regal circlet for the diamond. In 1911, Garrards made a new crown that Queen Mary wore for the coronation - it contained diamonds, among them the Koh-i-noor. In 1937, this was transferred to the crown made for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, based on Queen Victoria's regal circlet and is set in a Maltese Cross at the front of the crown.

The controversy
The 20th century saw a war of words over Koh-i-noor and its rightful ownership. In 1947, the government of India asked for the return of the diamond. Also, the Congress Ministry which ruled Orissa staked claim to the stone, saying it belonged to the Lord Jagannath. Ranjit Singh's treasurer mentioned that it was the property of their estate. Pakistan's claim to the diamond was disputed by India. Shortly thereafter, a major newspaper in Teheran stated that the gem should to be returned to Iran.

Sir Olaf has pointed out that the Koh-i-noor had been in Mogul possession in Delhi for 213 years, in Afghan possession in Kandahar and Kabul for 66 years and in British possession for 127 years. Historically, it maybe difficult to pass judgement on the validity of the various claims, but on the other hand, from a gemological aspect, as a paper report said, the Indian claim is the most valid because it was in that country that it was mined.

The legend
Legend goes that Sun God gave this gem to his disciple Satrajit, but his younger brother Persain snatched it from him. A lion in the forest killed Persain and Jamavant took this gem from the body of Persain and delivered it to Lord Krishna, who restored it to Satrajit. Later, this jewel again came back into the hands of Lord Krishna as dowry when Satrajit gave the hand of his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to him. Lord Krishna gave it back to the Sun God .The Koh-i-noor came into the hands of numerous rulers till it was possessed by Porus, the king of Punjab, who retained the diamond after a peace treaty in 325 BC when Alexander left India.

Chandragupta Maurya (325-297 B.C.) became the next possessor and passed it on to his grandson Ashoka who ruled from 273-233 B.C. Later it slipped into the hands of Raja Samprati of Ujjain (Ashoka’s grandson). This jewel remained in the custody of Ujjain and the Parmar dynasty of Malwa. When Ala-ud-din Khilji (1296-1316A.D.) defeated Rai Ladhar Deo, the ruler of Malwa in 1306 AD, he acquired the diamond. From this stage up to the time of Mughal Emperor Babur, the history of this precious stone is lost once more. Koh-i-noor comes to light again in year 1526.

Humayun is said to have given the stone to the Shah of Persia for giving him refuge after he lost to Sher Shah. From 1544 to 1547, the Koh-i-noor remained in the possession of Shah Tehmasp of Iran. The Shah sent the Koh-i-noor along with other precious gifts to Burhan Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar (Deccan) for the rulers of the Deccan - Ahmednagar, Golkunda and Bijapur regarded the King of Persia as their religious head. This stone remained in the possession of the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmednagar and the Qutb Shah dynasty of Golkunda in the Deccan for a period of 109 years. How it came back to the Mughals is another gap in history.

After Aurangzeb, this diamond remained consigned into the coffers of the Mughal treasury from 1707 to 1739 A.D. Muhammad Shah Rangila (1719-1748) used to carry this wonder diamond with him in his turban. Nadir Shah got hold of Koh-i-noor when he ransacked Delhi in the 1700s and it went to his successors, landing in the hands of the Afghan ruler Shah Shuja who handed it to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1813.

The Koh-i-Noor left the shores of India on April 6, 1850, and on reaching London on July 2, 1850, it was handed over to the Board of Directors of the East India Company. Sir J.W. Logg, the Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, presented it to Queen Victoria. The queen recorded in her journal: "The jewels are truly magnificent. They had also belonged to Ranjit Singh and had been found in the treasury of Lahore.... I am very happy that the British Crown will possess these jewels for I shall certainly make them Crown Jewels".

Many still await the many treasures which were “stolen” by the British Raj, and no one knows how long the wait will be. But today, if you happen to visit London, please make a stopover at Tower of London and look at the Crown Jewels for the Queen and the Koh-i-noor placed in her crown up front inside a Maltese cross.

Thanks : HARPREET KAUR

According to Diamond World, the Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is gearing up for the 3rd edition of its annual event; the IIJS Signature, planned to take place from February 19-22, in Goa, India.

The IIJS Signature serves as a showcase for India’s gem and jewelry industry, offering the county’s finest selection in design, craftsmanship and quality.This year’s event will include a separate section for loose diamonds, colored gemstones and diamonds certified by the world’s leading gemological labs. A new feature in this year’s show will be the ‘Meet Your Match Online-Buyer-Seller’ interface and the ‘Your pick of recession-proof jewelry and loose stones from the most competitive center.”

“IIJS Signature promises to highlight India’s capabilities to manufacture jewelry in terms of design, craftsmanship and quality at a par with international centers in the world,” said Mr. Vasant Mehta, Chairman, GJEPC.

In addition, the GJEPC stated that it is planning additional road shows, globally.