Diamond vs Moissanite

Diamonds are one of the most beautiful, and most expensive, jewels available today. They are also extremely popular. Diamonds are an important symbol of engagement in many parts of the world, and they also appear in everything form simple earrings to the tiaras and crowns worn by royalty!

Because they are so popular and expensive, diamonds have been a favorite area for imitation over the years. Rhinestones, Cubic Zirconia and Zircon are all attempts to replicate the beauty of diamonds at a lower cost. None of these are particulary good imitations -- they lack the luster and brilliance of the real thing

Technology's latest attempt to replicate the diamond is a jewel called Moissanite. Moissanite rivals diamonds, ruby, emeralds, and other fine gemstones in their brilliance, fire, luster, and incredible hardness. Moissanite gemstones are such a close match to diamonds that even skilled jewelers cannot tell the two apart.

One of the first steps to "real" Diamond Education is to understand how to recognize stones that are "not" Diamonds yet appear similar. There are some that are easy to detect, and a few using newer technology that can be more difficult to determine. Education is the key to protecting yourself from purchasing a misrepresented Diamond or gemstone.

Here are some other common simulated diamonds.

• Rhinestones: The most basic of Diamond duplicates. Made from glass "Silica - Silicon dioxide" (or plastic) with a golden foil reflective coating on the backs (these are easily identified by the "golden foil" coating, covering the back of each stone) they are very inexpensive and they sparkle!, Great for adorning clothing and costumes by the hundreds.
  
• CZ's or Cubic Zirconia (ZrO2): The most widely used diamond substitute with many shapes and colors to choose from. They are very pretty, have no imperfections and are easy to spot because their appearance is "too perfect". A Cubic Zirconium is not as hard as a diamond (7.5 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale vs. 10 for a diamond) and will show wear on the facet edges with routine wear. CZ is about 75% heavier than diamond.
  
• Zircon or Zirconium Silicate (ZrSiO4): Zircon is NOT the same material as the artificial gem material Cubic Zirconia (or CZ). Zircon has been used as a diamond simulant both for innocent and nefarious reasons. Zircon resembles diamond in luster and fire and colorless zircons have occasionally been mistaken for diamonds by experienced jewelers. It is found in browns and greens but can be heat treated to beautiful blue and golden colors. Colorless material is produced in this way as well. As a mineral specimen, zircon is uncommon in most rock shops because attractive specimens are rare. Besides blue, zircon can be colorless, red, green, yellow, orange, green or brown. Green zircons often have a natural radioactive component and should not be worn every day. Zircon of any color is desirable because it's usually found in relatively clean crystals and in large sizes. Zircons well over 5 carats are common. Zircon is not as hard as diamonds and measures only a 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
  
• White Sapphires (Aluminum Oxide): White Sapphires are an excellent diamond substitute as it is brilliant and very hard (9.0 on the Mohs scale). Many larger white sapphires are illegally diffused with a blue coating and sold as blue sapphire. Large white sapphires are rare. White sapphire is always heat treated to produce, intensify or lighten color and/or improve color uniformity and appearance.

Fifty thousand years ago, long after this creature had vanished, a meteorite crashed into the Arizona desert creating what is now known as "Meteor Crater." Fragments of this meteorite were scattered across the desert. Hidden in these fragments was a brilliant secret waiting to be discovered. In 1893, Nobel-Prize winning scientist Henri Moissan began studying fragments of this meteorite in nearby Diablo Canyon. In these fragments Dr. Moissan discovered minute quantities of a shimmering new mineral, with fire and brilliance never before seen on earth. After extensive research, Dr. Moissan concluded that this mineral was made of silicon carbide.

In 1905, this mineral was named Moissanite, in his honor. Despite this amazing discovery, since naturally occurring quantities of moissanite are so small, it would be another century before this stunning mineral would emerge as the brilliant jewel it is today.

In the late 1980's, inspired by Dr. Moissan's discovery, a North Carolina company named CREE developed a proprietary process for producing large single crystals of Moissanite.

In the summer of 1995, a master diamond cutter observed samples of Moissanite and suggested that properly cut crystals would make a brilliant new jewel. Within days, scientists from CREE and Charles & Colvard began a three-year research project to bring the fire and brilliance of Moissanite jewels to consumers.

Moissanite was introduced in the summer of 1998.

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Laptop in Hotels

What's the most significant factor to impact the selection of hotel seating in recent years? Laptop computers. As they've become smaller, lighter and faster, laptops have earned a place as an almost mandatory accessory for business travelers intent on setting up an office-to-go and a convenience for leisure travelers who want to connect with folks back home via e-mail.

The impact of laptop-toting travelers stretches from the guest-room to the lobby to the conference room. And it's not just affecting desk chairs. Laptops are changing the way planners and designers look at everything, from guestroom recliners to lobby sofas.

"The most significant trend we're seeing is the specification of an ergonomic task chair where we used to see a more decorative side chair in years past," said Jenny Ray McCloskey, director of design for HVSCompass Interior Design.

But not everyone who travels with a laptop computer chooses to set up shop on the guestroom desk. Some prefer to stretch out and relax while working.

When you look at specifying a lounge chair, it needs to be durable, but it also needs to be comfortable for hotel seating. It's more than a place for someone to kick back and relax. You even sit in a lounge chair to work while I watch a little TV.

The impact of laptop computers has led to a design revolution of sorts, where designers are paying particular attention to guestroom work space.

One latest trends that is affecting guestrooms is the addition of high-speed Internet for the business traveler. To provide this amenity, designer have researched the appropriate ergonomic chair, increased the size of the desk and have specified the correct lamp for appropriate size and function. This has also required review of the space planning for correct location and function for all these elements.

The preponderance of laptop computers affects seating groupings, too. Scott Wiseman, vice president for Accor North America, said lobby seating configurations in Accor's Sofitel properties are designed to offer options that appeal to single travelers, business groups, leisure guests and any combination of those. There's also a growing trend toward including a set-up--desk and chair and/or height-appropriate coffee table--for laptop users.

"That's even more important now with Wi-Fi," Wiseman said. "People are working all the time in our lobbies."

In style

Another trend? Style. Angela Denney, design director/hospitality and restaurant studio for FRCH Design Worldwide, said hotel seating is leaning toward a sleeker, cleaner look--sort of what was popular in the '60s with a twist.

"What was once retro is starting to come back," Denney said. "Think Palm Springs and Frank Sinatra. The essence of the time is there, but it's refined."

The enthusiasm with which any given brand embraces a trend depends on a number of factors. That's one reason why it's important for hotel operators, owners and developers to include designers in the decision-making process at the start of the project, according to Denney.

"Usually, they'll have specifications in mind," Denney said. "Whether it's new construction or a renovation, that determines the way to go. We work with them on concept development, talk about their budget and help them set goals for individual areas."

Denney said in addition to style trends, factors that come into play include the image of the property, its location and regional influences, guest profile and even the personal likes and dislikes of the property owner.

Make it last

Once style direction is determined, the next step is selecting fabric that will stand up to the test of time. Technology, in the form of manufacturing techniques and treatment options, has increased the range of options. Denny said it's possible to specify fabric that will last for five to seven years, even in high-traffic areas.

What's another trick to enhance longevity? Specify that chair cushions be upholstered on both sides. When routine wear and tear takes its toll on one side, housekeeping can simply flip the cushion. That option might be particularly appealing to hoteliers who manage properties frequented by families.

From. Articlecity

Laptop Vs Desktop

Nowadays everyone needs a computer, especially if you’re a student. Academic life can be hell without a computer. Gone are the days when you could hand in handwritten papers. Also, in this fast-paced world typewriters are too slow and cumbersome. So, be it for writing essays, crunching mathematical calculations, researching the Web, or collaborating with fellow students via instant messaging and e-mail, no one can efficiently manage student life without a handy computer. So, if you’re one of those students wondering what sort of a computer to invest in, then you should seriously consider getting a laptop instead of a desktop.

There are many reasons why laptops are better than desktops. Laptops are now accessible with improved upgrade-ability, dazzling large LCD screens, powerful processors and multi-media features as advanced as those on any desktop. And laptops have the added advantage of mobility as well as the fact that they require less space. In fact that is their strong point. Laptops provide you advantages and privileges in learning and obtaining information everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are, with a laptop the world of information is at your fingertips. You can take them with you to make power point presentations at seminars. This is not possible with a desktop. Just imagine lugging your desktop all the way to a seminar!

With a laptop you can work anywhere, not just in your room. So, if you suddenly feel like it, you can decide to get some work done at the park or while you’re in a train, car or airplane. Also laptops are a valuable investment because they’ll be a great help not only during your academic years but also later on when you start working. For example, in a situation where you’ve to take your office or vital data along with you on your business or personal trip, a desktop is useless. On the other hand, with a laptop you’ve no problems. A laptop is lightweight and easily fitted into the overhead storage bin of an airplane. That brings us to its next advantage, size.

Laptops come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs and purposes. However, depending on the size, the price of the laptop tends to vary. Also, many laptops come with impressive technical specifications that are better than most ordinary desktops. With hard drives of up to 100GB or more, with RAM up to 2MB or more supported by Intel Pentium 4, most notebooks are able to handle almost all computing applications and functions with ease. Also, the laptop can be used as a convenient backup for your vital files and programs. It’s a cheaper and safer way of protecting all your sensitive data.

So, laptops are the smarter option, not only if you travel a lot and you need the computer to be accessible to you at all times. However, it has its disadvantages as well. For example, laptops are very delicate and need regular care. Also, they’re not as durable as desktops that are made of stronger stuff. So, a desktop has the advantage over the laptop when it comes to pricing, durability, and ease of maintenance. However, nowadays, laptops are becoming cheaper by the minute. And as more and more notebooks are being sold, the price will drop even more. Even if the price is currently a little higher than a desktop, the gap is closing really quickly. When compared to all the other advantages that a laptop has over a desktop, I don’t think that it’s that difficult a choice to make.

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