Romancing The Stone

By Victor Epand

The age old adage that Diamonds are a girl's best friend holds true even today and there is hardly anyone who does not want to bring home those beautiful sparkling stones. Since ancient times, men have been wooing the love of their life with exquisite diamond rings and the tradition is on even today.

The mystery and magic of diamonds remains untouched as women across the world die to own the majestic diamonds in the form of wedding rings at least if not bracelets, and necklaces. This undying fascination for diamonds is evident from the number of branded companies that produce the finest diamond jewelry in the world. Diamond pendants are also in vogue and along with tiny studs they make the perfect accessories for working women.

Also popular are the pristine emeralds, royal sapphires, and the fiery rubies that are all very expensive and truly classic. From ancient times and even today, gemstones are popular for their innate magical powers. Thus, emeralds are known to improve eyesight, yellow stones for treating jaundice, and red stones enhance the blood flow.

In the past, these gemstones were also associated with particular qualities and had a different meaning for men and women. A ruby indicated command, nobility, vengeance, and lordship when worn by a man, while it suggested pride, obstinacy, and haughtiness when worn by a woman.

The blue sapphire was synonymous with wisdom and noble thoughts when worn by men, on the other hand it signified vigilance, jealousy in love, and politeness when used by women. Likewise, the emerald also has entirely different connotations for men and women and for a man it signifies hope, joy, while for women it indicates change, and ambition.

Organic gems like pearls, amber, and coral are also very popular and exude sheer elegance and style. Pearls are relatively less expensive as compared to precious stones. However, natural pearls can cost a fortune as they are very rare.

Gemstone jewelry comes in different styles and prices and it is not very difficult to find one that fits in your budget. Birthstones are the new fashion mantra, as teenagers find them very trendy. Some of the opaque gemstones including lapis lazuli, turquoise, and malachite are also gaining popularity and making unique style statements.

Although all gemstones are as hard as a rock, they require special care so that their radiance remains intact for years. Being hard does not mean that they are invulnerable to damage, as gemstones having inclusions have a weak crystal structure. Make sure that you store the gemstone jewelry items in different pouches so that softer stones do not get scratched by the harder gemstones.

Also, you need to clean rings and pendants, as soap and dust gets accumulated behind the gem. A touch of gentle dish soap can do wonders for your gemstone jewelry pieces. Pearls, coral, and amber should be kept away from chemicals in hairspray, perfumes and cosmetics that can spoil their surface.

Opaque gemstones like turquoise can be wiped clean using a moist cloth and must be kept away from ammonia, ultrasonic cleaner, or other cleansing solutions. You may use ammonia to add extra sparkle to your diamond, sapphire, or ruby jewelry. However, ammonia solution must not be used if the jewelry is made of silver. A little care can go a long way in adding life, and luster to your priceless gemstones cherished for generations.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about jewelry and diamonds. When looking for jewelry, we recommend you shop only at the best online jewelry stores for diamond gems, loose diamonds, diamond rings, fashion jewelry, fashion earrings, fashion pendants, engagement rings, wedding rings, and wedding bands.

Investing in Stone

By Lee Cameron

If you are considering a renovation anywhere in your home, but especially in the bathroom or kitchen, consider stone. Stone tiles and granite counter tops are very much in style right now, and for good reason—they are long-lasting, need little maintenance and are gorgeous. Not only that, they are synonymous with quality, adding flair to your home and increasing its resale
value.

Let's take a look at tile flooring. One of the main benefits here is the huge selection. Of course, this can also be a challenge, but with a mind for your budget and needs, it shouldn't be hard to find the tile flooring that's right for you. Tile is usually available in stone, ceramic, terra cotta, glass or metal. Tile can be bold or subtle. It can be the same, consistent experience all through the room, or even house, or it can be patterned with contrasting colors or even incorporate printed tiles. No matter what your aesthetic style, there is a type of tile to suite your needs.

If your needs are casual elegance and high performance, consider terra cotta tiles. Their mottled appearance can disguise spills and dirt, and this comes in handy if you have kids, pets, or just don't have time to clean every day. The downside to them is they have a porous surface, so can gradually stain if they aren't treated with a quality sealant. For this reason, they may not be ideal for kitchens, unless they are well sealed. Glazed ceramic tile might be a good choice if you anticipate messes. Their glazed surface makes them easy to clean and they won't stain. Plus, they are affordable and easy to install.

Marble is popular for a formal look, as is limestone. There is so much diversity in color and texture, half the fun will be in deciding what look you want to achieve with this surface.

Metal can be expensive and delicate (stains, especially with acidic things) but it sure makes gorgeous kitchen back splashes. Again, a quality sealant will prevent staining if that shiny look of metal is what you are after. For a little something extra, add some embossed tiles for accents or borders.

If you are installing flooring, pay attention to color. White tile floors will show every footprint. A more earthy tone, however, will radiate warmth and look good, even after your guests have walked all over it.

Granite counter-tops are easy to clean, but if you want it to stay stain-free it's a good idea to purchase sealed granite, or seal it yourself with a high-quality and durable sealant. After that, it's up to you how you clean it. Many granite counter-top owners recommend specialized granite cleaning products, but just as many say simple soap and water works great. Almost unanimously, however, they recommend a microfiber cloth for wiping up after washing. These assure a streak-free shine. No need to buy fancy cloths marketed just for granite. Check out the car-detailing section of your local hardware store for inexpensive microfiber cloths.

Other than regular cleaning, your granite counter top will last a lifetime, and only needs to have its sealant re-applied every couple of years.

With granite counters and tile flooring, you are assured long-term value for your home. Stone and ceramic details add elegance to any home, and that's good news for sellers and buyers alike.
Lee Cameron is a professional REALTOR® serving the Orlando real estate market. Lee has consistently proven his talent and knowledge in the real estate business and is known to his flair the business and the care with which he treats his clients. For more info on homes & properties in Orlando contact Lee today.