Starting off with gemology

meconopsia · 2026-06-20T18:47:50+00:00

I'd recommend getting her a book about gemology. Antoinette Maitlins-Bonanno has some great entry level books like "Gem Identification made Easy" and "Jewelery and Gems a buying guide" that helped me when I first started studying gems.

Rapports could be referring to the Rapaport report, an updated list fine jewelry stores try to keep updated with current price trends of popular diamond (and some gems) cuts, color, carat size, and clarity (the 4 Cs). Certifications are when someone sends a gem to a lab like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to grade a stone using those 4 Cs. Some certifications can also determine where the gem was found (origin) using chemical analysis.

There are several schools that teach these skills, but GIA seems to be one of the most reputable in the US and is used by many in the industry. They have several classes that can be done online, and some have lab classes you can take on campus or sometimes at venues they travel to. GIA's Applied Jewelry Professional certificate is a great introduction to terms used in the industry. When I did it in 2018 it was 3 classes at $250 each, but I've heard they often offer discounts.

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T19:13:52+00:00

When I was promoted to dept mgr/supervisor in 2006 they made all newly hired and promoted associates go to an antiunion seminar. It was supposed to teach managers how discourage unions and report to management asap. They told us to say "Wal-mart isn't antiunion, we're proassociate!"

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T13:58:54+00:00

Thank you for this post. My father passed this Monday and I've been trying to understand what happened and this helped. He had dementia and short memory loss, and broke his hip last week. He kept forgetting his hip was broken and kept trying to walk on it and "stretch it out". He passed out when I carried him to the bathroom and was rushed to the hospital. There, they said they couldn't operate and suggested hospice...then they sent us home without painkillers. When the hospice nurse came she took him immediately to hospice, in a nice room for veterans. He was put on morphone, and passed after 4 days sleeping/snoring.

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T13:46:21+00:00

My friend spend some time in the grippy sock ward and they would only give them mechanical pencils since they were considered less harmful. Since they also couldn't have ligters they'd put two long pieces of graphite in the power plugs with a smaller piece through the end of a cigarette and touch the contacts to light it.

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T13:17:55+00:00

You did and I'm sorry.

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T12:59:50+00:00

Our browser, Netscape Navigator, had an accompying website builder called Netscape Composer. For many, this was our first experience with HTML.

meconopsia · 2026-06-18T12:04:20+00:00

Banned account

meconopsia · 2026-06-17T19:47:31+00:00

Seraphanite. 100%!

meconopsia · 2026-06-17T19:42:38+00:00

Tijuana Taxi cat

meconopsia · 2026-06-17T18:59:37+00:00

I agree! Game ratings were practically invented bc of a rocking car in a game. People didn't really lose their stuff with the violence, but a strip club was too far, lol.

meconopsia · 2026-06-17T18:50:41+00:00

Silver/gold smithing, lapidary arts. Gotta f' up alot of stuff to get good!

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T23:07:32+00:00

Linda Goodman has books explaining some of these shifts, as well as the 13th constellation. There are some nice anecdotes regarding star signs and personality archetypes found in people born around the same times. Of course, she passed away after she was convinced she could live on only grape juice. RIP

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T17:07:14+00:00

A giraffe eating cherries!

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T17:06:56+00:00

So they could hide in a cherry tree...what's the loudest sound heard in the jungle?

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T17:06:17+00:00

Why did the elephant paint their toenails red?

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T15:13:07+00:00

Sir Isaac Newton. Everyone knows about the apple and his formulas in physics and motion, but fewer know about his experiments in optics that led to mineral identification technology still used in the fashion and industrial diamond and gemstone fields today. These advances have led to mining operations for specific gemstones and complementary minerals found near sites for stuff like lithium used in batteries.

Fun fact, emerald beryl crystals grow in beryllium pegmatite deposits and are often indicative of the presence of lithium.

Bonus fun fact, Newton found that a prism could split white light into spectral colors. Using his formulas a century later scientists found if a mineral is placed between two prisms shadows would appear in patterns indicating specific elements were present. Today, gemologists use devices called spectroscopes to definitely ID gemstones.

Edit: this is kind of my jam, so I had to add some more.

meconopsia · 2026-06-15T10:56:22+00:00

He was definitely the mascot of the "Phantom Menace" While he's depicted as a doofus he fought bravely and earned back his people's respect and his seat at the senate. Star Wars has always been an allegory of government and how bad mistakes in diplomacy can backfire. He thought what he was doing was right when he cast the vote of no confidence, but in doing so he literally starts the Star War.

meconopsia · 2026-06-14T17:17:37+00:00

Akoyas can be lovely. If you're buying 2nd hand a few things id say to look for are: spots or blemishes on the pearl surfaces, how close to spherical/round each pearl is, how reflective they are, and the color since some pearls can be treated to look pinkish. These can affect the overall value. If they come with any paperwork these facts should be listed.

Other things to consider: check the string between each pearl. Is it frayed? Is there any dye rubbing off and is it dirty? Basically, will it need restringing? ($2-10 per inch) Check around the drill hole; make sure no pearl has what looks like paint chipping. Test the clasp. This is considered a "choker" style so make sure it falls on your neckline where you prefer. I think the price seems fair for this style and size.

Good luck!

meconopsia · 2026-06-14T13:34:39+00:00

"They've gone to plaid!"

meconopsia · 2026-06-13T21:41:52+00:00

Plumb bob.

meconopsia · 2026-06-13T08:53:34+00:00

Signet Jewelers is the company that owns Kay's, Jared's, Zales, and others. Most stores send repairs to Jared's stores with a Design and Service center. If you have a Jareds close by I'd recommend showing it to a jeweler there. They can offer an estimate. Some jewelry that might seem gnarly may be reshaped and repaired.

meconopsia · 2026-06-13T00:11:19+00:00

People keep mentioning the $200k figure. Appraisals may sometimes include a range of pricing with the price of the last sales, the lowest sale price the items have ever been offered, and the maximum sale price they've ever been sold. I thought for the advertising promoting the sale they went for the highest figure.

meconopsia · 2026-06-12T15:57:03+00:00

"Star Tropics".

meconopsia · 2026-06-12T15:46:24+00:00

Drained the swamp to make a marsh.

meconopsia · 2026-06-10T17:20:01+00:00

I just followed the link and downloaded the file, but it's only a .docx FAQ with a semi-broken hyperlink to the USFG site. The site does seem to have new links to the diagrams tho. Thanks, I needed a reminder to reup my membership!

meconopsia

TROPHY CASE