Formed billions of years ago from the pits of the earth, so few diamonds have survived to reach the surface, and not all of them have the quality to pass the diamond market standard. Diamonds are not only valued for their sparkle and clarity. They are also durable – in fact, the hardest matter known to man – and because they are invulnerable to deterioration, they can last a long time, making an ideal material for heirlooms. Their clarity is also among the qualities that make this stone so precious.
When a diamond is given as a gift, it means that the recipient means a lot to the giver. If you are planning on buying a diamond engagement ring for your partner, you should at least have a basic understanding of how precious stones are graded. The 4 Cs, which are, Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat are universally used to grade diamonds, and with that in mind, here are a few tips when looking for clarity in a diamond.
Clarity A flawless diamond has no inclusions, whereas a diamond that has inclusions will appear slightly duller, and the clarity does affect the shine of the stone. If you are looking for that perfect ring, The Diamond Jewellery Studio has a selection of pink diamond engagement rings, along with an extensive catalogue of stunning diamond rings to suit every budget. Of course, you will need to know her taste in jewellery, as well as her ring size, but once you have those, online browsing will give you a virtually limitless number of quality diamond rings to view.
Two Types of Flaws There are two types of imperfections with diamonds, namely: blemishes, which affect the diamond’s surface, such as cracks or chips, while the other imperfection is called an inclusion, and is an internal flaw. Both of these flaws have a direct impact on a stone’s value, yet slight flaws are not really visible to the naked eye, and for many people, that is the preferred type of stone, due to the lower cost.
Flawed Diamonds That Can’t Be Seen With The Naked EyeImage Source: Pixabay
If you placed a flawless diamond next to one with inclusions, you would not be able to tell the difference simply by looking at them, so rather than spending a lot of money on a flawless stone, consider one with a few inclusions, which will cost much less and still have that sparkle that diamonds are known for. You can find informative articles online if you want to know about the clarity grading system, which every potential buyer should read.
Diamond Clarity Chart At the top end of the scale, a flawless diamond is graded as FL, while at the other end of the scale, a badly blemished stone is classed as I3. Diamonds that are graded as VS2 have inclusions or blemishes that are not visible to the naked eye, and are a popular choice for diamond engagement rings. If you are soon to pop the question to your partner, search online for an established jeweller, who would have an extensive catalogue of top-quality diamond engagement rings to suit every budget.
How Is Clarity Grading Carried Out?Image Source: Pixabay
A qualified gemologist examines the diamond using a 10x powered microscope, and grades the stone according to his findings. The gradings are as follows:
* FL – No inclusions or blemishes * IF – No Internal flaws, with minute surface blemishes * VVS1 & VVS2 – Very, very slight inclusions * VS1 & VS2 – Very slight inclusions * SI1 & SI2 – Slight inclusions and blemishes that are visible to the naked eye * I1 & 12 – Obvious inclusions that are noticeable to the naked eye
Once you have familiarised yourself with the 4Cs of diamond grading, you can begin to browse online jewellers in search of the perfect engagement ring with some confidence.
The Saint Louis Blues are the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions!!
For most people, that means nothing. You may be thinking, who are the Blues?!? What is the Stanley Cup?!? But if you are a Blues fan, winning the Cup means everything. For the first time in its 52 year history, the Blues won the National Hockey League championship. Hockey may not be America’s pastime or its favorite sport, but you would never know that if you lived in or around Saint Louis. Saint Louis is often described as CardinalNation, but right now, you would have to say that the Cardinals are taking the backseat to the Blues.
photo from St. Louis Blues Facebook page
I will admit, I am not the biggest Blues fans. Heck, I am not the biggest hockey fan. Growing up, I watched the baseball and football Cardinals on TV and knew nothing about the Blues. It was not until I moved to Saint Louis more than twenty years ago that I learned about hockey. I did not know the difference between a floor check and a cross-check, but that didn’t stop me from going to my first game with my future wife.
I would describe myself as a casual fan. I don’t live and breath sports like some of my friends. I don’t subscribe to the cable packages so that I can watch all of the games. I haven’t even been to a game in more than ten years. But when it comes down to it, I am a hometown fan. I will check the sports headlines to see if Blues won or not, and then check the standings to see how the playoff chase is going. I don’t keep up with the players and their stats and how they compare with the teams.
And this year was no different. I knew that the Blues were supposed to be a great team. But when they fired their coach and were sitting in last place I knew that this was not going to be their season. But still, I would check the headlines for the scores and check the standings. I noticed something different after the first of the year. The headlines mentioned a Blues winning streak that had taken them out of last place and moving into playoff contention. The winning streak topped out at eleven and suddenly people were talking about making the playoffs. All the while, the people of Saint Louis never doubted their chances.
When the playoff began, the Blues were the hottest team in the League although many people (outside of Saint Louis) doubted if they could win the Stanley Cup. By making the playoffs, I turned up my attention to the team. I always want my hometown team to win it all, even if I didn’t know the difference between a Parayko and a Pietrangelo. I began to watch the playoff previews, to learn more about the players and I realized how special this team was.
And, after four tough series, the Blues prevailed and are now Stanley Cup champions. And Saint Louis could not be happier. I never knew how much Saint Louis loved hockey and their Blues. An estimated 500,000 turned out for the Championship parade in downtown Saint Louis.
photo from KMOV Channel 4 – the rally under the Gateway Arch
I will be sharing more about the Blues and their run for the Stanley Cup in another post, coming soon. If you are a Blues fan, let me know what was your greatest memories of the championship and what it means to you.
Today’s world is filled with many so much noise that it can be difficult to hear anything clearly. From our social media outlets to the countless TV stations to the people we come in contact throughout the day. It can seem impossible to know who is correct or which one you need to be listening to. One question that I often hear from Christians ask, “With so much noise, how do I when God is speaking to me?” Our Pastor has a very simple answer to this question. God can speak to you every day. All you need to do is spend time reading and studying His word that is found in the Bible. But learning what the Bible is saying to you can be a daunting task if you do not how to study it effectively.
Sunday, June 16th is Father’s Day and what a better gift to give than God’s word. I often hear friends ask questions like, “How am I going to raise these kids? This is such a hard time to raise a family? How does God tell me how to build a solid relationship with my wife? The answers are in God’s word. If we read the Bible and allow God to give us wisdom and advice, He will do it.
If you have often struggled with reading the Bible, the He Reads Truth Biblemay be what you need for that breakthrough. With 125 full-color charts, infographics, and illustrations; 17 full-color timelines; 21 full-color maps, this Bible can help bring clarity and revelation as you read and study God’s word. There are also two sewn-in to the binding ribbon bookmarks for you to mark your place while reading. It features a one-year reading plan for the entire Bible and a curated reading plan for each book of the Bible. The curated plans give you an opportunity to study related scriptures and passages in other parts of the Bible that provide further context and explanation of what you are reading. This Bible uses the Christian Standard Bible text, which captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, which will help you read, understand, and share God’s word more effectively.
Released on May 1, the He Reads Truth Bible was put together by the He Reads Truth group. According to information provided with the Bible, this worldwide community of men reads God’s Word together every day. Founded in 2015, the group invites men to engage with scriptures through daily reading plans and devotionals. Although the Bible is edited by men and geared to men, I believe women would also benefit from reading this version of the Bible. However, there is also a She Reads Truth version. Looking through the more than 2,300 pages of this Bible, I realize that I have the tools right in front of me to take that next step. The text on the page is a bit on the small side, but don’t let that stop you from getting this Bible and hearing what God is saying today. The Bible retails for $49.99, but different online stores have various prices.
Why read God’s word?
To get to know God and have a personal relationship with Him, I know I have to read his word. I am a Christian! However, when I am asked about my faith, do I really know Him? Well, this is a great way to get to know Him and have one-on-one time with God. Our Lord talks to His children through His word and what better way to start than with the He Reads Truth Bible.
Why a book instead of a tablet or phone?
I also use my iPhone and an iPad to read the Bible. Those pieces of technology are awesome, I know that there is nothing like having a book in my hands that you can make notes and highlight as I please.
GIVEAWAY
Here is your chance to win your own copy of this amazing Bible, with Smyth-sewn binding and Bible Serif typeface. In collaboration with LEV3L Digital, we are giving away ONE copy. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below, stating why you would like to receive this Bible. Then, one commenter will be selected at random, to receive his or her own copy. But hurry, the giveaway closes at 11:59 pm (CT) Saturday, June 22, 2019. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 23, 2019.
I was at work Monday afternoon when my husband came into my office with a concerned look on his face. He showed me a live video from his phone of the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris engulfed in flames. The church’s spire had fallen and it looked like the entire structure on fire. I felt such sadness because the news reports were saying that it would be a total loss. But thank God, the flames were contained after twelve hours and keeping the fire from spreading to the main sanctuary. French President, Emmanuel Macron vows to rebuild the historic Gothic structure. Fundraising efforts are already underway and donations are coming in from all around the world. French billionaires and global companies are coming together to raise money to rebuild one of France’s most important structures. Over $700 million has been raised so far to rebuild.
Construction of The Cathedral of Notre Dame began in the twelfth century and took over two hundred years to complete. It has outlasted attacks during the French Revolution and being bombed during World War I and World War II. It is an architectural masterpiece and was a monumental feat to build. In an article from The USA Today, Emmanuel Gregoire, the deputy mayor of Paris, told BFMTV on Tuesday that he felt “enormous relief” at salvaging many priceless relics from the church, including what is believed to be the Crown of Thorns, which many believe was worn by Jesus Christ at the Crucification, and a small portion of the cross and one of the nails.
The Cathedral Notre Dame is not only a symbol of Christianity and the Catholic faith, but it is at the heart and soul of what makes up of France. It chronicles Christianity’s storied history. This is Holy Week and Christians all over the world will be worshipping in churches on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year because Jesus died on the cross and he is risen to give us eternal life. At first, it looked like the Cathedral Notre Dame was beyond being saved, but miracles happen and the fire was contained.
Prior to the fire breaking out, the church had begun an extensive remodeling project. Scaffolding had been placed around the spire to make much-needed repairs. The sculptures housed in the attic were removed only a few weeks ago. When the images of the fire were shown on social media, our fear was that the entire would be destroyed. But now seeing how much of the building is still intact, it truly is a miracle and a blessing from God. Showing, once again, how resilient the Cathedral is. Having been around for over eight hundred years, survived a revolution and two world wars, the Cathedral will rise again.
My hubby and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the people of France. Although, we have not been to France to visit the Cathedral; it is on our list of elegant places to visit. We stand with France in their efforts to rebuild this treasure of history.
Happy Sunday to you.
Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, the week when Christians around the world recognize and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is time to spend with friends and family, reflecting on what these events mean for us individually. In our home, there are a number of classic movies that we enjoy watching. From the Ten Commandments to Ben-Hur, there are many choices that will stir and strengthen your faith. And this year, a new movie will be added to this list of faith-based movies to watch over during Holy Week.
The Pilgrim’s Progressfollows the life of Christian and his journey and his struggles after receiving the revelation of God’s grace and mercy. The movie is based on the 1678 novel written by John Bunyan and is considered to be the second most read book of all time, behind the Bible. With top-notch animation, this movie shows through metaphors and allegories what it means to be a Christian. Despite being written over three hundred years ago, the struggles talked about in the book are still being dealt with today and are still relevant to the 21st-century believer.
Christian (left) meets up with Evangelist (right) while on his journey
We highly recommend that every make time to go see this movie during this Holy Week. The impressive animation will you draw you in, but the storyline will move and change your life. Please know that the movie will only be shown in theaters twice. The times are * Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 7:00 pm * * Saturday, April 20, 2019, at 12:55 pm *
To find a theater that is showing the movie in your area, click HERE!
The Pilgrim’s Progress follows the journey of Christian.
In collaboration with LEV3L Digital, my wife and I had an opportunity to preview the movie and offer two giveaways to our followers. The second giveaway included an illustrated copy of the book and two tickets to the movie for three people.
The three winners are
* Buddy G
* mami2jcn
* Natalie
Congratulations!
We will be contacting you shortly to let you know more details about claiming your prizes.
You have always been a very spiritual person who likes to connect with their mind and body on a regular basis. Whether you’re taking ten minutes out of your day to meditate or you’re choosing fashion accessories that make you feel calm. If you are looking to reconnect, then there are a few healthy upgrades you can make to your life right now. You are always looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle overall and the following ideas might just be your ticket to a calmer and more confident life.
Find Your Fashion Sense If you have never been confident in the way you dress, then now would be the perfect time to change that. Dressing elegantly is very important to you so you want to find unique pieces that make you feel truly sophisticated. If you’re looking for wardrobe inspiration check this out; you will find a ton of outfit ideas to suit your personality. Whether you’re looking for a long flowing maxi dress or some tailored trousers to use as a staple, you will soon find everything you need.
Meditate and Exercise You should never underestimate the power of meditation and exercise. Spending just ten minutes a day focusing on your breathing can relieve so many of your stresses and strains without you even realizing. Similarly, you should aim to get outside at least once everyday for just twenty minutes of exercise. Whether you’re taking a brisk walk in the park or heading to a dance class with friends, moving your body will always make you feel reconnected.
Enjoy Much Needed ‘Me Time’ It can be very easy to lose yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so time out is incredibly important. If you can master the art of ‘me time’, you will feel so much calmer every day. Whether you take ten minutes to read your favourite book, enjoy a hot bubble bath or drink a soothing cup of tea, these relaxing activities will make you feel much more connected to your mind and body.
Savour Every Special Moment in Life It can be very easy to bury your head into a mobile phone or computer in this world. Everybody in this day and age could do with being a little bit more present in day to day life. Instead of scrolling through social media on a train journey, sit back and take in the beautiful world around you. Savour every special moment in your life and you will soon feel more connected to your mind and body.
When you’re feeling lost or disconnected from yourself or God, it’s time to re-evaluate the important things in life. Take some much needed time out to write down all the things you are grateful for in your life and you will soon feel much more empowered. Do whatever you can to instil peace and serenity into your day to day life, whether you’re dressing elegantly or enjoying some much needed time to yourself. Find your own unique ways to reconnect with your mind and body and you will feel calmer than ever going forward.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay
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