Archive for June, 2009
Are all Colombian Emeralds Treated?
Sunday, June 28th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
For all practical purposes you have to assume that all emeralds are treated with oil, resin, polymer or a combination of more than one. Most Colombian emerald rough is now getting treated before it even reaches the cutter. This can be a problem for the faceter because they need to see the inclusions in order to align the rough before cutting.
Are emerald enhancements a problem for the consumer? Only if they are not disclosed or if someone is trying to sell you an untreated emerald at a premium. If someone tries to sell you an untreated emerald without proof from a major lab you should not buy it.
Remember emerald enhancements have been going on for hundreds of years and are accepted worldwide in the business as long as they are properly disclosed. A moderate level of treatment is the baseline for prices with heavily enhanced gemstones selling at a discount and lightly enhanced or untreated selling at a premium.
How can you tell the level of treatment in a Colombian emerald without a lab certificate? The best way to do this is to count the number of surface reaching fissures on the table of the emerald. Take out your loop and hold the emerald at an angle so that you can see a reflection off of the emerald’s crown. Now look for little squiggly lines running across the table, as those are surface reaching fissures. The fissures are where the emerald treatment enters so roughly speaking the fewer fissures you have the less treatment has been added. Fissures are natural but while you do this you will also be looking for cracks. A crack that runs across any part of the emerald will be an automatic no buy. Look at a number of emeralds that are comparable and pick the one that has the fewest surface reaching fissures. An acceptable number of surface reaching fissures depends on the size of the gemstones and other factors but I shoot for about 0-3 in a 1-carat emerald. I’m more forgiving in larger emeralds but stricter in lighter colored emeralds.
Why I Choose a Jogging Stroller
Sunday, June 28th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
I was running on the treadmill at my local gym when a new mother hopped onto the treadmill next to me. Much to my surprise she was holding her baby. I asked her why she was carrying that new baby on a treadmill. She said she couldn’t bear to part with her little one, yet still wanted to get a workout in. After about ten minutes she was extremely tired and her baby was crying. Now what? Well within a few days I saw her again. This time she wasn’t at the gym. She was running outside the gym. She was jogging behind her nice, new jogging stroller. Mom was happier and her baby was happy too.
I have had several moms e-mail and ask “Is a jogging stroller right for me?” Well there are a few factors to consider.
First, if you prefer to run on the treadmill at the gym then you probably won’t need a jogging stroller. However, if you are like me and enjoy running outside and spending time with your baby then a jogging stroller is the best way to go.
When you choose to buy a jogging stroller don’t forget important safety features like a hand brake and wheel locks for easy stopping, safety belts and the five point harness. Your child’s safety should always come first. The five point harness is great for toddlers and small children.
Also consider your child’s comfort. You may want to look into a reclining seat and a canopy. It is also a good idea to wait until your child is holding his or her head up and sitting independently before using the jogging stroller. However, there are safety products you can buy if you would like to use your jogging stroller sooner.
When we’re running in cool or cold weather, we may be hot or comfortable in minimal clothing, but a child is not doing the exercise. Don’t forget to dress your little one in warm clothes, especially if you’re running or walking in the wind. Short runs are best with your child. Competing while pushing your running stroller is not recommended.
I prefer a jogging stroller versus a regular stroller because I enjoy being outside. I have found that my jogging stroller makes it a lot easier to push on non-paved roads and it moves at a faster pace
Natalia Bonner, Owner-mystrollerstore.com. For jogging strollers and other baby products I reccomend mystrollerstore.com.
For more information on jogging strollers, visit our web site.