Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Fluorescent Diamonds - What is Diamond Fluorescence and What Causes It?

Buying a diamond is a big step for many individuals. There are many key factors which one needs to know before simply pointing out a gemstone and pulling out their wallet to pay for the item. Some may think that the only thing they need to know about the diamond is what it looks like and how much it costs. Although these are both important factors, there is a whole lot more which goes into buying this type of gemstone. One concept which many may be unfamiliar with is that of fluorescence. The concept of fluorescent diamonds will be described below so as to provide individuals with a better understanding of this topic.

Definition and Causes of Diamond Fluorescence

Fluorescent diamonds are ones which seem to change their color depending on the type of light to which they are exposed. The ultraviolet light from the sun as well as fluorescent lighting will make the stone change its appearance when under these conditions. Fluorescence is detailed on diamond grading reports in a few different ways. The grading report will describe the level of fluorescence as well as provide the color which is emitted when under ultraviolet light or in fluorescent lighting conditions. The main colors which fluorescent diamonds produce include blue, white and yellow.

Issues Associated with Fluorescent Diamonds

Fluorescent diamonds are not bad things to have in and of themselves. In fact, depending on the type of fluorescence, a diamond may actually have more appealing traits in the end. However, there are a few issues surrounding fluorescence. First, an individual may not know what their diamond really looks like until they purchase it and get it home. The light at home may make the diamond look different from how it looked in the store.

Secondly, certain fluorescent stones will be worth more than other types of fluorescent diamonds so it is important to know about the fluorescence aspect up front. This will help the consumer to find a diamond which is not only the perfect color for them but also the perfect price when viewed alongside the type of fluorescent diamond. In general, a blue fluorescent diamond will often be worth more than one which has a yellow fluorescence to it.

Ways to Discover More About Diamond Fluorescence

Since fluorescence can affect the overall appearance of a diamond, it is important that one learns as much about fluorescence as possible. There are a few ways in which one can gather information about this subject and be prepared when it comes time to make your purchase. The first way to learn about fluorescence is to use the Internet or books to research the topic. Although it can be a bit difficult to understand in the beginning, it is not an overly exhaustive process to learn about this subject. Once one gains the initial insight into fluorescence, learning about it is quite easy.

Another way to find out more about fluorescence in general as well as the fluorescent aspects of a particular diamond is to inquire with the jeweler who is selling the item. Ask if the jeweler can describe the concept and show different examples of how a diamond will look underneath different types of lighting. This is a great way to determine if the diamond which you are considering purchasing is one which will give off the best possible color in all lighting conditions. In addition, one should ask to see the diamond grading report to determine the fluorescence level and color of a particular diamond.

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Friday, May 04, 2007

Buying Gold - How I Lost My WoW Account

Until yesterday, I was one of the highest-ranked fury spec warriors on my WoW server's PVP ranking list. After numerous of end-game raiding with my guild, I had finally gathered almost all of my class armor and was satisfied of my gear. As my guild's PVP officer and off- tank, I prepared all of our raids and taught up-and-coming players on key offensive and defensive skills. All of that changed yesterday, however, when Blizzard permanently closed my WoW account.

It all began three weeks ago when I decided to purchase quantities of cheap World of Warcraft gold from a well known MMORPG gold selling site on the internet. I was frequently in need of gold to repair my broken weapons and armor as I was the guild's off- tank, my gear took a bit a hammering and I was exhausted of farming for hours each day, just to make enough gold to barely cover my dear repair costs. The advertisement for "Cheap WoW Gold" got my attention, I reckoned it couldn't hurt to check it out. The website guaranteed to deliver World of Warcraft gold straight to my character's in-game mailbox for an acceptable price, in real American dollars, of course. Taking into consideration how much I loved the game and all the time I used raiding, I thought that buying cheap World of Warcraft gold was a good investment for my Warrior. Purchasing WoW gold meant that I wouldn't have to grind for repair cost anymore. I could spend more time assisting my fellow guild-mates powerlevel their alts and raiding. It looked like an excellent idea at the time.

Weeks after my gold purchase, though, I received an email was from Blizzard, the creators of World of Warcraft. The email informed that my World of Warcraft account had been under investigation for fraud and that it was being permanently closed due to "exploitation of the WoW economy". I was stunned! Just a single purchase of wow gold had flagged my account and resulted in its complete termination. I tired contacting Blizzard to get my account reopened, but the Blizzard rep stood firm on their stance that buying wow gold is a violation of the game's Terms of Use. My actions were at direct odds with the "essence" of WoW, and there would be no undoing of the resulting consequences.

In just a few moments, I had lost everything I had worked so hard for in-game. It didn't matter that I was a top ranked player, a fully-geared level 70 warrior with a flying mount, my guild's main tank, or a guild officer. Blizzard had wiped out my account as if it had never existed. The whole idea made me sick to my stomach and I immediately regretted taking the easy way out by buying wow gold. Still worse, though, was the news that my account closure destroyed the guild I had worked so hard to help build. My account closure left an opening for the position of main tank, causing a major battle to erupt amongst the remaining end-game warriors over who was the most qualified to take my place. This fierce infighting caused the guild to fracture and, as a result, many long-standing guild members left to join other groups. Just five days after my account was terminated, the guild officially disbanded.

If I had known a few weeks ago what I now know, I would have never bought World of Warcraft gold. Any small temporary benefit it provided me was not worth the ultimate price I paid for my indiscretion – the complete and permanent closure of my World of Warcraft account. I learned the hard way that the easy way out is often the most risky, so think twice before purchasing cheap WoW gold for your character. Are a few extra virtual coins really worth the risk of losing everything?

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