Unlike diamonds, however, a colorless specimen is graded the same way as a colored specimen. For example, gemologists would still classify a colorless sapphire or topaz as a colored stone. Likewise, all colored stones are considered colored stones, even if a specimen is colorless. Nevertheless, colorless diamonds and fancy colored diamonds - those that show any color other than light yellow - have different grading systems. In this gem classification system, all diamonds, whether colorless or colored, are still considered diamonds. Meanwhile, excellent advertising has also convinced the public that diamonds are the premier gemstones for engagement rings. Those in charge are careful not to flood the market.
Why does this happen? A near monopoly controls diamond sales and marketing. In fact, there are colored gems far rarer than diamonds. Nevertheless, the diamond industry leads the general public to believe diamonds are incredibly rare. Diamonds are one of the few gemstones with a consistent supply. Second, diamonds and colored stones are mined and distributed differently. Therefore, gem cutters need two different sets of tools for handling both types of stones. With few exceptions, these tools aren’t suitable for cutting colored stones. If you encounter these descriptions, buyer beware.įirst, cutting diamonds requires special tools because these gems are harder than all others.
ONE OF THE FEW GEMSTONES CROSSWORD CLUE PROFESSIONAL
Professional gemologists no longer use these terms. Referring to a set of gem types as “precious” and all other gems as “semiprecious” can be misleading, since it implies precious stones have inherently greater value. On the other hand, garnet gems have traditionally been considered semiprecious gems, yet some sell in excess of $1,000 a carat, ten times the price of a low-quality diamond. You can see them (with sufficient magnification) as accent stones on inexpensive jewelry. For example, diamonds have traditionally been considered precious gems, yet some sell for $100 a carat. However, this gem classification has so many exceptions it has no real value. You’ll still occasionally hear these terms today. What's the Difference Between Synthetic and Homocreate Gems?įor centuries, people have used the terms “precious” and “semiprecious” to describe gemstones.What's the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Gems?.Solid addition to the "both words can follow" genre.Thai ruby (3.66 cts) and Sri Lankan sapphire (2.75 cts). Requiring dabs of BPOE and TGI wasn't worth the extra juice in MANIPULATOR or ENLARGEMENT - not when there's already ARTE EER ESSE FIL - but there's a reasonable argument that having a wide-open grid once in a while on a Wednesday is a welcome change of pace. It's an audacious grid, at only 72 words. In this case, was LION TAMER a themer? Is LIFE IMAGINEER a thing? Aside from the fact that it should be, there were so many long bonuses that drew attention away from the main act. The clue for AFTERLIFE does call out which Across answers are themers, but I appreciate when the layout helps my eye pick them out immediately.
These two goals can be at odds, though, as they were today. It's also usually a good idea to add some bonuses into the fill, to enhance and elevate the solving experience. It's usually a good idea to make your theme answers stand out through layout - experienced solvers tend to focus on the longest Acrosses. So, I can see why Will accepted this one. For clarity's sake, AFTERLIFE (plus an "each word") modifier in its clue was the better choice. AFTERLIFE does the job nicely, explaining that "each word can follow LIFE." It'd have been great to use DOUBLE LIFE, which would have hinted more strongly that both words follow this pattern, but you can't have both AFTERLIFE and DOUBLE LIFE in the same puzzle. LIFETIME isn't as snazzy as LIFE BLOOD, but it does the trick.Īpt revealer. LIFE is such an interesting starter, that most all of the finds are excellent: LIFELONG, LIFE STORY, LIFE SAVERS, LIFE INSURANCE, LIFE FORM (neat change of meaning, from paperwork to state of being!). Not so with LONG STORY, TIME SAVERS, BLOODLINES. It's hard to come up with two-word phrases where both words work, so much of the time, the themers are dull.
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