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How Coins are Made and How Misprints are Created
How Coins are Made and How Misprints are CreatedCoins are a staple of everyday life and have been used as currency for centuries. They are small, portable, and easily traded, making them an ideal form of currency. But have you ever stopped to think about how coins are made? Or how misprints, errors, and variations…
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Introduction to Coin Collecting: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction to Coin Collecting: A Guide for BeginnersCoin collecting, also known as numismatics, is a popular hobby enjoyed by people all over the world. It involves collecting and studying coins from various cultures, time periods, and countries. For those new to coin collecting, the idea of starting a collection can be intimidating. However, with a…
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How to tell if an emerald is real
How to tell if an emerald is real Looking for Flaws and Inclusions To inspect for flaws and inclusions, you will need a jeweler’s magnifying glass with ideally 10x magnification. Fissures and cracks are the most common inclusion in emeralds. And beyond that, natural emeralds form with tiny imperfections, including minute mineral crystals (biotite, pyrite,…
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How to tell if a ruby is real
How to tell if a ruby is real Examine the color Real rubies should possess a deep, rich hue that appears almost luminous. Fake rubies may have a lighter and less vibrant color. Examine for blemishes Using a loupe or magnifying glass, closely inspect the ruby for any imperfections or inclusions. Real rubies will often…
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How to tell if an opal is real
How to tell if an Opal is real Inspect the Symmetry Natural opals may not be perfectly symmetrical, even after cutting and polishing. If the opal is a perfect shape, like a circle or oval, have it inspected by a professional jeweler. Check the Color Play Real opals will display a unique, luminous play-of-color caused…
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How to tell if a sapphire is real
How to tell if a sapphire is real Looking for Flaws and Inclusions Natural sapphires often contain tiny imperfections known as flaws or inclusions. These imperfections can be small mineral crystals, rutile needles, straight color banding, or fingerprint-like inclusions. To inspect for flaws and inclusions, you will need a jeweler’s magnifying glass with at least…
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Emerald
Emerald Price Retail price for 2-4.9 carats emerald: Quality from high to low Top color: $5000-$10000/ct Very good color: $3000-$5500/ct Good color: $1100-$2300/ct Fair color: $400-$950/ct Colombian emeralds are usually more expensive than emeralds from other origins, such as Zambia, Brazil etc. Main origin Emeralds are primarily found in countries such as Colombia, Zambia,…
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How to tell if gold is real
How to tell if gold is real Scan for tarnished areas: Brass reacts with oxygen in the environment, causing a process known as oxidation which results in discoloration and tarnishing. If you notice any discolored or tarnished areas on your piece, it’s likely made of brass. However, keep in mind that just because a piece…
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How to tell if a diamond is real
How to tell if a diamond is real Use your breath You need to properly clean the diamond. Then all you have to do is fog the stone with your breath. It’s the same way you fog a mirror, just breathe on the diamond.Real: Stones that don’t easily fog are probably real. True diamonds easily…
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Educate kids about rock collections
Educate kids about rock collections Rock collection can be a terrific hobby for kids to explore. Collecting anything can develop into a life-long hobby. But why is rock collecting so great for kids? Rock collections are particularly great because they teach organizational skills. The entire process of collecting, cataloging, and identifying is very educational. Below, we will…