Articles By Mitch Endick

Rubies and sapphires are composed of almost pure aluminum and oxygen and are members of the corundum family. The mineral is often called a ruby when it is red and a sapphire when it is blue.

Precious stones are cut and polished to develop the beauties which are latent in them. The diamond in its natural found state is not spectacular. The diamond in a natural state is merely a luminous gray pebble.

With the exception of the pearl, which is a shellfish, precious stones are minerals that possess traits of personal adornment. Precious stones originate from the most awesome powers of nature.

Precious stones in general are rare and a perfect one is rarely ever found. Gems for the most part are at a safe stock. The public is beginning to realize and want to understand the finer qualities of precious stones.

Congratulations, you are in the market for a diamond engagement ring. The average consumer may need to rely much upon his jewelry store clerk unless research is done before hand.

Rough diamonds come in several basic shapes. The most common shape is in the form known as an octahedron. The octahedron resembles two Egyptian pyramids placed base to base, that is the usual crystal form of a diamond.

Most diamonds sold to the general public are known as slightly imperfect. Slightly imperfect diamonds are not easily spotted by the trained eye. The regular person would probably never even notice the imperfections.

The West Highland White Terrier is a hardy, happy little terrier that love the companionship of people. They are very good looking and make good watch dogs.

Diamonds almost always have defects and one of the main defects is carbon spots. Their influence upon diamond value has to be taken into account along with the influence of color. A stone may have great color, yet may yield some carbon imperfections making it far less valuable than an off color stone.

In judging the color of diamonds it is necessary to obscure the prismatic play of colors in order to see the true color. You can do this by giving the stone a puff of breath and then studying the color while dim. It must also be remembered that diamonds also have faint color differences in them.

Most transparent minerals have, when pure, no color. Diamonds, being transparent, are no exception to this rule. Color is due to the presence of relatively small amounts of foreign substances, usually in metallic oxides. Iron oxide is one of the most common oxides, especially in diamonds.

The Standard Schnauzer can live in an apartment as it can get most of her exercise needs indoors. They are very protective dogs and should be socialized to people, pets and situations when young.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is happy, energetic smaller dog that makes a great watch dog. They can be kept in an apartment as long as they can be walked for exercise.

The Welsh Terrier is an on the go fun dog. It likes a lot of exercise but can live in an apartment if she can get lots of long walks. She can do alright with pets and other dogs if extensively socialized when young.

The Yorkshire Terrier prefers a warm climate and plenty of exercise, although most of it can be indoors. This little dog often neglects to consider her small size when challenging adversaries.

This dog comes from Hungary where the word Vizsla actually means alert. This dog is known to be responsive and gentle. They do need a lot of exercise so a properly fenced in year

The Whippet is a sensitive, intelligent and sweet dog. They make good watch dogs. They need plenty of exercise and a safe place to let them run would be ideal.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a pleasant and intelligent dog that loves humans. She is generally a watchdog. She can do well with other pets and dogs, especially if socialized when young.

The Wire Fox Terrier is a scrappy, tough little dog. They are playful but they are generally not for families with other dogs or pets. They may fight other dogs, even larger ones and may consider other pets fair game.

The Weimaraner is a dog that needs plenty of exercise and a place to run. Try to avoid running them after a meal as they may develop a life threatening bloat.

The Spinone Italiano can do with a small yard as far as exercise is concerned. They appear to be a friendly dog that gets along well with other pets and other dogs. There are always exceptions to the rule. They generally love older children

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon makes a very good family pet and excellent hunting dog. They require lots of exercise and time outdoors so a properly fenced in yard would be ideal.

The Toy Fox Terrier is a happy little dog, full of the energy of life. She likes to hunt small vermin and is fairly easy to train. She may accept other dogs and larger pets especially if well socialized when young.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium sized that can live in an apartment as long as she can get frequent walks. She can get much of her exercise indoors. She is good watch dog that can get along well with other dogs.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a happy little dog that is protective with her family. They can be kept in an apartment as long as they can get frequent walks. A properly fenced in yard is best for exercise.

The Silky Terrier is a loving, energy dog. They are good watch dogs, although they can tend to be barkers. They can be kept in an apartment as they are small enough to get most of there exercise needs indoors. They are good with other dogs but must be extensively socialized with other pets.

The Skye Terrier does not need a lot of exercise so they can do well in an apartment. They make a good watch dog but can be a barker. They do not do well with other dogs and pets. They may accept older children if they have been extensively socialized early.

The Tibetan Terrier can be kept in an apartment as long as she can get frequent walks. This is a very active dog when outside. A properly fenced in exercise area would be ideal. She can be a barker so keep this in mind.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be kept in an apartment as long as she gets plenty of long walks. She should always be on a leash and in control when in public. This breed has dog fighting in her history and will pick a fight.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a energetic, playful always on the go barking dog. They can be quarrelsome and actually pick fights with other dogs, even larger ones.

The Shih Tzu is a small and lively dog that makes and excellent watch dog. They are beautiful little dogs that generally get along well with other dogs and other pets. They love older children but should be socialized with them.

The Siberian Husky is a cool weather dog that needs plenty of room to exercise in. A properly fenced in yard would be ideal. They may run off so keep them under control when outside. They also prefer to live with more of their kind as they were a pack animal.

Besides carbon spots, another big defect that can happen in diamonds is cracks or open cleavages in the crystalline material. Sometimes if little breaks go across the grain they can create big imperfections. These imperfections can cause a serious misdirection of light, causing lack of luster.

Those who are unfamiliar with this part of the business may use descriptions of the grades. The list begins with the higher grades and proceeds down the line to the lesser of value.

The Scottish Deerhound is a mellow dog who loves her human family. They are quiet, not barkers. They prefer to have acreage to run on but a properly fenced in yard will work for exercise. They need to controlled when outdoors because they will take off and chase about anything.

The Scottish Terrier tends to be a one person or several person dog. They prefer cooler climates and moderate exercise. Daily long walks or a properly fenced in yard will accommodate their exercise needs.

The Sealyham Terrier does well in an apartment as they do not require a lot of exercise. They are barkers and diggers so be fore warned when building an outdoor enclosure. They may have trouble getting along with other pets.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a very popular dog because of her beauty and willingness to please. She is very trainable and makes a good watch dog. She can be kept in an apartment if she can get frequent long walks.

The Shiba Inu is a fearless and bold dog. Originally from Japan, this smaller dog keeps herself clean, almost like a cat. She may not be trustable with other pets and dogs. She does well with older children, especially if socialized when young. She needs plenty of exercise but can live in an apartment with frequent walks.

The Schipperke can live in an apartment but they are very active. They are better off with a properly enclosed space for exercise. They are a healthy, long lived breed. They make great watch dogs and will eliminate vermin. They can get along with other pets if socialized early.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent, hard working dog that was bred to help fishermen. They generally get along well with other dogs but should be socialized when young for other pets. If at all possible, they need plenty of exercise and if there can be water involved, you have a happy dog.

The Samoyed is a high energy dog that likes the outdoors. They are designed for cooler climates and need plenty of grooming care to look good. They love their human family and tend to favor one person. They may have trouble with other pets so they need early socialization.

The Saint Bernard can even be kept in an apartment if walked often. They are better suited to a fenced in enclosure for exercise. They are said to be easy to train. It might be a good idea to obedience train early as this breed becomes very large and can be hard to handle even for the strongest person.

The Saluki is a beautiful, regal and royal dog. They can be a bit aloof, especially to people that they do not know well. They tend to be a one family or a one person dog. They may do well with other dogs, especially if well socialized early.

The Rottweiler is a muscular, highly protective dog that is a favorite for police and the military. They have a reputation as a dog not to fool with and they strike fear in the bad guys. They need to be extensively socialized to get along with other pets and other dogs.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback can live in an apartment if given sufficient long walks. They do best with a properly fenced in enclosure. This breed needs to be extensively socialized early if it is to get along with other pets and dogs.

The Pomeranian is a lap dog that is full of life and vigor. They make great companion dogs as they prefer the company of humans. They are active indoors so an apartment will satisfy their exercise needs.

The Puli is an amazing looking sheepherding dog. They seem to do well in all climates but like cooler weather better. They can live in an apartment as long as they can get frequent walks.

The Pug is an indoor dog as she dislikes cold or hot weather. She can do well in an apartment as long as she is walked for exercise. She is said to get along well with other pets, dogs and children.

The standard Poodle is a highly intelligent, proud and good natured dog. They are good watch dogs and are generally good with other pets and other dogs. They are usually good with older children.