The Graduation

Wow it's been so long since I last post something in my blog..surely it has grown weary with spider webs and dust. Oh well, I've been lazy. =P

Okay let's cut to the chase, I want to tell you about my graduation day.


My ceremony was held on the 7th of May 2010. Earlier in the morning, we had our breakfast with fellow lecturers and staff of the Science Faculty. So I had the chance to chit chat with my lecturers and snap pictures as remembrance. I have to say that day I feel like a celebrity since everybody wants to snap pictures of myself =) and amazingly posing takes a lot of energy. I wore out after the day has ended. Even my jaw was unable to smile as it went stiff.



Then, after breakfast, we went to Maki (it's a big banquet hall)for our parade around the city. There were tons of people gathered. We have to line up according to our ceremony, so we're like sardines packed in a tin. Then, after the accordance we walked from Maki to Aotera Square, it's a bout 1 kilometer. I had fun because the left and right pathways were filled with people looking and celebrating us. The view was overwhelming and at an instant I was proud to be a part of the Parade. (^__^)/


After the parade, my friends and I went to Albert Park to snap some pictures. We had our family and friends session, tossing trenchers, jumping jacks, self portrait pictures and God-knows-what-pictures are all done in Albert Park. Snapping pictures had never been so much fun especially when you're wearing such grand clothes - The Regalia.


Later, at around 1.30pm my ceremony started. We had to line up according to our numbers and then a few marshals checked out names and fix our hood so that it looked presentable. They went and fixed it thrice!! I mean to that extend to only fix the hood?? But it shows that they want us too look smart while on stage =).

In the hall, I had a terrible headache caused from the flashing lights from above..the ceremony wasn't enjoyable at all, but I just want to experience the seriousness of hat-tapping moment..teehehe. Overall, the the whole day was a worthy experience that I will later pass on the my grand kids.

However, the best ever experience was waiting for me outside KLIA, with checkered-red-shirt holding an orange paper bag, patiently waiting for my arrival (^__^)/ That's the moment that I like to recapture all over again!! I love that day so much!Plus, I got this huggable cutey..

Baby Jam2 says "Hi" to you Smelly bun2

Thank you to my so ever sweet Smelly Bunny. Lap,lap you so clean =P

Know your DIAMOND

Yesterday, my friend and I went to several jewelry shops in the hunt for the perfect engagement ring. My friend wanted a solitaire engraved in type of ring. So as we were hunting, I gain a lot of knowledge about the diamonds. I always thought a beautiful ring is determined by it's design and craftsmanship..I was DEAD WRONG for a ring is determined by the 4C's in a diamond. What's 4C's you say? Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat weight.

So this post will be dedicated entirely for your general knowledge on diamonds since knowledge is POWER. Know what you are looking for and what you should be paying for it. You're only going to get married once..so maybe, you need to have a better understanding regarding the value of your solemn vow to that special someone =)

THE ANATOMY


DIAMETER - The width of the diamond as measured through the girdle.
TABLE - This is the large, flat top facet of a diamond.
CROWN - The upper portion oa a cut diamond, above the girdle.
GIRDLE - The narrow rim of a diamond that separates the crown form the pavillion.
PAVILION - The lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle. It is sometimes referred to as the base.
CULET - The tiny on the pointed bottom of the pavillion, which is the portion of a cut diamond below the girdle.
DEPTH - The height of a diamond, from the cutlet to the table.

CUT


Only diamond cuts diamond and when a rough diamond is cut and polished upto 72% of the stone is lost in the process. This is the one C governed by man rather than by nature. It has significant influence on the value of the diamond as different cuts determine the brilliance of the gem. If a diamond is cut too deep the light escapes downwards and the centre will appear dark, absorbing rather than reflecting the light.

A very shallow cut results in light escaping through the base of the diamond causing it to look glassy, watery, dull, and even grey. The Perfect or Tiffany, round cut diamond is cut to precise proportion for maximum refraction of light. The Perfect cut warms the diamond with fire and brilliance beyond comparison with any other gem. So why are all diamonds not cut in the Round Brilliant style? The original shape of the rough dictates the shape of the final diamond. Different shapes of diamonds are cut to retain maximum weight from the rough.

COLOUR


The colour of the diamond is determined by the different gasses present during the crystallization process. In general, diamond colours range from white to yellow. In rare instances different gasses present with the crystallization process integrates into the diamond generating unique colours such as blue, green, pink, and red.


Diamonds are graded according to their inherent colour using a white to yellow colour scale from D to Z.

D to F represent colourless stones and are usually favoured for investment purposes due to higher premiums. G to J represent near-colourless stones but are as appealing as the complete colourless gem. K to Z becomes more yellow to the naked eye and therefore more cost effective as the colour scale moves down, although at present, yellow stones have become a lot more popular and fashionable.

CLARITY


Diamonds contain minute traces of inclusions, these consist of non-crystallized carbon, cracks, bubbles, feathers, clouds etc. Inclusions are seldomly visible to the naked eye, and that will have an influence on the price. In principal, the fewer the inclusions in the diamond, the finer the clarity and the more valuable the stone.

CARAT


The word carat was derived from the carob seed, each carob seed weighs very close to 1 carat.

The carat is the weight or mass of a diamond. 5 carats are equal to one gram. One carat is divided into one hundred points, therefore a 25 point diamond is a ¼ carat. Although size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond, 2 diamonds of equal size can have very unequal values depending on the other 3 properties.

If you want to have a clear cut regarding this visit this link

How to Care for your Diamonds
Diamonds are often thought to be unshatterable.Unfortunately, this is not the case. Here are some useful handling and care tips.

1. Diamonds are brittle

If you hit a diamond hard, they WILL crack or chip if mishandled. Don't wear your diamond when doing rough work.

2. Storage

Store diamonds separately. When stored with other jewelry, diamonds may scratch other jewelry (or each other).

3. Cleaning

The best method for cleaning is a jeweler's polishing cloth. Most jewelers will clean your diamond ring for free if you are making another purchase in the store.