Everything You Should Know About - Bullion

The word 'bullion' has a very simple definition: a refined and stamped weight of precious metal. It is also used to refer to a metal piece shaped in the form of a coin or a bar. The word bullion comes from the old French word bouillon, which meant "boiling".

Bullion refers to precious metals in bulk form which are regularly traded on commodity markets. The value of bullion is typically determined by the value of its precious metals content, which is defined by its purity and mass.

To sum it up, the phrase “gold bullion”simply means gold in its purest form, valued by its weight and quality 99.9 pure, plus the small percentage costs incurred in refining, fabricating, and shipping that bullion to you.

A range of professional participants are active in the bullion markets: banks, fabricators, refiners and vault operators or transport companies as well as brokers. They provide facilities for the refining, melting, assaying, transporting, trading and vaulting of gold and silver bullion. Bullion investments can be considered as insurance against inflation. Buying gold bullion is now cheaper and easier than ever before. And it's still, by a long way the safest way to own gold.

Bullion

DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOLD BULLION

Gold Bullion Bars

If you’re serious about investing in gold, bullion bars provide a great way to efficiently purchase large quantities, and they’re pretty easy to store. However, there are some significant drawbacks. Gold bullion bars can be difficult and costly to liquidate when you’re ready to use and/or sell them. Also, while they do come in a range of sizes, they tend to come in larger sizes than coins, making them less versatile. Overall, they’re more appropriate for serious gold investors.

Gold bullion bars can weigh anything from a few grams upwards. 1kg and 100 oz ( Approx 2.83kg) bars.

Gold Bullion Coins

Bullion coins are cast from precious metals and bought for investment purposes. The only real difference between coins and bars is that coins have a different shape (coin shape, obviously) and are smaller. The value of these coins is whatever the current market price for gold is, plus a small amount to cover production costs. Since they’re smaller and already in usable form, coins are easier to liquidate and use than bars. Because of their versatility, gold coins are a good way for beginners to venture into the world of gold investing.

Well-known examples of Bullion coins are :

• British Sovereign   

  

  British Sovereign

  
  
• Canadian Maple Leaf     

  

  Canadian Maple Leaf

  
  
• American Golden Eagle   

  

  American Golden Eagle

  
  
• South African Krugerrand  

  

  South African Krugerrand

When to Buy

The simple aim of buying bullion is to buy when prices are low and sell when prices are high. However life and the markets are never simple or easy to predict. As we see, precious metals are best regarded as a long-term investment: so if you are able to buy during a slight dip in price that is good, but it is hard to call every turn of the market when considering how to buy gold.

Where to Buy
Investors can buy bullion gold through gold bullion dealers, online shops or providers of vaulted gold.

How to Sell

It is important to invest with a supplier that has a transparent, liquid market for buying back bullion at favourable rates that do not disadvantage the holder. Beware of offers of ‘all-in-one’ pricing where you cannot relate the deal to market rates.
You will often discover that companies, who sell bullion to you, particularly in the case of bars, will discount the market price by only 2% or 2.5% if you bought it from them.

Cost

Their value is based on their bullion content and prices fluctuate daily. In general, costs for the production of bullion gold coins are higher than the costs of producing bullion gold bars. Bullion gold coins are typically minted, whereas bullion gold bars are cast.

Both bullion gold bars and bullion gold coins are normally sold at a low premium or mark-up above the value of their gold content as compared to non-bullion gold such as collector coins or ornamental gold bars, also called investment bars.

Make a leap into the exciting world of Gems & Jewellery industry. Get Certificate in Gold Appraisal at Solitaire Diamond Institute.

Article by
Krupa J.S
CAD Designer, SDI

Rare Pink Pearl- “The Conch”

The tale of ‘The Pink Pearl’ is sure to be an inspiration to all who love both the pearl and the sea. Conch pearls (pronounced ‘konk’) are natural pearls created by the Queen Conch, a saltwater mollusk. Conch pearls are far more rare than the finest natural Akoya pearl. Attempts to culture them have failed thus far, as a result it remains one of the rarest pearls in the world, and therefore are considerably more expensive.

Conch pearls are one of the most rare and valuable of all natural pearls. It has been estimated that approximately 1 in 10,000 conch produce a pearl and of these only a few possess the color, shape and flame pattern necessary to be considered a gem.

Color & Structure
Conch pearls often exhibit a flame-like pattern due to concentrically arranged calcium carbonate platelets in a lamellar fashion. Flame structure is found mostly in the salmon, pink, and red toned pearls. This significantly increases the value and price of the conch pearl.
Conch pearls contain no nacre, so technically they are not actually pearls at all. Instead, the gems are calcareous concretions. Conch pearls and nacreous pearls have the same chemical composition the only difference between them is their polycrystalline structures.
The principal determinant of value for a conch pearl is its color as well as shape, size and flame vibrancy. Although many tend to be orange, yellow, beige or ivory, enough are pink for these pearls to have been known as "pink pearls" in the trade.

Size, Shape & Care
Most conch pearls have an elongated, oval, or baroque shape, and occasionally they will create a button or round. Round specimens are very rare. Conch pearls weigh significantly more than oyster pearls, with a specific gravity of 2.85; and unlike other pearls, are sized by carat weight. Although conch pearls can be found over 100 carats, larger sizes (above 5 carats) of conch pearls are uncommon, with the average size being less than 3 carats.

Due to the high value of conch pearls, drilling and/or gluing should be avoided in the mounting, as this will devalue the pearl. Prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light) can have a dulling and fading effect. Indoor lighting does not seem to have effects on the pearls. Because its an organic gem, therefore, jewelry should be used with care.

To learn more about diamond designing courses visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.


Article by
Krupa J.S.
CAD Designer, SDI

RICHEST TEMPLES OF INDIA IN TERMS OF GOLD…..

India is the world's biggest consumer of gold and its ancient temples have collected billions of rupees in terms of jewellery, bars and coins over the centuries.. Every year thousands of visitors frequently visit these religious places. Its not a bribe but a token of respect, faith and belief.
Lets know about the richest temples of India.


1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located  in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The richest of all the temples in India. Recently in June 2011, a committee of 7 members opened a chamber A and found tonnes of gold coins, jewellery, sacks of diamonds and other precious stones lying untouched from thousands of year.

With the estimated Rs 1 lakh crore worth of wealth that was found to be kept under underground stone cellars, but if Rs 1 lakh crore floored you completely, there are claims that suggest the actual worth of the assets could well be above Rs 5 lakh crore.

2. Tirupati Balaji Temple

The second richest of all the temples in India.Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) receives 80-100 kg of gold and 100-120 kg of silver as offerings every month. "Tirupati has a treasure trove of Rs 70,000 crore in the form of gold bars, coins and jewellery”.It deposits the gold in banks to earn interest.very day close to 70,000 devotees visit Tirupati Balaji temple. Karnataka exminister Gali Janardhan Reddy, for instance, had offered a diamond-studded crown worth Rs 42 crore to the God.
More than 12,000 kg of gold, ornaments and other precious jewels and 11,000 kg of silver worth over Rs 50,000 crore is already offered by a devotees till now. The 8-feet black-coloured main idol is loaded up with at least 65-70 kg of gold ornaments every day and it is estimated that in a single day offerings to the Lord ranges between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1.5 crore.

3. Shirdi Saibaba Temple

he famous pilgrim centre of Shri Saibaba temple in Shirdi, one of the richest temples in Maharashtra, has ornaments and jewellery worth over Rs 32 crore and investments running into Rs 4,27,17,02,929 crore, according to official documents. And also it has Rs 47,82,31,835.64-crore as Trust Corpus Fund.

The temple trust has ornaments and jewellery including Gold worth Rs 24,41,10,640-cr, Silver--Rs 3,26,19,152-cr; Silver coins-- Rs 612,317; Gold Coins--Rs 1,28,89,749-cr and Gold pendants worth Rs 1,12,31,903-cr.

4. Siddhivinayak Temple

The two-century-old Shree Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai devoted to Lord Ganesha. The dome over Ganesha is coated in 3.7 kilos of Gold. It is one of country's richest temples, on an average the per year income of the temple goes up to 48 Cr and fixed deposit os Rs 125 Cr. Having amassed 158 kg of gold offerings, worth some $67 million, and its heavily guarded vaults are strictly off limits.

5. Vaishno Devi Temple 

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board caters to second largest pilgrim batch after Tirupti. It is one of the oldest temples in India, located near Katra, Jammu &Kashmir.The average estimated income per year is believed to be somewhere around 500 crore.

To learn more about online jewellery designing courses Bangalore visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.

Article by
Krupa J.S.
CAD Designer, SDI

3D Modeling in Jewelry Industry

3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any  three-dimensional surface of an object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as image through a process called rendering. The model can also be physically created using 3D printing devices.

Models
3D models represent a 3D object using various geometric entities such as curves, triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc.Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields especially in jewelry industry. 3D models can also be the basis for physical devices that are built with 3D printers or CNC machines.

Representation
Almost all 3D models can be divided into two categories. But here in jewelry industry we use solid models.
• Solid - These models define the volume of the object they represent (like a rock). These are more realistic, but more difficult to build.
• Shell/boundary - these models represent the surface, e.g. the boundary of the object, not its volume.

Modeling Process
1. Developing 3D Model- In this we willl develop the jewelry using different viewport available in the software.

Top View                                                                   Perspective View

Front View                                                                 Right View

                                                                                                                                            
2. Rendering- By using different material we can render the model to give photorealistic effect.



Rendered Image









3D Printing
3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material.

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the number of companies offering personalized 3D printed models of objects that have been scanned, rendered in three dimensions in computer software, and then printed to the customer's requirements.

Uses
3D modeling is used in various industries like Jewelry design where products are 3D modeled before representing them to the clients. It also used in industries like films, animation and gaming, interior designing ,architecture and are also used in the medical industry for the interactive representations of anatomy.

To learn more about online jewellery designing courses Bangalore visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.

Article by
Krupa J.S.
CAD Designer,SDI

Ivory

A hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, used to make ornaments and other articles. Ivory has been a staple material for art and jewelry-making in India since, and possibly before the Vedic times.

Ivory Jewellery
Jewelry that is made from the tusk of an elephant is called ivory jewelry. Importance of ivory jewelry can be guessed from the fact that in Gujarat, the bride receives an ivory bangle from her family just before marriage as jewellery. During marriage ceremony wearing of ivory bangles is must for bride in some regions of the country.
           Ivory, being soft, can be shaped into desired designs and patterns. Ivory jewelry is not only popular in India, but also in the entire world.

Ivory-Necklace-Triple-Strand

Thousands of elephants die each year so that their tusks can be carved into religious objects. Can the slaughter be stopped?

Endangered Asian Elephants
Asian elephants are even more endangered than African elephants — but the threat isn't poaching so much as human encroachment. The Asian species is smaller than the African and none of the females and only some of the males have tusks. Asian elephants taken from the wild are not killed, but domesticated for zoos, safari tourism, or timber hauling. There are only about 30,000 remaining wild Asian elephants, while 15,000 live in captivity.

Substitutes for Ivory

Vegetable Ivory
Vegetable or tagua nut is a product made from the very hard white endosperm of the seeds of certain palm trees. Vegetable ivory is named for its resemblance to elephant ivory.

Vegetable Ivory

Tagua nuts grow on palm trees in the tropical rain forests of South America. After the seedpods ripen and fall to the ground, harvesters dry them. The seeds are separated from their shells, cut into different shapes, and then polished and dyed. In addition to being a humane ivory alternative, tagua products provide a sustainable income for indigenous people without harming trees.

Magnesite
The most common form of Magnesite is white, microcrystalline, porous masses that are dull in luster, and have the appearance of unglazed porcelain. So can be used for making jewellery.

Magnesite

Boars Tusk
One good substitute for Ivory is Boars tusk. Some of the large Boars grow very large tusks which can be carved and polished. Same way Pigs tusk is also used.

Boar Tusk

Think you have a genuine IVORY? Here are some simple tips to help you identify true ivory versus bone and plastic:

• Get or use a jeweler’s loop (or a good magnifying lens) and study the item carefully. You will be looking for little streaks or pores known as "Haversian System" which, if the signs are all there, indicates that it is bone, not ivory.
• Bone and Ivory weigh more than a synthetic material such as celluloid which is oftentimes confused as ivory. "Knock" on the item and listen carefully... bone and ivory will sound less hollow than plastic or celluloid. Plastic has a different sound when it's tapped versus bone and ivory.
• True ivory will yellow naturally with age. The darker the color, the older the ivory is. However, be careful when looking to buy an item that's been identified as "antique ivory" as there are people out there who will try to take ivory and darken it using tea or other means to make it appear older than what it really is. There is an easy way to tell if it's been artificially aged: Take some saliva on your fingertip and rub the ivory. If color comes off on your finger or the area you cleaned is lighter than the rest of the item then it's been colored to fake its age. This will only work with saliva.
• Another surefire way to tell between bone and plastic versus ivory is to take a needle and burn it with a lighter until its red hot. Then take the needle and touch the ivory in a non-conspicuous spot. True ivory cannot be burned but if its bone or plastic a burn mark will be left.

To learn more about online jewellery designing courses Bangalore visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.

Article by
Krupa J.S
CAD Instructor, SDI

Spiritual Inspired Jewellery

Spirituality is a way of life in almost all cultures as well as civilizations. Without our conscious efforts it has seeped into our lives. So is it surprising to find that spiritual influences is found in jewellery as well? Gold is popular amongst Religo-spiritual Jewellery makers due to its purity and availability in nature in its purest form. And it does not react with any chemical or doesn’t tarnish.

As early as ancient Greek civilization, where it is believed their god Apollo is represented as wearing a laurel wreath on his head inspired their rulers to make crowns in gold in similar design. It continues to this day by placing laurel wreath on the heads of Olympic champions.

 

carved black opal set in sterling sliver

In Chinese belief, dragons occupy an important place. They are divine creatures with benevolent nature although fierce in appearance. Chinese believe that Dragons lived alongside humans and provided guidance. And their first dynasty had dragon blood in them. Dragon influence is in abidance in their jewellery.

                                                                            

Ancient Egyptians loved jewellery and have created some of the extraordinary pieces. They especially believed that protective amulets not only protected the living and infused power into them but were considered an armor of the deadas they protected them in the afterlife. The amulets were designed in the images of gods and animals considered as important. Specially The eye of Horus and Ankh key were and still are popular. The more popular scarab beetles are associated with the sun god Atum. 

   

In India, spiritual influence is so rich that it has its own branch of jewellery style called Temple jewellery. Apart from that as India is a land of diversity, we can find almost all the important religious influenced jewellery from Jainism, to Buddhism. From Christian to Muslim. From Parsis to Sikhs. And each has influenced and inspired designers in their own way. More popular among them are Yantras. Yantras are usually worn for protection from evil sprits. Generally south Indian women have various jewellery as part of daily life, which some of  the psychics believe that it helps our soul.

To learn more about online jewellery designing courses Bangalore visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.

Article Compiled By: 

Jyotsna Murthy

JD Student, SDI

World’s Largest Diamond - The Cullinan

The Rough Diamond

The Cullinan diamond is the largest non-carbonado and largest gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3106.75 carat rough weight. About 10.5 cm long in its largest dimension, it was found on 26 January 1905, in the Premier No. 2 mine, near Pretoria, South Africa.

Publicity photo of the Cullinan crystal being handed from Fred Wells (right)
to McHardy, who then hands it to Sir Thomas Cullinan (left).

Late one afternoon in 1905, Mr. Frederick Wells, the superintendent of the prolific Premier Mine in South Africa, was making a routine inspection trip through the mine when his attention was attracted by something reflecting the last slanting rays of the setting sun. Curious, he stopped for a closer look. He was eighteen feet below the surface of the earth, and the shiny object was on the steep wall of the mine a few feet above him. Mr. Wells quickly scaled the wall and extracted from the blueground what appeared to be a large diamond crystal. At first, he thought he was being fooled by a large piece of glass, but tests proved it to be the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. It weighed 3106 carats, or about 1⅓ pounds. It was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, who opened the mine and was visiting on that eventful day.

The Cullinan was sold to the Transvaal government, which presented it to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday on November 9th, 1907. It was insured for $1,250,000 when it was sent to England. The King entrusted the cutting of the stone to the famous Asscher's Diamond Co. in Amsterdam, which had cut the Excelsior and other large gems. The huge diamond was studied for months. On February 10th, 1908, Mr. Asscher placed the steel cleaver's blade in a previously prepared V-shaped groove and tapped it once with a heavy steel rod. The blade broke, but the diamond remained intact! The second time, it fell apart exactly as planned, and an employee at the factory reported that Mr. Asscher had fainted. A second cleavage in the same direction produced three principal sections; these in turn would produce nine major gems, 96 smaller brilliants, and 9.50 carats of unpolished pieces. The nine larger stones remain either in the British Crown Jewels or in the personal possession of the Royal Family.

These historically celebrated gems and their present mountings are as follows: The Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa, weighs 530.20 carats. King Edward placed it in the Sovereign's Royal Sceptre as part of the Crown Jewels, and it is now on display in the tower of London.

The nine largest pieces of the Cullinan Diamond. The largest piece would of course be cut into the Cullinan I (530.20 carats) and the the next largest into the Cullinan II (317.40 carats), and so on. This photo was probably taken in 1908, the year after the Cullinan rough was presented to King Edward VII for his 66th birthday.

The largest polished gem from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, and at 530.4 carats is the largest polished white diamond in the world. And it is Mounted in Royal Scepter
 

             

The Cullinan II is the second-largest gem from the Cullinan stone and called Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.40 carat cushion cut stone mounted in the band of the Imperial State Crown. Both gems are in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Cullinan III is a pear-shaped diamond weighing 94.40 carats, and is in the finial of Queen Mary's Crown and can be worn with the IV as a pendant-brooch. Many of Queen Mary's portraits show her wearing these two stones, and Elizabeth II makes use of them the same way.

The Cullinan IV, a 63.60-carat cushion shape, was originally set in the band of Queen Mary's crown, but can also be worn as jewelry, as described above.

The Cullinan VI (lower, 8.80 carats) and Cullinan VIII (upper, 6.80 carats).

To learn more about diamond designing courses visit Solitaire Diamond Institute Bangalore.

Article by
Krupa J S
CAD Designer
SDI