Thursday, 16 July 2015
Fire Opals on Mars Could Point to Evidence of Life on the Red Planet
JULY 16TH, 2015
A tiny fragment of fire opal found in a Martian meteorite could point to evidence of life on the Red Planet.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow discovered traces of fire opal in a 1.7 gram (1/20 ounce) sample taken from the famous Nakhla meteorite, which crashed in Egypt in 1911 and has been housed in the Natural History Museum in London.
The fire opal discovery affirms information gained during NASA's imaging and exploration of the Martian surface. NASA detected deposits of opal and other minerals, such as olivine (the non-precious version of peridot). The presence of opal is significant because the gemstone famous for its brilliant orange, yellow and red display of color is also known to form in and around hot springs.
"Microbial life thrives in these conditions, and opal can trap and preserve these microbes for millions of years," said Professor Martin Lee of the University of Glasgow's School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. "If Martian microbes existed, it’s possible they too may be preserved in opal deposits on the surface of Mars."
Armed with this information, future exploration of Mars and the search for evidence of life on that planet could focus heavily on the study of opal. These findings were revealed in an article in the scientific journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.
The Nakhla meteorite, which is named for the town in which it landed, crashed to Earth on June 28, 1911. About 22 pounds of meteorite debris (about 40 pieces) were scattered over a three-mile area. The largest piece weighed about four pounds. Some fragments were embedded three feet into the ground.
Scientists believe the meteorite was blasted from the face of Mars by a powerful impact of unknown origin. Witnesses in Egypt reported seeing the meteorite approaching from the northwest along a track marked by a column of white smoke.
While conventional opals are mined primarily in Australia, fire opals are found in a number of countries, including Mexico and Brazil. Fire opals get their blazing color from fine traces of iron oxide in their chemical composition. They have a hardness of between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they are susceptible to scratching and require a protective setting when used in fine jewelry, especially as a ring.
Credits: Mars shots via NASA; Nakhla meteorite via WikiCommons; Fire opal uncredited via Twitter/ScienceAllDay
Researchers at the University of Glasgow discovered traces of fire opal in a 1.7 gram (1/20 ounce) sample taken from the famous Nakhla meteorite, which crashed in Egypt in 1911 and has been housed in the Natural History Museum in London.
The fire opal discovery affirms information gained during NASA's imaging and exploration of the Martian surface. NASA detected deposits of opal and other minerals, such as olivine (the non-precious version of peridot). The presence of opal is significant because the gemstone famous for its brilliant orange, yellow and red display of color is also known to form in and around hot springs.
"Microbial life thrives in these conditions, and opal can trap and preserve these microbes for millions of years," said Professor Martin Lee of the University of Glasgow's School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. "If Martian microbes existed, it’s possible they too may be preserved in opal deposits on the surface of Mars."
Armed with this information, future exploration of Mars and the search for evidence of life on that planet could focus heavily on the study of opal. These findings were revealed in an article in the scientific journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.
The Nakhla meteorite, which is named for the town in which it landed, crashed to Earth on June 28, 1911. About 22 pounds of meteorite debris (about 40 pieces) were scattered over a three-mile area. The largest piece weighed about four pounds. Some fragments were embedded three feet into the ground.
Scientists believe the meteorite was blasted from the face of Mars by a powerful impact of unknown origin. Witnesses in Egypt reported seeing the meteorite approaching from the northwest along a track marked by a column of white smoke.
While conventional opals are mined primarily in Australia, fire opals are found in a number of countries, including Mexico and Brazil. Fire opals get their blazing color from fine traces of iron oxide in their chemical composition. They have a hardness of between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they are susceptible to scratching and require a protective setting when used in fine jewelry, especially as a ring.
Credits: Mars shots via NASA; Nakhla meteorite via WikiCommons; Fire opal uncredited via Twitter/ScienceAllDay
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Gemfields' Global Brand Ambassador Mila Kunis Stars in Short Film Showcasing Mozambican Rubies
JULY 15TH, 2015
Actress Mila Kunis stars in a two-minute film directed by art photographer Jeff Burton showcasing the glamorous, alluring and mysterious appeal of Mozambican rubies.
The Neptune Ascending actress, who is also a global brand ambassador for mining company Gemfields, wears deep-red lipstick to complement exquisite ruby jewelry in the soft-focus, dreamlike sequences. Filmed along the canyons above Malibu, Calif., the director employs extreme closeups and lacy veils of ambient light to give the short-format piece an ethereal, otherworldly vibe.
“Working on this film with Gemfields and Jeff Burton was an amazing experience," the 31-year-old Kunis said in a statement. "I was given the opportunity to try and capture the allure and passion that rubies evoke in an unexpected way. I believe it will help to inspire a whole new generation to fall in love with this rarest of gemstones.”
Already world famous for its high-quality Zambia-sourced emeralds, the London-based Gemfields produced the short film to shine the spotlight on its newly acquired Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique. The film release is also perfectly timed to align with July's official birthstone — the ruby.
Only last week, we reported on Gemfields auctioning a matched pair of vivid red rubies from its Montepuez mine that weighed a total of 45 carats. The find was extraordinary because high-clarity rubies of exquisite color are rarely found in sizes larger than 3 carats.
Kunis has been Gemfields' brand ambassador since 2013. To prepare her for this role, she was encouraged to tour the company's emerald mining operations in Zambia. The actress was most fascinated by the fact that every single emerald has its own fingerprint.
She told WWD, "I have an emerald, and you can [look at] it through a microscope, and because of the specific types of veins in the emerald, you can trace it back to the exact cavern and exact country that it’s from... They all have their own history and their own print.”
Gemfields' new attention on its Montepuez mine and the related film project must have been welcomed news for the mother of one who is married to Ashton Kutcher. You see, rubies are her favorite gemstone.
"I guess my favorite colored stone is maybe a ruby, oddly enough, because my grandmother’s engagement ring has a ruby in it," she told WWD. "By the way, she’s 95 and they don’t really have engagement rings in Russia, but her wedding band had a ruby in it and I kind of associated that with love."
Burton's short film features Mozambican rubies set into beautiful contemporary designs by Faberge, Georg Jensen, Spinelli Kilcollin, Gyan by Gem Plaza and Miiori.
Check it out below...
Images: Screen captures via YouTube; Rubies courtesy of Gemfields.
The Neptune Ascending actress, who is also a global brand ambassador for mining company Gemfields, wears deep-red lipstick to complement exquisite ruby jewelry in the soft-focus, dreamlike sequences. Filmed along the canyons above Malibu, Calif., the director employs extreme closeups and lacy veils of ambient light to give the short-format piece an ethereal, otherworldly vibe.
“Working on this film with Gemfields and Jeff Burton was an amazing experience," the 31-year-old Kunis said in a statement. "I was given the opportunity to try and capture the allure and passion that rubies evoke in an unexpected way. I believe it will help to inspire a whole new generation to fall in love with this rarest of gemstones.”
Already world famous for its high-quality Zambia-sourced emeralds, the London-based Gemfields produced the short film to shine the spotlight on its newly acquired Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique. The film release is also perfectly timed to align with July's official birthstone — the ruby.
Only last week, we reported on Gemfields auctioning a matched pair of vivid red rubies from its Montepuez mine that weighed a total of 45 carats. The find was extraordinary because high-clarity rubies of exquisite color are rarely found in sizes larger than 3 carats.
Kunis has been Gemfields' brand ambassador since 2013. To prepare her for this role, she was encouraged to tour the company's emerald mining operations in Zambia. The actress was most fascinated by the fact that every single emerald has its own fingerprint.
She told WWD, "I have an emerald, and you can [look at] it through a microscope, and because of the specific types of veins in the emerald, you can trace it back to the exact cavern and exact country that it’s from... They all have their own history and their own print.”
Gemfields' new attention on its Montepuez mine and the related film project must have been welcomed news for the mother of one who is married to Ashton Kutcher. You see, rubies are her favorite gemstone.
"I guess my favorite colored stone is maybe a ruby, oddly enough, because my grandmother’s engagement ring has a ruby in it," she told WWD. "By the way, she’s 95 and they don’t really have engagement rings in Russia, but her wedding band had a ruby in it and I kind of associated that with love."
Burton's short film features Mozambican rubies set into beautiful contemporary designs by Faberge, Georg Jensen, Spinelli Kilcollin, Gyan by Gem Plaza and Miiori.
Check it out below...
Images: Screen captures via YouTube; Rubies courtesy of Gemfields.
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
As New Jersey Man Plants Lucky Bamboo, He’s Reunited With Wedding Band Lost 15 Years Ago
JULY 14TH, 2015
While planting Lucky Bamboo in the backyard of his New Jersey home, Maan Moughawech was spectacularly reunited with a cherished 22-karat wedding band he lost 15 years ago. Many cultures believe that Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) attracts health, prosperity and good fortune.
Back in 2000, Moughawech and his wife, Savitree, had been renovating their newly purchased home in Bloomfield when Maan asked his wife to hold his wedding band while he did some painting. She hooked it onto her bangle bracelet for safekeeping.
“We both continued working, and she went outside to do some work in the backyard,” Maan told ABC News. “At the end of the work day, I asked for the ring back and she discovered that it fell [off] her bangle!”
The panicked couple retraced Savitree’s steps, which included a search of their backyard, but couldn’t find the brilliant 22-karat gold ring that they had purchased for their wedding ceremony only two years earlier.
“It was nowhere to be found,” he said. “I assumed that it may have been vacuumed up by the lawnmower.”
Accepting their loss, the couple bought a replacement band — one of a similar style and width, but in 14-karat gold instead of 22-karat.
“It did not have the same meaning as the original ring,” Maan admitted. “Once in a while, I would go around the property in search of the ring, but to no avail. So I gave up.”
A few days ago, the still-happy couple decided it was time to plant Lucky Bamboo in the corner of their yard.
As Maan started digging the hole, he recognized something yellow and shiny in the soil.
“I kneeled down to inspect it, and I instantly knew that it was my lost ring!” he told ABC News.
Probably suspecting that friends and family would have a hard time believing the ring would appear exactly where he placed his shovel, he took out his cell phone and snapped a bunch of pictures of the ring still embedded in the soil.
“Then I cleaned it off and [put] it back where it belongs, 15 years later,” he said. “My wife was in complete disbelief.”
One shot shows Maan wearing the old and new rings on the same finger. The 22-karat version has a deeper, warmer gold hue than the 14-karat version.
And what became of the Lucky Bamboo? Moughawech completed the hole and planted their good luck charm, which “definitely has a place” in their backyard now, he said.
Images courtesy of Maan Moughawech.
Back in 2000, Moughawech and his wife, Savitree, had been renovating their newly purchased home in Bloomfield when Maan asked his wife to hold his wedding band while he did some painting. She hooked it onto her bangle bracelet for safekeeping.
“We both continued working, and she went outside to do some work in the backyard,” Maan told ABC News. “At the end of the work day, I asked for the ring back and she discovered that it fell [off] her bangle!”
The panicked couple retraced Savitree’s steps, which included a search of their backyard, but couldn’t find the brilliant 22-karat gold ring that they had purchased for their wedding ceremony only two years earlier.
“It was nowhere to be found,” he said. “I assumed that it may have been vacuumed up by the lawnmower.”
Accepting their loss, the couple bought a replacement band — one of a similar style and width, but in 14-karat gold instead of 22-karat.
“It did not have the same meaning as the original ring,” Maan admitted. “Once in a while, I would go around the property in search of the ring, but to no avail. So I gave up.”
A few days ago, the still-happy couple decided it was time to plant Lucky Bamboo in the corner of their yard.
As Maan started digging the hole, he recognized something yellow and shiny in the soil.
“I kneeled down to inspect it, and I instantly knew that it was my lost ring!” he told ABC News.
Probably suspecting that friends and family would have a hard time believing the ring would appear exactly where he placed his shovel, he took out his cell phone and snapped a bunch of pictures of the ring still embedded in the soil.
“Then I cleaned it off and [put] it back where it belongs, 15 years later,” he said. “My wife was in complete disbelief.”
One shot shows Maan wearing the old and new rings on the same finger. The 22-karat version has a deeper, warmer gold hue than the 14-karat version.
And what became of the Lucky Bamboo? Moughawech completed the hole and planted their good luck charm, which “definitely has a place” in their backyard now, he said.
Images courtesy of Maan Moughawech.
Monday, 13 July 2015
‘Wizard of Oz’ Fan Offers $1 Million for Info Leading to Recovery of Stolen Ruby Slippers
JULY 13TH, 2015
An anonymous donor from Arizona is offering $1 million for information leading to the recovery of the iconic ruby slippers stolen 10 years ago from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn. Worn by Garland in her role as Dorothy in the blockbuster 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the pilfered pair was one of only four known to exist.
The pair, above, was famously donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 1979 and currently is the top attraction in the American Stories section (second floor east). A third pair was purchased in 2012 by Leonardo DiCaprio and other benefactors on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The fourth pair is owned by a private collector in Los Angeles.
A self-proclaimed big Wizard of Oz fan, the Arizona donor made his offer to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the audacious August 2005 heist of the ruby slippers from the Judy Garland Museum. To claim the reward, the tipster needs to provide the exact location of the slippers and the name of the perpetrator.
John Kelsch, executive director of the Judy Garland Museum, said the stolen slippers were insured for $1 million and could be worth up to $3 million today.
Back in June, the stolen shoes were in the news when Grand Rapids investigators followed a rumor that the slippers had been placed in a sealed container and sunk in a small lake about seven miles from Garland's birthplace. Although the dive proved fruitless, it did spark renewed interest in the missing slippers.
Interestingly, the ruby slippers were actually silver slippers in the 1899 children’s book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. According to film legend, screenwriter Noel Langley recommended that they be changed to ruby red so they would stand out better on the yellow brick road when shot in brilliant Technicolor.
Another neat piece of trivia is that the ruby slippers are not made of ruby at all. In fact, the bugle beads that prop designers used to simulate ruby proved to be too heavy. The solution was to replace most of the bugle beads with sequins, 2,300 on each shoe. The butterfly-shaped bow on the front of each shoe features red bugle beads outlined in red glass rhinestones in silver settings.
Images: Smithsonian
The pair, above, was famously donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 1979 and currently is the top attraction in the American Stories section (second floor east). A third pair was purchased in 2012 by Leonardo DiCaprio and other benefactors on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The fourth pair is owned by a private collector in Los Angeles.
A self-proclaimed big Wizard of Oz fan, the Arizona donor made his offer to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the audacious August 2005 heist of the ruby slippers from the Judy Garland Museum. To claim the reward, the tipster needs to provide the exact location of the slippers and the name of the perpetrator.
John Kelsch, executive director of the Judy Garland Museum, said the stolen slippers were insured for $1 million and could be worth up to $3 million today.
Back in June, the stolen shoes were in the news when Grand Rapids investigators followed a rumor that the slippers had been placed in a sealed container and sunk in a small lake about seven miles from Garland's birthplace. Although the dive proved fruitless, it did spark renewed interest in the missing slippers.
Interestingly, the ruby slippers were actually silver slippers in the 1899 children’s book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. According to film legend, screenwriter Noel Langley recommended that they be changed to ruby red so they would stand out better on the yellow brick road when shot in brilliant Technicolor.
Another neat piece of trivia is that the ruby slippers are not made of ruby at all. In fact, the bugle beads that prop designers used to simulate ruby proved to be too heavy. The solution was to replace most of the bugle beads with sequins, 2,300 on each shoe. The butterfly-shaped bow on the front of each shoe features red bugle beads outlined in red glass rhinestones in silver settings.
Images: Smithsonian
Friday, 10 July 2015
Music Friday: Nancy Wilson Sings, ‘You’re a Polished Diamond, Now You’re Feeling Kinda Rough' in Heart’s ‘There’s the Girl’
JULY 10TH, 2015
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today we feature the incomparable Wilson sisters — also known as Heart — performing “There’s the Girl,” a song they first released in 1987 and continue to sing in concert today.
The first lines of “There’s the Girl” go like this: “You’re a polished diamond / Now you’re feeling kinda rough / Yes I know how long you been searching / for the perfect touch.”
Co-writers Nancy Wilson and Holly Knight use diamond metaphors to describe a guy who can’t get over an old flame even though she’s a “complete disaster.” He’s a polished diamond (a pretty smooth operator), but the prospect of reconnecting with the ex-girlfriend has his heart beating faster. The emotional overload is making him feel kinda rough (as in "rough diamond").
Today’s featured tune is special to Heart fans because the lead vocals are performed by guitarist Nancy Wilson, not Ann, whose towering voice has been a hallmark of the band for more than 30 years. In fact, many fans never realized Ann sang the lead vocals for this song until their saw the music video or were lucky enough to see Heart perform “There’s a Girl” in concert.
"There's the Girl" is the third track from Heart's ninth studio album, Bad Animals. It climbed as high as #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart — one of 20 Top-40 singles credited to the band. Over their illustrious careers, the Wilson sisters have sold more than 35 million records worldwide, have scored seven Top-10 albums and earned four Grammy nominations. Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
The sisters revealed in a interview that they were both inspired to form a rock band when they saw the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
"The lightning bolt came out of the heavens and struck Ann and me the first time we saw the Beatles,” said Nancy Wilson. “There'd been so much anticipation and hype about the Beatles that it was a huge event, like the lunar landing. That was the moment Ann and I heard the call to become rock musicians."
Actively performing since 1974, Heart continues to tour today, with the 65-year-old Ann and 61-year-old Nancy still playing to full houses at large and small venues from coast to coast. Heart is in the midst of a long tour that includes a July 25 concert at Citi Field in New York City and an engagement at the Hollywood Bowl on August 22.
Please enjoy the official video of “There’s the Girl.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
"There's the Girl"Written by Holly Knight and Nancy Wilson. Performed by Heart.
You're a polished diamond
Now you're feeling kinda rough
Yes I know how long you been searching
for the perfect touch
You better hear what I say
I can tell your eyes are just about to
give you away
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
Just take my word now
Cause you know it's true
she ain't good enough
for the likes of you
You better hear what I say
I can tell your eyes are just about
to give you away
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
And all the time you can't get past her
There's the girl that you were after
Broken glass, complete disaster
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
I believed you once
When you explained
That it wasn't so tough
To forget her name
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
And all the time you can't get past her
There's the girl that you were after
Broken glass, complete disaster
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
There's the girl
There's the girl
There's the girl
There's the girl
Photos: Getty Images; Twitter/OfficialHeart.
The first lines of “There’s the Girl” go like this: “You’re a polished diamond / Now you’re feeling kinda rough / Yes I know how long you been searching / for the perfect touch.”
Co-writers Nancy Wilson and Holly Knight use diamond metaphors to describe a guy who can’t get over an old flame even though she’s a “complete disaster.” He’s a polished diamond (a pretty smooth operator), but the prospect of reconnecting with the ex-girlfriend has his heart beating faster. The emotional overload is making him feel kinda rough (as in "rough diamond").
Today’s featured tune is special to Heart fans because the lead vocals are performed by guitarist Nancy Wilson, not Ann, whose towering voice has been a hallmark of the band for more than 30 years. In fact, many fans never realized Ann sang the lead vocals for this song until their saw the music video or were lucky enough to see Heart perform “There’s a Girl” in concert.
"There's the Girl" is the third track from Heart's ninth studio album, Bad Animals. It climbed as high as #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart — one of 20 Top-40 singles credited to the band. Over their illustrious careers, the Wilson sisters have sold more than 35 million records worldwide, have scored seven Top-10 albums and earned four Grammy nominations. Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
The sisters revealed in a interview that they were both inspired to form a rock band when they saw the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
"The lightning bolt came out of the heavens and struck Ann and me the first time we saw the Beatles,” said Nancy Wilson. “There'd been so much anticipation and hype about the Beatles that it was a huge event, like the lunar landing. That was the moment Ann and I heard the call to become rock musicians."
Actively performing since 1974, Heart continues to tour today, with the 65-year-old Ann and 61-year-old Nancy still playing to full houses at large and small venues from coast to coast. Heart is in the midst of a long tour that includes a July 25 concert at Citi Field in New York City and an engagement at the Hollywood Bowl on August 22.
Please enjoy the official video of “There’s the Girl.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
"There's the Girl"Written by Holly Knight and Nancy Wilson. Performed by Heart.
You're a polished diamond
Now you're feeling kinda rough
Yes I know how long you been searching
for the perfect touch
You better hear what I say
I can tell your eyes are just about to
give you away
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
Just take my word now
Cause you know it's true
she ain't good enough
for the likes of you
You better hear what I say
I can tell your eyes are just about
to give you away
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
And all the time you can't get past her
There's the girl that you were after
Broken glass, complete disaster
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
I believed you once
When you explained
That it wasn't so tough
To forget her name
Cause there's the girl
that you were after
Feel your heart beating faster now
There's the girl that you were after
And all the time you can't get past her
There's the girl that you were after
Broken glass, complete disaster
There's the girl that you were after
Can you say that you don't
want her anymore
There's the girl
There's the girl
There's the girl
There's the girl
Photos: Getty Images; Twitter/OfficialHeart.
Thursday, 9 July 2015
‘Big Bang Theory’ Actress Mayim Bialik Warns Not to Jump to Conclusions Regarding Sheldon’s ‘Engagement Ring’
JULY 9TH, 2015
Fans of the Big Bang Theory have to wait 73 days until they can find out if Sheldon, indeed, loves Amy more than anyone ever knew, or if the awkward Romeo — who pulled out what seemed to be an engagement ring in the final moments of Season 8 — is destined for an extended stay at the Heartbreak Hotel.
In the May 7 season finale of CBS’ top-rated comedy, we witnessed Amy (Mayim Bialik) breaking up with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) via Skype because he wouldn’t commit to their relationship after five years of dating.
“This isn’t easy to say because I love you,” said Amy, “but I need some time to step back and reevaluate our situation. I hope you understand. Bye, Sheldon.”
She terminates the Skype call, and after a moment’s pause a stunned Sheldon addresses a Lord of the Rings figurine that’s sitting on his desk. “Well, Gollum, you’re an expert on rings. What do I do with this one?”
At that moment, Sheldon shocks the viewing audience by pulling a black engagement ring box from the top drawer of his desk.
Despite the obvious hint that Sheldon had fully intended to propose to Amy, actress Bialik told the Los Angeles Times that fans of the show (14 million weekly) shouldn’t jump to any conclusions.
"We don't know what he was planning to do with it,” Bialik said. “We don't know if it was something he got from his mother. We don't know what the process was by which he acquired that and what he would think to do with it."
Devoted followers of the Big Bang Theory are well aware that the writers like to keep their audiences guessing.
"People want to jump to all sorts of conclusions because it's super exciting to do so and they love these characters and they know them,” she continued. “But the neat thing about our show... and Jim and my character's relationship is that anything can happen. And I think the finale was proof of that."
Will Sheldon fight to get Amy back? Does the ring really represent Sheldon’s ultimate commitment to Amy and their future together?
We’ll all know for sure when Big Bang Theory returns for Season 9 on Monday, September 21.
Check out the dramatic cliffhanger below…
Images via CBS
In the May 7 season finale of CBS’ top-rated comedy, we witnessed Amy (Mayim Bialik) breaking up with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) via Skype because he wouldn’t commit to their relationship after five years of dating.
“This isn’t easy to say because I love you,” said Amy, “but I need some time to step back and reevaluate our situation. I hope you understand. Bye, Sheldon.”
She terminates the Skype call, and after a moment’s pause a stunned Sheldon addresses a Lord of the Rings figurine that’s sitting on his desk. “Well, Gollum, you’re an expert on rings. What do I do with this one?”
At that moment, Sheldon shocks the viewing audience by pulling a black engagement ring box from the top drawer of his desk.
Despite the obvious hint that Sheldon had fully intended to propose to Amy, actress Bialik told the Los Angeles Times that fans of the show (14 million weekly) shouldn’t jump to any conclusions.
"We don't know what he was planning to do with it,” Bialik said. “We don't know if it was something he got from his mother. We don't know what the process was by which he acquired that and what he would think to do with it."
Devoted followers of the Big Bang Theory are well aware that the writers like to keep their audiences guessing.
"People want to jump to all sorts of conclusions because it's super exciting to do so and they love these characters and they know them,” she continued. “But the neat thing about our show... and Jim and my character's relationship is that anything can happen. And I think the finale was proof of that."
Will Sheldon fight to get Amy back? Does the ring really represent Sheldon’s ultimate commitment to Amy and their future together?
We’ll all know for sure when Big Bang Theory returns for Season 9 on Monday, September 21.
Check out the dramatic cliffhanger below…
Images via CBS
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Urban Miner Scrapes Sidewalks of NYC’s Diamond District for Gold and Gemstones
JULY 8TH, 2015
The streets of New York City are literally paved with gold and gemstones, according to urban miner Raffi Stepanian. For the past four years, the Queens native has been earning $100 to $930 per week scraping the gunky expansion joints that separate the cement sidewalks of the world famous Diamond District.
The same joints that collect goop and occasionally catch a stiletto heel also provide a muddy groove into which gold, diamonds and gemstones can settle.
Stepanian told My9NJ.com that gold fragments and small gems often find their way onto the streets by clinging to the clothes and shoes of diamond district workers.
Armed with a bucket, magnets, tweezers and scraping tools, Stepanian typically heads out on his mining mission after 7:30 p.m., when most of the local businesses have closed for the day. Then he scans the sidewalk for anything reflective.
Once he finds a promising spot, he gets down on his knees to perform the tedious task of inspecting and collecting the material from the expansion joints that divide the concrete sidewalk. While demonstrating his technique to a reporter from My9NJ.com, Stepanian discovered something valuable right away.
"See over here?" Stepanian asked the reporter. "That's solder right there. Nice piece of gold solder."
A freelance diamond setter who has been in the jewelry business for more than 26 years, Stepanian got the mining bug four years ago when he happened upon a piece of gold on the sidewalk in front of a 47th Street jewelry exchange.
He now believes that the 60-year build-up of precious materials on the sidewalks of the Diamond District is far more concentrated than that of any diamond or gold mine.
He told The Daily Telegraph, “The soil in the sidewalks of 47th Street is saturated with the stuff. You might get $30 per piece, but it all adds up."
Once he’s collected enough material, Stepanian lugs his muck-filled bucket back to his home in Queens, where he separates and screens the material using water, dish soap, heat and a strainer.
How long will Stepanian continue to crawl the streets of the Diamond District looking for riches?
“As long as I keep finding material, I will keep doing this,” he said. “If people can drop them, I can pick them up.”
Images: Screen captures via My9NJ, YouTube.
The same joints that collect goop and occasionally catch a stiletto heel also provide a muddy groove into which gold, diamonds and gemstones can settle.
Stepanian told My9NJ.com that gold fragments and small gems often find their way onto the streets by clinging to the clothes and shoes of diamond district workers.
Armed with a bucket, magnets, tweezers and scraping tools, Stepanian typically heads out on his mining mission after 7:30 p.m., when most of the local businesses have closed for the day. Then he scans the sidewalk for anything reflective.
Once he finds a promising spot, he gets down on his knees to perform the tedious task of inspecting and collecting the material from the expansion joints that divide the concrete sidewalk. While demonstrating his technique to a reporter from My9NJ.com, Stepanian discovered something valuable right away.
"See over here?" Stepanian asked the reporter. "That's solder right there. Nice piece of gold solder."
A freelance diamond setter who has been in the jewelry business for more than 26 years, Stepanian got the mining bug four years ago when he happened upon a piece of gold on the sidewalk in front of a 47th Street jewelry exchange.
He now believes that the 60-year build-up of precious materials on the sidewalks of the Diamond District is far more concentrated than that of any diamond or gold mine.
He told The Daily Telegraph, “The soil in the sidewalks of 47th Street is saturated with the stuff. You might get $30 per piece, but it all adds up."
Once he’s collected enough material, Stepanian lugs his muck-filled bucket back to his home in Queens, where he separates and screens the material using water, dish soap, heat and a strainer.
How long will Stepanian continue to crawl the streets of the Diamond District looking for riches?
“As long as I keep finding material, I will keep doing this,” he said. “If people can drop them, I can pick them up.”
Images: Screen captures via My9NJ, YouTube.
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