For Valentine's Day gift, forget diamonds: try ichnusaite

PARIS - Far rarer than diamonds or emeralds, some minerals on Earth are known only from thimbleful samples, according to a first list of 2,550 obscure minerals on Friday that could have future uses, ranging from industry to exotic Valentine's Day gifts.

Ichnusaite, fingerite, amicite and nevadaite are among truly rare minerals - defined as those known to come from five or fewer places worldwide - and form only under extremely unusual conditions, the scientists wrote.

"Diamond, ruby, emerald, and other precious gems are found at numerous localities and are sold in commercial quantities, and thus are not rare" alongside those in the study, they wrote in the journal American Mineralogist.

"If you wanted to give your fiancee a really rare ring, forget diamond. Give her Sardinian ichnusaite," Robert Hazen, a co-author of the study at the Carnegie Institution, wrote in a statement.

Ichnusaite forms from thorium and lead-like molybdenum and only one tiny whitish crystal has ever been found, in Sardinia. "Some of the other rare minerals are also only known from a thimbleful," he told Reuters.

Of 5,090 minerals known worldwide, fewer than 100 make up 99 percent of the Earth's crust. Most are from common elements such as oxygen, silicon and aluminium.

Some of the 2,550 rare minerals defined in the study might have commercial properties, from electronics to batteries, if they could be manufactured, the authors said.

Laser pointers, for instance, used to require rubies, but the rubies are now commercially manufactured. Artificial diamonds are also widely used, from industry to jewels.

The authors said some of the rare minerals required exact temperatures to grow, others formed only with rare elements, others can dissolve easily, or only occur in dangerous locations such as in volcanoes.

"They form in a perfect storm of conditions," Jesse Ausubel, co-author at the Rockefeller University, told Reuters.

The authors estimated 1,500 types of mineral were still to be found on Earth. "There are some master jewellers who would love to work with the rare minerals tiara of the 21st century," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How you can give a Valentine's Day gift that lasts

MANILA, Philippines - Finding the perfect gift for your partner is always a challenge. Where would you find that one item that shows your love and at the same time is something that he or she would appreciate and enjoy?

Chances are, you’ve walked through several malls, even gone through all the advertisements that retailers bombard consumers with, especially during the month of February. After Christmas, Valentine’s Day is another holiday that sends shoppers on a frenzied gift search: perfume, chocolates, flowers, a lavish dinner, or even a quick weekend getaway.

This year, why not try to be different. Have you ever thought of getting your partner something more practical that could still convey your message of love and commitment?

Although it may not initially sound romantic to give a useful gift, doing so conveys affection that is more than skin-deep. It communicates your time and effort put into thinking about your partner’s needs, your desire to help your loved one address these, and your commitment to his or her future and well-being. What can be more heartfelt than that?

Roses and chocolates may be sweet, and you can always give your partner these tokens to express your feelings. But when you want to break stereotypes and show that you care beyond mere gestures, these practical gifts would definitely be appreciated by your partner:

A gadget to make your partner more efficient at work.

Is your partner stressed at work? Perhaps he or she might benefit from a gadget or tool that can do his or her work faster. That may be a better laptop if the current one is constantly breaking down. Let’s say your partner runs a food business and has been trying to make do with a two-burner stove. An additional burner would do, as would any other cooking implement that would allow the food preparation process to go faster and more efficiently.

A personal development plan.

Is your partner eager to learn new things and expand his or her opportunities? Why don’t you consider enrolling him in a course of his or her choice? That could be anything that can expand horizons and growth chances. Think about it – a one-day course in HTML, Photoshop, photography, basic accounting, even balloon-making or food preparation would help your partner over the long haul.

The gift of health.

Your partner’s health and well-being is also your concern. Why not pay for your partner’s executive check-up? This would allow you to identify possible problems that may arise, as well as take precautionary steps to prevent any health-related concerns from setting in. You can even get your partner a health plan. Other gift options are a new bike or a pair of running shoes if your partner enjoys outdoor activity.

An investment in your future together.

Although it’s nice to live in the now, it is equally romantic to think about building your nest egg together. If you do not have a joint savings account, invite your partner to open one with you and gift him or her with the seed money to get this fund going. You can also buy mutual funds or UITFs to help you work toward your nest egg, or get a life insurance plan to show that you are indeed thinking about your family.

Help for your partner’s present day financial concerns.

Is your partner struggling with debt? Why don’t you offer to pay this month’s credit card statement to alleviate your partner of money worries? This is a gesture that would surely go a long way. Along with this gift, you can also present him with information on tools to better manage his credit card debt and future spending.

Just because you’ve chosen to give a practical gift doesn’t mean you’ve thrown away the emotion or romance from the relationship. Give a thought on how to present the gift to your partner in a manner that would show your affection. Think of how to give the gift, the message that would go with it, and how you would say it – which you would also do if you were giving your partner a giant bouquet of roses or a nice flashy watch.

When you are committed to someone, his or her well-being is also your concern. Whether you’ve been together for a long time or have only been going out for a few months, thoughtful, practical gifts such as these show not only that you care, but also that you are willing to stick it out in the long haul. Happy Valentine’s Day!

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com