Gems - Arab Times

ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
30
Somethin’ different
bee lawns
By Dean Fosdick
T
urf grass may be an attractive
groundcover for homeowners
but it doesn’t hold much appeal for
pollinators.
Add some broadleaf plants with
flowers to the mix, however, and it’s a
different story: great forage for the
birds and the bees. Lower maintenance, too.
“Bee lawns aren’t 100 percent flowers. They have some grass included,”
said Mary Meyer, an extension horticulturist and professor with the
University of Minnesota. “While bees
don’t use grass, humans do. Most flowers, if you start walking on them, will
This March 31, 2012 phpto shows dandelions on a lawn near Langley, Wash. (AP)
die. Clover will tolerate a bit of foot
traffic.”
Nitrogen-rich Dutch white clover
generally is considered the best companion to cool-season lawn grasses
when the objective is attracting pollinators, said Mace Vaughan, pollinator
program director for The Xerces
Society for Invertebrate Conservation
in Portland, Oregon. “You can mow it
and keep it relatively tame in a lawn,
and bees love it,” Vaughan said.
“The good thing about Dutch white
clover is that it is good (to grow) across
most of the US.”
There was a time when many turf
seed mixes included clover. Then came
the rise of lawn purity: Yards were
designed to look like the manicured
greens on a golf course. All grass. No
broadleaf plants.
These formalized landscapes were
attractive but contained little food
value for foraging honeybees.
Now that clean lawn ethic is giving way to herb and vegetable gardens, a desire for minimal yard maintenance and concerns about steep
declines in pollinating insects.
People are opting for smaller lawns,
blended lawns or no lawns.
“The trend is urban meadows,
where homeowners take out their
lawns and replace them with diverse
wildflowers that can get tall and
rangy at the end of the season,”
Vaughan said. “But a nicely mown
border around the outside keeps
them looking tidy.”
Other flowering broadleaf plants
include dandelions (which bloom
early when little else is flowering),
lamium (shade-tolerant) and thyme.
Some property owners convert
less visible sections of their yards
into bio-diverse bee lawns.
“Reserve some chunks,” Meyer
said. “Devote your back lawn to a
bee lawn and leave your front lawn
traditional turf — the part that your
neighbors and passing traffic see.”
(AP)
Gems
Nafisa helps her clients acquire the perfect piece
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Souk). Includes transportation, a traditional lunch, and an English speaking guide.
The tour is on Saturday, Feb 7 @ 8:30am2:30pm
Adults: 18KD Kids: 10KD – Contact us
to register
Payment Deadline: Jan 29
Spices of Life by Claudia Rashoud:
Claudia will provide you with a feast for
the senses when she talks about the herbs
and spices that are used in traditional
Kuwaiti medicines. Find out how these
ingredients are used and where local
ladies buy what they need to make their
own special concoctions for health and
beauty, Tuesday, Feb 3 at 7 pm.
The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking expats
in Kuwait. For more information, please
call 25231015 or e-mail
info@tiescenter.net or visit www.tiescenter.net.
Feb 2
UN Interfaith Harmony week: On
the occasion of the UN Interfaith
Harmony week, the first week of
February, The AWARE Center is organizing a series of lectures with the participation of the famed speaker and YouTube
personality Rev Deborah Lindsay (First
Community Church, Ohio.) Famous for
her efforts in building bridges between
Christians and Muslims across the United
States. Rev Deborah Lindsay’s lecture
will be held at the Public Authority for
Industry Building, South Surra, Ministries
Zone on Feb 2 at 7:00 pm and will be followed by dinner buffet.
Join us as we come together to promote mutual respect and understanding
through Dialogue.
The AWARE Center (Advocates for
Westerner-Arab Relations center) is a
non-profit, non-governmental, and nonpolitical organization working for promoting positive, constructive relations
between Westerners and Arabs by organizing social activities and information services related to Arab and Islamic culture.
“It is through culture that we preserve our
heritage, that we express our creativity
and that we share our individuality with
the world,” said Assistant Manager Dr
Teresa Lesher at AWARE’s inauguration
ceremony in October 2003. Over the
years, AWARE has built a reputation as a
consistent, trusted, and reliable resource
for Westerners in Kuwait.
Feb 4
IWA art exhibition: Indian Women’s
Association (IWA) presents an art exhibition at the Dar El Cid in Jabriya on Feb 4,
5, and 6. The exhibition will feature Dr
Tehseen Khan, who will present ‘Tides of
Life,’ and Dr Anupama Arora Malik, who
will present ‘Expressions Through
Colours.’ The exhibition will be inaugurated by Sami Mohammed, a pioneering
contemporary artist of the Arab world.
The exhibition will be open to viewing.
For more information contact www.zeraah.com and facebook.com/
AnupamaAroraMalik.
Feb 6
UCCAAK Annual Day: Union
Christian College Aluva Alumni Kuwait
(UCCAAK) is conducting its 5th Annual
day on Friday, Feb 6, 2015 at Sangeetha
Auditorium, Mangaf from 6.00 pm to
9.30 pm.
UCCAAK executive committee invites
all the alumni members and their family
to attend this annual day and make this
event a grand success. Various cultural
programs were organized by the budding
talents of UCCAAK.
Any new member hailing from Union
Christian College please join hand with
UCCAAK. For more details, contact
99597294, 97202743 or 97205676.
Feb 8
Healing and meditation course:
Special healing and other meditation
courses by NYF Kuwait during a brief
visit of Dr N.A. Shetty to Kuwait from
Feb 8th to Feb 15. Dr N.A. Shetty gives
private consultation and private courses
on these days. On Feb 8th ‘Liberation
course’ from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. On Feb
10th ‘Past Life Regression and Future
Life Progress’ in Salmiya and Bayan.
NYF offers ‘Reiki Level I’ on Feb 13th
from 10:30 am-12:30 pm in Salmiya.
Private consultations are available for one
hour based on pendulum dowsing, Reiki
different levels, healing techniques,
Chakra activation course, astrology etc.
NYF also conducts regular yoga. For registration and more details contact:
99315825/99838117. Visit our website www.nityayoga.in
Feb 11
YMCA ecumenical bible quiz:
YMCA Kuwait is conducting the 3rd
‘Gems in jewelry elevate style and status’
gems, Nafisa is quick to point out
that there is a sizeable number of
stones that are free of any astrological connections. She dwelt in detail
on the Indian belief in astrogems.
In India, zodiac sign is calculated
on the placement and strength of the
planet closest at the time of birth. It
is believed that the character and
traits of a child are also based on the
position and nature of the planet of
his horoscope. “According to the
Indians, Sun is the center of the
Solar system. Since all the planets in
the Solar system have emerged from
the sun, any activity on any planet is
influenced by the position and nature
of other planets at that point in time.
By Chaitali B. Roy
Arab Times Staff
F
or ages, they sat on the crowns of
emperors representing supremacy, power and wealth, and even
longer than that kept their hold on
the imagination of the common man
with their mysterious appeal, luster,
beauty and colour. They are gemstones, wonders of nature, mined
from the bowels of the earth, coveted
and lusted for their exclusivity, rarity
and durability. “Gemstones have
been celebrated and valued from the
very beginning of history, right from
the Babylonian, Egyptian and
Sumerian times,” shares Nafisa
Idrees, jewelry designer and gem
expert. “They were valued because
the ancient civilizations discovered
their energies that interacted with the
human body.”
Nafisa is passionate about gemstones. A graduate of the Indian
Institute of Gems and Jewelry, her
passion led her to become a certified
gemologist from the International
Gemological Institute. “After completing my education in jewellery
designing and manufacturing, and
practicing for a year, I realized that
true jewellery goes beyond gold and
silver.” She recognized that jewelry
in itself is incomplete without the
added radiance of gemstones.
“However,” she continues, “Since
the science of gemstone is not a perfect science, and there are plenty of
imitations, customers are misled
about genuine stones in the local
market. In fact, most people shy
away from real gemstones because of
its price or effect.” To fight these
inaccuracies and commercial discrepancies, and to provide genuine
appraisal, Nafisa took up gemology.
Today, Nafisa is an acknowledged
gemstone expert who also designs
and manufactures jewelry in her boutique in Salmiya.
“I design and produce the jewelry
thus completing the cycle of service.
Gems and jewellery are an important
investment; the entire experience of
getting it made has to be special and
customized to your lifestyle and
desire,” she says. Nafisa loves to
help people navigate the jargon filled
and a rather confusing world of gemstone and jewelry trading. She is
happiest helping her clients acquire
the perfect piece that will bring them
joy for decades to come.
Not many people know that gemstones are a miracle of mineral formation found below the earth’s crust,
their colours depending on their
chemical composition. “A freshly
mined rough gem stone is milky and
full of inclusions,” shares the expert.
Gemstones are graded according to
their clarity and colour. “The natural
transparency and color of the gem is
highlighted by cutting, polishing and
finishing.”
Topaz in white gold
Pink quarts
Amethyst bracelet
Precious gemstones
Inherited gemstones redesigned for new generation
Multi-gem set
Annual Bible Quiz for members from all
the churches in Kuwait on Feb 11, 2015
at Light House, NECK from 6:30pm
onwards. The section of the Bible based
on which the quiz is going to be held is,
all Chapters from the Judges,
Deuteronomy, St Mathew and Acts of
Apostles. The first three winners will be
presented with ever rolling trophies and
Certificates. Last date of Registration is
1st February, 2015. For registration and
more enquiries please contact: Joseph
M.A. (Convener) Mob # 66843917,
Parimanam Manoj (General Secretary)
Mob # 97542985.
Semi-precious gemstones
Attention
When asked about her perception
of gemstones, Nafisa says, “Keeping
all factors aside, let’s look at gems
for what they really are; they are
beautiful, charismatic and attractive.
Personally, I enjoy having gems in
my jewellery. It sets me apart from
the crowd; it elevates my style and
status and attracts attention.
“When people ask, I say: “It’s a
real gemstone”, “It’s an amethyst,
aventurine, chalcedony etc.” A gemstone does not have to be very
expensive or rare. I want people to
come out of the few familiar names
and discover an abundant choice in
semi-precious and organic gems
available.”
Speaking of how she brings
together her love for gems and her
skills as a designer, she says, “As a
jewellery designer, I study the personality and lifestyle of my client. I
also analyze their skin tone and body
structure, which helps me design a
piece that complements their look
perfectly. I take into account other
factors like budget, price of precious
metals and the purpose of making the
Pearls, emeralds, rubies bracelet
jewellery. My clients either bring
their gems or choose gems or beads
from my boutique.”
Over the years, as Nafisa soaked in
knowledge about gems, she came to
know more about the history, astrolo-
Astrology
“Each gem in astrology denotes a
related planet. For example, yellow
sapphire relates to Jupiter; blue sapphire relates to Saturn; emerald to
Mercury and diamond to Venus etc.
To overcome the weakness of a planet at the time of birth, astrologers
prescribe wearing a certain gemstone
of a particular weight and clarity.”
There is a tradition of wearing gems
in the Islamic culture. “The powers
of gemstones are mentioned in the
Holy Bible, Vishnu Puran, Holy
Quran, and many other religious
books,” says Nafisa. “Islam does not
believe that gemstones can change
anyone’s destiny. However, it does
believe in the benefits, energies and
importance of gems.”
Natural gemstones are broadly
divided into precious and semi-precious stones. “Precious stones are the
very rare ones; they take more time
to mine and are hard to cut and polish,” says Nafisa. “It surprises me
when people say gemstones are
expensive. There are over 250 varieties of recognized natural gemstones. A layperson is aware of 10 to
15 gems, which are commonly used
for astrological purposes. Their popularity is also one of the factors that
hike their prices. However, a vast
selection of other gems is also available in the market. These are not
very expensive and can be used by
anyone in art or jewellery. But, any
day, a natural gem is far better than
synthetic or artificial ones.” For
more information on gemstones, you
can log on to nafisadesigns.com.
gy, science and religious beliefs
involved in its understanding. She
understood that gems are also worn
for reasons other than their aesthetic
properties. “Gemstones are also worn
for astrological benefits, healing
Traits of a good gem
■ Clarity, transparency
or even opacity
■ Cut and shape
■ Carat (Weight of the
piece)
■ Color and physical
appearance
■ Attractive energies
■ Response to different lights. (Refraction,
reflection, absorption, diffusion, opalescence, etc)
■ Composition: mineral
properties, physical properties, hardness, etc.
Nafisa Idrees
powers and their beauty. It depends
on the status, knowledge and interest
of the wearer.” For those who wear
gems for their benefits, a knowledge
of their energy field is necessary .
“Nothing that Nature creates is,
without energy, and energy effects in
various ways. Different gems have
different effects; this knowledge is
known as astrology. And the scientific study of gemstones is called
gemology. One should have access to
a good astrologer and gem expert if
one needs to wear a gem for a particular benefit. But then there are those
who wear gemstones for its allure.”
While discussing gems, it is hard
to avoid their connection to astrology, specifically Indian astrology. “I
am a modern entrepreneur, a qualified gemologist, and a believer in
logical reasoning. Since astrology is
an important aspect of gemstones, its
knowledge becomes crucial to anyone dealing in gemstones,” explains
Nafisa. But despite the close connection that is limited to a handful of
Feb 20
ICS presents Mohit Chauhan:
Indian Cultural Society (ICS) proudly
presents “Mohit Chauhan The Rockstar”
on Friday 20th February at Daiya Indoor
stadium.
Pioneers of live entertainment and producer of regular hit shows, ICS proudly
presents On Friday 20th February India’s
leading playback singer Mohit Chauhan.
After the grand success of “Aashiq
Banaya Aapne”, Indian Cultural Society
will present King of comedy, film and television living legend Umar Sharif live on
stage in Kuwait. ICS always tries to
bridge cultures and to keep the community happy by bringing together renowned
artists on one stage. On Feb 20, ICS will
also present unique acrobats Diwakar
Nayal, Sonia Mathur & Ankita who will
perform astonishing trio act. The show
will also feature Kuwait’s own talents —
Dreamers, Dancing Divas, Shrishti Dance
Academy and Safa Khan. Dreamers will
present first time Acro-Dance Workshop
on 21st Feb at SIMS.
Mohit Chauhan: The Rockstar Mohit
Chauhan is an Indian pop & playback
singer, most known for his romantic ballads. He started his career singing Indian
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