Shoe Lacing Techniques…pt2

6 Lattice Lacing:

         Great for boots and sneakers with a wide gap, this very popular method forms a neat woven lattice in the middle of the lacing.

         Pluses:                                                        Minuses:

• Very popular                                      Hard to tighten
• Decorative look                                 Shortens ends

7 Loop Back Lacing:

         Each side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those loop-backs tend to shift off-centre.

         Pluses:                                                        Minuses:

• Decorative look                                     Laces wear more
•                                                                   Centerline shifts
•                                                                   Shortens ends 

8 Twistie Lacing:

         The laces are twisted together with a vertical overhand knot at each crossover before continuing to the other side.

         Pluses:                                                        Minuses:

• Decorative look                                 Hard to loosen
• Keeps lacing tight                             Shortens ends

Shoe Lacing Techniques…pt1

Mathematics tells us that there are over 2 Trillion ways of feeding a lace through the six pairs of eyelets on an average shoe. This article however presents a (somewhat more realistic) typical cross-section of traditional and alternative lacing methods that I’ve either learnt or been told about.

The selection is limited to those methods that are widely used, have a particular uniqueness about them, or that I just like the look of.

1 The Criss Cross Lacing:

     This is probably the most common of all the lacing methods. The laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe.

         Pluses:                                                        Minuses:

•  Simpe to lace                                      Corrugates the shoe
• Comfortable 

 

2 Straight (Bar) Lacing:

         Often referred to as “Fashion Lacing” or “Lydiard Lacing”, this variation of Straight Lacing eliminates the underlying diagonals, which looks neater plus relieves pressure on the top ridge of the foot. This is my personal favourite.

         Pluses:                                                         Minuses:

• Comfortable                                 Might look odd on some shoes
• Neat look
• Lengthens ends

 

3 Shoe Shop Lacing:

          Commonly seen in shoe shops because many new shoes come pre-laced this way from the factory, this method is another easy way of Straight Lacing.

         Pluses:                                                         Minuses:

• Easy to lace                                           Shortens ends

 

4 Ladder Lacing:

         This distinctive lacing, which looks just like a ladder, is also useful for “shortening” long lace ends. U.S. paratroopers and ceremonial guard units wear jump boots with white ladder lacing.

         Pluses:                                                         Minuses:

• Distinctive look                                   Harder to tighten
• Stays very tight                                   Shortens ends

 

5 Spider Web Lacing:

         Another decorative lacing method used on military boots, which is like Ladder Lacing, but running at an angle, creating a woven web of shoelace.

         Pluses:                                                          Minuses:

• Distinctive look                                    Harder to tighten
• Stays firm and tight                             Shortens ends

The story of DIAMONDS…pt. 2

Identification

In the 22 November 2008 issue of New Scientist, it was stated that Russell Hemley of the Geophysical Laboratory at the Carnegie Institution for Science had discovered a technique to make diamonds via microwaves which were indistinguishable from natural diamonds. Yufei Meng, a scientist from the same laboratory, claimed that after having sent these diamonds for diamond jewellery identification, they were not identified as different from natural diamonds. Such claims are often made for new synthetics, simulants, and treated stones, so it is important to validate how the stones were submitted for identification.

Properly-trained and equipped gemologists can distinguish between natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds. They can also identify the vast majority of treated natural diamonds, two exceptions being a small minority of HPHT-treated Type II diamonds and some artificially-irradiated green diamonds. “Perfect” crystals (at the atomic lattice level) have never been found to exist anywhere, so both natural and synthetic diamonds always possess characteristic imperfections, arising from the circumstances of their crystal growth, that allow them to be distinguished from each other.

Laboratories use techniques such as spectroscopy, microscopy and luminescence under shortwave ultraviolet light to determine a diamond’s origin. They also use specially-made machines to aid them in the identification process. Two screening machines are the DiamondSure and the DiamondView, both produced by the DTC and marketed by the GIA.

Several methods for identifying synthetic diamonds can be performed, depending on the method of production and the color of the diamond. CVD diamonds can usually be identified by an orange fluorescence. D-J colored diamonds can be screened through the Swiss Gemological Organization’s Diamond Spotter. Stones in the D-Z color range can be examined through the DiamondSure UV/visible spectrometer which is a tool developed by De Beers. Similarly, natural diamonds usually have minor imperfections and flaws, such as inclusions of foreign material, that are not seen in synthetic diamonds.

Controversial sources

In some of the more politically unstable central African and west African countries, revolutionary groups have taken control of diamond mines, using proceeds from diamond sales to finance their operations. Diamonds sold through this process are known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. Major diamond trading corporations continue to fund and fuel these conflicts by doing business with armed groups. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central and western Africa, the United Nations, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberley Process in 2002. The Kimberley Process aims to ensure that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. This is done by requiring diamond-producing countries to provide proof that the money they make from selling the diamonds is not used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities. Although the Kimberley Process has been moderately successful in limiting the number of conflict diamonds entering the market, some still find their way in. 2–3% of all diamonds traded today are potentially conflict diamonds. Two major flaws still hinder the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process: (1) the relative ease of smuggling diamonds across African borders, and (2) the violent nature of diamond mining in nations that are not in a technical state of war and whose diamonds are therefore considered “clean.”

The Canadian Government has set up a body known as Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct to help authenticate Canadian diamonds. This is a very stringent tracking system of diamonds and helps protect the ‘conflict free’ label of Canadian diamonds.

The story of DIAMONDS…pt. 1.

     They say diamonds are a girls best friend. Well i guess these days diamonds are everybody’s best friend, from rappers to actors, and from brides to investors.

     Diamonds are so much talked about now that they even have their own songs(e.g. Diamonds are forever- Shirley Bassey, Diamonds from Sierra Leone- KanYe West…etc), and nick names( ‘bling bling’, ‘frostings’…etc). But what do we really know about diamonds, i mean apart from the fact that they attract wanted attention and they’re bloody expensive.

     To really understand the ‘bling-bling’  culture let us take a detailed look at this pricey stone.

    

A Brief History:

Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, where significant alluvial deposits of the stone could then be found many centuries ago along the rivers Penner, Krishna and Godavari. Diamonds have been known in India for at least 3000 years but most likely 6000 years.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek word(adámas), “unbreakable, untamed”, from (a-), “un-” +(damáō), “I overpower, I tame”, and is the real-world origin of myths about a superhard metal called adamant.

In 1813, Humphry Davy used a lens to concentrate the rays of the sun on a diamond in an atmosphere of oxygen, and showed that the only product of the combustion was carbon dioxide, proving that diamond is composed of carbon. Later, he showed that in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen, diamond is converted to graphite.

Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.

The most familiar usage of diamonds today is as gemstones used for adornment, a usage which dates back into antiquity. The dispersion of white light into spectral colors, is the primary gemological characteristic of gem diamonds.

In the twentieth century, experts in the field of gemology have developed methods of grading diamonds and other gemstones based on the characteristics most important to their value as a gem. Four characteristics, known informally as the four Cs, are now commonly used as the basic descriptors of diamonds: these are carat, cut, colour, and clarity.

Huh?

     Can you believe this is a D&G hoodie? Not sure why a fully grown man would wear this.

Mismatch?

Actually i think this is a neat suit. Wish the pants fit properly and nice POLISHED shoes were worn to go with the outfit.

Why?

Apart from the fact that the print of this pant suit is…well to me hedious, bright colours aren’t meant to be worn at night even for celebrities, so the combination of these two is a definate NO-NO, hence the question why? Why would Katy (whose wacky style was thought to be fun at first) do somthing like this to herself?

Zac Efron

     At first, i said to myself “nice suit, but it looks too simple for the event” and then i had a better look and noticed the lapel. The lapel cut alone makes this a very nice suit, so plus the single button and the skinny beltless pants, i think this is an excellent suit for the occasion. Well done Zac.

Hammer Time?

     Was Jennifer Lopez having an Mc Hammer moment?