Most diamond retailers hire their own gemologists and appraisers, but many consumers find it more desirable to request third party appraisal from an independent gemologist who specializes in the appraisal of diamonds. If you're going to invest in a stone, or are curious about a stone you already own, you'll want to be sure that the stone you've got is appraised accurately. An appraisal involves two basic steps: first identifying and evaluating the stone in question, and then assigning value. When looking at independent appraisers, it would be ideal to select an appraiser with a Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree issued by a Gemological Institute in your country, who isn't involved directly in the sale of diamonds. This way, you can be sure that the science is sound. Aside from finding out whether or not the stone is fake, a good appraiser can answer a variety of questions about the quality of your stone to make sure that you're not getting ripped off. This is especially important if you've already purchased or inherited a stone. The gemologist should be able to tell you: whether or not the stone is man-made or natural (Note: man-made diamonds are diamonds, just not "natural". See the section on detecting man-made diamonds for more detail.) whether or not the stone has been color-altered whether the stone has had permanent or temporary treatment added whether a stone matches the grading documentation provided by a retailer Whatever tests you choose to have performed, the best and most reliable way to tell if a diamond is real is to check the paperwork and speak to the gemologist or the appraiser. Certification and grading assures you that your stone has been "proven" real by experts. Proof is especially important if you're buying a stone sight-unseen, like from the Internet. Ask for a certificate. The certificate should be from a grading authority (e.g. GIA, AGSL, LGP, PGGL) or an independent appraiser who is affiliated with a professional organization (like the American Society of Appraisers) but not with any one retailer. Certificates come with lots of information about your diamond, such as carat weight, measurements, proportions, clarity grade, color grade, and cut grade. Certificates may also come with information that you might not expect a jeweler to give you. They include: Fluorescence, or the tendency of the diamond to give off faint glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Polish, or the smoothness of the surface. Symmetry, or the degree to which the opposing facets mirror each other flawlessly. Once you know for sure that your diamond is real, whether through independent appraisal or grading lab, take your stone to a lab that can register and fingerprint your diamond. This will ensure you that you have your real stone, and that no one will be able to switch it out without your knowing. Just like humans, every diamond is unique. New technology is allowing gemologists to quantify that uniqueness by producing a "fingerprint" of your gem. Registration usually costs less than $100, and can assist in insurance purposes. If a stolen diamond of yours with a fingerprint shows up in an international database, you should be able to retrieve it by showing documentation that proves it is yours.
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One-sentence summary -- Find a reputable diamond appraiser in your area. Ask the right questions. Request a certificate of appraisal. Look at your certificate carefully not all certificates are created equal. Get your stone registered.

Get in the spirit of the disco era by wearing a variety of fun, bright colors. Don't worry about your colors clashing or looking too out-of-placeat the disco, all colors are welcome! If you're feeling especially bold, opt for metallic or sequined clothes to make your outfit sparkle. For instance, try pairing a bright orange, form-fitting crop top with a pair of dark blue bell-bottoms. Go to a disco party in maximum comfort by incorporating spandex into your outfit. You can find Spandex in a variety of different clothing items, including jumpsuits, jeans, and tops. Mix and match until you find the perfect outfit! Viscose rayon is also a great option if you like to wear a lot of patterned fabric. Pay homage to the disco era with a variety of classic symbols on the accessories, such as a peace sign or disco ball. Try to find shirts or other articles of clothing printed with these popular symbols. If you're feeling especially ambitious, order a cheap disco ball online and bring it to the party! If you want to take a more musical theme with your costume, wear some vintage tees of famous 70s bands like ABBA or the Village People. Look for clothing and accessories that have an element of fringe, or dangly decorations. You can find many vests and boots with fringe, in addition to pants as well as other items of clothing. While not as stereotypical as a jumpsuit or pair of hot pants, fringed clothing and accessories are a great way to add an extra layer of cultural depth to your disco attire. Take advantage of the disco era's bright and flamboyant fashion style by opting for patterned clothing and accessories. If you're looking for a more feminine style, choose a shirt or dress with a paisley pattern. If you'd prefer a more retro look, opt for a Hawaiian shirt instead. Animal and floral prints are also great pattern options for a disco costume.
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One-sentence summary -- Dress up in bright, flashy colors to stand out at the party. Pick clothing made of Spandex to wear something fun and flexible. Choose accessories with classic 70s symbols to embody the disco spirit. Select fringed fabrics for an extra funky vibe. Try on clothing with bright and fun patterns.

Use a sharp knife and cutting board to remove a section of at least an inch from each end of the stalk. This will remove the dried-out portions from older cuts. You may need to score the tough outer edge of the stalk by cutting or gently sawing a few millimeters in all the way around the stalk, then breaking it along the scoring, rather than trying to chop all the way through. You may need to cut more from each end if the ends have become very hard and dried and you cannot access the juicier flesh. Divide a long stalk into several smaller pieces that are easier to work with. Score and break or chop through the stalk to make pieces of about six inches. It will be easiest to cut through sections of the stalk in between the thicker joints. Keep in mind, however, that the sections between the joints will also be the easiest to chew or use for other purposes, so it's best to keep them intact. You can also cut the stalk lengthwise into two, four, or more thinner sticks for consumption. Do this before cutting off the outer layer, or afterwards if it's easier to do so. Stand a piece of the cane on its end and cut downward to remove the outermost layer of the stalk. This eliminates the hard, green "bark" that cannot be chewed. Cut in about a millimeter from the edge, or wherever you see that the tougher green bark is distinguished from the inner white flesh. You may be able to peel the outer layer down and off the stalk with your fingers after making an initial cut, depending on how easily your cane's bark separates from the flesh.
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One-sentence summary --
Cut a small part off from each end. Cut the cane into sections. Cut off the outer layer.