Things to know before buying a lab-grown diamond

Things to know before buying a lab-grown diamond

Natural diamonds have been falling in demand due to their costs and ethical implications. This dip has resulted in the limelight being on lab-grown diamonds. With the same elemental makeup (tetrahedral atoms of carbon tightly bound together) as natural diamonds, lab-grown variants make this precious stone much more affordable and accessible to the general public. Read on to learn a few things everyone needs to know before buying a lab-grown diamond. What are lab-grown diamonds? Lab-grown diamonds (also known as lab-created, synthetic, artificial, cultivated, or cultured diamonds) are human-made diamonds. These are visually, physically, and chemically the same as natural diamonds. Unlike natural diamonds, however, lab-grown diamonds are not centuries old. Extreme pressure and temperature conditions formed natural diamonds billions of years ago. By contrast, lab-grown diamonds are extremely new and made by replicating similar conditions in a controlled environment over a few weeks. This can be done via two different methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These technologies allow business owners to mass-produce diamonds, thus lowering their prices and making them more affordable. Are lab-grown diamonds real? Yes! Lab-grown diamonds are classified as real diamonds. This does not include diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia.
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8 mistakes to avoid when switching cell phone plans

8 mistakes to avoid when switching cell phone plans

A cell phone plan is necessary to access the internet and communicate with others. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all choice. A plan that benefits some may not suit others, so individuals should compare and research their options before signing up for the best one. Unfortunately, many make mistakes when switching cell phone plans, which causes unnecessary hassle. Here are eight such mistakes one should try and avoid as far as possible. Choosing the wrong network provider Choosing the correct network provider is vital to enjoy good connectivity. Our country has three major wireless networks offering different plans and network strengths. So, which one will be the best? To answer this question, one has to research. For example, individuals can use online tools that reveal how a particular network functions in a specific city. These tools evaluate networks based on parameters like upload speed, call performance, data performance, and network reliability. Using the tool is easy. Individuals must visit the website and enter their city or zip code to get each network’s ranking or coverage map. Another way to check whether the new network provider will meet one’s needs is to seek recommendations and reviews from those in the neighborhood. It is a helpful step because a network’s performance may vary from street to street.
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6 common mistakes to avoid when managing thyroid eye disease

6 common mistakes to avoid when managing thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and damage to the muscles and tissues around the eye. Common symptoms include dry and irritated eyes, watery eyes, red eyes, bulging eyes, double vision, pain, and difficulty closing the eyes completely. The condition is closely related to Graves’ disease, another autoimmune condition that leads to hyperthyroidism. One must avoid the following six mistakes to manage thyroid eye disease better. Not following healthy eating habits To manage their thyroid health, patients must pay special attention to what they eat. Experts often recommend a special nutritional plan rich in minerals like iodine and selenium to synthesize thyroid hormones. These hormones manage the body’s metabolism, energy production, and hormone balance. Some foods can help improve thyroid function, while others may slow it down. Those with thyroid eye disease should eat foods with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, such as leafy greens, berries, ginger, and green tea. At the same time, they must limit caffeine intake and avoid the following: – Cruciferous vegetables Eating too many cruciferous vegetables may disrupt how the thyroid uses iodine, leading to several health complications in those with thyroid eye disease. Some common cruciferous vegetables one should avoid are broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.
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6 ways to avoid errors and overcharges on gas bills

6 ways to avoid errors and overcharges on gas bills

There are many instances where homeowners are heavily charged for energy consumption, leading to high gas bills. As the climate changes, energy usage is bound to change. That being said, it is possible to manage these bills by identifying and eliminating errors and overcharges. Generally, gas bills tend to be higher during the winter season. Here are some ways to ensure that you are not being overcharged on your gas bills. Pay attention to the meter One of the easiest ways to avoid any overcharging on your energy bills is to pay attention to your energy meter at home. When suppliers estimate the energy usage, it gives them an opportunity to overcharge you to balance out any future payments. You can simply read the meter every couple of months and submit the reading to your supplier every three months. Just remember to note down all the numbers on your meter, except for those highlighted in red or after the decimal point, along with the date. Many suppliers also have apps or websites where you can submit your meter reading. So be sure to find out the steps for your particular supplier. Decline exit fee Just like a penalty is levied for late payment, a lot of times, there is an exit fee often attached to the agreement whenever you select a supplier.
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7 things to avoid for a healthy sleep cycle

7 things to avoid for a healthy sleep cycle

Nothing can heal and relax the body like a good night’s sleep. While some people are getting the recommended amount of sleep—at least eight hours every night—a fairly large population is having trouble falling and staying asleep. In most cases, this can be an outcome of one’s daily habits. Sleep disruption has been a growing concern, but it can be rectified by avoiding certain things for a healthy sleep cycle. Large meals before bed One of the main things to avoid for a healthy sleep cycle is sleeping with a full stomach. Sure, staying hydrated and well-fed through the night is a good practice, but not when one is off to bed within a couple of hours. The body slows down its processes when one is sleeping. This means the food would sit in the stomach for a longer time and might cause uneasiness. This would inadvertently impact the person’s sleep quality. It may also lead to heartburn symptoms. Besides, one should also avoid sleeping with a full bladder as that could mean repeated bathroom visits throughout the night, disrupting the sleep cycle. So, both these things can keep a person from sleeping through the night and impact their brain activity.
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9 common errors to avoid when starting a nonprofit

9 common errors to avoid when starting a nonprofit

Setting up a nonprofit can be a great way to make a difference in the community. The venture can also be emotionally and mentally rewarding, as it may be able to help those in need. However, starting a nonprofit is a lengthy process involving paperwork, adherence to laws, and other steps, giving way to lapses or missteps. Here are a few such common errors to avoid when starting a nonprofit  1. Creating one that already exists One of the biggest mistakes people make is starting a nonprofit that already exists. If there is an active organization serving the community, starting another one with a similar cause may not be the best idea. One should carefully research what is not available in the community and choose that as a nonprofit venture. However, if passionate about the same cause, volunteering for the existing organization is a better option. Additionally, one could ask to get on the board of the existing organization, make donations, or reach out to learn about other ways to get involved. One could also consider speaking to the organization about opening another branch to extend the scope of its operation. 2. Not consulting a lawyer The government has several regulations in place that dictate how a nonprofit should work.
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Top benefits of cloud-based fleet management software

Top benefits of cloud-based fleet management software

A cloud-based fleet management system offers a streamlined solution for businesses to track their fleet and be constantly informed of their vehicles’ usage and location. The rising competition in the market and the demand for better logistical requirements have made this technology a top pick for businesses. The advantages of using a cloud-based fleet management system are manifold – offering cost savings and better operational efficiency. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of this technology. Real-time tracking Knowing a driver’s location and status throughout their work day is a luxury that this system easily provides. Instead of calling and checking up with the driver, the fleet manager can now directly get real-time updates or tracking information about the vehicles. While some mobile applications allow drivers to update information about their location, the cloud-based platform is much more subtle and has features that are far superior to any of these short-term apps. Apart from real-time tracking of the vehicle and the driver, the management system also helps provide data on the car’s engine, fuel intake, distance traveled in the day, and many similar features. These cloud-based solutions can also spot drivers who have unsafe driving patterns, such as sudden acceleration or hard braking.
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6 things to avoid when buying an air purifier

6 things to avoid when buying an air purifier

To keep pollutants and allergens from circulating in living, work, and public spaces, air purifiers are worth considering. The appliance can filter dust, smoke, dander, and other disease-causing matter in a space. Today, various air purifiers are available, making choosing the right one tricky. One may even skip considering key factors, bringing home the wrong purifier for their living space. To avoid that, here are a few things to avoid when buying an air purifier: 1. Ignoring room size Air purifiers come with varying capacities. Some are designed to filter the air in a large space, while others are made for smaller rooms. In addition, there are portable air purifiers—capable of filtering only the surrounding air and not the entire room. With such a wide range of options in terms of filtering capacity, it would be a mistake to overlook the size of the room where the air purifier will be placed. So before buying an air purifier, one should take proper measurements of the room. 2. Not checking the air change rate The air change rate or air changes per hour (ACH) indicates the number of times the air purifier filters the entire volume of air in a room within an hour.
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