IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Archive:Aquamarine

2008-05-26T22:24:24Z

74.225.10.60: /* Culture and historical/mythical usage */

{{otheruses1|the mineral}}
{{Infobox mineral
| name = Aquamarine
| category = [[beryl]] variety
| boxwidth =
| boxbgcolor =
| image = Aquamarin cut.jpg
| imagesize = 250
| caption = Aquamarine
| formula = Be3Al2Si6O18<ref name="GRG"/>
| molweight =
| color = transparent (or can be translucent if included), greenish blue to blue green, typically light in tone<ref name="GRG">[[Gemological Institute of America]], ''GIA Gem Reference Guide'' 1995, ISBN:0-87311-019-6</ref>
| habit =
| system = [[hexagonal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| twinning =
| cleavage = very difficult in one direction, almost never seen<ref name="GRG"/>
| fracture = [[conchoidal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| mohs = 7.5 - 8<ref name="GRG"/>
| luster = [[vitreous]] to resinous<ref name="GRG"/>
| polish = [[vitreous]] <ref name="GRG"/>
| refractive = 1.577 - 1.583 (+/- .017)<ref name="GRG"/>
| opticalprop = Double refractive, uniaxial negative<ref name="GRG"/>
| birefringence = .005 - .009<ref name="GRG"/>
| dispersion = .014<ref name="GRG"/>
| pleochroism = weak to moderate, blue and greenish blue; or different tones of blue with lighter tones associated with the optic axis direction <ref name="GRG"/>
| fluorescence= inert<ref name="GRG"/>
| absorption = indistinct lines at 537 and 456nm. Depending on the depth of color, there is a strong line at 427nm.<ref name="GRG"/>
| streak =
| gravity = 2.72 (+.18, -.05)<ref name="GRG"/>
| density =
| melt =
| fusibility =
| diagnostic =
| solubility =
| diaphaneity =
| other =
}}
'''Aquamarine''' (Lat. ''aqua marinā'', "water of the sea") is a [[gemstone]]-quality transparent variety of [[beryl]], having a delicate blue or [[turquoise]] color, suggestive of the tint of [[seawater]]. It is closely related to the gem [[emerald]]. Colors vary and yellow beryl ([[heliodor]]), rose pink beryl ([[morganite]]), and white beryl ([[goshenite]]) are known.

==Composition==
Aquamarine is a beryl with a [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|hexagonal]] [[crystal structure]] and a [[chemical formula]] of Be3Al2Si6O18, a [[beryllium]] [[aluminium]] [[Silicate minerals|silicate mineral]]. It has a [[specific gravity]] of 2.68 to 2.74 and a [[Mohs hardness]] of from 7.5 to 8. Aquamarine typically is on the low end of the specific gravity range, normally at less than 2.7. The pink variety exhibits a high specific gravity of around 2.8. [[Refractive index|Refractive indices]] range around 1.57 to 1.58.

==Locations of deposits==
It occurs at most localities which yield ordinary beryl, some of the finest coming from [[Russia]]. The gem-gravel [[Placer mining|placer]] deposits of [[Sri Lanka]] contain aquamarine. Clear yellow beryl, such as occurs in [[Brazil]], is sometimes called aquamarine chrysolite. When [[corundum]] presents the bluish tint of typical aquamarine, it is often termed Oriental aquamarine.

In the [[United States]], aquamarines can be found at the summit of [[Mount Antero|Mt. Antero]] in the [[Sawatch Range]] in central [[Colorado]]. In [[Brazil]], there are mines in the states of [[Minas Gerais]], [[Espírito Santo]] and [[Bahia]]. [[Colombia]], [[Zambia]], [[Madagascar]], [[Malawi]], [[Tanzania]] and [[Kenya]] also produce aquamarine.

The biggest aquamarine ever mined was found at the city of Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg, and its dimensions were 48.5 cm long and 42 cm in diameter.

Aquamarine is the [[List of U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones|official state gem]] of Colorado and Missouri.

==Culture and historical/mythical usage==
*Aquamarine (along with [[Heliotrope (mineral)|bloodstone]]) is the [[birthstone]] associated the sign Gemini.
*People in the [[Middle Ages]] thought that aquamarine could magically overcome the effects of [[poison]].
*Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would ensure a safe voyage, and guarantee a safe return; they often slept with the stones under their pillow to ensure sound sleep. They believed the siren’s ([[mermaid]]) fish-like lower body was made of aquamarine.

== See also ==
[[Image:Beryl09.jpg|thumb|left|Three Beryl Crystals - Aquamarine rough crystal in the center]]
{{commonscat|Aquamarine}}
* [[List of minerals]]
{{-}}

== References ==
<references/>
* Weinstein, Michael, 1958, ''The World of Jewel Stones'' Sheriden House, New York, pp 104-107
* Diamond Bug. [http://diamondbug.blogspot.com/2006/03/flawless-aquamarine-march-birthstone.html "Flawless Aquamarine: March Birthstone"]. Retrieved March 16, 2006.
*http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/aquamarine.html
*http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/aquamari/aquamari.htm
*http://www.mindat.org/min-289.html
{{-}}
{{Jewellery Materials}}

[[Category:Silicate minerals]]
[[Category:Gemstones]]
[[Category:Symbols of Colorado]]

[[bg:Аквамарин]]
[[cs:Akvamarín]]
[[da:Akvamarin]]
[[de:Aquamarin]]
[[et:Akvamariin]]
[[es:Aguamarina]]
[[fr:Aigue-marine]]
[[gl:Augamariña]]
[[he:אקוומרין]]
[[lv:Akvamarīns]]
[[lt:Akvamarinas]]
[[nl:Aquamarijn]]
[[ja:アクアマリン]]
[[no:Akvamarin]]
[[pl:Akwamaryn]]
[[pt:Água-marinha]]
[[ro:Acvamarin]]
[[ru:Аквамарин]]
[[sl:Akvamarin (kamen)]]
[[sr:Аквамарин]]
[[fi:Akvamariini]]
[[sv:Akvamarin]]
[[vi:Ngọc berin]]
[[tr:Akuamarin]]
[[uk:Аквамарин]]

Transculturation

2006-11-20T02:14:31Z

74.225.184.160: /* Concepts */

'''Transculturation''' is a term coined by [[Fernando Ortiz]] in [[1947]] to describe the phenomenon of merging and converging cultures.

In simple terms, it reflects the natural tendency of people (in general) to resolve conflicts over time, rather than exacerbating them. In the modern context, both conflicts and resolutions are amplified by communication and transportation technology —the ancient tendency of cultures drifting or remaining apart has been replaced by stronger forces for bringing societies together. Where tranculturation impacts ethnicity and ethnic issues the term "ethnoconvergence" is sometimes used.

In one general sense, transculturation covers [[war]], [[ethnic conflict]], [[racism]], [[multiculturalism]], [[interracial marriage]], and any other of a number of contexts that deal with more than one culture. In the other general sense, tranculturation is the ''positive'' aspect of global phenomena and human events, where resolutions to conflicts are inevitable.

The general processes of transculturation are extremely complex -- steered by powerful forces at the macrosocial level, yet ultimately resolved at the interpersonal level. The driving force for conflict is simple [[proximity]] -- boundaries, once separating people (providing for a measure of isolation) become the issue of a conflict when societies encroach upon one another territorially. If a means to co-exist cannot be immediately found, then conflicts can be hostile, leading to a process by which contact between individuals leads to some resolution. Often, history shows us, the processes of co-existence begins with hostilities, and with the natural passing of polarist individuals, comes the passing of their polarist sentiments, and soon some resolution is achieved. Degrees of hostile conflict vary from outright genocidal [[conquest]], to lukewarm infighting between differing poitical views within the same ethnic community.

==Concepts==
Where attempts are made to keep a cultural identity "pure," the realities of social change, via natural and artificial means, dictate that cultures do not remain "pure" and never were "pure" in the first place, but are destined to change. It is the perception of individuals within cultures that their cultures do not in fact change fundamentally over time.

Human [[mortality]] and [[reproduction]] provides for social [[regeneration]] as well, and by this process of regeneration, which naturally includes sexual union, other cultures are often integrated. The inability of societies to maintain divisions over generations, despite attempts to engrain divisive elements, is reflective of this. As parents die, their children have the opportunity to reflect upon the nature and validity of established non-convergent precepts, and change them if they like.

These changes often represent differences between homeland pons, and their [[diasporic]] communities abroad. Nevertheless, obstacles to '''ethnoconvergence''' are not great. The primary issue; [[language]], (''hence, communication and education'') can, be overcome within a single generation - as is evident in the easy acclimation of children of foreign parents. English, for example, is spoken by more non-Anglo-American people than Anglo-Americans, making it the current [[lingua-franca]], the worldwide de facto standard international language.

===Homogenization versus ethnoconvergence===
It is observed that even in monolingual, industrial societies like urban North America, some individuals do cling to a "modernized" primordial identity, apart from others. Some intellectuals, such as [[Michael Ignatieff]], argue that convergence of a general culture does not directly entail a similar convergence in [[ethnic]] identities. This can become evident in social situations, where people divide into separate groups, despite being of an identical ''"super-ethnicity"'', such as [[nationality]].

Within each smaller ethnicity, individuals may tend to see it perfectly justified to assimilate with other cultures, and some others view assimilation as wrong and incorrect for their culture. This common theme, representing dualist opinions of ethnoconvergence itself, within a single ethnic group is often manifested in issues of [[sexual partners and matrimony]], employment preferences, etc. These varied opinions of ethnoconvergence represent themselves in a spectrum; [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]], [[homogenization]], [[acculturation]], and [[cultural compromise]] are commonly used terms for ethnoconvegence which flavor the issues to a bias.

Often it's in a secular, multi-ethnic environment that cultural concerns are both minimalised and exaccerbated; Ethnic prides are boasted, hierarchy is created ("center" culture versus "periphery") but on the other hand, they will still share a common "culture", and common language and behaviours. Often the elderly, more conservative-in-association of a clan, tend to reject cross-cultural associations, and participate in ethnically similar community-oriented activities. [[Xenophobia|Xenophobes]] tend to think of cross-cultural contact as a component of [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]], and see this as harmful.

===Obstacles to ethnoconvergence===
The obstacle to ethnoconvergence is [[ethnocentrism]], which is the view that one's culture is of greater importance than anothers.' Ethnocentrism often takes different forms, as it is a highly personal bias, and manifests itself in countless aspects of culture. [[Religion]], or belief, is the prime ethnocentric divider. Second is [[convention (norm)|custom]], which may overlap religion. With the adherence to each distinct component, comes the repulsion of the other. In most regions, ethnic divides are binary, meaning only two distinct cultures are present, each seeing the other as foreign. Many, however make the point that the binary example is the exception, and the norm is far more dynamic.

We can divide ethnicity into two distinct areas, as they relate to ethnoconvergence: Utilitarian traits, and traditional customs. Language usually falls into the first category, as people often do not attach to language a highly ethnic value. Learning a [[foreign language]] does not, in the eyes of most people, constitute a forfeiting of one's cultural heritage.

Religion, on the other hand, is a highly personal and attached part of culture. However, religion does not neatly correspond with ethnic identity. In many [[cosmopolitan]] societies, religion is everything - social, utilitarian, intellectual, political; from the point of view of people of immersed cultures; The very concept of ethnicity and its distinctions is incongruous to their immersed concepts.

In many societies, such as in those in Europe, languages are considered a significant component of ethnic values. This does not mean that most Europeans reject learning other languages. Quite the contrary, Europeans are often polyglots, and may label other individuals by their ethnicities; practical means of distinguishing cultures may resemble tendencies similar to ethnocentrism.

However, the political and cultural significance of regional or national languages are retained due to the fact that these polyglots conform to the linguistic norms of the place they visit - doing "as the Romans do". Thus, conforming to the "ethnic integrity" of the region.

It has even become a cliché that "to learn a new language is to adopt a new soul". There are many other examples of the essential significance of language. In pre-[[Russia|Russian]] [[Siberia]], [[Tatar-Mongol]] colonists in the [[Taiga]] often recognized indigenous speakers of [[Turkic languages]] as their "own people" and non-Turkic groups as "foreigners", despite these indigenous groups having a similar level of material culture, and sharing much of a primitive culture with tribes foreign to the Muslim-Buddhist Tatar-Mongols.

==See also==
* [[Intercultural relations]]
* [[Intercultural competence]]
* [[Multiculturalism]]

[[Category:Culture terms]]
[[Category:Human migration]]
[[Category:Cultural geography]]

[[de:Transkulturation]]
[[es:Transculturación]]
[[pl:Transkulturacja]]
[[pt:Transculturação]]