How to Store Gemstone Jewelry Many gems scratch easily, ether by other metals and tough gems, or by hard and unforgiving storage containers. Pieces with gemstones should be stored separately so they can’t knock into each other and become damaged. In addition to placing them in separate boxes or compartments, wrap gemstone jewelry in fabric or kept in their original pouches. In particular, diamonds do not play nicely with others, and pearls are particularly vulnerable....

How Plug Fuses Work Plug fuses have a metal alloy ribbon inside that carries the current of the circuit. In the case of a short or overload that causes too much current to flow, the ribbon will melt (“blow”) and open the circuit. When this happens, no current can flow and the circuit is disconnected from the power supply. This protects against short circuits and overloads that may damage electrical wiring and cause house fires....

Whether you want to throw an all-out Olympics party, plan your child’s end-of-school-year celebration, or just want to invite some kids over to watch the big events on TV, here are some fun ideas for celebrating in gold-medal style. Food Olympians need to keep up their strength, so make sure they visit your buffet table to sample some of these Olympics-themed party foods. We’ve included some vegan and vegetarian options, too....

Enter the 57 inches rule of hanging art, which ensures nothing is too high or low. Applied carefully, this rule will make sure you hang pictures and other wall decor perfectly every time. But why 57 inches? 57 Inches Is Eye-Level As Kristi Kohut, artist and founder at Hapi Art, explains, “The 57 inches rule is a terrific standard to use when hanging art. This means that the center of the artwork should be 57 inches from the ground and helps to align the art to eye level....

Here are nine common lawn weeds that most homeowners eventually have to deal with. Unlike many weeds, dandelion is a perennial plant, and its tenacious, long taproot makes it a difficult enemy to eradicate. But dandelions can be pulled by hand, and the above-ground portion can be killed with horticultural vinegar. Or, you can eat your dandelions. Yes, dandelions are edible and delicious. All parts of the plant are good in salads or as cooked greens....

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 15 minutes or less What You Need: Single-pole switchScrewdriversWire strippersElectrical tape Steps for Wiring a Single-Pole Switch Tips: Use more expensive, quality switches that are more durable. Make sure all electrical connections are tight. Twist the wires around the terminals in a clockwise motion so the wire tightens around the screw. Otherwise, the loop of the wire will open when you tighten the screw. Make sure the switch is rated for the amperage of the circuit breaker it is connected to....

The collections, which launch May 3, are part of Lowe’s “House of Curators” initiative, through which various tastemakers will have the opportunity to partner with the brand—stay tuned for additional product lines to be revealed in the coming months. All curations will be inclusive of style, price point, and seasonality, Lowe’s SVP & General Merchandising Manager, Home Décor Margi Vagell said, and each will “bring in style icons and trendsetters that come from all different backgrounds with different perspectives....

Identifying Old Wiring The oldest type of wiring system found in homes is called knob-and-tube, named for the insulating knobs and tubes that are used to run the wiring along and through the house framing. Knob-and-tube wiring was run as individual wires—one black hot wire and one white neutral wire—throughout the home. The ceramic insulators keep the wires from touching each other and from touching the wood and other combustible materials....

Typically planted between fall and early spring, the jacaranda tree can be considered semi-evergreen or deciduous, depending on where it lives. Only mature jacaranda— eight years or older—will flower, blooming in late spring to early summer (though in warmer areas, the tree can flower at any time). Native to South America, it is an invasive species in several parts of the world. The fern-like foliage usually allows diffuse light to pass through, so growing grass under the tree is possible....

Jade is also revered for its healing properties balancing the body’s processes. In China, jade is cherished as an item of beauty and nobility. It is not bad luck to buy it for yourself, especially if it brings you joy or makes you feel happy. The Qualities of Jade Jade has been revered for centuries across East Asia. It is one of the oldest collected and cherished gemstones. It is found in shades of deep green, translucent lavender, creamy white, and orangey-red; each color has a separate meaning and symbolism....

Here’s a list of the official and unofficial days and annual events you can celebrate during the month of July. July Daily Holidays and Observances July 1: International Joke Day, American Zoo Day, Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, National Postal Worker Day, Canada DayJuly 2: National I Forgot Day, World UFO DayJuly 3: Disobedience Day, International Plastic Bag Free Day, National Stay Out of the Sun Day, National Eat Beans DayJuly 4: Independence DayJuly 5: National Bikini Day, National Graham Cracker DayJuly 6: International Kissing Day, National Fried Chicken DayJuly 7: Tell the Truth Day, National Strawberry Sundae Day, World Chocolate DayJuly 8: National Video Game Day, Math 2....

Kingfisher Trivia There are 90-120 species of kingfisher in the world, depending on how individual species are split or lumped. One of the species, the Guam kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus), is extinct in the wild, and six other species are officially classified as endangered. More than two dozen kingfishers are considered threatened or vulnerable, putting them at grave risk of becoming endangered or extinct if appropriate conservation action isn’t taken. All kingfishers belong to the family Alcedinidae, though that family is occasionally split into three different families to denote the different types of kingfishers....

In either case, the springs are part of the door system itself, not part of the automatic garage door opener. If you are up to the job of replacing the springs yourself, costs for parts alone range from about $65 to $85 for a pair of torsion springs, or $25 to $40 for a pair of extension springs. Extension springs, however, are often sold in kits that include other parts, such as door rollers....