L A H P I A N O
L A H P I A N O
L A H P I A N O
Entering the LAHPIANO Knowledge Center
The LAHPIANO Knowledge Center
Step into a world of clarity, craftsmanship, and luxury.
Your guide to understanding the brilliance behind every LAHPIANO piece.
The LAHPIANO Stone Index
What's the difference?
Cubic Zirconia
Moissanite
Diamond
Corundum
(Sapphire & Ruby)
(Sapphire & Ruby)
Hardness (Moh)
8.5
9.25
10
9
Refractive Index
2.088 – 2.176
2.65 – 2.69
2.42
1.76 – 1.78
Gemstone Knowledge
Understanding Gemstone Hardness (Mohs Scale)
Hardness is an important factor in determining the durability and longevity of gemstones.
What Is Hardness?
Hardness measures a gemstone’s resistance to scratching. The Mohs scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), with diamond being the hardest.
Why Does It Matter?
- Durability: Harder stones resist scratches better and maintain their beauty longer.
- Everyday Wear: High-hardness gemstones are ideal for rings, bracelets, and daily-wear jewelry.
Mohs Scale Examples
- Talc — 1
- Gypsum — 2
- Calcite — 3
- Fluorite — 4
- Apatite — 5
- Feldspar — 6
- Quartz — 7
- Topaz — 8
- Cubic Zirconia — 8.5
- Corundum (Sapphire & Ruby) — 9
- Moissanite — 9.25
- Diamond — 10
Our Gemstones
Moissanite: Mohs rating of 9.25 — nearly as hard as diamond and ideal for everyday wear.
Cubic Zirconia: Mohs 8.5 — durable but requires slightly more care compared to harder stones.
Understanding Refractive Index
The refractive index (RI) measures how much light bends when entering a gemstone — which affects sparkle and brilliance.
What Is Refractive Index?
When light enters a gemstone, it slows and bends. The refractive index tells us how much this bending occurs.
Why Does It Matter?
Sparkle & Brilliance: A higher refractive index means more internal reflection — resulting in stronger sparkle.
- Diamond — RI 2.42 (high brilliance)
- Moissanite — RI 2.65–2.69 (even higher brilliance)
What Is 5A & 8A Cubic Zirconia?
5A Cubic Zirconia: High clarity, strong sparkle, and excellent precision cutting — premium quality.
8A Cubic Zirconia: The highest grade available; exceptional brilliance and the closest appearance to diamonds.
We only offer grades 5A and higher. Lower grades drop to Mohs 8 and have noticeably reduced sparkle.
Our Quality Vs Others
Cleaning Silver with Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda
A Step-by-Step Guide
Materials Needed:
- Aluminum foil
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- A large bowl or pan
- Soft cloth or towel
Instructions:
-Prepare the Bowl/Pan:
Line the bottom and sides of a bowl or pan with a single sheet of aluminum foil, shiny side up. This will create a chemical reaction that helps to clean the silver.
-Add Baking Soda:
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the aluminum foil. Typically, you can use about 2–3 (or more as you wish) tablespoons of baking soda for a bowl or pan.
-Add Silver Items:
Place your tarnished silver items into the bowl or pan, ensuring they are in contact with the aluminum foil and baking soda.
-Boil Water:
Boil enough water to fully submerge your silver items in the bowl or pan.
-Combine Ingredients:
Carefully pour the hot water into the bowl or pan lined with aluminum foil, baking soda, and your silver items. The baking soda will start to dissolve in the hot water. If needed, more baking soda can be added at this stage.
-Wait and Observe:
Allow the silver to sit in the solution for a few minutes. You may notice a slight sulfur smell as the tarnish is removed, which is normal. You can gently move the silver items around with a spoon if necessary. (Be careful, the water is hot.)
-Check Progress:
After a few minutes, check the progress of the cleaning. If the silver is still tarnished, you can let it sit for a bit longer. Usually, 5–10 minutes is sufficient.
-Rinse and Dry:
Once the tarnish is removed, carefully remove the silver items from the solution using tongs or a spoon (as the water will still be hot). Rinse the silver thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining baking soda residue.
-Polish:
Dry the silver items with a soft cloth or towel. You can also use a polishing cloth to give them a final shine.
-Tips:
For heavily tarnished items, you may need to repeat the process.
Avoid using this method for silver pieces with glued components or stones that might be affected by the heat. (Our Cubic Zirconia, Moissanite, and diamonds are safe for this method. We don't glue our products, and our products aren't affected by heat.)
For intricate silverware, you can use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away any remaining tarnish.
This method leverages a simple electrochemical reaction to effectively clean silver without harsh chemicals.