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The month of birth, along with the year, date, and time, are said to predict an infinite number of realities and personality traits. The birthstone is said to have its roots in ancient, even biblical, times and in modern times we still give birthstones jewelry a significant place in our life.

Everything about birthstones jewelry makes a statement. Jewelry collections often start with birthstones jewelry given to infants and young ladies. A person’s jewelry collection once defined their social status. Putting on birthstones jewelry is meant to remind you of your character, your worth, and most importantly it is meant to make you feel spectacular. Our jewels are meant to make us feel fabulous and remind us that we are all magnificent unique beings.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is considered the authority. However, cultures around the globe and throughout time may disagree on some aspects of the GIA list. The birthstones debates are both historical and interesting.

Here is a list of Birthstones according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA):

January – Garnet

Birthstones jewelry decorated in garnet protects from illness. Born to this birthstone, you are a loyal, devoted, faithful, and trustworthy person.

February – Amethyst

Amethyst birthstones jewelry express the sentiment of high esteem. An enchanting quartz, the strong power of the Amethyst birthstones jewelry is divine, enchanting, even metaphysically powerful to its owner.

March – Aquamarine

Aquamarine birthstones jewelry symbolizes love. Soldiers and sailors believed it could make them invincible. The Greeks carved frogs onto an aquamarine to restore broken friendships and heal failing marriages.

April – Diamond

Diamonds are not typically associated with birthstones jewelry but rather engagements, in the modern age. Faith in the diamond’s ability to heal enriched Asa Soltan Rahmati, of Shahs of Sunset, on Bravo. Asa created and launched a diamond infused bottled water line, Diamond Water company.

May – Emerald

Green Emerald birthstones jewelry is said to symbolize the birth of spring. Emerald’s are known for their deep green color and their meaning is often associated with new beginnings. The Emerald is revered as one of the most passionate of all birthstones.

June – Pearl

Pearl birthstones jewelry, the June birthstone, represents purity. The variety of colors and the unique method by which pearls enter the world have long kept the ancients enchanted.

July – Ruby

Rubies as birthstones jewelry is the envy of all. A ruby symbolizes love, wisdom, and protection. It’s said that rubies guard the wearer from anxiety. Rubies are gems of protection. In medieval times, royals and nobles, would wear rubies to keep evil at bay.

August – Peridot

A light green color, Peridot birthstones was once said to be tear drops of Pele, a volcano goddess. Like other birthstones jewelry, the Peridot has protective powers and keeps nightmares away. A balancing stone of health, the Peridot is said to calm hot tempers and balance emotional tension, even healing friendships.

September – Sapphire

One of the most well known birthstones jewelry is the Sapphire. Sapphires protect the wearer from a specific evil, poisonings. Sapphire birthstones jewelry symbolizes wisdom and purity. Sapphires have protected Kings from harm and envy.

October – Opal

Opal birthstones jewelry are unique. It is said to be bad luck to wear an Opal if it is not your birthstone. The wearer of the opal birthstones jewelry brings confident and symbolizes faithfulness. Folklore claims Opals protection of the eyesight and guarding against evil.

November – Citrine

A carmel color with mixes of yellow, brown, and orange, Citrine birthstones jewelry is a quartz stone that brings vitality and wealth. Citrine birthstones jewelry became popular during the Art Deco period between World War I and II.

December – Turquoise

Turquoise birthstones jewelry symbolizes success are good fortune. One of the oldest birthstones, it is said to have protective powers and ensured safe travels for the men that traveled treacherous trade routes. Those who wear Turquoise birthstones jewelry are considered strong, warriors, protected, and respected.

Birthstones Debates

Birthstone jewelry does not come without delightful debates. One of the interesting facts relates to the ying/yang of the Cancer and the Capricorn. From the 15th to the 20th century, July Cancer’s were considered to have the birthstone turquoise or onyx. While the December Capricorn’s were given the birthstone called bloodstone or ruby. It wasn’t until the 1912 list was published that the two switched places. Capricorn’s born in December now have turquoise as their birthstone and Cancer’s born in July have the ruby birthstone.

Birthstones jewelry is one of the most romantic gifts you can give to a loved one. At Santayana Jewelers, you’ll find experts ready to help you select the perfect piece of birthstones jewelry for that special someone. Come in today and meet our team. They are ready and waiting to serve your needs. Enhance any special occasion with a unique piece made specifically for your loved one at our Coral Gables Jewelry store.

Necklaces have been one of the favorite jewelry pieces for ages as they can effectively dress up any outfit, add a touch of personality, showcase the wearer’s preferred fashion sense and style, and draw attention to the neck and décolletage. But in order to make the most out of your amazing necklaces, it’s important that you find the ideal necklace length that fits your personality and neck. The following necklace length guide can hopefully help you with that.

Collar Necklace

Once upon a time, all necklaces were referred to as collars. But when we quickly shift back to this day and age, collar necklaces can be easily confused with choker necklaces. However, they’re not the same. In these modern times, collar necklaces sit just above the collarbone and draw attention to this delicate body area. Their length can be anywhere between 12 and 16 inches. Collar necklaces are typically considered a statement piece due to their thicker material, which is why they shouldn’t be worn with other neck jewelry. Don’t hesitate to accentuate them even more with clothes that show off your shoulders and collarbone.

Choker Necklace

Choker necklaces may seem like a rather contemporary trend but they actually date all the way back to the Victorian era! They can be made of different materials, most popular today being ribbon and velvet as well as gold/silver. Unlike collar necklaces that rest on the collarbone, choker necklaces sit tight around the neck, either in the middle of it or just above the collarbone. Instagram influencers have truly helped the comeback of choker necklaces, especially when paired with longer and danglier neckpieces. They can be worn as a strip of material or chain on their own or with extra bling such as pendants, drops, and beads.

Princess Necklace

In general, princess necklaces tend to be around 18 inches in length, and among all types of necklaces, they’re thought to be the most elegant and universally flattering. In that sense, they’re also the most popular necklace style. They drop just below the collarbone and are often spiced up with a nice central pendant, rhinestone or pearl.

Lariat Necklace

Those who appreciate the length of a statement necklace will definitely love the Lariat necklace. You’ll notice that this is the longest among the different types of necklace chains, even longer than the so-called opera length. It’s commonly referred to as a Y-necklace or a rope necklace. Thanks to their length, they typically don’t have a clasp as it’s simpler to just throw them over one’s head and around the neck.

Festoon Necklace

If you love the look of the romantic Victorian era and Art Nouveau style or find inspiration in everything vintage (or gothic), the Festoon necklace is the ideal necklace style for you. Essentially, the base chain of the Festoon necklace sits much like a choker or collar necklace, but the attention is on the intricate drapes that typically fall from shorter to longer with the longest drape in the middle of the neck. These drapes are decorated with gems and rhinestones, and even lace. In order to show off your Festoon necklace in its full glory, avoid high necklines.

Multi-Strand Necklace

Multi-Strand necklace is a style typically associated with formal occasions and luxurious lifestyles. After all, this style is most popular for pearls. Essentially, multiple strands of pearls (or other beads) connect with each other at the clasp, thus providing a nice and elegant twist. Collar length allows for the most flattering and striking display of this multi-strand neck décor.

Looking for beautiful fine jewelry with unique design and timeless style? Our jewelry store in Miami has everything you’ve been looking for, and more! Don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and enrich your jewelry collection with gorgeous Santayana Jewelry pieces.

Most women wear jewelry not just to make fashion statements, but to enhance their own personal beauty. This is especially true when attending events for special occasions. And, with the holidays quickly approaching, we want to make sure you look your best. So, we’re sharing some of the jewelry trends for the 2017 Christmas holidays that are too hot to miss.

When picking out jewelry to wear for Christmas, you want to make sure the pieces decorate and enhances the look of your outfit. Choosing the right accessories can completely transform plain, traditional attire into a much more impressive, eye-catching look.

Jewelry designers work hard to keep up with the pace of changing fashion and accessories trends. Since most women spend good money on their jewelry, they want to be able to wear it throughout the seasons, not just for the holidays. These pieces fit that bill.

Here Are 14 Jewelry Trends For The 2017 Christmas Holiday Season:
These are some of the jewelry pieces trending right now that are expected to be hot items to wear Christmas season 2017, and throughout 2018:

1. Crystal Statement Necklaces

For 2017, the jewelry trend was generally… the bigger the better. The year end holidays will incorporate large pieces, such as statement necklaces, into Christmas fashion gear. Crystal statement necklaces with large gems give you a more festive look for this time of year.

2. Geometrically Shaped Jewelry

There are numerous jewelry pieces designed in geometric shapes. You’ll find something for every style on the market, such as diamond, pentagram, pyramid shapes and more. These gold triangle-shaped earrings are both festive and bold for the holidays.

3. Gold Chains

These were the rave of the fashion accessory world back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. In 2017, they came back with a vengeance, thanks to celebrities and reality TV stars. Multiple layered gold chains in various lengths worn together can make you look like the gift at the end of the rainbow for the holidays.

4. Yellow Gold Jewelry

Yellow gold is one metal that will never go out of style. And, it’s so flashy, especially 24 Karat gold, that it can make any toned-down look seem very upscale when worn at Christmas parties and New Year’s celebrations. When buying yellow gold jewelry, be sure it’s actually real so it will last forever.

5. Hand Bracelets

One of the hottest jewelry trends for the 2017 Christmas holidays are hand bracelets. Unlike pearl bracelets and other traditional ones, these hand ornaments are attached to a chain, which is attached to a ring worn on your finger. You can even create your own DIY hand bracelet jewelry using an ornate hand connector that strings along the back of your hand.

6. Mirrored Necklaces

These are amazing looking necklaces constructed using various types of metals. The metals literally reflect light, much like mirrors, so you sparkle and shine, like a holiday ornament. For a unique look that brings life (and light) to the Christmas party, get yourself a mirrored necklace or two.

7. Oversized Chain-Linked & Tribal Necklaces

These hot jewelry pieces are expected to continue trending throughout 2018. Oversized chain-linked necklaces come in short lengths, and some unique and trendy styles. Tribal necklaces make your look much more unique. They are handcrafted (or designed to look like it) and usually feature colored pearls and/or beads.

8. Pendant Earrings

We all know about pendants for necklaces. But, are you hip to pendants for earrings? These untimely pieces can be quite festive, depending on the design. And, because the pendants are generally removable, you can feel free to add colorful, holiday designs, and transform them back into regular pearl earrings after the holidays, or whatever you choose.

9. Single Earring

This jewelry trend just keeps coming back. There are numerous rumors about how it started. But, either way, it’s sure to be hot again this Christmas season. Instead of throwing on a simple pair of earrings, why not sport just one, single, huge, elegant, eye-catching earring? You’ll definitely look trendy for the holidays in 2017.

10. Three-Finger Rings

Also known as triple rings, these are one of the hottest jewelry trends for the 2017 Christmas holidays for women (and men) who like bold rings that make even bigger impressions than cocktail rings. One ring is worn on three different fingers at once. There are also some amazing looking four-finger ring styles set to hit the jewelry scene in 2018.

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Pearls have been a staple jewelry item for women for hundreds of years. Whether it is a classic graduated single strand necklace or a pair of pearl studs, women have admired the elegant simplicity that these gems offer. However, most people know nothing about them. Below are some of the most worthwhile facts about pearls, the official birthstone of June.

How are Pearls Formed?

1. Pearl is an organic material made by a living organism known as a mollusk.
2. A mollusk forms a pearl when it gets a small particle trapped inside its shell. In the case of cultured pearls, a tiny seed is implanted in the shell. As a protective measure, the mollusk then coats the particle with a material known as nacre.
3. Any mollusk that has a shell can also create a pearl, but pearls are usually formed by mollusks that have two shells.
4. Pearls can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to develop depending on the water conditions and the size and type of mollusk.
5. Natural pearls have been harvested from the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea for thousands of years.
6. Saltwater pearls are made by oysters whereas freshwater pearls are usually made by mussels.
7. The shell of the mollusk is what determines the coloring of a pearl. Colors range from white to gold to purple to black.

What are Cultured Pearls?

1. Virtually all pearls (about 95%) harvested today are cultured or cultivated pearls, meaning mollusks are artificially implanted with small seeds and tended to on a farm. It is very rare to find a pearl of a large size nowadays that forms naturally.
2. In the early 1900’s, three Japanese men Kokichi Mikimoto, Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise had all discovered a method to cultivate pearls. Eventually, Kokichi Mikimoto bought out the other two men and created ‘Mikimoto’ pearls that are still to this day a favorite brand of high-quality cultured saltwater Akoya pearls.
3. The farming of pearls is also referred to as “periculture.”
4. When pearls are harvested from mollusks, it is possible to re-implant the mollusk without killing it, allowing mollusk to make many pearls.

Pearl Symbolism and History

1. Pearl was named the official birthstone for June in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers.
2. Pearls have been known to symbolize fertility, loyalty, and friendship.
3. Pearls were used in mourning or memorial jewelry during the Georgian and Victorian eras and symbolized tears.
4. According to Egyptian legend, Cleopatra once took off one of her pearl earrings, dropped it into a glass of wine until it dissolved then drank it for Marc Anthony.
5. The earliest known piece of pearl jewelry was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess dating back to 520 BC.
6. Similar to how we think of snowflakes, no two pearls are alike.
7. Low-grade pearls have been crushed up into a fine shimmery translucent powder and used as a make-up.

Famous Pearls

1. Jacques Cartier traded a double-stranded natural pearl necklace valued at $1.2 million for a mansion on 5th Avenue in NYC where he opened a Cartier store and headquarters in 1916.
2. La Peregrina is one of the most famous pearls ever found. It is pear-shaped and the size of a pigeon’s egg. It was discovered in the Americas and has been owned by Philip II of Spain, Mary Tudor of England and Napoleon III. In recent years, the famous pearl was given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton.

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The brief description of the process of custom designing a piece of jewelry with Santayana Jewelry in Miami, Fl. The video features Rudy Santayana and some custom designs. Santayana Jewelry is Miami’s favorite jewelry store for custom jewelry design.

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Explore the properties and use of sapphire stone

The mysterious deep blue sapphire has been fascinating and inspiring humanity for as long as there are records of its existence. Infused with the power of integrity, strength, and wisdom, the sapphire has been used by people in power since ancient times.

Is there something special about the meaning of sapphire? A meaning that sets it apart from all other blue color stones? The meaning of sapphire is in its energy and healing properties, so let’s explore the energy of this beautiful gemstone.

In its healing uses, sapphire is sometimes compared to lapis lazuli, as both stones evoke the power of the deeply mysterious blue color. Unlike lapis lazuli, though, the sapphire has the brilliance to illuminate one with its clarity of depth and brightness of presence.

Sapphire comes from the Greek sappheiros meaning blue color. Sapphire has the deepest blue of all mineral kingdom; it is also the strongest of all blue stones.

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SAPPHIRE?

Sapphire is one of the four precious gemstones, the other three being the diamond, the ruby and the emerald. Sapphire is second only to the diamond in its strength (it rates 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness).

The ruby and the sapphire are actually of the same family and are often found together (both sapphire and ruby are a variety of corundum).

Even though we commonly think of sapphires as a stone with a saturated, deep blue color, sapphires also can be colorless, yellow, green, pink, orange, brown and even black color.

WHERE DOES SAPPHIRE COME FROM?

Most of the high-quality sapphires on the market today come from Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, China and USA.

WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC MEANING OF SAPPHIRE?

Associated with deep spirituality and devotion, sapphire is considered to bring peace and contentment to one’s soul, as well as trust in the fulfillment of his or her destiny.

Because it evokes the energy of loyalty, honesty, and devotion, the sapphire is often used in the design of engagement rings. Some of the most famous sapphire engagement rings belonged to the late Princess Diana, the actress Penelope Cruz and the supermodel Elizabeth Hurley.

Here are some additional properties attributed to the brilliant sapphire gemstone. A sapphire is considered to:

• Protect from negative energy
• Attract financial abundance
• Promote mental clarity
• Evoke the feelings of devotion
• Strengthen integrity and intuition
• Clear depression
• Help eyesight
• Bestow wisdom

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Pearls are elegant and classic, but they are also elusive and mysterious. Most people don’t realize that the majority of pearls on the market are not natural. As a gem of the ocean, finding natural pearls is a much different process than mining gemstones, and the process of harvesting pearls has been exhausted over the years. With the supply of natural pearls deleted, the only choice then is farming mollusks and artificially injecting them with small particles.

The following pearl information will provide educational resources to help demystify one of June’s most sought after birthstones.

Is a Pearl a Gem?

Pearls are an organic gem. They are considered organic because they are created by living creatures. Each pearl begins its existence as a piece of grit or another small particle that makes its way into the shell of a marine or freshwater mollusk. The mollusk’s defense mechanism kicks in and coats the particle with layer after layer of a substance called nacre, or mother-of-pearl, which eventually becomes thick enough to form a pearl.

Unlike most non-organic gemstones, pearls are classified by their origins and their shapes.

How to Tell if Pearls are Real

The first step to determining whether your pearls are real is learning about the different types of pearls. Most pearls will fall into one or two of these five categories. Natural “real” pearls are very rare nowadays, and it may take an x-ray machine to fully authenticate natural pearls from their cultured counterparts.

1. Natural Pearls

Natural pearls are formed when an accidental intruder enters a mollusk’s shell and continuous layers of nacre grow like onion skins around the particle. Natural pearls vary in shape depending on the shape of the piece being coated.

Natural pearls have always been considered rare and are quite expensive.

They are usually sold by carat weight and are vintage in nature.

2. Cultured Pearls

Like natural pearls, cultured pearls grow inside of a mollusk but due to human intervention. A shell is carefully opened and an object is inserted. Shapes of objects vary depending on the final shape of pearl that’s desired.

Over time, the object becomes coated with layers of nacre. The depth of the nacre coating depends on the type of mollusk involved, the water it lives in, and how long the intruder is left in place before being harvested. As nacre thickness increases, so does the quality and durability of the cultured pearl.

Cultured pearls are sold by their diameter size in millimeters.

3. Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls originate within a saltwater mollusk. Saltwater pearls can be either natural or cultured.

4.  Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls grow inside of a freshwater mollusk — one that lives in a river or a lake. They are almost always cultured.

5. Fake Pearls

Fake pearls are composed of coated glass or plastic. Plastic pearls are easy to decipher because they are lighter, show wear and chips easily, and are not as smooth as “real” pearls. Glass pearls can be harder to point out because they more closely resemble genuine cultured or natural pearls.

Pearl Shape Classifications

• Spherical pearls are round, which is traditionally the most desirable shape. The rounder the pearl, the more expensive its price tag.
• Symmetrical pearls include pear-shaped pearls and other shapes that have symmetry from one side to another. These are not round.
• Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped pearls. They are often the least expensive category of pearls but are unique and quite beautiful. A lot of antique jewelry contains natural baroque pearls.

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Try these ring sizing tricks of the trade to find the perfect fit.

• Go for a snug fit. “As jewelers, we always say the ring should ‘go on easy, come off hard.’ ” “This means you have the right fit and the ring is sized properly for the finger, minimizing the risk of loss.”
• Keep seasons in mind. “Your fingers tend to change size throughout the course of the year, especially during summer and winter. They’ll swell up a bit during the summer so keep that in mind so the ring doesn’t become uncomfortable to wear during those months.”
• Consider the width of the band. The wider the band, the tighter it will fit.
• Warm up your hands. If you’ve just come in from the cold or naturally have colder hands, Pomije recommends warming them to room temperature for the most accurate ring sizing.
• Go big. If you get two different finger measurements or find that a ring you wear often fits differently from time to time, Duke says it’s best to choose a slightly larger ring size, and, if you can, consult a professional.

How to Measure Ring Size Without Her Knowing

Wondering how to measure ring size without her knowing? Don’t worry! You don’t have to ruin a surprise proposal by asking your partner their ring size. Find an insider source who might have the scoop on what ring size she wears. A mom, best friend or sister may know, or can work their magic to find out her ring size without her suspecting a thing.

“Also pay attention to the jewelry she’s already wearing,” Duke says. “Does she have a ring she loves that fits on her left ring finger or even her middle finger? If so, wait for her to remove it and secretly take it to a jeweler to be sized. If she only takes it off to work out or shower and you have limited access to the ring, buy a bar of soap and press the ring in to make a mold. Your jeweler should be able to use the markings to identify the correct ring size.”

If she literally only takes her rings off to lotion her hands for five seconds, slip the ring on your finger and note exactly where it fits on your finger. Using the various ring size charts and sizes, you or a jeweler should be able to replicate the fit.

And when all else fails, go for a larger ring size; it’s easier to resize a ring smaller than it is to go bigger.

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“Which finger is the wedding band worn on?” is a question that many couples ask. The answer largely depends on where the couple lives, however in the US most couples still embrace the tradition of wearing a wedding band on the ring finger of the left hand.

In many cultures, wedding bands are traditionally worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This tradition is thought to have started with the ancient Romans. The Romans believed the left hand represented love and romance because the veins bringing blood to the fingers came directly from the heart. A ring, therefore, that is worn on the left hand was said to bring good fortune in romance and marriage. This tradition remains strong today in many countries still embracing the wearing of a ring on the left hand to signify marriage and commitment.

Which Finger Is the Wedding Band Worn On Around the World?

While countries such as Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the United States follow the custom of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand, there are many cultures who wear the wedding ring in different ways. Couples in countries such as Colombia, Germany, parts of Spain and Venezuela, typically wear the wedding band on the right hand. Many Orthodox Christians wear the wedding band on the right hand. Therefore answering the question “which finger is the wedding band worn on?” will depend on a couple’s heritage and culture as well as the country that they live in.

Alternative Ways to Wear Wedding Bands

While wearing a wedding band on the ring finger may be a popular way to signify marriage, there are plenty of other ways that a couple can demonstrate their individuality. These include:

Wearing Rings on an Alternative Finger

There is no reason why a couple should follow the traditions and wear a ring on their left hand. One way to demonstrate a couple’s commitment in an unusual way is to wear wedding rings on other fingers. This can often be for practical reasons as well as purely making a statement. Many left-handed people find wearing a ring on their right hand a more practical alternative to wearing a ring on their left hand. This is because rings are worn on the lead hand often receive harder wear and tear.

Alternative Ring Styles

Another way for a couple to demonstrate their individuality is to wear different styles or types of wedding bands. The range of different wedding bands today is extremely varied. Whereas at one time the most common wedding band would be yellow gold, today wedding bands can be made of almost any materials from precious metals through to hand carved wood. Wearing a very unconventional or unusual ring on the traditional finger is a great way to marry the old with the new, or the traditional with the unconventional.

Wearing Rings on Chains

A number of people have professions where wearing rings is either dangerous or simply not practical. People who operate machinery or have manual jobs, may find that wearing a ring around the neck on a chain is a safer alternative to wearing a ring on the finger. This may be a good solution for other people who find wearing a ring on a finger impractical.

Alternatives to Rings

A couple doesn’t have to wear a ring to show their commitment. When some couple’s ask “which finger is the wedding band worn on?”, they can be under the misunderstanding that wedding bands have to be worn on a certain finger or that a wedding band has to be worn in order for a marriage to be legal or recognized. The fact is that couples don’t have to wear a wedding band and, if they so wish, any item of jewelry or special token can be exchanged to signify their wedding and celebrate the marriage vows. Alternatives to rings include bracelets, necklaces and even a special wedding tattoo.

Deciding which finger to wear a wedding ring on is a very personal choice and is part of what makes a marriage truly special.

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