Monday, February 20, 2023

What is the XFL?

A football field with goal posts and practice pads on a sunny day. 

What is the XFL?

    If you're a fan of American football, you know all about the NFL, which stands for the National Football League. But what is the XFL? Founded in 2018 by Vince McMahon, the XFL is a professional football league that aims to provide fans with a fresh and exciting take on the sport. The XFL's inaugural season kicked off in 2020 with eight teams from across the United States - four teams in the North division and four in the South. The league features a mix of established players and up-and-coming young guns, providing fans with an opportunity to see some of the best football players in the country.

    The XFL strives to be more fast paced than the NFL and has implemented many new rules. 

For example, kickoffs are taken from the 30-yard line instead of the 35-yard line to encourage returns.The XFL has eliminated the traditional extra point kick after a touchdown in favor of a three-tiered system where teams can score one, two, or three points.

    Click on this link to license the royalty free stock photo seen above and use it for your own creative projects.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The Great Debate: Gas Stoves vs. the Environment - Is Your Cooking Habit Harmful?

 

Closeup of a gas stove burner, showing the blue flame and texture of the metal grate.

    Gas Stove Controversy Revealed: Environmental Impact, Health Risks, and Political Debate

 Gas stoves have been all over the news recently. Why? There are several reasons. Natural gas stoves have come under scrutiny for their potential negative impact on the environment due to the release of methane gas. There are also possible health ramifications if you use a natural gas stove and don't have an adequately ventilated house. Politicians are using the topic to spark cultural wars and rally their constituents.

    Illustrating the Natural Gas Stove Debate: Environmental Damage and Health Implications

Are you a journalist, advertiser, blogger, or content creator covering the gas stove controversy? Enhance your coverage with a high-quality stock photo of a natural gas stove. Click here to license the photo shown above and add strong visual impact to your story.


Monday, February 6, 2023

An Introduction to Melee Diamonds

Image of 3 round melee diamonds on blue ceramic background

    Melee diamonds are small diamonds that are typically used as accent stones in jewelry making. 

They are often used as accents or side stones in engagement rings, bracelets, necklaces and other decorative pieces. Melee diamonds are defined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as diamonds that weigh less than .2 carats. The round diamonds in the picture above are .07 in total carat weight.
 
    One of the benefits of using melee diamonds is that they are cost-effective and relatively cheap compared to their larger diamond counterparts. Since melee diamonds are smaller, they require less rough diamond material to be cut and polished, minimizing cost. In addition, because they are smaller, there are more options to set them in a way that maximizes their sparkle and overall visual impact.
 

    When shopping for melee diamonds, it is important to consider the four Cs of diamond quality: Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight, and Color. 

If you are looking to purchase the melee diamonds pictured above, then click the link to be forwarded to my ebay store. These diamonds used to belong to my grandma and her brother in law was a jeweler. The main takeaway here is that melee diamonds are small diamonds - below .2 carats - and are usually used as accent stones. They offer a relatively inexpensive solution for adding bling and beauty to your jewelry.