June 2, 2011
You’ve Got Style
You want to purchase a diamond engagement ring. What style is best for you? Today, white metal is the Hot metal of choice and round diamonds are still holding the top spot followed by princess cuts.
Keep these lifestyle tips in mind:
Into sports and exercise? Take off the ring. Even a firm grip on a bicycle can reshape the shank of your ring.
On a computer all day? Not a concern. However, frequent hand washing not only leaves your hands dry; it can leave a soapy residue on your diamond. Have a jar of jewelry cleaner at home and soak your ring at the end of the day.
Love the hot tub? This and swimming pools are not good for white gold. Chemicals can react with the nickel alloy and leave the metal brittle. You might consider platinum or palladium.
The more active you are, the more you should consider a setting where the diamond is set low. Or, consider six prongs instead of four. If you like modern designs, look at a bezel setting.
If you prefer white metal, consider spending a bit more for platinum. If you like yellow gold, choose 14 or 18 karat. 22 or 24 karat is too soft to safely hold a diamond. …Dii
July 12, 2010
Gold Plated
Question: I have a cubic zirconia ring in 18 KT gold vermeil, I would like to know if the setting could be plated to 14 karat gold to match my wedding ring.
Answer: Yes, the ring could be plated again; however, with daily wear, you can expect the plating to quickly wear away – especially around the edges of the ring. If you want to change the color from yellow to white, the plating metal usually used is rhodium. This can be rather expensive and again, will not last long with daily wear. …Dii
February 11, 2010
Platinum Group
Platinum is the leading member of a group of similar “white” metals called the platinum group which includes iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium. You may have heard of some of these, but probably not osmium. It’s the only one that’s not used in jewelry. Rhodium is mostly used to plate other metals to give them a brighter finish. Iridium, palladium, and ruthenium are used as alloys to strengthen platinum. Palladium is also being used to create jewelry which looks similar to platinum, but at a lower cost.
There are industrial uses for both platinum and palladium – they are used for catalytic converters in cars. Who would think these metals could have such a diverse use!
February 9, 2010
Hi Ho Silver
Pure silver is rarely used in jewelry. It too is alloyed (commonly with copper). However, the term karat is NOT used (as in gold). In the US, the content of silver is expressed as a decimal – for example, .925 – which is 92.5% silver.
Other countries have their own standards and marking. Great Britain has distinctive hallmarks for their gold, platinum, and silver.
Be aware of two misleading terms: German silver and nickel silver. Neither describes metals that contain any silver – they are terms for an alloy made of copper, nickel, and zinc. They strongly resemble silver, but a knowledgeable jeweler can easily determine the imposters with a simple silver testing method. Good to know… Dii
February 8, 2010
Precious Metals
Most fine jewelry is composed of precious metals – gold, silver, and platinum. These metals take a wonderful polish so they look beautiful; they have substantial weight, so they feel good; they’re strong, so they hold their form and style; and their worth is recognized throughout the world.
So what do the tiny markings inside a ring or on the piece tell you about the metal? Here are a few abbreviations you might see and what they mean:
14K = 14 karat gold or 14/24 gold .585 = 14 karat gold or 58.5 % gold
18K – 18 karat gold or 18/24 gold .750 = 18 karat gold or 75% gold
Pure gold is 24 karat. Jewelry gold needs to be alloyed with some other metal to help strengthen it. These other alloys can affect the color of the gold too. Yes, you can find rose gold, blue gold, and even black gold. …Dii
July 1, 2009
No More Tears!
Some of you may remember the commercials for baby shampoo that advertised, “No more tears”. The key word for the product was “gentle”. The same can be said for jewelry cleaner. There are many commercial cleaners on the market, but, just like shampoos, not all have the same ingredients and could bring tears to your eyes if you use it on some of your jewelry. What is gentle? How gentle do you need to be? Should you use water on pieces that aren’t “gold”?
Let’s begin with fashion jewelry that isn’t “gold” – meaning it may be gold colored or plated, but it isn’t what is referred to as karat-gold. Much of this is plated with a thin layer of gold (or something yellow or silver-colored). The amount of coating varies; all of it will eventually dull and/or “rub off”.
There are cleaning cloths – a soft, chamois-type material that will wipe off the residue from body oils or perfumes. This is best – or you might dampen the cloth for a stubborn mark. Water and a gentle cleaner may not immediately remove the plating, but repeated or prolonged use will eventually affect the finish. If there are “stones” in the piece, water and the cleaner may be the only way to clean them. Be careful and use only a very soft brush to reach them. I use a baby’s tooth brush. That’s as gentle as they get!!
Fashion jewelry isn’t made to last a lifetime – only as long as the fashion. Today, that might be way past the time you continue to wear it!! Oh well, it’s your favorite piece. No tears! …Dii
June 30, 2009
Handle With Care
Take a look in your jewelry box. Or is your jewelry in a drawer? Is it in a pile in a drawer? Are the chains tangled and mangled? Well, you’re probably not alone.
Some jewelry seems to thrive in that environment. It’s almost fun to pick through the mess to find that one bracelet you want to wear today. But it’s probably not so fun for the jewelry. And, if you’ve ever looked into a fisherman’s tackle box, even he shows more care for his jigs, tubes, and grubs than you’re giving to your chains, charms, and rings!
Should you buy a tackle box for your jewelry? Possibly – only make sure the lining is soft and fuzzy!! Keep your various items sorted and away from each other. Even those fashion pieces deserve some TLC. Not only will you locate what you want faster – you’ll keep everything shiny as new – as long as you also keep it free of perfumes, lotions, and hairspray. Can’t do without those? Of course not. Tomorrow we’ll get some advice from “Mr. Clean”!! …Dii
June 29, 2009
As The Jewelry World Turns
A very fascinating celebrity, Christie Brinkley, (a model of my era) has launched a line of jewelry. Along with her promotion of fabric and fitness equipment, she now adds a line of fashion jewelry to her list of accomplishments.
Reportedly, she collaborated with retailer Ross-Simons to create the collection. The jewelry will be available in catalogs, some retail stores, and online at Brinkley’s Web site.
With each new designer of jewelry, brands are created and promoted to stir interest in and encourage the purchase of adornment. Gifts from a loved one or gifts to ourselves – we like to remember special events with jewelry. It makes us feel good when we wear it.
In one article about her collection, Christie says, “I’m excited to bring my ideas and personality to the line…” Perhaps her thought and feelings contribute to the overall joy we get when one of those pieces chooses us!!
The designer – whether a celebrity or not – provides us with the opportunity to discover and enjoy either a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, or a pair of earrings. Don’t spoil that happiness by misplacing, damaging, or losing your favorite pieces. Do you need insurance? Maybe, maybe not. But there are steps you can take to keep your jewelry beautiful and safe for many years. Read on tomorrow…Dii
June 26, 2009
Want an Answer To That Question?
Don’t hesitate to ask questions of the jeweler. Demand professionalism, honesty, and ethical business practices.
Q: Are you a member in the American Gem Society?
A: Yes, we’ve been members since [ date ]. We are among a select group of jewelers nationwide that have met the strict standards for American Gem Society membership. Our dedication to ethical business standards is your assurance that you are shopping with a jeweler you can trust..
Q: Do you have any professional credentials from the American Gem Society?
A: Yes, my title [either Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, or Certified Gemologist Appraiser] was earned by having both gemological education and industry experience. Our store has [#] titleholders on staff. And, my AGS title must be renewed annually through continuing education, proven ethics, and a recertification exam. This means you can be confident in our up-to-date knowledge and professionalism.
Q: Do you know how to determine the grade of a diamond?
A: Yes, in order to achieve my title, I had to pass a diamond grading class to prove I understand and can explain the value factors to our customers. It’s not enough to just read a report to you. It’s important that I can interpret the report and advise you on the value of the diamond – as well as verify the diamond to the report.
Q: Do you guarantee the quality of your diamonds?
A: Yes, with every diamond, you receive a Statement of Replacement Cost documenting our grading of the diamond and its value – whether it has an independent lab report or not. In fact, only AGS stores can offer a true guarantee backed by the integrity of the AGS Laboratories. This is called a Diamond Quality™ Certificate.
Q: How do you know if it’s a “real” sapphire?
A: We have an Accredited Gem Lab supervised by our Certified Gemologist. The gemological equipment in our lab and the expertise of our credentialed gemologist, is your assurance of our knowledge in gemstones – knowledge that you need to make your purchase with confidence.
Only American Gem Society members are held accountable by a Grievance and Review Process within the Society guidelines. Any consumer or jeweler can file a complaint with the CEO of the AGS. (www.AmericanGemSociety.org) You deserve the correct answers – delivered with integrity. Questions? Have a great weekend…Dii
