Diamonds

Rose cut to mine cut to Victorian cut or European cut or brilliant, pear, marquis, emerald, radiant, baguette the choices are endless.  Not to mention, the fancy descriptions and names which tend to confuse the buyer.  It becomes a battle of who has the best marketing technique. Merchants all buy from the same sources and diamonds are monitored and regulated by a recognized international pricing system. Comparing apples with apples, we all should be relatively close in price. The uniqueness of the piece is in the overall presentation not just a different shape stone.

Engagement Rings

The purchase shouldn’t stop with the diamond.  Purchasing an engagement ring is often done without considering the complete picture once the wedding band is included.  Buying that perfect diamond should also be accompanied with the perfect setting and mounting.  Many mountings are designed for mass production and a variety of gem stones. When a diamond is set in the wrong format of claws it will lead to premature wear or loss of the stone. Make it your responsibility to know the difference between what is good and what is bad.  Be confident your purchase is designed and constructed so that it is going to last a lifetime

Designing

Ever wonder why the ring looked better in the case than on your finger?  The shape of your hand will dictate what will look good on you. Long fingers, short fingers, wide hands, narrow hands, this all has an effect on the image. Put a ring on your finger and most people will shift it to where they think it looks best. Bend your fingers or move your hand around and all of a sudden the ring finds it’s own comfortable spot. Typically it then looks wrong and the wearer is constantly trying to correct it.  A design needs to be shaped correctly and balanced to the wearer’s hand.  Then compliment it with a stone or stones. The finished product will then be admired by both the wearer and the viewer.

Faux Pas

Focusing only on one element of the design may not give you the desired outcome you are looking for. Using a different metal or stone shape will not necessarily make a unique presentation. As we age our fingers change size and exotic metals are near impossible to adjust.  Fancy cut stones may only confuse the eye of the beholder and be a target for accidental damage.  The wearing habits need to be included in the choice of piece.  Some shapes or metals will not hold up to our lifestyles today when worn 24/7.

Did you know?
Within 10 years or more, white gold becomes very brittle and even more resistant to bending and flexing.  About 40% of the time, there is a risk of breaking the ring when trying to bend it for a simple sizing.  If white gold is desired, it needs to be designed correctly to take this into consideration.

When pearls are exposed to perfumes, the surface and the luster will be affected.  Restringing should be done every two years even if not worn regularly. Body oils work at  breaking down the silk cord used to string the beads.  One more thing, real and cultured pearls will feel gritty against your teeth, where simulated beads will feel smooth.

Everybody is born with allergies!  Most people have dormant allergies and therefore they are not detected until a person gets into their forties and fifties.  This explains why your favourite earrings have started to bother your earlobes or that rash under the top of your ring has  suddenly appeared.

If your gold ring leaves a dark mark on your skin it's because your body is deficient in iron

Q: What makes white gold white?
A: The use of nickel & zinc as the dominant alloy bleeds out the natural yellow of pure gold.

Q: If my diamond is raised up will it look bigger and brighter?
A: No! Light cannot enter the backside of a diamond.  Therefore it makes no difference to elevate the stone.

Q: Should we use 10K gold because it's stronger?
A: No! Karat gold is alloyed to make it resistant to flexing and bending.  Even 18K gold is alloyed and is strong.  It's the lack of thickness in the majority of new rings made today that make them flexible.

Q: My mother wore her rings for 30 years and never had this much trouble, why am I?
A: Most modern assembly lines produce weaker and thinner rings.  Today most women wear their jewellery 24/7 and exert more bumps and bangs on their rings than their mothers did.

Q: Why do other rings have rhodium plating on them?
A: Rhodium plating is used over gold to make yellow gold settings look white or it is used to prevent the natural tint of pure gold from showing on the surface of white gold.  But rhodium plating causes all kinds of problems when the jewellery later has to be worked on.

Q:Will sizing my ring make it weaker?
A: If the ring has a good width and thickness it should be fine, but if its thin to start with any joint may be a weak spot.  Thin rings flex against joints and cause them to break open.

We hope you have found this information useful and of course informative.  Our customers are more than just clients to us, so we strive to keep you informed to help you make the wisest decisions in your purchases and repairs.  If jewellery is on your list, please keep us in mind.

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