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Tiffany & Company - Are Their Diamonds Better Than Most Retailers?

In the world of jewelry stores and boutiques, perhaps no other name stands out as much than that of Tiffany & Company. Known for their high quality and expensive jewels, this retailer is known throughout the world as being a high-class establishment. One of the specialties of this company is diamonds.

From reasonably sized diamond items to breathtakingly large diamonds, this jeweler has whatever a girl may desire when it comes to diamond rings or diamond jewelry in general. The question many people might ask in reference to this jewelry establishment is whether or not their diamonds are better than most retailers and the answer to this often-asked question will be discussed below.

Is It the Name or the Diamond Which Exudes Quality?

Since many tend to equate the name Tiffany & Company with high quality diamonds and jewelry, they may not look further into the quality of the individual diamonds. It may simply be assumed by some that since it is a piece of jewelry from Tiffany & Company, it must be top of the line. There is a lot of truth to this commonly held belief but it is important to inquire as to whether it is the name or diamond itself which exudes quality.

Tiffany & Company diamonds are truly top-notch gems and one who buys a diamond ring from this retailer can rest assured that they are getting what they pay for. Although gemstones of this type acquired at different, perhaps lower-priced retailers may be similar in quality, individuals who do buy their jewelry from Tiffany & Company are paying for a lot more than simply the gem itself.

Those who visit this jeweler to peruse their rows and rows of diamonds and buy a piece of jewelry at this boutique are obtaining not only the jewel itself but also the reputable name, beautiful packaging and promise that the product purchased is exactly what they believe it to be. A diamond ring purchased at Tiffany & Company is not only aesthetically pleasing and high quality in nature but the name surrounding the purchase itself speaks a thousand words.

Why Tiffany & Company Has Such a Good Reputation

There are a few reasons why Tiffany & Company diamonds are seen as being a step above the rest. First, this company has been around for many years and during that time has established an excellent reputation amongst jewelers. Also, the store itself offers excellent customer service which is another highly desirable trait for individuals purchasing various types of jewelry, especially diamond rings.

Lastly, the overall quality of the gemstones and jewelry pieces sold at Tiffany & Company truly are top of the line items and this company deserves the recognition it receives in the jewelry community. This is not to say that other retailers and specialty jewelry boutiques do not deserve recognition, it simply means that this company has strived and worked extremely hard to present a good image and uphold their integrity when it comes to jewelry sales.

James Greene is a Graduate Gemologist and Master Gemologist Appraiser. James has been in the jewelry and appraisal business for over 25 years and specializes in Insurance and estate appraisals. http://www.diamondmarketwatch.com

Laser Treated Diamonds - Does This Procedure Harm the Diamond or Make It Less Valuable?

Diamonds are gemstones which may undergo various treatment processes and procedures before one purchases them. One type of treatment which diamonds may undergo is that of laser treatment or laser drilling. Laser treated diamonds, also known as enhanced diamonds, have been the subject of certain procedures in order to correct flaws or specific imperfections within the stone. It is important to know a little bit about this type of treated diamonds to determine if this type of stone is right for you.

What Is the Laser Treatment Process?

The process for laser treating is one which goes by a few different names, such as laser drilling and laser enhancement. The procedure for treating diamonds in this manner is to drill a small hole into the stone with a laser in order to remove inclusions within the diamond. The purpose behind doing so is to improve the overall clarity of the diamond and make it appear that much more brilliant all the while taking away any aspects of the diamond which may make it appear undesirable.

Does Laser Treatment Harm Diamonds or Decrease Their Value?

Although some may find drilled diamonds to be more desirable than those which have gone untreated, others may wonder if this procedure will harm the diamonds or decrease their value. It is important for consumers to note that diamonds which have undergone this type of process do not become weaker as a result thereof. Therefore, it can be stated that laser treatment to rid diamonds of inclusions does not harm the diamond per se. As for decreasing the value of the diamond, laser treated diamonds should often be less in price than what a non-treated one would be. With that said, it is important for the consumer to ask if their diamond has been treated prior to purchasing it and therefore spend an amount which coincides with what a laser treated diamond would be worth.

How to Determine If the Diamond You Are Looking to Purchase Has Been Laser Treated

If individuals are familiar with the laser treatment process, they will ultimately wish to know whether their diamond has undergone this type of process prior to purchasing it. This will help them determine if they wish to purchase a diamond of this type and if so, that they pay a price which is standard for this type treatment.

The best way to determine if a diamond has been laser treated to remove inclusions from it is to ask. Since the Federal Trade Commission does not require jewelers to inform consumers that particular diamonds have undergone laser enhancements, the only way to really know the truth is to ask the individual who sells you the diamond.

Laser Treated Diamonds: To Buy or Not to Buy

In the end, prospective purchasers must determine whether or not they wish to buy a diamond which has undergone this form of treatment. The pros of doing so are that the diamond may be more brilliant and not cost as much as a diamond which was naturally brilliant and perfect to begin with.

As for the cons, a diamond which has undergone laser treatment can be seen by some as being an imperfect diamond regardless of the fact that the blemish is now corrected. Since many individuals buy diamonds for engagement purposes or other special occasions, considering purchasing laser treated diamonds is not even an option for them. In the end, it is ultimately up to the consumer to determine if laser treated diamonds are right for them.

James Greene is a Graduate Gemologist and Master Gemologist Appraiser. James has been in the jewelry and appraisal business for over 25 years and specializes in Insurance and estate appraisals. http://www.diamondmarketwatch.com

Platinum Jewelry - Reasons Why This Type of Jewelry Is So Popular

Jewelry is a wonderful accessory which can be purchased in a wide array of metals and styles. One particular metal which has gained in popularity quite greatly in the past ten years or so is that of platinum.

Platinum is used to make all different types of jewelry items such as rings, watches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The increase in popularity can be seen for a number of different reasons and one will discover after learning about them that it is no wonder that more and more men and women are choosing platinum as their jewelry composition of choice.

Aesthetic Values

Platinum jewelry has a natural shine and brilliance to it. The white tone of the platinum metal makes the jewelry stand out in and of itself however pair a few gemstones with the platinum and the effect is even more radiant. The pure aesthetic value of platinum jewelry is one reason why jeweler purchasers flock to the platinum jewelry counters to set their eyes upon this metal.

Rare and Precious Metal

Platinum is also seen these days as the most rarest and precious of metals that one can buy in the way of jewelry. The sheer reputation surrounding platinum makes it a highly coveted item. Although the price which goes along with platinum jewelry may be more expensive than perhaps gold jewelry, the reason for such a price relates to the rareness thereof. This attribute makes it much more attractive to jewelry buyers.

Strength and Durability

Another reason why platinum jewelry has drawn in the mass jewelry buying public pertains to the strength and durability of the product. This metal is known for its lasting qualities and for this reason many individuals choose to have their engagement rings and other keepsake gemstones set in platinum. The strength and durability of this metal is also due to its sheer weight which although more than gold products, it does not have a heavy feel to it. If one is looking to purchase a piece of jewelry which will stand the test of time then platinum is the way to go.

Plentiful Jewelry Options

With the growing demand for pieces of this type of jewelry, one will also find that there are plentiful amounts of platinum jewelry items available to purchase. Jewelry stores are adding more and more pieces of platinum jewelry to their floor displays as the owners know exactly what the public is looking for these days which is platinum.

All jewelry buyers have to do with regard to finding a piece of platinum jewelry which they like is to go into almost any store or visit online websites and they will find a selection like no other. As the desire for platinum jewelry grows, so do the many options which one will find on their jewelry shopping trips.

James Greene is a Graduate Gemologist and Master Gemologist Appraiser. James has been in the jewelry and appraisal business for over 25 years and specializes in Insurance and estate appraisals. http://www.diamondmarketwatch.com

How To Care For Your Diamond Ring

There are so many diamond rings out there how can you even begin to choose one. Diamonds are very old dating back billions of years even before the dinosaurs were on the earth.

The process of finding and excavating these very rare and precious jewels has taken a lot of time and money hence their cost. Even today with modern equipment diamonds are still not easy to find and geologists search the remotest corners of the world in their quest to find diamonds.

Most diamonds end up as diamond rings, from the smallest to the largest. Diamonds rings are usually given as a symbol of love and a commitment of marriage at a later date.

Many of us will remember Richard Burton giving Elizabeth Taylor a diamond ring as a token of his love for her. This diamond was 33 carat and worth over 7 million pounds.

Today you can look in all the jewelers shops and find a huge array of diamond rings and other types of jewelry, but diamonds are not as plentiful as they seem. So where do we go to find the diamond ring of our choice, these days there are many places Jewelers, the Internet Catalogues and even your daily newspaper magazine.

Diamonds are classified by there size and their clarity (quality) and also there color, in other words you get what you pay for. Some places will offer discounts if you buy your diamond ring from them or maybe give you free insurance so it does pay to shop around and not go for the first one that you see.

The diamond ring you purchase will hopefully be on your finger for a very long time so choose wisely. When buying your diamond ring don’t forget to insure it properly many insurance policies only cover an amount of up to $1000 for jewelry so your diamond ring will have to be insured as a separate item, so check your policy to avoid losing out should the ring become lost or stolen.

Also remember the difficulty in finding these diamonds and the fact that they are in short supply, did you know all the diamonds that have ever been polished would only fit in one double decker bus, makes you think doesn’t it.

It is important to care your diamond once you have chosen it, your daily tasks of cleaning and using household products can leave a film over the diamond which stops it from shining, you may have purchased a diamond ring that has been coated to avoid this but if not try soaking the ring in mild soapy water and using a soft brush to remove any debris.

Although diamonds are extremely hard and durable if they have been treated with something to hold the shine using a hard brush or scrubbing too vigorously could remove this protective coating so take care when you do decide to clean your diamond ring.

Vicki Churchill writes for Finest Diamond Rings, a site that specializes in Diamond Rings & also Diamond Snake Rings, including how, where & what to buy.

A History of Snake Rings

There are of course many styles of rings available to buy today but not many of them are steeped in as much tradition as the snake ring.

Both exotic and unusual people looking to buy diamond snake rings usually have a good idea of what they are looking for and have already made their minds up that it is this particular style of ring they want.

Diamond snake rings are more popular than ever and are beautifully crafted exquisite pieces of jewelry. The shimmering diamonds along the body of the snake give the perfect reproduction of a snake in motion.

Some people are attracted to the mythic archetypal style of snake rings that represent time and eternity more often than not when the tail is being eaten by the head. This image is the Ouroboros, an ancient symbol showing a serpent eating its own tail.

The symbol is believed to have been inspired by the Milky Way with ancient writings describing a serpent of light living amongst the heavens.

The circle, which is best depicted by this particular image, has always been an important symbol of ancient civilizations representing wholeness and perfection. The ring without beginning or end also represents the Sun, Moon and Universe.

Many different cultures including Christianity, Hinduism, Aztec, Norse and Chinese depict the image of the snake ring. In Greek Mythology snake rings were worn in honour of the Greek healing god Asclepius who was struck down by Zeus fearing Asclepius would transform all of mankind into immortals with his healing powers.

In the 19th Centaury the snake or serpent ring was very popular with ladies who found the style enticingly pleasing. The snake rings could be worn in conjunction with a serpent styled bangle, broach or hatpin. As well as diamond snake rings were embedded with rubies, sapphires and many other kinds of gemstones.

The Victorians were heavily influenced by treasures gathered in Roman and Greek times. The replicated many of the nuances and were fascinated by their intricate distinctions. The popularity of the ring reached fever pitch when Queen Victoria herself chose the design of a gold sinuous snake, which was meant to give good luck.

Typically diamond snake rings would not be purchased as a wedding or engagement ring unless the future husband was absolutely sure his intended bride would approve. Diamond snake rings are not suited for everybody’s tastes and a surprise proposal would backfire horribly if the bride were expecting a more traditional style.

The snake ring is best given as a symbolic gesture of good fortune, good health, and as a loving gift to a partner where the ring is a protective charm and represents the union of the couple and their eternal and never ending love for one another.

Vicki Churchill writes for Finest Diamond Rings, a site that specializes in Diamond Rings & also Diamond Snake Rings, including how, where & what to buy.

Buying Diamond Wedding Rings

Traditionally most people opt for a plain gold wedding ring when getting married. However there are many beautiful diamond wedding rings available both in stores and online. Shopping wisely could also result in finding a bargain.

Diamond wedding rings are not only beautiful but are a rare natural resource that comes in different levels of quality.

If you have decided to buy a diamond wedding ring rather than a plain band there are a few things that need to be considered.
The most important and often forgotten is that the wedding ring will be worn on the same finger as the engagement ring, although this is not essential traditionally they are worn side by side. With this in mind it is important that they compliment each other.

If your engagement ring is large and contains either one big diamond or a large cluster of diamonds it would be a good idea to go for a more simple diamond wedding ring. A solid gold band with one or a few small diamonds would be perfect.

A diamond wedding ring could be costly so it is always wise to set yourself a budget before looking to avoid disappointment.

If you go to a jeweller be sure to tell them your maximum price that you are willing to spend and advise them you are not interested in seeing anything above your maximum price.

If you already have an engagement ring it would be a good idea to take it with you to show the jeweller so they can advise you which diamond wedding ring would look the best along side it.

Always ask if they have any sort of payment plan and make sure you work out any interest that will be added on to see if the plan suits you and your budget.

Purchasing matching diamond wedding rings for both yourself and your partner may seem easy as you are only looking for one style of ring however two people’s opinions need to be taken into account, discuss with your partner the styles of diamond wedding rings you both like to avoid any arguments in a store.

Another important thing to remember when looking for diamond wedding rings is to make sure that the price shown on the ring is the price for the whole ring and not per diamond, some jewellers will price the stones separately.

You can always cut costs by looking at imitation diamond wedding rings, especially if you have over spent on the wedding its self, there is no reason why you can not later replace the ring with a real diamond wedding ring when you are in a better position.
Some stores sell imitation diamond wedding rings and you really wouldn’t be able to tell if they were fake or not and you could save yourself a lot of money.

Vicki Churchill writes for Finest Diamond Rings, a site that specializes in Diamond Rings & also Diamond Snake Rings, including how, where & what to buy.

Usage of Silicone Bracelets-Wristbands - Event Planning

Silicone bracelets are very versatile because they are highly customizable and they are very inexpensive product. So, these silicone bracelets are a cost effective way to identify your event participants, raise funds, and most especially to bring people closer as a community.

Silicone wristbands are a very useful in ensuring that your event runs smoothly whatever be the size of the group of participants. Even in places like amusement parks, shopping malls etc, silicone wristbands can help to make the running of the venues quite smooth an organized.

Best of all, wristbands can be easily customized according to the client’s requirements. Custom wristbands can special messages, logos, and other special symbols or designs to showcase the event. Since the making of customized silicone bracelets might take time, the plans for such an event needs to be planned in advance with all the designs, colours etc being finalized with the manufacturer in advance.

Here are some examples of the unique and innovative ways we can use silicone wristbands during an event showcasing a specific cause:

Taking care of Minors: Silicone wristbands can be used to identify the minors who are under certain food/drink restrictions or are not allowed to go on some amusement rides etc. Or if there are some places or stalls where minors should not be allowed the organiser of that particular stall might look out for the particular colour coded wristband denting minors.

Admissions: Silicone wristbands can be used as a visual identifier by the ticket collector at various event venues or parks etc. this will ensure that only valid people are entering the venue and they do not need to carry special passes for the same. The guests can be classified into different groups if they are colour coded accordingly.

Group Day Trips: On the school or special trips organised, it’s important to be able to identify those with your group. Being able to check wristbands ensure that the correct persons are with their own groups. Depending upon the colour code or the message etc on the silicone bracelet the different groups can be identified.

Child Care: Parents can be colour coded with the child so as to ensure that during the whole duration of the vent or trip etc, the family is together and there is no chance of either of them getting lost. Especially in shopping malls where there are day care centre etc, the days care people can ensure better organisation and service.

Jason Uvios writes about on Usage of Silicone Bracelets/Wristbands - Event Planning to visit :- wristbands, silicone wristband promotion and bracelets

Choosing The Right Diamond And Sapphire Rings

When you have decided to ask that special someone to marry you traditionally a proposal would be made on bended knee in a romantic location.
Perhaps over dinner in a high class restaurant or on some remote sandy beach while on holiday

Choosing the right engagement ring is obviously crucial. Diamond and sapphire rings are beautiful and are normally the ring of choice for an engagement.
If you are planning a surprise proposal then try to do as much homework as possible on what types of styles and designs of diamond rings your intended prefers without giving the game away.

Probably the best people to ask are her friends who will hopefully have some idea, or casually drop what types of jewelry she likes into conversation when possible.It is also very important to take into account simple basics like whether or not she has small or large hands or if she suffers from sensitive skin that will be irritated by certain metals used in the band of the diamond ring.

If your future bride does have sensitive skin then it is probably best to go for diamond and sapphire rings made from platinum as this metal even when alloyed is very hypoallergenic and should not cause any discomfort when it is being worn.

When looking at diamond and sapphire rings it is very easy in amongst all the excitement to get carried away with your emotions and end up breaking your budget and buying the biggest diamond in the shop.
It may sound silly to say that any woman would not want an enormous diamond to show off on her finger but the practicalities are that for everyday wear a huge diamond ring will soon become annoying and frustrating whilst doing every day simple tasks.

Furthermore if your future bride does have small hands then you must take into account that most women today wear both their diamond engagement rings on the same finger as their wedding band which of course will be uncomfortable if not impossible if the engagement ring is too big.
Although not nearly as romantic as a surprise proposal you can play it safe and suggest you both shop together to look for diamond and sapphire rings for the engagement.

The facts of today’s societies often drive a couple to become married for other reasons than just their love for one another, it may be that you have been together for so long that you feel it is about time you tied the knot or you already have children or that you simply know choosing a diamond engagement ring together would be the best option in order to make sure your partner is completely happy.

After all which ever choice you make diamond and sapphire rings are a symbol of eternal love, commitment and fidelity and will be worn for many years to come, so with this in mind it is essential the person wearing the ring is both comfortable and happy.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including
Diamond And Sapphire Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Buying A Sapphire Ring

The word sapphire originates for the hebrew word sapir most people think that a sapphire ring would be blue however this is a common misconception a sapphire ring can come in a variety of colours including purple, green and yellow.

Sapphires are the perfect gem for rings, they are extremely durable and almost as tough as a diamond. If you purchase a sapphire ring you will be rest assured that it can withstand more than most gem stones.

Sapphires are the birthstone for the month of september, If you are buying a sapphire ring for an engagement, what better month to propose than that of its birthstone.

A purple sapphire often costs less than the traditional blue sapphire but bear in mind the shape of the sapphire will also affect the cost, most often the round sapphires being slightly more costly than the pear cut or marquis.

When buying a sapphire ring the costs can vary dramatically depending on the size, shape and setting. It is always wise to set yourself a budget before heading out and purchasing a sapphire ring.

Have a look on the internet to get some idea of the style you are looking for, think carefully about the person who will be wearing the ring to make sure they will be happy with what they receive and that it will suit them for example a petite person would suite a more simple ring rather than a large heavy sapphire ring. a younger lady may prefer a pink sapphire ring.

Choose who you purchase your sapphire ring from wisely, ask for recommendations from friends and family, make sure the dealer is willing to spend some time with you and listen to your requirements before you part with your money.

If you decide to purchase your sapphire ring over the internet make sure that they have a returns policy in place and that you can return the ring if it is not what you thought it was, also check there are no costs incurred should this happen and you do decide to return the sapphire ring.

Make sure you use a secure payment method when purchasing over the internet, never give you bank details unless you are 100% sure the company is reportable, the most common safe method for online payment is pay pal. Make sure you keep documents and copies of any emails or correspondence once the payment has been made.

If the sapphire ring is for engagement then remember at some point the ring will be worn along side another so you do not want them to clash or for one to outstand the other.

Make sure you have a good look around before you make your decision there is a huge range of designs and you need to make sure you have chosen the perfect one.
Which ever design of ring you choose I am sure the lucky lady will be more than happy to receive a classy and unique sapphire ring.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including
Diamond And Sapphire Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Buying A Diamond Solitaire Ring

Traditionally a diamond solitaire ring is purchased and given for engagement, although there are many other types of engagement rings available and as trends change these styles become more popular, the diamond solitaire always seems to be the favourite.

These types of rings can vary greatly in price depending on the size of the diamond and the ring set the diamond solitaire is set in.
It is worth spending some time researching exactly what you are looking for before hitting the shops and buying a ring on impulse

If the diamond solitaire ring is to be given as a surprise gift for a loved one then it is important to get an idea of the size you need, although this is normally a difficult task it will make the surprise so much more special if the ring fits perfectly, it will also show your partner how much thought you have put into purchasing the ring.

It is not the easiest thing to get a ring size from someone without them knowing, most ladies do not wear a ring on their engagement finger unless already engaged there for you will have to ascertain the size by other ways.

Ask her friends to help, they may be able to get your partner into a ring shop to try on rings for ‘fun’ and therefore make a note of the size of the ring she would require.

Have a look on the internet and in magazines for the style and shape you are looking for, it is always best to have something in mind before actually purchasing any type of jewelry.

You will need to consider the cut, the shape of the diamond solitaire can determine if it will stand out to others. There are many cuts to choose from including,the modern heart shape, pear or tear drop shape, marquise shape, emerald cut and princess solitaire

Once the cut or shape has been decided it is important to remember you are not only buying a diamond solitaire you are also buying the ring setting, this is where you can get creative, use your imagination, you do not have to go for traditional gold, you could have white gold or even platinum if you really want to different.

You can also choose the number of prongs to hold the diamond solitaire in place, the more prongs you have the safer the diamond will sit in the ring set, the less you have the more prominent the actual solitaire will be and will stand out more.

Diamonds are graded and the lower grade diamond solitaries are always cheaper in price than the higher grade ones, when you do purchase your diamond solitaire always ask to see any paperwork that the ring has, ask for a authenticity certificate.

A diamond solitaire is not only one of the most important rings you will ever give or receive it it also an investment so consider how you will insure the diamond solitaire once it has been purchased, usually diamond solitaires are not covered on your household policy so it is worth spending some time on this matter.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including
Diamond And Sapphire Rings and Diamond Rings including what, where & how to buy the perfect Engaegement Ring .

The Promise Ring And Its Meaning

A promise ring is a symbol of commitment, usually given to a man by a woman, it is a special piece of jewelry that is often classed as a mans engagement ring, it symbolises a ‘promise’ of commitment.

this type of gift can also be exchanged between couples as a pre engagement, or even just as a token gesture between a man and women, for younger people it is an updated version of wearing your boyfriends ring around your neck on a chain, it symbolises being together.

That being said, promise rings are also exchanged between friends, for many years rings have been used to seal promises between close friends or family.

A promise ring can be worn on any finger depending on the type of ring. If the band is given to a man for friendship then it can be worn on any finger or even the thumb. If the promise ring is to symbolise pre engagement or engagement then it is traditionally worn on the left hand ring finger like a traditional engagement ring.

There are many types of promise rings available, if the ring is to symbolise engagement then it is worth considering one made with diamonds, you can select other stones to sit along side the diamond also, it is a good idea to look at what colours your partner wears when choosing one with mixed stones, have a look in their wardrobe and select a stone that wont clash with their clothes.

If the promise ring is for a man and will be worn on a daily basis then it is wise to choose durable metal, titanium being one of the most popular.
There is also the option to have it engraved with your ‘promise’ this will make the gift unique and more meaningful, this type of band is extremely romantic and a way to share your heartfelt sentiments with the one you love.

Depending on your budget will effect which type of promise ring you purchase whether it be a diamond promise ring, a gold promise ring, a titanium promise ring or even a silver promise ring, the most important thing to remember is to make clear the promise you are making when giving the ring to someone. There is nothing worse than receiving a ring and assuming it is for engagement when it is infact just a symbol of your friendship. Enclosing a note to explain what the ring s for should clarify things and avoid embarrassment.

Promise rings are also given to children from parents as promises to refrain from bad virtues such as smoking or drinking or even forming a sexual relationship before marriage.

Some religions also use promise rings to symbolise their faith. These rings are usually worn by followers and the promise ring is a commitment to follow the beliefs and teachings of their religion in everyday life.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including
Diamond And Sapphire Rings and Diamond Rings including what, where & how to buy the perfect Promise Ring.

How To Buy Diamond And Sapphire Rings

There are so many diamond and sapphire rings available today. Clear, blue, yellow, pink, black, classic or contemporary? If you do not know what you are looking for you can come unstuck and end up paying over the odds for an inferior ring.

This guide will help you spot the best diamond and sapphire rings at the keenest prices.

The best place to start is of course the web where you learn all about various styles and grades of diamond and sapphire rings. It is also worth paying a visit to your local jeweller for some face to face advise, where you can ask questions.

The main factors involved in determining the grade of a diamond are carat, clarity, cut and colour. These dynamics are also known as the four C’s and all of them should be taken into account when considering buying a ring.

Some experts believe the colour of a diamond is the determining feature. Diamonds are graded on letter scale from D being a truly clear and colourless gem through to Z, which are light yellow in colour. In general the clearer the diamond the higher the value.

Clarity of the gem also plays a big part in shaping the beauty and value. Some diamond and sapphire rings have inclusions inside them or on the surface which are crystals or minerals embedded in them often untraceable to the naked eye. These flaws can detract from the brilliance of the diamond blocking the natural path of the light through the stone.

The cut of a diamond is also important. You will want your diamond rings to sparkle and they will only sparkle properly with the right cut. The cut can also make the diamond appear bigger and heavier. The most popular cuts are marquise, oval,pear princess, trillion, heart and emerald.

Finally, you must consider the weight of the diamond or the carat. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is equal to two hundred milligrams of weight. So naturally the heavier the diamond the more valuable it generally will be. However you must consider when buying diamond and sapphire rings all four factors as a clear and well-cut gemstone will fetch a higher monetary value than a poor cut one that has a higher carat weight.

Sapphires are generally thought to be blue in colour however they can be found in yellow, pink, purple green and orange due to small amount of iron, titanium and chromium found in the mineral known as corundum. It is a matter of taste but blue, green and pink are best suited for combinations of diamond and sapphire rings.

Diamond and sapphire rings make beautiful engagement rings and can cost as little as $300 however you can pay literally thousands for a truly beautiful cut and large cluster diamond and sapphires.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including Diamond And Sapphire Rings and Diamond Rings and also Snake Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Diamond And Sapphire Rings

Once you have purchased and had time to marvel at the beauty of your diamond and sapphire ring you will over time regard it as personal to you as any other one of you possessions.

You have just entered quite an exclusive club, as diamonds are one of the rarest substances known to mankind and are only found in a few scattered locations across the world. If you took all of the polished diamonds since the beginning of time they would still only fit into a modest sized house!

Diamonds and sapphire are some of the most sought after gems and to own a diamond and sapphire ring with its exquisite style and timeless appeal, will give you pleasure for years to come.

Owning a diamond and sapphire ring especially if the ring has been given to you as a symbol of someone’s commitment, fidelity and love for you is unlike owning any other piece of jewelry.

For centuries diamond and sapphire rings have been the symbol of peoples eternal love for each other and all diamond and sapphire rings have their own characteristics and subtleties. It is no surprise then the sense of emotion your ring will evoke whenever you look at it.

The diamonds in diamond and sapphire rings would have started its life about a billion years ago and in some exotic location like India, Brazil or South Africa.

Unless you are careless and lose your ring there is little chance it will become damaged or suffer any wear and tear over time. Diamond and Sapphire rings are very hard wearing. In fact diamond although fragile to look at is the hardest mineral known to mankind and sapphire for that matter is a pretty tough substance in its own right measuring 9.0 on the Moh scale.

Most diamond and sapphire rings are quite expensive so making sure the ring is adequately insured is essential. Although you will never be able to replace the sentimental value if you did lose it, at least making sure you will not suffer a financial loss will soften the blow.

There are several types of cover available for your diamond and sapphire rings, which are replacement value, agreed value and actual cash value. The first thing to do is have the ring valued independently by a reputable jeweller. If you are relying on your house insurance cover then make sure the ring is inured separately from the rest of the contents and the actual value is stated.

There are many companies that will insure diamond and sapphire rings and once you know what to ask about you will not have any problems insuring your ring and will have piece of mind should the unthinkable happen.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites including Diamond And Sapphire Rings and Diamond Rings and also Snake Rings including how, where & what to buy.

Rolex and Changing Times

People have always been looking for a way to keep track of time. Through sundials and other crude models of time pieces to the evolution of the first watch that was reported to have been made in the 1500s people have always wanted the convenience and reliability of being able to tell what time it really is throughout the day. Although a few watches were designed and built before the Rolex not many were made as solid and reliable. Throughout the years the company has remained strong and a leader in watch inventions and innovations.

The Rolex Company has always seemed to be the forerunner in new designs throughout time. In 1905 Hans Wildorf started a London company that dealt primarily in the distribution of watches. In 1908 he named his company the Rolex Watch Company. In 1910 the company invented a watch small enough to be worn on a persons wrist which was uncommon for the time because most people during that time used pocket watches. It was a convenience to people and the Rolex name gained a lot of popularity for their wrist watch. In 1926 the company invented the first waterproof watch which was called the Oyster. The Perpetual another first for the company was the first watch with a self winding rotor mechanism. In 1945 the company came out with the first ever chronometer with an automatic date change named the Datejust.

Whether a person is after a classy look or rugged functionality the Rolex is the one that they want. Watches that will function well under stresses of work and play for instance the Submariner the first divers watch that was invented by the company in the 1950s. The companies watches were also worn by the mountain climbers who climbed up Mount Everest. The companys also made the first divers watch that was waterproof up to 2000 feet and was equipped with a gas escape valve. These are the type of watches that James Bond would wear. Classy yet functional and also able to perform under pressure it is what makes these watches so unique and popular.

Today there are many Rolex watches to choose from. All of the watches are sophisticated and classy and will perform just as well as the person wearing it. There are many different styles and looks for todays watch. So the individual not only has a choice on what type of performance they would like the watch to accomplish but also what type of look and style they would like the watch to have. The watches such as the Datejust and Oyster are still available but have evolved with the times and have gotten better with age. There are many cheaper replicas of the Rolex available on the market today.

Robert Bibb has been a consumer advocate and entrepreneur for many years. He lives in West Virginia where he is an avid kayaker and computer enthusiast who owns an SEO company.

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The 10 Carat Vintage Engagement Ring

The marquise is swathed in dramatic history. This cut was invented during the 18th-century reign of Louis XIV, allegedly named for his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and inspired by her smile. The uniquely tapered cut, essentially an oval with rounded sides and points at each end, is distinctive and dramatic, much like the women who choose to wear it. Modern-day versions often have a hexagon-shaped surface with facets on the top and bottom to reflect light. This clever cut can also look larger than it actually is, and due to its elongated shape, can make fingers look leaner and more slender. It’s ideal for those looking to maximize carat weight and for those who like a little opulence every now and again. Victoria Beckham also flaunts this shape, a three-carat marquise, accented with a trillion on each side.

Actually, I think Michael Douglas had a bit of making up to do because he had told Catherine that he wanted babies with her the night they met. He was on his first date when he boldly announced that he wanted to be the father of her children. Catherine was quoted as saying: “I did my quiet and interesting British person act, while he said, ‘I want to father your children!’. I mean the balls of someone who could sit there on a first date and say that! Talk about love at first sight!”

In truth, despite the beautiful 10 carats, his proposal was a bit of, excuse the pun here, a washout. Apparently, they both had streaming head colds and the proposal was made between great bouts of nose running and nose blowing. How romantic! There are some things that money just cant buy!

Reportedly, the couple are worth a staggering

What is Platinum Jewelry?

Platinum is an extremely rare metal, even rarer than gold. There isn’t much of it around and it has only been found in select locations across the planet. Platinum is a strong, dense metal, which allows it to be used in many different ways. Besides jewelry, it is also used to make catalytic converters, and it is helpful in the medical field because it resists oxidation. As the perfect material for pacemakers, platinum not only makes lovely jewelry, but also helps save lives.

Despite its strength, platinum is a very supple, workable material, making intricate designs and details far easier to achieve than with gold. Since it is so pure, platinum jewelry is the perfect hypoallergenic accessory for those who cannot wear gold. Part of the reason people cannot wear gold is often associated with the alloys involved in the jewelry making process. Since platinum jewelry contains very little alloy, it is a good choice for those who are sensitive to metals.

Platinum jewelry is made from very pure platinum. As compared to gold, platinum falls between the 18-karat and 24-karat range, with 18 karat being approximately 75% pure and 24 karat being the purest. Since 18-karat jewelry is 75% pure, that means that the other 25% of the piece is an alloy, such as silver, zinc or copper. This simply means that platinum requires very little alloy to be combined with it in order to make platinum jewelry.

Platinum jewelry is very sturdy and resilient, making it ideal for everyday wear. Platinum jewelry, like other types of metal jewelry, can become scratched, but a scratch won’t damage platinum in the same way that it damages other precious metals. Platinum jewelry will maintain its color, brilliance and weight even when scratched, while other metals may lose their luster or become blemished or discolored.

Because this metal is so versatile and so rare, platinum jewelry makes a very special gift that will be cherished for a lifetime. Many people own gold jewelry, while far fewer boast jewelry made of platinum. If you want to choose something truly unique and exceptional for that special someone in your life, consider platinum jewelry.

Platinum jewelry has taken a little change over the past few years, especially since the price has risen along with Gold.

In order for the industry to keep prices competitive, they have started to classify Platinum Alloys with the 800pt or 850pt marks etc - which is quite acceptable as they are NOT using the word ‘PLATINUM’ (which indicates the pure metal).

While that term (800pt) may be a little misleading, especially if it were not brought to the purchasers attention, it is never-the-less quite acceptable.

You also have to remember that not all jewelry is made in the States and many items made in Europe or overseas may not have such stringent rules and regulations.

Personally, if your friend knew the item was 800 grade alloy and was happy with the price - I’d be happy with that.

Regarding Platinum verses White Gold - White Gold is HARDER because of the way it is mixed with other metals. Traditionally Platinum is used for diamonds because it doesn’t throw any colour into the gemstone. Diamonds are graded by their LACK OF COLOR so the less reflection from the ring - the better. Platinum wins for me, but it’s still a personal thing.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

What Should I Consider When Buying a Gold Ring?

When buying a gold ring, size will be a determining factor, but there are many other things to keep in mind. Durability, style, and price are also important, but how do you know if you are getting the best deal? Learning more about the way gold jewelry is made, classified, and priced, will help ensure that the gold ring you choose is the ideal one for you.

First, it helps to understand that other metals are alloyed with gold, such as copper, iron, nickel, platinum, steel, silver, and zinc. Alloying gold with different metals makes it easier to work with as well as more affordable. Different alloys can also be used to give gold a different color. For example, nickel or platinum can be used to create white gold and copper is used to create a golden rosy tone.

Another issue that determines cost is the amount of skill and difficulty that goes into the creation of a gold ring. Since gold is a considered a soft metal, it is fairly easy to work with, but it can quickly loose its shape or become scratched. The purer the gold, the softer it is, which is why alloys play an important part in the making of a gold ring.

An everyday ring should be made from lower karat gold or from metal that is gold-plated. Delicate rings with intricate designs that are not intended to be worn everyday can safely be made from the purest quality of gold, which is 24-karat. Being the purest, it is also the softest and the most expensive.

Slightly lower in price is 18-karat gold, which is about 75% pure and 25% alloy. It is still soft enough to create a detailed design for a gold ring, but it is also somewhat stronger and less expensive than 24-karat gold.

The most popular quality of gold used in jewelry making is 14-karat gold, which is perfect for rings. It is slightly over half-pure, and is priced accordingly. It is very strong and is a good choice for frequently worn jewelry, especially a gold ring, such as an engagement ring or wedding ring, which is worn on a daily basis.

For jewelry to be advertised as gold in the U.S., it must be at least 40% pure, which is classified as 10-karat gold. This is the strongest quality for gold jewelry and is also the most affordable.

Once you choose a gold ring, learning to care for it properly is also important. Washing it with a soft towel and warm soapy water, rinsing it completely, and allowing it to dry thoroughly before putting it away will help your gold ring remain beautiful. It is also a good idea to keep special pieces separate from other jewelry. You might want to keep your gold ring in the box it came in when not wearing it, or wrap it in cloth before putting it into your jewelry box.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Sprucing Up an Older Bridal Set

Let’s get right to it on sizing first. Prices will vary from location to location but in our area we generally size a ring down for $23. To size up starts at $28 and there is $10 added for each size after the first size. Keep in mind, the width of the rings will affect the price somewhat. The difference will not break the bank but be prepared for a higher charge for a wide ring band.

What to ask the jeweler or how to be prepared when going to the store? Ok, I will offer a few suggestions which might help you here. First of all, have fingers measured and get an estimate of the price to resize the rings. Then, ask if the jeweler thinks any stones might be loosened in the sizing process and what the charge might be to retighten the stones. This part is important! I have not seen your rings but depending on the resizing needed and the method by which the stones are set, loosening is possible in sizing down. When rings are sized up, loosening of stones can happen but is generally not the case. Since yours need to go up, loosening is likely not to happen but ask anyway.

When done well, the cleaning, polishing, etc. is simply part of the resizing process. You don’t really need to ask anything about that. Still, you might ask if the sizing “will show”, a common question from many repair and sizing customers who have not used us before.

Altering the rings you have to white and not having the stones put into new white settings means one approach: Rhodium plating. To rhodium plate is a fairly straight forward procedure but you might ask for a heavy plate, heavier than usually done for white gold rings. Since these are yellow and the life of the plating will depend on the thickness of the plate, ask for a double plating or simply that the rings be given a heavy plate. This means keeping the rings in the plating solution longer than usual or doing the job twice. Generally, to refinish and rhodium plate a ring will run about $40 in our area. If we size the rings, the finishing is done already and we would likely rhodium plate for about $25 to $30.

Please keep in mind that even the very hard and inert rhodium will wear off in time. How long will the white color last? That depends on wear and what is encountered in everyday life. If you laid bricks the life span would be much, much less than if you do “white collar” work and perhaps somewhere in between if a homemaker. : ) Give it at least 6 months for a basic plate and longer when your hands are not constantly repeating the same things with the same contact to the rings each day.

Yes, a good jeweler is the first requisite. Look for a reputable business with an “in-house” jeweler (on the premises). If you are really concerned or have a “gentle nudge” from somewhere inside that the conversations at the store are not totally right, ask if you can see a ring they have resized. This is not too much to ask but might surprise a sales person! Look at the ring and see if the work looks like no work was done at all. That is how it should look, with no sanding marks inside the ring and no obvious places where the ring was soldered. All should be finished well, both the bottom and the top of the ring.

Just a side note: Yes, be certain the store has a bench jeweler (like me, the one who actually does the work) in the store. Today, two ladies came in and wanted an engagement ring refinished to like new look for the wedding. We asked where the ring came from and why they did not use that store to do the work, perhaps for no charge while we needed to charge for the work. They said, “They don’t seem to know what they are doing.” Turns out, the ring came from a large and reputable department store. The jewelry sold there is just fine. But, the rings are sent out to some local person for all the sizing work. This ring was platinum and the work was, well, in a nice way the work was simply terrible! Either the “trade shop” jeweler didn’t know how to work platinum or simply worked “volumes of jobs” with little concern for the final finish! We told them the refinishing work would have to include redoing the sizing…simply because the sizing place on the ring stood out and was discolored, with pits and holes in that area. We could not refinish peoperly without doing the sizing over! The inside of the ring looked like a rough file was the last finishing step. This was atrocious work. The ladies did not know the difference and many customers do not know that either.

The department store is a good one and the jewelry department sells good items but the “farmed out work” was bad. So, look for a reputable store with the jeweler in the store. This keeps all responsibility for the work in one location.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

How do Jewelers Rate Diamonds?

We began our search by entering “diamond ratings” into the search box. The results led us to online gift retailers, where we quickly found a useful page on on the “4 C’s” of diamond evaluation: color, clarity, cut, and carat.

From that document, we got the sense that the most reputable ratings are performed by independent laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). We returned to search engines and searched on the names of these groups. We found both listed under the Gemology - Organizations category.

A visit to the Gemological Institute of America site left us a little disappointed. They seemed to offer a great deal of information on their course offerings, but little in the way of reference material.

The EGL site was also underwhelming. Still, if you find yourself coming across EGL or GIA reports in the course of your diamond hunting, it’s probably a good idea to familiarize yourself with these organizations.

Ultimately unsatified with the results of our search, we decided to browse more. Happily, before long we found a nice site that offers information on the 5 C’s (they added “cost”), diamond shapes, “How to Buy a Diamond,” and “How to Read a Diamond Certificate.”

The only people who can authenticate a real diamond are certified gemologists specializing in jewelry. However, if you are browsing rings at a flea market and want to quickly assess whether a clear stone is probably glass, cubic zirconium, quartz, or leaded crystal, there are a few easy tests you can apply without any special equipment. These tests at least rule out recognizable imposters because they rely on the way a real diamond stone refracts light, conducts heat, and looks up-close.

If the gem in question is loose and unmounted, try placing it over printing. Diamonds refract so much light that they will not work as a magnifying glass and you would see no lines, circles, or letters through them. Other clear stones like glass or crystal will reveal the print clearly. A similar test uses a small light, such as the one that comes with your key ring. If you shine the light through the stone and cannot see it on the other side, but only a bright halo around the rim, it is more likely to be a true diamond.

Diamonds are also very good at conducting heat. Breathe on the surface of the stone and immediately check to see if it has fogged up. Again, quartz, glass, and cubic zirconium will stay hazy for a moment before the condensation dissipates, but you shouldn’t be able to see any moisture on a true diamond. However, one rock, called moissanite, will also pass this test, so the best way is to get a complete thermal conductivity evaluation performed by a jeweler.

Looking closely at the specks, ridges, and facets can also give you a clue into the identity of your gem. Diamonds do have inclusions, tiny bits of other minerals that got crushed into the diamond while it formed deep under the earth. However, if the facets have worn or rounded edges, bubbles, or if the gem looks rippled or pitted, it is probably glass. Those gems that are perfectly clear, with absolutely no inclusions, are probably quartz.

Finally, some common sense measures can prevent you from getting pressured to purchase a gem that turns out to be something other than a diamond. It shouldn’t be ridiculously inexpensive, or you’ll get what you pay for. It also will usually be mounted in an “open back” setting, which means that you can see around the rear of the gem and the back surface isn’t coated with any silvery substance. Although it’s true that diamonds are the hardest organic substance on earth, the infamous test of scratching diamonds across glass or metal might just give you a damaged diamond.

Even many gemologists cannot distinguish “real” diamonds from cultured diamonds. Cultured diamonds have been artificially manmade in a laboratory, not mined from mountains, yet they are chemically identical to those diamonds. Some companies are developing new kinds of identification methods for those who would like to purchase a mined diamond or for those that prefer a cultured one.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Gold and Rhodium Plating for Watch Bands and Rings

Whether or not a watch band will take an electro plate depends entirely on the band. If it is made of stainless steel, most jewelers do not have the capability to plate the band adequately. If they can do it at all, the plate would likely be quite thin and wear away quickly. Also, if the band has steel parts in it, electroplating solutions can be damaged. I believe it would be quite difficult to find a jeweler who would try doing the watch band.
There is a chance a jeweler can send the band out for plating, as well as the ring. This “farmed out work” will generally go to a plating company specializing in that work with the high level equipment and experience to do a good job and render a thick enough plate for better durability.

One company is Red Sky Plating. Jewelers can send items to this company for estimates and to get the work done properly.

To gold plate the ring would not be difficult for any jeweler with gold plating solutions. Keep in mind, the thickness of the plate and durability cannot be assured with most jewelry store plating services done in-house. For the best results, I would suggest the ring be sent to the company mentioned or to a similar company. You could have a jeweler gold plate the ring and then “try it” to see how well the yellow surface lasts.

Various items sold to “consumers” for coloring metals and adding a microscopic silver or gold color generally do not last long and are not effective overall, in my humble thought.

The “dipping” process is called “rhodium plating.” Rhodium is a precious metal and plating is a less expensive alternative to platinum. (There is no white gold in nature.) The plated finish is long wearing and may not need to be redone for years depending on your wearing habits. If you were a client at my Zales location the plating would only be about $24.00.

One nice thing about rhodium plating is that it offers an option to people normally allergic to the nickel in lower-quality gold. The plating provides a barrier that allows many such people to wear 10k and 14k jewelry.

Normally in Hallmarking, the numbers represent the decimal for the gold quality.

For example 375 or .375 is equal to 375 parts gold out of 1000 or 9ct. If this were a genuine hallmark then 750 or .750 would be 750 parts gold out of 1000 which is 18ct.

777 does NOT fit any standard gold hallmark (being just over 18ct if it were) so I would suspect it may be a makers mark or design or model number.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Helping to Identify Gold Hallmarks

The first mark (KLd) is usually the Makers or Manufacturers mark. Sometimes it could be the Store Mark (like SH) for Samuel Hill Jewelers… This doesn’t make any difference to the Hallmark so you can generally ignore it.

The next mark was an ‘F’ which is the Date letter.

The next is a Crown, which is the ‘Quality’ Mark which was introduced for 18ct and 22ct gold in 1798 and has been used ever since.

The 22 indicates the gold quality being 22 carat gold.

The last mark is a shield so I am going to assume that it was assayed in Chester UK. However each Shield is slightly different.

Now one of the MOST IMPORTANT stamps is the SHAPE of the Hallmark. Sometimes they can be oval or square. Many times with the corners cut off. These help with the Date letter ‘F’.

MOST date letters come in batches of 20 and they change every 20 odd years (one letter per year). In order to identify them they can sometimes be an Uppercase - othertimes in lower case. This is where the SHAPE comes in too. This is also why I needed to know how old your Anut was when she died. Most women didn’t get married until say 20. This will help you in narrowing down the date RANGE (ie: That Batch of 20 letters).

May I suggest you go to the Antique Jewelry of the 20th Century where you will find a complimentary Hallmarking Course. You will learn from very easy emails how to understand UK Hallmarks. This will finally narrow down your search to around the 1950’s - Hint: 1956 Date letter is an ‘F’.

By very wary of the ‘SH’ though as it is EXACTLY the same upside down, ie: ‘HS’ which is a mark for H Samuel, a high street jewelry chain in the UK.

The earlier Samuel Hennell is S.H plus you would have to look at ALL the Hallmarks together and check their overall shape to get an accurate date.

There is NO 22ct gold rings which should be scrapped unless extremely thin or worn.

The ‘f’ or foreign mark is a modern mark and shouldn’t be confused with the full UK Hallmark.

There should always be a qualtiy stamp in any ring bought in the U.S.A. in the last 50 years. The ‘C’ with the circle is usually a copyright trade mark stamped in most rings. The ‘A/C’ has no significance other than the ‘MFG’ stamp.

The mark you describe could be a British registry mark. These marks were sometimes on the outside of the item instead of the usual inside marks. It’s difficult to match up since there are so many - the S could stand for shefield or it could be a Registry Month Mark for 1849. These usually were inside a diamond shape or circle. You don’t say whether the ring is gold or silver. You might check your local library for a book on British Registry Marks or jewelry marks. Also does the ring have a precious stone ? If so, you might take it to a gemologist for further assistance.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Sparkle, The Dream Diamond

The “Dream” diamond with which I am familiar is a brilliant cut squarish shaped diamond cut and sold to jewelers. This stone is cut to such perfect proportions that a very bright and sparkly diamond is the result. The stone also shows the “hearts and arrows” pattern often suggested as a sign of excellent cutting proportions. Is this the stone you have?

You mentioned a cathedral setting and flush set stone. Do you mean the ring has rising sides and the stone was set low into the mounting, perhaps close to the tops of the cathedral sides? I expect this was still set into prongs and not a bezel. (A bezel is like a tube with the sides of the stone covered with a narrow metal rim going around the very top edge of the stone to secure it safely.)

In my experience, when viewed from directly above the top of the stone, it makes no difference on a well cut diamond if the stone is set high, low or in a bezel. You see, the light comes in from the top of the stone, not the sides or bottom. That is the reason diamonds are cut in the brilliant forms developed and modified today. The faces are called “facets” and those on top act as windows while the ones on the pavilion(bottom) of the stone act as mirrors, reflecting the light that comes in through the windows back out of the top of the gemstone. As far as brilliance from cutting is concerned, the brightness of light coming back out of the stone should be the same whether set in prongs or with the back covered!

One consideration is the amount of metal over the top of the diamond. There should be just enough prong or bezel to hold the stone safely and thick enough to ensure long wear. If the jeweler leaves too much metal over the stone, some top facets(windows) will be covered more and that could affect the sparkle of light from the stone.

Surface sparkle is another consideration. The “reflections off the facets” is a kind of sparkle. This is not the same as the light reflected from inside the stone and back out, giving the stone its brilliance. The surface sparkle is more, well, sparkle and moving reflections as the diamond is moved in the light. I suspect with the stone out of the setting you were seeing more surface sparkle and some from the sides of the stone. When mounted low, this sparkle is not as easily seen or noticed. If that is the case, then by all means you should have the stone set a bit higher in a secure setting. Even if the difference is not noticed by anyone but you, it is still a difference to you and you are wearing the diamond. So, have the stone set a bit higher with a more open setting.

The light comes from the top of the stone, goes in and reflects off the side of the diamond (The Pavilion) and comes back out of lthe top (The Crown & Table). The cause of the loss of ‘Sparkle’ is ususally the back of the sone is dirty, oily, dusty or all of the above and this causes light to ‘Leak’ out of the back. The whole reason diamonds look so good is due to their refractive index that bend light at specificanyles and when cut correctly refract and reflect the light to the owners eyes. However, you are also correct, when the diamond is set much of the light is diverted and unable to be seen.

The reason those old setting make the stone look good is the fact that you could easily clean the back of the stone and keep it bright. You can prove this to yourself by cleaning your ring and take a little dab of olive oil and touch the back of the stone, not the top, and watch as your diamond turns to glass or so it seems. Then clean it again and you will see it completey restored to its original beauty.

This may allow a bit of reflection to be seen off the sides but will not increase the brilliance seen from directly above the diamond top(crown of the stone). Still, what you see is a bit subjective and if a higher setting which is more open seems more pleasing, then by all means go that direction.

COLOR AND SETTING.

Jewelers know well that the color of a diamond may look better or worse when set into jewelry. Sometimes a diamond on the yellow side of colorless will look bad or off color when set into white gold or platinum. Set into yellow gold, the stone will often look wonderful, or worse! There is a reaction difficult to describe between the color of the setting and the color of the diamond. This is likely not a consideration in your case. I throw in this tidbit just for information.

When considering the final ring setting for your Dream cut diamond, have the stone gently placed into more than one setting to see an “idea” of how it might look. Keep in mind the stone will have to go lower than the unset mounting will show, to allow a “seat” for the diamond to be cut and the proper amount of prong to be pushed over the girdle(waist) of the stone for safe setting. Ask for the jeweler to advise how high and openly the stone may be securely set into any particular ring mounting and be sure the sales staff notes that information about “high open setting” on the work order. For safety, you may need slightly heavier(thicker and stronger) prongs. This should not affect the metal over the stone and finished correctly will look great and still have an open look.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

What is the Real Market and Healing Value of Sapphires?

In the open marketplace, the value of ANYTHING is what a willing Seller is prepared to sell for, and what a WILLING BUYER - or YOU in this case - are willing to pay.

Generally in a forced sale situation, items selling on the secondhand market (Forced Sale Conditions) may only get between 10% percent to 50% percent of an appraisal value.

This appraisal or Valuation is based on what an item would cost if it is lost or stolen. It is for the INSURANCE campanies only, but is often mistaken for what something is ‘Really Worth’ - which it is not.

Maybe the person who has these Sapphires can’t get rid of them at any price, and so is happy to trade them at cents on the dollar.

The real question is: Would you rather have $3500 bucks in your hand - OR are you willing to take a gamble and see if you can find someone willing to put a profit on them for you.

Remember there are thousands of gemstone dealers out there who already supply on a 90 day invoice to all the jewelers in the world. So why should they buy these from you?

But they might if the price is right…

Pawn brokers and dealers buy and sell everyday - many on eBay for example. But they understand that Valuation Appraisals are only for Insurance and are nothing more than a GUIDE to a replacement cost.

Your call… As long as you are not shelling out money and the only cost is your time… Why not?

On the other hand….

To understand a little more about Jewelry Appraisals and how they are calculated, find an online jewelry appraisal website and follow some of their info articles.

Sapphire is a precious stone or gem that is a form of corundum, a hard mineral of aluminum oxide. Sapphire is prized for its translucent beauty. It is the focal point of many pieces of fine jewelry. Sapphires can be set in pendants, rings, earrings, brooches and tiaras.

Sapphire is usually thought of as a deep blue gem. However, sapphire is found in many different shades of blue, as well as many other colors. Sapphires that are any color other than blue are called fancy sapphires. Fancy sapphires can be orange, yellow, green, pink, or purple. Red sapphires are called rubies.

A very unusual type of sapphire is called the star sapphire. Star sapphires produce the appearance of a six point star that is the result of tiny crystal inclusions in the stone. The symmetry and balance of the star, along with the shade and translucence of the stone, make for a more perfect star sapphire. Star sapphires are very valuable because of their rarity.

Sapphires are found buried in the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. Growing in hard crystal clusters, they are laboriously mined and than turned over to a cutter. Sapphires are second only to diamonds in their hardness, which makes them easy to care for and virtually indestructible.

A skilled cutter gives sapphires their individual shapes and meticulously works to bring out their optimum reflective potential through the cut. Before a sapphire reaches the hands of a cutter, it hardly resembles the end product that we see and prize. A sapphire in the raw appears cloudy or solid, dull and common.

Sapphires are a favorite choice for engagement rings because of the emotions associated with them. Sapphire is symbolic of love, permanence, loyalty and trust. Sapphire is also the birthstone for those born in September, which provides even more sentiment to an already beautiful piece of jewelry.

Sapphires are also thought to have healing properties. They are used to heal or relieve arthritis, swelling and painful conditions that affect the joints and muscles. Sapphires are also thought to ease mental illnesses and abdominal discomforts.

Throughout history, sapphires have been used to enhance physic powers, and to assist in clairvoyance and the ability to move objects with the mind. They were also believed to promote telepathic powers, the ability to communicate through thought. This might explain why sapphire is a favorite among lovers!

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

How Can I Tell if a Strand of Pearls is Real?

Want to know if you’ve got the real thing? Rub the strand across the front of your upper teeth. It may sound strange, but real pearls will feel rough or gritty while fake ones will feel smooth. This is due to the micropores found on the genuine article.

Imitation pearls are usually made by dipping a glass or plastic bead into a solution of fish scales. The coating is generally fairly thin and will chip over time. Check the pearls for tiny chips or flakes near the hole drilled through them. If you see chips, chances are your pearls are fake.

Try holding the pearls in your hand for a minute. Real pearls will feel cold initially, then will warm.

Real pearls can be either natural or cultured. Natural pearls are formed when a mollusk secretes a substance called nacre to coat an irritant that makes its way inside the animal’s shell. Cultured pearls are formed with a little human help — an irritant is purposely introduced into the shell of the animal. You usually need an x-ray or an expert to distinguish between natural and cultured pearls.

Pearls differ from other gemstones in that they’re not mined from rock, but rather harvested from mollusks, especially oysters. Clams and mussels have been known to produce pearls as well. Basically, a pearl is produced when an irritant such as sand gets caught inside the oyster. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a substance akin to mucus. This substance builds up around the sand and hardens. The end result is a pearl.

Natural or South Sea pearls are those made by mollusks harvested from the ocean. Every now and then, one of the pearls will be a darker shade, either gray or black. These are rare, and as a result, very expensive.

As you can well imagine, it’s a long, tedious practice to find oysters that have ingested a piece of sand to produce a pearl. The longer a pearl stays inside an oyster, the larger it becomes. Because of this, quality pearls are considered rare and cost a pretty penny. Fortunately for those who favor this gem, there are now farms in which the irritant is deliberately injected into the mollusk to produce the pearl. These pearls are known as cultured.

When pearls are made without the benefit of a mollusk, they’re considered man-made. Man-made pearls are made by using a bit of sand or shell along with a fish-based product called hermage to act as a substitute for the oyster’s mucus. Other synthetic pearls include the “glass” pearl, a bead painted with hermage and left to dry and harden. These pearls have little or no value.

Freshwater pearls are produced by mussels. As their name indicates, these pearls are found in rivers and lakes rather than the ocean. Unlike the oyster, the mussel can produce many different pearls at once, sometimes as many as 40 or 50! These pearls come in various shapes and sizes.

Pearls are considered classic and elegant. They’re the first choice for bridal jewelry and have a reputation of looking good with any outfit, even the most casual. They’ll also add class and elegance to the most formal wardrobe. If you’re considering a purchase of pearls, it’s best to do some research to find the type of pearl best suiting your needs and budget.

Remember, everyone looks good in pearls!

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Gold Wedding Band Marks and Hallmarks

By very wary of the ‘SH’ though as it is EXACTLY the same upside down, ie: ‘HS’ which is a mark for H Samuel, a high street jewelry chain in the UK.

The earlier Samuel Hennell is S.H plus you would have to look at ALL the Hallmarks together and check their overall shape to get an accurate date.

There is NO 22ct gold rings which should be scrapped unless extremely thin or worn. The ‘f’ or foreign mark is a modern mark and shouldn’t be confused with the full UK Hallmark.

You can get a complimentary eCourse on Hallmarks from the Jewelry Antiques of the 20th Century website, which will go through some of these aspects for you.

The first mark (KLd) is usually the Makers or Manufacturers mark. Sometimes it could be the Store Mark (like SH) for Samuel Hill Jewelers… This doesn’t make any difference to the Hallmark so you can generally ignore it.

The next mark was an ‘F’ which is the Date letter (I’ll get back to that one).

The next is a Crown, which is the ‘Quality’ Mark which was introduced for 18ct and 22ct gold in 1798 and has been used ever since. The 22 indicates the gold quality being 22 carat gold.

The last mark is a shield so I am going to assume that it was assayed in Chester UK. However each Shield is slightly different.

Now one of the MOST IMPORTANT stamps is the SHAPE of the Hallmark (which you didn’t mention). Sometimes they can be oval or square. Many times with the corners cut off. These help with the Date letter ‘F’ above - see I said I’d get back to it ;o)

MOST date letters come in batches of 20 and they change every 20 odd years (one letter per year). In order to identify them they can sometimes be un Uppercase - othertimes in lower case. This is where the SHAPE comes in too. This is also why I needed to know how old your Aunt was when she died. Most women didn’t get married until say 20. This will help you in narrowing down the date RANGE (ie: That Batch of 20 letters).

May I suggest you go to the Antique Jewelry of the 20th Century website, where you will find a complimentary Hallmarking Course. The link is near the top right. You will learn from very easy emails how to understand UK Hallmarks. This will finally narrow down your search to around the 1950’s - Hint: 1956 Date letter is an ‘F’.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Why Are Diamond Bracelets Called Tennis Bracelets?

It’s not often that a piece of jewelry is named for an accident, but such is the case with tennis bracelets. They got their unusual name from an incident involving professional tennis player Chris Evert during a match in 1987. Evert had been wearing an expensive bracelet featuring an inline string of individually-set diamonds. When the clasp snapped, she asked the officials to stop the match until the jewelry could be found. Since that day, bracelets featuring an inline array of diamonds have been called tennis bracelets.

Tennis bracelets are popular accessories for formal occasions due to their luster and sparkle. Individual diamonds (or reasonable facsimiles) are placed in square settings and then strung into a bracelet held together by a clasp. The settings and support wiring may be constructed from silver or other quality jewelry metal. The individual settings allow tennis bracelets to move comfortably while worn.

Other types of jewelry that share the form of these bracelets are referred to as tennis-style. Groups of different sized stones may be used in tennis-style bracelets, but the jewelry retains the inline look of original tennis bracelets. Classic such bracelets tend to feature a uniform arrangement of diamonds and can be very expensive.

One important element of well-constructed tennis bracelets is the safety latch. The clasp of a typical such bracelet depends on a springy metal latch meshing securely with a hook. Over time, this clasp style can become less reliable. Therefore, jewelry designers include a secondary security measure in these bracelets. The two most common styles of safety latches are chains and ‘figure eights.’

The chain safety latch connects from one small stud to another on the other side of the main clasp. If the main clasp fails, the chain should hold the bracelet intact until it can be repaired. The figure eight safety latch is a small double loop of metal. One loop snaps over a small post on one side of the main clasp, while the other loop snaps over a similar post on the opposite side. Even if the main clasp separates, the figure eight loops will keep tennis bracelets from falling off.

These bracelets should be custom fitted for maximum security and comfort. Tennis bracelets which fit too loosely can become snagged and pulled. Overly snug tennis bracelets can chafe the skin and become stretched to the point of breakage. An ideal fit allows one finger to pass easily between the bracelet and wrist.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Allergic Reaction to Nickel Alloyed White Gold Jewelry

White gold is routinely alloyed down with nickel. Nickel causes allergic reactions in a lot of people.
It’s probably showing up now, because your ring was plated in rhodium (the whitest member of the platinum family) when you bought it. This is normal, as white gold always has a little warmth to it, so it is almost always plated in rhodium.

The rhodium has worn off. The white gold, alloyed with nickel is in direct contact with your skin. You are reacting to the nickel. One easy solution is to bring the ring in to the jeweler where you purchased it and have it replated with rhodium. Or, you could trade the ring in for a white gold ring that does NOT contain nickel, a palladium ring or a platinum ring.
The metal rhodium is essentially inert to the skin, hypoallergenic, no reaction. What the reaction could be is a basic metals reaction and that SHOULD NOT be happening if the rings have a real rhodium plate.

My suggestion? Contact QVC and tell them of the problem. They should either give your money back or replace the item with one with a real rhodium plate!
Green is a reaction generally to base metals, such as copper, etc., which are either preplate(done beneath the rhodium on metals like silver) or part of the the meatal alloy the ring is made of.

Either the plate is not rhodium or is a poor job at plating. QVC owes you an answer on this one and your may use my answer when you contact them if you want.
Without seeing the ring and actually examining it, I can say little about the ring itself.

“Temporary Fix. Recommended for you to Try:
Rhodium is a hard and durable white metal. Most white gold is given a quick plated layer of rhodium when brand new or when repaired.

This thin layer of rhodium gives the metal a whiter look. Rhodium is also a metal that does not react with the skin. A local jeweler should easily be able to refinish, buff up nicely and rhodium plate your ring. The look is good. The advantage to you is the rhodium provided a safety layer between the nickel in the ring and your sensitive skin! The rhodium works very well when the plating is done correctly. You can expect the rhodium to wear off in time but you should get 6mos to a year of wear before the ring should be plated with rhodium again. We often do this service for ladies who love white gold earrings but have problems. With yellow gold problems, we plate the parts touching the skin and it works until the rhodium eventually wears away.”

Is your ring white gold? If so, the rhodium plating by a local jeweler should ease the problem immensely and the surface will last a fair amount of time before redoing is needed. If the ring is yellow, there are likely environmental issues here, including swimming pool chemicals and salty air(if living near the ocean).

Chemicals will often build up in a microscopic way and lead to skin reactions or smudges. Salty air can lead to a build up of residue which will cause smudges or even some sensitive skin reactions. For yellow gold, the solution is difficult but involves either avoiding the environmental issues or cleaning the ring quite often(every couple of days) with a good gentle scrub with a gentle dish detergent and rinsing well.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

Solutions for Resizing a Ring that Does Not Fit

You might be surprised to know just how many ladies come to our business with similar problems. Of course, the knuckle is the critical point in simply getting a ring on the finger in the first place, and then comes the difference in size with that and the bottom part of the finger. We see this from injury, arthritis and simple heredity. The knuckle on my left ring finger is larger than the part where the ring goes and I like wider bands…well, the size difference is not so great but the situation was solved by using three narrow bands which will go over the knuckle ok while a single band that wide would be a real problem. In your situation there is the problem of the ring being so loose that it turns on the finger and is perhaps uncomfortable with the extra space. Let me tell you now, there is hope! The differences in the “hope” is price and what suits you best.

I will start with the lowest priced options first. Truly, sometimes the simple solution works fine but other options are there even if more pricy. I will not even mention duct tape!

MEANS OF FITTING A RING WHEN THE KNUCKLE IS ENLARGED.
This is the first option. The simple RING GUARD. A ring guard is a piece of metal formed so the ends will wrap around the lower part of the ring shank (band). Sometimes these work quite well. Generally, in gold filled the price installed is about $7 - $10. Ring guards are available in karat gold such as 14k but first try the gold filled ones and see how it works for you. Over time, the device will need to be replaced but the cost is minimal compared to other options. To see what a ring guard looks like, browse through a few search engine results. For example, Ring Guard (site chosen at random in Google): Figure perhaps $7 -$10

Sizing Beads. Figure perhaps $55

There is no website for this since this is a jeweler made and installed option. Sizing beads are small roundish beads made of the same metal as your engagement ring. Two beads are soldered into the ring shank on the lower 1/3 of the ring. These take up space and help prevent a ring from turning on the finger. Generally, unless actual bone against thin skin is the knuckle problem, the sizing beads work pretty well. It is difficult to measure accurately for these beads. The jeweler will make the beads larger to start and can trim the size down in a “try and fit” situation. The two beads generally go over the knuckle with little if any problem. Figure perhaps $85 plus the cost of sizing the ring up about 1/4 sizes, about $28 more.

The butterfly is a U shaped piece of white gold (since it is more springy than yellow) with the bottom of the U soldered in place inside the ring. The bottom of the U is at the bottom of the ring. The two sides go up about

The Price and Setting of Platinum Jewelry

Today at work I did some price checking. You might be surprised at what is said here. I picked out a ring shank which is about 2.25mm wide at the top and a heavier than usual 6 prong setting.

A while back before platinum prices went up so much and the “spot price” for platinum was $700 the prices were a lot different.Now, today with a spot price of $1187 per ounce. The spot price is for pure platinum metal, as traded and bought on metals markets. This price changes and with it also change the costs of platinum jewelry parts.

At the old $700 price, the 2.25mm shank would run about $450 and at today’s price about $$650. The prong setting was at about $205 and today is $306.

That comes to a combination of shank and setting of $956! Today, some jewelers realize the price is getting so high for platinum that they are not putting the same mark-up on platinum they did last year.

There is competition from jewelers who are still selling( perhaps foolishly) at the old prices and higher prices discourage customers. Today, at where I work we would not mark-up the platinum as much as we did a year ago.

The total price for the shank and setting mentioned would be sold for about $800. This is for the parts and no labor included.

To assemble the ring, size and set the stone would run about $150. I don’t know if your ring requires more work than assembly of the head to the shank, sizing and stone setting. That added work could account for the labor charged. Then again, if only “putting together” the labor seems high to me.

Perhaps the cost is balanced out with the lower price for the head. I don’t know what is going on with the jeweler with whom you are dealing.

All in all, the platinum prices are not out of line, but the head is too low unless very light weight. The labor seems too high. Totals are not that far off from the price charged you.

Then again, there is not a real excuse for charging more than the original estimate unless you had been informed that parts are going to cost much more due to rising platinum prices. Perhaps the jeweler is sticking to original head costs and making up the difference in labor, who knows. In any regard, sight unseen, the price total is not far off what I quoted. Keep in mind I picked a fairly medium heavy shank and a heavier than usual head. I might be comparing apples and oranges here and that should be kept in mind.

The trade-in price for your old ring is not that far off, either. This is true IF you were told you were getting the “scrap” price and not trading in a usable ring. Scrap rates vary from refiner to refiner but according to today’s platinum prices, we would likely offer about $110 for the old setting as scrap metal.

Sure, we would get more than that form the refiner but once overhead including refining costs, a profit and the fact the ring might sit around a while until we had enough metal to send to the refiner, the price quoted is not out of line. At first, I thought the price too low. I visited some refiner sites today and double checked.

If you were to sell you ring directly to the refiner, certainly you would get more the platinum content. The problem is, refiners often require minimum amounts of metal to be accepted for refining and one ring is not enough.

This is the final part of the answer. I will summarize by saying, the labor seems too high unless more work than assembly, sizing and setting is needed. The head seems too low unless quite light weight. The value offered for scrap (if that was the agreement!) is not far off at all.

I know it seems very low compared to new materials from the supply house. That is a fact of metal accepted as scrap and not as a usable item of jewelry. The broken prong is not your responsibility. The jeweler has little excuse for not informing you of the much higher finished price than estimated or quoted.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…

How Some Companies Rhodium Their Silver

You asked if you “were doing something wrong” when the nickel plate came out dull and not bright. Perhaps it is something you are doing and perhaps it is the solution you are using.

First of all, please keep in mind I am far from expert in nickel plating. I work in a small shop, likely not too different from your work area. Almost all the plating we do is rhodium over white gold. Nickel plating is only needed once in a rare while. Still, I will give you my 2 cents worth.

THE SOLUTION.

Nickel plating solutions as available in the small quart sizes used by small shops come in two varieties. One is simply called “nickel” and the other is called “bright nickel”. I don’t know the specifics but the makers say special “brighteners” are included in the bright nickel solutions. The solutions I have used are not called “bright” but with proper voltage have produced bright coatings on polished metal. There might be something to using the “bright nickel” solutions. I do not have these solutions in our shop. The additives may help overcome some of the faults we may have in the process.

VOLTAGE, AMPERAGE AND TEMPERATURE.

What I see from industrial websites and other info in the importance of amperage in plating. Of course, voltage and amps work together in a sort of volt/amp curve. In small shop setups, amperage is not so controllable as in industrial applications. We must rely on voltage as the guide for proper plating. Most rectifiers of small sizes do not have milliamp gauges and have an almost crude amp meter so unless amps are going much over full amps, like 1 to 2 to 3 amps, we cannot read the gauge accurately. I installed a milliamp meter on my personal rectifier but found little info with solutions or from solution makers to make the gauge very useful.

With nickel plating, as I understand it, low amperage is desired. Voltage recommendations are best used as the ones with the solution you have. Generally, a low voltage of about 2 volts is desired to produce a bright, smooth plate. The item should be agitated in the solution, a little shake is ok. There will be little visible action on the item and only perhaps a few bubbles showing on the anode. This lack of visible action makes the plating more difficult since time in the bath will affect the coating. Still, do not exceed the recommended voltage for the solution you have on hand.

Temperature is recommended from 70 degrees f to perhaps 120 f. I always had the best results at low temps, closer to room temperature. The plate was immersed at the recommended voltage, agitated and removed after about 30 sec and inspected. Then a following plate was applied with a bit more time allowed to go beyond a simple flash thin plate. Nickel can produce a quite dense plate when repeated and not hurried. Inspection should be done to insure things are not going to grainy or discolored appearance.

BRIGHTNESS OF THE ORIGINAL ITEM TO BE PLATED.

Contrary to what some of our customers believe about “dipping” an item in gold, in rhodium or even in nickel, we know we do not dip into hot metal! We dip into electroplating solutions. When active in the plating bath, the metal ions moving to the object follow every curve and crevice in the object. Scratches and dull surfaces will be repeated by the plate. It is imperative that the item to be “bright” plated be polished to the utmost degree. Once polishing is done, the item should be immediately cleaned and readied for the plate bath. You do not want to allow sterling, in your case, any time to develop even the slightest tarnish which would interfere with good plating result.

Yet, from experience, what I have said rings truth. Please be certain the silver item is well polished and cleaned and plated very soon. Be patient with the plating process and do not try to rush it. Too much voltage can cause a rough and dull surface on a polished item.You might want to try an experiment by masking a piece of silver stock with fingernail polish. Red colored polish is easy to read. Plate an item in the nickel and use a nail polish mask for part of it. Remove the lacquer with acetone and look at the surfaces to compare and note brightness and color difference.

This is a good test. You might want to do the masking to preserve silver as unplated silver and rotate a piece of silver stock to plate one end at one length of time and the other at another time allowance or even use multiple plating. You will have a direct comparison on the same piece of silver which makes reading the differences much easier.

ALTERNATIVE. Did I mention palladium already? Palladium solutions are available and generally at a much lower cost than rhodium. The plate will go on silver directly, for most solutions. The palladium does not have the hardness of rhodium but will provide a tarnish barrier layer to the sterling. This might be attempted. The color is generally bright and in the thin plated layer is close to the original color. Solid palladium has a blue/grayish tint compared to some other metals. In electroplate, the color is just fine in my experience plating on to white gold.

The following web sites offer some but not really important info. When you have time, you might want to check out what is said.

PARTS PLATING…NOT JEWELRY. Interesting Info.
After searching the internet, we found a website that mentions buffing to polish. You might try this. Since nickel does plate with a dense layer, often the surface is gently polished then recleaned prior to other plating, such as rhodium. I have done this with success. I polished with a soft brush in a flex shaft machine using a non-abrasive rouge. The nickel polished from a semi-dull to a bright finish and was dense and thick enough not to be polished away. Polishing of nickel plate is not at all uncommon and should be given a chance.

Victor Epand is the owner of JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry retailer featuring the largest and best selection of jewelry including personalizable items…