Click the links below to see the relevant information Diamond Information Most people know that diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to mankind. They are prized by every woman and have a certain mystery about them. Their brilliance and fire have made diamonds the symbol of timeless and enduring love. Most people have heard about the 4 C's associated with diamonds. Below are details to help you understand the characteristics of diamonds. Diamond Color Most diamonds contain some amount of nitrogen that affects their color. These small variations in color influence the rarity and the value of the diamond. Color grades range from "D" being colorless to "Z" being quite yellow. Diamonds graded D, E, or F command the highest prices. Colorless: D, E, or F
Near Colorless: G, H, I, or J
Very Slight Yellow Color: K, L, or M
Slight Yellow Color: N, O, P, Q, or R
Quite Yellow Color: S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z Diamond Clarity A perfect diamond with perfect clarity is rare. A diamond's clarity is a key measure of its overall quality. Clarity is determined by the type, size, number, position and contrast of inclusions. Contrast is important because black spots are more visible and distracting than white or gray inclusions. Positioning of the inclusion(s) in the wrong spot can be reflected within the stone and cause it to be less attractive. The best known grading scale is the one used by Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It is as follows: F Flawless. Shows no inclusions or blemishes under a 10 power loupe. IF Internally flawless. Have no inclusions under 10 power loupe, but some minor
blemishes. VVS1 Very, Very slightly included. The diamond includes very small inclusions
VVS2 that are difficult to detect under 10 power loupe. VS1 Very slightly included. The diamond contains small inclusions such as clouds .
VS2 feathers or small crystals using a 10 power loupe. SI1 Slightly included. Inclusions can be seen with a 10 power loupe and may or
SI2 may not be visible with naked eye.
I1 Included. Inclusions can be seen with 10 power loupe and are usually visible with naked eye.
I2
I3
Clarity is a very important element when it comes to pricing. If a diamond is moved from one grade to another, and color, cut and carat being equal there can be a significant increase or decrease in the price of the diamond. 
Diamond Carat
A diamond's weight is measured in carats. There are 100 points to a carat. Carat is not a measure of a diamond's size since the cutting can affect the weight. The weight of a diamond is only partially important thing when appraising the value. You must also consider the Color, Clarity and Cut. The pricing of a diamond takes all 4c's into account. Diamonds are valued on a per carat basis. A high quality stone will be more per carat than a lower quality. Diamond values increase disproportionately as the size of the diamond increases. The chart below outlines the tolerance range of true carat weights and their carat fractions: 1/20 ct .04-.06ct
1/10 ct .09-.11ct
1/8 ct .12-.13ct
1/6 ct .14-.17ct
1/5 ct .18-.22ct
1/4 ct .23-.29ct
1/3 ct .30-.36ct
3/8 ct .37-.44ct
1/2 ct .45-.58ct
5/8 ct .59-68ct
3/4 ct .69-82ct
7/8 ct .83-94ct
1 ct .95-1.05ct
1 1/4 ct 1.20-1.29ct
1 1/2 ct 1.45-1.57ct
1 3/4 ct 1.70-1.82ct
2 ct 1.95-2.15ct 
Diamond Cut
The term cut refers to the facets and their proportions on the surface of the diamond. Diamonds should always be cut for beauty, not weight. Properly cut the diamond reflects more light and brilliance. There are many measurements that go into the cutting of a diamond to maximize the refraction of light. Facets must be cut at exact angles relative to one another; the top and bottom halves of the stone should have the proper depth relative to one another; the flat surface on top must be correct size, relative to the overall size of the stone. And most important, the facets on top and bottom must align correctly with each other. Therefore a stone cut too shallow of too deep loses the ability to maximize its brilliance.  The sketch above shows the proper cut for round diamonds. Other shapes have their own set of guidelines for producing maximum cut and brilliance. Diamond Shapes Diamonds come in a variety of shapes. While the round shape is the most popular there are plenty of other shapes to choose from that also produce brilliance and fire.
 Round Brilliant - The Round Brilliant is by far the most popular and has the best angles to produce maximum brilliance.
 Asscher - often referred to as the square emerald cut. It is step cut and with cropped corners.
 Oval - similar to the round in sparkle. Very popular for 3 stone anniversary rings, with two matching diamonds on the side.
 Princess - A square cut diamond that has refractive properties almost near round brilliant.
 Emerald - A more traditional shape, the Emerald is not as popular as it once was.
 Radiant - Popular before the Princess shape was around, the Radiant has more facets than a Princess, but has the corners trimmed like the Emerald shape. This shape is not widely popular.
 Heart - some people prefer for sentimental reasons, but it has low demand.
 Marquise - an elongated stone with a point on each end. This is probably the fourth most popular shape behind the Round, Princess and Oval.
 Pear - combines the brilliance of a round and the elongated elegance of a marquise. It is the fourth most popular after the round, princess and oval cut.
Determining the best shape is what appeals to you and looks good on your hand. There are differences in the various shapes that affect their brilliance, size and value. Quality for quality the round is the better buy over other shapes. It shows the most brilliance and hides any imperfections the best. However, if you want a diamond that looks as big as possible, even if it doesn't weight much, a fancy shape like a marquise or pear shape, will appear bigger and longer than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
Caring for your diamond or jewelry While diamonds are the hardest minerals, they do require some care to keep them looking their best. The brilliance of a diamond depends on the amount of light entering the stone and reflecting back to the human eye. That is why any grease or smudge can leave the diamond dull. Three ways to clean your diamond jewelry is as follows: Water and mild liquid detergent - mix small amount of detergent with mild water and soak for a few minutes. Use a soft bristle brush and lightly brush the jewelry. Rinse in clear water, shake to remove water and dry with a soft cloth. Liquid Jewelry Cleaner - there are different brands available at jewelry stores or supermarkets. Read the label carefully for the type that is best for the kind of stones and metals in your jewelry. Ultrasonic Cleaner - there are many types available to the public. A high frequency vibration is created when the machine is turned on and in conjunction with water and detergent loosens the material on the jewelry. Allow app. 5 minutes. Remove the jewelry and rinse with clear water. Dry with a soft cloth.
Some gemstones should not be placed in the ultrasonic machine. Some are emeralds, opals, jade, lapis, color and pearls. Check the manufacturer's instructions and warnings. When storing your jewelry be sure to wrap each piece in tissue paper and store in jewelry box our cloth pouch. Back to top
Gold Information Pure gold is quite soft and will not withstand the stress of everyday wear. It will not tarnish, rust or corrode. By adding a mixture of alloys such as silver, zinc, nickel or copper it adds strength to the gold provides durability and depending on the mixture can change the color of the gold. Yellow Gold is alloyed with silver and copper. White Gold is alloyed with a large percentage of silver. Rose Gold gets its color from a large portion of copper being added to the gold. Gold's purity is measured in karats. Pure gold is 24 karats and too soft for jewelry. 22 karat is 91.7% gold and still soft and not recommended for jewelry. 18 karat is 75% gold and is good for jewelry. 14 karat is 58.3% gold and the most popular for jewelry. 10karat is 41.7% gold and is the legal karat limit considered gold within the United States. Always look for the karatage to be stamped on the piece of jewelry as required by law. In buying jewelry the karatage, gram weight of the product and the jewelry's design and intricacy of the construction affects the price. The higher the gold content the higher the cost. The same applies to the gram weight of the product.
Caring for your gold jewelry With all the styles and designs available it is important to know how to store your jewelry. If you put several pieces together in a pouch, there is a good chance that it will produce scratches and the wearing away of gold. Items containing diamonds and other hard gemstones can also contribute to the problem. When storing your jewelry you should wrap each piece in tissue paper before putting them in a jewelry box or a pouch. To clean your jewelry there are several items you can use that will not cause harm. Some of the items are: Silver Information Silver in its pure state is relatively soft, flexible and not suitable for jewelry. By adding other metals it becomes more durable. 925 silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Copper does not affect silver's color but does improve its hardness and durability. Silver is the brightest reflector of any metal. Its finish can be a matte, brushed or the highly prized bright finish. With gold prices quite high, silver is a great metal to mirror the appearance of white gold, but at a much lower price. Always look for 925 to be stamped on the back of the jewelry.
Caring for your Sterling Silver jewelry. Sterling Silver jewelry can last for a lifetime by taking proper care. Even with its high polish it can become scratched or damaged. Avoid contact with household chemicals such as ammonia, bleach or chlorine. Most Sterling Silver jewelry has a rhodium finish to help it stay bright and tarnish free. Should the finish appear dull, clean it with a product specifically made for Sterling Silver jewelry. Regular cleaning will keep your jewelry tarnish free. When storing your jewelry you should wrap each piece in tissue paper before putting them in a jewelry box or a pouch. Back to top
Gemstone Information Since the beginning of time, gemstones have captured the imagination of people. The saturation of color, the brilliance the stone displays and the carat weight and cut draw people to prize gemstones. They are amazed by the range of gemstones available. Gemstones are judged by Color, Carat Weight, Cut and Clarity. Color – is the most important factor. The saturation of color along with the purity of hue determines value. Those with the brightest and most vivid color will usually have the highest value. Carat Weight - is the measurement of what a stone weighs. When properly cut a carat weight becomes important. The larger the stone the higher the value as long as you also consider the other factors. Cut – is what determines the brilliance and beauty of the gemstone. Although there is no ideal cut, a gemstone showing the majority of its weight, displaying even color and having few inclusions is preferred. Clarity – almost all gemstones contain some degree of inclusions. Flawless gemstones are rare and quite valuable. Even high end gemstones such as Emeralds contain some inclusions. There are gemstones that are usually cut without inclusions; these include Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Garnet and Amethyst to mention a few. Gemstone Enhancement Gemstones have been enhanced through various methods for a long period of time. Enhancement is defined as any traditional process other than cutting and polishing that improves the appearance and durability of a gemstone. Some of the ways gemstones are enhanced are thru dyeing, heating, irradiation and bleaching. A gemstone enhancement is considered permanent as long as the effect of the enhancement does not change under normal wear, cutting, repair, or cleaning .We accept only gemstones that thru enhancement provide a lasting benefit by increasing their beauty, durability or availability. Back to top
Birthstones January - Garnet July - Ruby February - Amethyst August - Peridot March - Aquamarine September - Sapphire April - Diamond October - Opal or Tourmaline May - Emerald November - Citrine or Topaz June - Pearl, Alexandrite December - Turquoise or Zircon Back to top
Anniversary Gemstones 1st Anniversary - Gold Jewelry 16th Anniversary - Peridot 2nd Anniversary - Garnet 17th Anniversary - Watches 3rd Anniversary - Cultured or Natural Pearls 18th Anniversary - Cats Eye 4th Anniversary - Blue Topaz 19th Anniversary - Aquamarine 5th Anniversary - Sapphire 20th Anniversary - Emerald 6th Anniversary - Amethyst 21st Anniversary - Iolite 7th Anniversary - Onyx 22nd Anniversary - Spinel 8th Anniversary - Tourmaline 23rd Anniversary - Imperial Topaz 9th Anniversary - Lapis 24th Anniversary - Tanzanite 10th Anniversary - Diamond Jewelry 25th Anniversary - Silver Jubilee 11th Anniversary - Turquoise 30th Anniversary - Cultured/Natural Pearls 12th Anniversary - Jade 35th Anniversary - Emerald 13th Anniversary - Citrine 40th Anniversary - Ruby 14th Anniversary - Opal 45th Anniversary - Sapphire 15th Anniversary - Ruby 50th Anniversary - Golden Jubilee
Caring For Your Gemstones
Gemstones are not as hard as diamonds and require a common sense approach to their care. Do not wear your jewelry during activities such as gardening, sports, housework or where you might be in contact with chemicals. Dirt can accumulate between the gemstone and the setting. The easy way to clean this is with a soft brush and warm water. Rinse thoroughly, shake and lay on a soft cloth to dry. Occasionally check for loose stones. If a stone is loose contact your jeweler to check the stone and setting and repair it. Store your jewelry in separate compartments in a jewelry box or fabric pouch to avoid chipping the gemstones or tangling the chains. Back to top
Pearl Information Pearls grow inside oysters, mussels and clams. When a small irritant such as a piece of sand becomes trapped inside, the shellfish releases a substance called nacre, which forms a smooth, hard layer around the irritant. This creates a natural pearl. Freshwater pearls form when this irritant is inserted thru human intervention. Akoya pearls have a small shell bead inserted. This creates a perfectly round pearl, thus increasing the value of the pearl. Pearls are judged by their nacre, luster, size, shape and color. Nacre - is a pearls external layer. Larger pearls generally have thicker nacre layers and greater luster. The thickness of the nacre also determines the pearls durability. Luster – is the shine created by light reflecting on the pearl. The thicker the nacre is the higher the luster. A pearl with a smooth and blemish free surface produces a higher luster. Size – another factor in determining the quality of pearls. Larger pearls are more expensive. The type of pearl can determine the size. For example, freshwater pearls usually are 3mm to 8mm in size. Akoya pearls range from 4mm to 8mm and South Sea and Tahitian can go to 15-16mm. Shape – most pearls are round, but only a small percentage is perfectly spherical. Pearls are grown in many shapes: round, oval, teardrop, button, baroque, coin, etc. Color – the color of a pearl is called “body color”. Pearls usually come in the following colors: white, cream, black, silver and pink. Some colors are caused by dying the pearls to enhance their beauty.
Caring For Your Pearls
The luster of pearls can grow over the years if you take care of them. The oils from your skin keep pearls moist, but contact with cologne or perfume can dull your pearls. Use a soft cloth like those used for eyeglasses to wipe your pearls after wearing and before storing them. You can clean your pearls with soapy water. For necklaces and bracelets make sure you clean between the pearls. Never use cleaners such as ammonia, bleach or an ultrasonic cleaner as they will destroy the luster of the pearls. Restring your pearl necklace and bracelet every few years using silk thread. Back to top
Jade Information Although Jade has been found in Myanmar (Burma) for hundreds of years it is treasured in China as the royal gemstone. It has appreciated at many levels thru time: first as an object of daily life, then as an object of ritual and later as an item for barter and wealth. Today it is used as personal adornment. Jade is usually cut into smooth dome shapes called cabochons. Jade can be used in almost all forms of jewelry. Bangles are extremely popular in Asian countries. Beads are usually made into necklaces and some of the finest green colored necklaces can fetch very high prices. Jade can appear in six basic colors with many variations. These are green, lavender, red, yellow, white and black. Green is the most important and varies from apply green to gray-green to black green. Lavender jade can vary from dark - almost plum-purple to even having a blue cast. The most important factors in determining the value of Jade is the color and transparency. Rich greens and deep colored lavender command the highest prices. The finest color of green jade can be close in color to a fine Colombian emerald, but of a darker hue. It is sometimes referred to as Imperial Jade. Whereas most gemstones are sold by carat weight, jade is sold by the piece. The finest qualities of green can make it the most expensive stones in the world. A piece approximately ¾ of an inch round can bring upwards of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand or more. The more light that shines through the stone, the better is the quality. Because of the rarity of fine material, most jade in the marketplace is referred to as dyed jade or ‘B' jade. Producing ‘B' jade involves acid-bleaching and then impregnating it with a form of plastic. This produces the different colors- green (light or dark), lavender, red, yellow, white or black. Jade is very durable and tough. Cleaning jade is easy. Use mild dish soap with a toothbrush and clean behind the stone where dust and dirt collect. Rinse with clean water. |
