GOLD & PLATINUM JEWELRY

Jewelry is made from alloys,mixtures of two or more metals. Gold is alloyed (combined) with silver,copper and zinc to make it harder,to change its color and to reduce its cost. Platinum alloys are usually made by combining platinum with ruthenium,iridium,palladium,cobalt or copper. Don't forget to find out the gold or platinum content of the metal when comparing fine jewelry prices. It's called fineness (the amount of gold or platinum in relation to 1000 parts). For example, an alloy containing 95% platinum has a fineness of 950,gold with fineness of 750 has 75% (750 parts) gold and 250 parts of other metals.

TOURMALINE

Tourmaline (TOUR-ma-leen) is a large family of Gemstones with more than 100 hues available. Its name comes from the Sinhalese turmali, meaning mixed Gemstones due to the tendency to confuse Tourmalines with other Gems.
Tourmaline from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) was first introduced to the Europeans in the late 1600's or early 1700's by Dutch traders. Tourmaline crystals are often cracked and flawed, especially in the Red, Pink and Bi-colors. Clean stones of 10 Carats or more in these colors command a premium price. The Green and Blue colors are generally very clean. Tourmaline is sensitive to strong heat, as this may alter the color, and sudden temperature changes may cause fracturing, it may be prudent to ask a Jeweler to remove the stone before applying his torch. Tourmaline is not usually attacked by chemicals.

Synthetic Gem

A precious or semiprecious stone made by artificial processes, for example, synthetic diamonds made by extreme heat and pressure on carbon, used industrially; and synthetic rubies made by high-temperature crystallization of aluminum oxide, used in laser equipment.

Jewelry Craftmanship

Pay attention to the mounting and setting if you want your jewelry to last and hold gems securely.
Mountings:
* Select sturdy mountings for everyday jewelry.
* Avoid hollow ring and chains.
* The jewelry must be well finished on the back and underneath.
* Make sure the clasp works if there is one.
* Ask if the jewelry is well crafted and find out why it is or isn't.
Settings:
* Determine if there's enough metal holding the stone.
* Make sure the edge of the stone is flat against the seat,there shouldn't be space between the prongs and the stones.
* Verify that you can see most of the stone.
* Get hand fabricated or machine made settings for everyday prong style rings.
* Ask the jeweler to show you some examples of good quality settings so you'll have a basic for comparison.

Choosing a jeweler

At least 3 things you should consider when you choose a jeweler:
1. Knowledgeable, a jeweler should have gemological credentials at least be able to detect synthetic stones.
2. Are they candid and ethical? Do they explain quality and tretment in clear language not just rely on trade euphemisms and marketing term.
3. They should have a love for gems and jewelry. Jewelers who only care about price and benefit are not likely to have artistic designs.

Price factors for diamonds

Six basic price factor for diamonds: cut quality (proportions and finish), color (less color higher the price), clarity (fewer and smaller the flaws,the higher the price), carat weight, shape and cutting style, and type of treatment (untreated or treated) .

Misnomers of gemstones

Some sellers add qualifying words or prefixs to gemstones names that misrepresent their true identy to make them seem more valuable.These names called misnomers,for examples:dyed blue jasper called german lapis or swiss lapis,green glass called emerald,green sapphire called oriental emerald,topaz called mogok diamond,brazilian ruby or brazilian sapphire.So beware of those names.

BIRTHSTONES

Birthstones established in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers' Association:

• JANUARY Garnet
• FEBRUARY Amethyst
• MARCH Bloodstone/Aquamarine
• APRIL Diamond
• MAY Emerald
• JUNE Pearl/Moonstone
• JULY Ruby
• AUGUST Peridot/Sardonyx
• SEPTEMBER Sapphire
• OCTOBER Opal/Tourmaline
• NOVEMBER Topaz
• DECEMBER Turquoise/Lapis lazuli