Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning behind the birthstone?
As far back as 1400 BC, the Assyrians believed that rare and beautiful gemstones possessed magical properties. Some minerals were thought to possess a force or contain certain values and powers.
Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to release the power attributed to the stone. Later, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. People began selecting birthstones in colors other than the original colors. The Roman, Arabic, Jewish, Polish, Russian and Italian lists were all different. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers, which later became Jewelers of America, adopted the list as we now know it.
What is a gemstone?
Gemstones are minerals. The exceptions would be pearl and coral, which
are of animal origin, and jet and amber, which are vegetable. These
minerals have been crystallized as a result of high temperatures and
pressures exerted by the natural forces of the earth's crust. There
are more than 3,000 minerals found on earth, but only a small percentage
qualify as "gemstones" because of their beauty, durability,
color and rarity.
What is the difference between "precious"
and "semi-precious" gemstones?
Gems were once divided into these categories, but today this is no longer
true. Discoveries have added new varieties to the traditional selection
of ruby, sapphire and emerald. Some of the more unusual gemstones command
a higher price than a more well known gemstone because of their beauty
and rarity.
What are the gemstones available to select from?
You can choose from many fine-quality gemstones such as alexandrite,
amber, amethyst, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, citrine, garnet, iolite, jade,
kunzite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, peridot, sugilite, spinel, tanzanite,
topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite, turquoise and zircon.
Gold
What is 100% gold?
Twenty-four karat is 100% pure gold
or 24 parts gold. 18K is 18 parts gold, 6 parts metal alloys; 14K is 14
parts gold, 10 parts metal alloys; and 10K is 10 parts gold and 14 parts
metal alloys.
I thought gold only came in yellow or white?
You will find gold in yellow, white, green and pink. Many styles today
will combine yellow, white and pink gold in them.
What causes gold to be different colors?
The color depends upon the alloy. For instance, 14K yellow gold contains
14 parts gold and the other 10 parts consists of 50% silver and 50% copper.
The greater the percentage the copper, the more yellow the gold. If you
have 90% copper and 10% silver the gold will be pink in color. If you
use a higher percentage of silver than copper, you get more of a green
color. The alloys used to make white gold are nickel, zinc, copper, tin
and maganese.
Watches
What is the difference between an analog and a
digital watch?
This refers to the way the time is displayed on the watch dial. Analog
refers to the traditional time-telling "hands." Digital watches
display the time with digits - numbers - instead of hands.
What is the difference between a mechanical watch
and a quartz watch?
Mechanical are the traditional "wind-up" watches. They
run as the result of a mainspring inside the watch that, after winding,
gradually unwinds and turns tiny interlocking wheels that move the watch
hands to measure seconds, minutes and hours. The quartz watch is powered
by a battery which sends electronic impulses through a small bar of synthetic
quartz crystal which vibrates more than 32,000 times per second. Those
vibrations are channeled through a series of gears that result in one
impulse per second.
What is a self-winding or automatic watch?
These watches wind themselves as the wearer moves their wrist. The movement
causes a weight behind the movement to rotate, winding the mainspring.
They can also be manually wound.
What does "Chronograph" mean?
The chronograph watch measures small fractions of a second. Some
are used to calculate speeds, distances and altitudes. There are specialized
watches for astronauts, pilots, parachutists and skin divers as well as
vision impaired persons.
How do I know if the watch is the "real thing"?
You should always buy from a reputable jeweler whom you know and
trust in the community, who is available today for advice in making your
purchase and tomorrow for service and future reliable purchases. Since
it is difficult, if not impossible for the untrained person to detect
a counterfeit, avoid the street peddler or the questionable mail-order
promotions which advertise huge discounts on so-called famous name or
designer watches. Read you warranty. Make sure the manufacturer is behind
the warranty.
Pearls
How is a cultured pearl formed?
A cultured pearl
is formed by an oyster, composed of concentric layers of a crystalline
substance called nacre deposited around an irritant placed in the oyster's
body by man.
How is a natural pearl formed?
A natural pearl is formed by deposits of nacre around an irritant which
accidentally lodges within the body of an oyster.
What does "Orient" mean when it comes
to pearls?
The term Orient comes from the unique ability of the crystalline
nacre to absorb, refract and reflect light - this deep inner glow and
sheen that is characteristic of sea-grown pearls. The deeper the luster
and iridescence, the more precious the pearl.
What determines the value of the pearl?
Orient, shape, surface perfection, and rarity all contribute to
the pearls value. The more symmetrical the shape the more valuable. Satiny
smooth surfaces are desirable.
What does "baroque" mean?
Pearls of irregular and asymmetrical shape are termed baroque.
Oysters grow pearls in many different shapes, from perfect spheres to
long, flat angel wing pearls.
What is an Akoya pearl?
The Akoya pearl is the most familiar type of cultured pearl, grown
in true pearl oysters off the coasts of Japan. They are known for their
lovely orient and warm color.
What is a South Sea pearl?
These are large cultured pearls (10mm or larger) grown in large
oysters off the coasts of Australia. Usually silvery in appearance, and
sometimes not as lustrous as fine Akoya pearls, South Sea cultured pearls
are rare and costly.
What is a Burmese pearl?
Similar to South Sea pearls, these are grown off the coast of Burma and
are warmer in color tone than the South Sea pearls. The Burmese pearls
are also rare and costly.
What is a Mabe pearl?
The Mabe pearl is a large hemispherical cultured pearl grown against
the inside shells of oysters instead of within the body. Because of their
shape, the Mabe pearl is often mounted in such jewelry as earrings, rings
and brooches.
What is the Biwa pearl?
This is a fresh water pearl that is cultivated in a mollusk only
in Japan's Lake Biwa. The Biwa pearl is smoother and more lustrous than
fresh water pearls from China.
What is a Fresh Water pearl?
These are pearls cultivated in mollusks, not oysters, found in fresh water
lakes and rivers. Fresh water pearls are usually elongated in shape and
have a milky translucent appearance. They come in an interesting range
of shapes and colors.
What are the lengths and terminology of pearl necklaces?
- Choker: 14"-15" in length - should nestle around the base of the neck.
- Princess: 18" in length - should fall halfway between choker and matinee length.
- Matinee: 22"-23" in length - should fall to the top of the cleavage.
- Opera: 30"-36" in length - should fall to the breastbone.
- Sautoir or Rope: Any pearl necklace longer than opera length.
- Dog Collar: Multiple strands of pearls fitting closely around the neck.
- Bib: Multiple strands of pearls, each shorter than the one below, nested together in one necklace.
- Graduated: A necklace composed of pearls which taper downward in size from large pearls in the center.
- Uniform: A necklace which appears to be composed entirely of pearls of the same size.
How should I clean my pearls?
You can wash your pearls with mild soap and water. This will remove all
traces of perfume, cosmetics or hair spray from the pearls.
Platinum
Why should I choose platinum?
Platinum
is one of the strongest, most enduring and one of the heaviest metals
in the world. It weighs 60% more than karat gold and is ideal for jewelry
worn every day because it exhibits little material loss, even after prolonged
wear. Platinum in the US generally contains 90%-95% pure platinum, is
hypoallergenic, and offers a diamond greater protection.
Is platinum the same as white gold?
No, it is quite different. White gold is yellow gold alloyed with
nickel and zinc (and small amount of copper and silver). Platinum is a
natural rich, white color.
