Happy Stories From our customers

(above) 14kt yellow gold wedding band, high polished with scalloped sides and milgraining

When it comes to karats, we have a rough idea of the definition. But really, when you’re investing in the perfect moissanite engagement ring, shouldn’t you know a little better?

More on the Karat

It is a common misconception that a karat is a unit of weight but it is actually a unit of measurement for the amount of gold contained within an item.

“Karat” is also different from “carat,” which is a metric unit of weight for gemstones.

Karat (or kt) indicates how many percentage of pure gold is alloyed with other metals like silver, copper, zinc and so on.

Pure gold (99.99%) is generally considered to be too soft and pricey for daily enjoyment.

For this reason, it has to be mixed with other alloys to maximize its strength and at the same time, price can be lowered down as it contains inexpensive materials to target larger consumptions.

Only 24 karat is known as 99.99% pure gold.

18kt gold has approximately 75% of pure gold and stamped either “18kt” or “750” for European marking standard.

Likewise, 14kt gold has approx. 58.5% of pure gold and stamped “14kt” or “585” for European marking standard.14kt gold is most commonly used in US.

Finally, 10kt gold has approx. 41.7% of pure gold and stamped “10KT” or “417” for European marking standard.

(above) Gent's 14kt White Gold Diamond Wedding Band, diagonal design with .20ct t.w. channel set diamonds, high polished and matte finish

Partial Source: Squidoo Article

Fancy Colored Diamonds

You may or may not know that diamonds come in all of the colors of the rainbow, from reds and pinks to blues, greens and yellows. However, not all fancy colored diamonds get their color naturally. Below is an article explaining the color enhancement processes of natural diamonds.

COLOR ENHANCEMENT OF NATURAL DIAMONDS
TREATMENT OF DIAMONDS TO CHANGE THEIR COLOR HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1940’S. INITIALLY IT WAS DONE BY EXPOSING THEM TO RADIATION FOLLOWED BY HEAT TREATMENT (ANNEALING). THIS PROCESS IS SIMILAR TO SANITIZING FOOD PRODUCTS. THE RESULTING DIAMONDS ARE FREE OF RADIATION AND SAFE TO USE. THIS TREATMENT PRODUCES COLORS OF BLUE, YELLOW, GREEN, AND VERY RARELY PINKS AND REDS. WHILE THESE COLORS ARE PERMANENT, INDUSTRY TEST SUGGEST CAUTION BE USED FOR EXPOSURE TO TEMPERATURE ABOVE 300-400 C.
Since the 1990’s, the color of diamonds has also been altered by HPHT process (High Pressure High Temperature). Polished or rough diamonds (natural and synthetic) are processed in the lab under very high pressures and temperatures, mimicking conditions deep in the earth where diamonds are formed. Depending on the composition of the diamond the results could be colorless as well as yellow, green, orange, and very rarely pink and blue. Colors produced by HPHT are permanent and they have the same features as a regular natural diamond.
There are other methods of diamond treatment such as PVD (pressurized vapor deposit), a color coating scheme, and clarity enhancements such as lasering, [fracture filling] treating, or filling. Color treatment can be done on any synthetic or [natural/minded] diamond. In the US these processes are done under strict and safe conditions.    Article written by Cendico Diamond

I found this article to contain some easy tips on purchasing costume jewelry (it’s not all created equal!) and jewelry/fashion matching.

Joe

Just wanted to let you know that as I am typing this I am wearing the ring of my dreams. It came in today and all the girls at work oooed and ahhhed over it. It is amazing. One of a kind and absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for being so professional, knowledgeable and courteous. I will definitely be in contact with you soon to get Ryan’s wedding band.

Thanks again you and your company are an absolute pleasure!

Dagni

It seemed like only yesterday we were watching grow up in the Oval Office. Now, she’s grown up and marrying a college beau.

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky were married in an interfaith ceremony on July 31, 2010, at the Astor Courts Estate in Rhinebeck, New York. The estate was built by John Jacob Astor IV in the early years of the twentieth century, and sits on the Hudson River, a couple of hours north of New York City.Chelsea’s wedding jewelry included diamond earrings — each earring was made from two clusters of diamonds set to resemble small flowers. Her diamond bracelet repeated a single version of the floral setting.

Chelsea Clinton’s engagement ring is partially obscured by her bouquet, but the ring appears to be fashioned from a princess, emerald or Asscher cut diamond set in platinum (About Square & Rectangular Diamonds)

Chelsea’s strapless silk wedding gown was designed by Vera Wang, one of the couple’s 500 wedding guests. Chelsea’s mother, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wore a gown by Oscar de la Renta.

The floral appearance of Chelsea Clinton’s diamond earrings was repeated in the design of her diamond “tennis” bracelet.

Marc Mezvinsky, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and former U.S. President Bill Clinton pose during the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky at the Astor Courts Estate on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York.

Photo by Barbara Kinney via Getty Images

source: About.com – Jewelery and Accessories

60-plus ct. yellow diamond in 18k gold

We just had to show you a picture of this beauty. It was a recent winner at the recent JCK Las Vegas 2010.

According to one of JCK’s correspondents:

The 60+ Carat Yellow

Sure, there were plenty of diamonds strewn around the Venetian, but only one reached jawbreaker proportions. Amir Goldfiner, owner of Rahaminov Diamonds in Los Angeles, proudly presented his diamond—a radiant-cut, 60-plus ct. fancy vivid yellow—for the first time at JCK Las Vegas.

“A stone like that is crazy,” he says.

The rough responsible for the rock weighed several hundred carats; one of Goldfiner’s cutters spent nearly a year whittling down the original mass to its current size and shape. (The stone is now set in an 18k gold ring.)

Yet Goldfiner is reluctant to divulge much else, like grade or exact weight.

“I want to maintain the mystique,” he tells JCK, alluding to a possible auction sale. “There are very few stones like it in the world.”

And the price for that kind of ice? If you have to ask… —Jennifer Heebner

We’re here to tell you that a piece like this can be yours – and no, you don’t have to be drippingly wealthy. Gemesis is a magnificent fancy colored gem that will knock your socks off. Consider a piece like this for our upcoming custom design contest (details soon!)

just got the ring. LOVE IT! I love baguettes and this looks good with the ring I have already! I will be back when I can afford more. I’d love a pair of stud earrings also. Thanks!!

Have a great day! D

Five Stone Baguette Wedding Band

We know how much you love learning at Joe’s blog. And  trust me, we have a lot of information to share! Today, we’re going to impart to you a little history lesson on earrings. Now sit back – you may learn something. And thanks to AnnieSherman.com for the great info:

Did you know earrings originated in the Middle East? The oldest earrings were unearthed at the royal graves in Iraq!

In the Renaissance era, earrings were not popular. Women wore wigs, elaborate hairstyles and high collared dresses obscuring the ears. It was not until the 17th century when women wore their hair back that earrings were back in fashion. In the early 18th century, women wore bonnets with wide ribbons covering the ears and chins. Once again earrings became obsolete. In late 18th century, however, hair went back up and earrings were popular again!

In the early 20th century, piercing of the ears was considered uncivilized and a screw back type of fitting was invented so that ear piercing was no longer necessary. The beginning of emancipation for women! Around 1930’s, clip-ons were invented and then screw-ons. Both styles were widely used for earrings for the next 40 years. Since then, earrings have indeed been revolutionized. Earrings are fun, lots of movements, made of all shapes, sizes, materials and stones and are worn day and night!

Beginning the 70’s, ear piercing became the fad. Most contemporary earrings are for pierced ears nowadays. For those who don’t like poking holes in their ears (like me), thank goodness that vintage clip-on earrings are still around!

This stunningly intact 2,000-year-old gold, pearl, and emerald earring was discovered under a parking lot just outside Jerusalem's Old City.

Here’s a custom jewelry project with a long history. Christine and I have been friends since grade school. We attended Tavan Elementary, Ingleside Middle and Arcadia High schools together. Christine’s parents were customers of my father’s and for Christine’s high school graduation, her parents had a gold and diamond initial pendant made. Now, a “few” years later it’s Christine’s daughter Catherine who is graduating.

So Christine contacted me several weeks before the big day to talk about carrying on the tradition. Her idea was to do something a little more updated; have the piece made in white gold rather than yellow gold and to update the type style somewhat. In addition, she wanted to make it even more personal and special by incorporating diamonds from her collection along with diamonds from her sister, Daphne’s collection (Daphne also received a diamond initial for her high school graduation). The results are below. Click on the images to see larger versions.

Oh, I’m sure you’ve been there. Ten minutes to get ready and half of it is spent on trying to get on your necklace. You ask for some help and even your loved one has trouble! Soon, you find yourself not wearing said necklace as often because it’s just too much of a hassle.

As Terri Rocker, fashion expert, puts it:

“The best necklace clasps are easy to fasten, stay secured, match the style of the necklace, and endure the wear and tear of being repeatedly fastened and unfastened.”

Reminder when you are thinking of purchasing jewelry, consider the clasp! It could make or break your wearing experience:

Spring Ring and Lobster Claw

1. Operate a spring ring or lobster claw clasp by lifting the tiny lever that compresses the spring to release the clasp. Quite secure, both of these clasps are popular, with lobster claws usually being easier to manipulate.

Hook Clasp

2. Fish hook, S-hook and hook-and-eye clasps secure necklaces using hooks. While easy to fasten, these are not very secure and may slip out.

Magnetic Clasp

3. Magnetic clasps use magnets to secure the necklace. Most magnetic clasps are best suited to very lightweight necklaces, as they easily come apart.

Barrel Clasp

4. Barrel clasps are barrel-shaped screws that require some dexterity to twist and untwist. The larger ones are quite secure, although they are prone to looking bulky.

Toggle Clasp

5. The toggle clasp is also known as the bar-and-ring clasp. With a long bar on one end that fits into a wide ring and then “locks” into position, the toggle clasp is one of the easiest to fasten for arthritic hands.

Box Clasp

6. An elegant-looking clasp that often uses a filigree design, the box clasp has been known to come undone by accident. Open a box clasp by pushing the lever, and close it by clicking it into place.

Multi-Strand Clasp

7. A multi-strand clasp may have hook, slide locking or box clasp fasteners. Multi-strand clasps come with 2 or more loops per side to secure multi-strand necklaces.

Spring Ring Clasp

Toggle Clasp

Read more: Types of Clasps for Necklaces | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_4899702_types-clasps-necklaces.html#ixzz0ut0yx6vJ