Jewelry Education and Information

Gemstones are diverse in their beauty and many gems are available in a stunning variety of colors. Unfinished gem stones look like ordinary rocks or pebbles. After a skilled cutting and polishing of a gem, full color and lustre can be seen. Most gemstones are minerals, but some rocks and organic materials fall under the gemstone label.

Gemstones which are highly valuable for their hardness and rarity, are known as Precious Stones. A Gemstone that is valued for it’s color that doesn’t fall under the Precious Stone classification is considered a Semi-Precious Stone.

Birthstones have been around since ancient times, and in those days were believed to possess some magical force that could protect the owner or wearer of the stone. These birthstones were traditionally linked to the Zodiac.

Modern birthstones are linked to calendar months, and each month has its own unique birthstone. Many people love to wear jewellery set with their birthstone, as the ancient meanings and associations with these stones still intrigue them.

When talking about diamonds, it is important to cover the Four Cs — carat, cut, color and clarity. These are the four key characteristics of stones. The more you know about the 4 Cs, they more you’ll understand the quality of the diamond that you are buying.

When choosing a diamond, you need to find a balance among the 4 Cs in price range that you can afford.

Historically, precious metals were widely used in making jewelry, ornaments, idols, temples, currencies, and war equipments, but are now regarded mainly as jewelry, investment and industrial commodities. Precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high luster, and have higher melting points than other metals.

Gold won’t tarnish, rust, or corrode, and though it’s very strong, it is also the most malleable of all metals. Silver is the most reflective and affordable of the precious metals. Its lower price permits bold, innovative looks.

When you’re dealing with precious gemstones, and beautiful gold and sterling silver, its important to look after them to ensure they continue looking new and beautiful! A buildup of oil from our skin and everyday grime is the culprit of this dulling effect. When you buy diamond or birthstone jewelry, you want it to last a lifetime. To ensure that these pieces have the “forever” quality, you need to make sure you are equipped with the right tools to keep these pieces looking flawless, forever.

Many people have come to the conclusion that they are allergic to silver, and thus must avoid using silver jewelry altogether. There is such a thing as silver sensitivity, which usually manifests itself in the form of contact dermatitis – a rash that appears at the point of contact.

Many individuals who believe that they are allergic to silver (or gold) are actually allergic to another metal in the silver (or gold) alloy used to make their jewelry — nickel.