JEWELRY BUYING GUIDE

Buying jewelry can be a difficult and overwhelming process but it doesn't have to be. With some research, you can determine what would be a perfect purchase.

Gemstone Varieties

Gemstones come in many varieties. They can be natural, lab-created, or imitation. 

 

Natural Gemstones
Natural gemstones are minerals or organic matter used in jewelry after cutting and polishing them. Many jewelers will grade the gemstone based on characteristics like color, clarity, and sparkle. Oftentimes, colored gemstones can be enhanced by heat treatment to improve their color and clarity, which is typically permanent but other treatments methods may not be permanent, so it is always important to ask about the quality of the natural gemstone. 

 

Lab-created Gemstones
Lab-created Gemstones often have the same physical qualities and will often look the same as natural gemstones. However, lab-created gemstones do not have the same value and rarity as natural gemstones. If needed a gemologist can help you recognize the often minuscule differences between a natural gemstone and a lab-created gemstone. 

 

Imitation Gemstones
Other materials can be used to create gemstone look-alikes. These can be made with materials such as glass o cubic zirconia to look like a gemstone. However, imitation gemstones do not have the same value and rarity as natural gemstones and can look different from their natural and lab-created counterparts.

Jewelry Metals

Jewelry is typically made with precious metals like gold and silver. Generally, 9k, 14k and 18k gold are the preferred metals when it comes to gold. The main difference between 9k, 14k  and 18k gold is the gold percentage.

9k Gold
9-karat gold, also known as 9K gold, consists of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% alloyed metals. This alloy is commonly chosen for its affordability and durability. Its composition also renders it more durable and resistant to scratches and dents, making it suitable for everyday wearer.

 

14k Gold
14k gold is made of 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloyed metals and thus tends to be harder and more durable than 18k gold, because this is commonly used in detailed rings. This is a fine choice for people who have an active lifestyle or those who work with their hands. 

 

18k Gold
18k gold is made of 75% pure gold and 25% alloyed metals. This makes it more desirable for engagement rings 18-Karat gold is a good investment if you only like wearing fine jewelry on special occasions or important events. It is also less likely to trigger skin irritation such as allergies.

 

White Gold: A beautiful silvery-white gleam typically plated in rhodium, another white metal, for an added layer of shine and durability.

Yellow Gold: A classic and traditional choice that has a warm golden glow.

Rose Gold: A unique choice that has a metallic pink hue.

Diamond Varieties

We offer a wide range of diamonds, including natural diamonds and moissanite, in our jewelry collection.

 

Natural Diamond
Natural diamonds are diamonds mined from various locations around the world. They are expensive but retain their value better than lab-grown diamonds or moissanite alternatives.

Lab-grown Diamond
A lab-grown diamond is a diamond that has been manufactured in a controlled laboratory environment. These diamonds look like earth-mined diamonds, have exactly the same hardness level and durability, and even receive certification through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI). A lab-grown diamond will be cheaper than a natural diamond however this means it is less likely to hold its value compared to a natural diamond.

Moissanite
Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide, which is very rare, which is why the moissanite used in fine jewelry is created in a lab. Both moissanite and diamonds can both be colorless or have some color to them but moissanite tends to have more brilliance than a diamond. The result is a rainbow-like effect, while diamonds reflect whiter light. However, moissanite is not as hard as diamonds, with a 9.25-9.5 in the hardness scale compared to a diamond’s 10. 

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