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The
October birthstone is the Rose Zircon.
(Opal or
Tourmaline)
| Stone |
Color |
Tone |
Clarity |
Cut |
Polish |
|
Pink Tourmaline |
bright pink |
med color |
eye clean to slightly included |
very
good |
very
good |
Faceted
stones are available in these shapes. Some shapes are available as
cabochons.
Please note:
The above guide is a color reference. It is not intended to use
for exact color matching.
The
November birthstone is the Golden Sapphire
(Topaz)
| Stone |
Color |
Clarity |
Cut |
Polish |
Other |
|
Sky Blue Topaz |
bright light blue |
eye clean |
good |
very
good |
top sky |
Faceted
stones are available in these shapes. Some shapes are available as
cabochons.
Please note:
The above guide is a color reference. It is not intended to use
for exact color matching.
The
December birthstone is the Blue Zircon.
(Tourquoise
or Lapis Lazuli)
| Stone |
Color |
Tone |
Clarity |
Cut |
Polish |
|
Blue Zircon |
slightly
greenish-blue |
med./dark |
eye clean |
very good |
very
good |
Faceted
stones are available in these shapes.
Please note:
The above guide is a color reference. It is not intended to use
for exact color matching.
WHAT'S
HOT? Platinum
A Platinum
Primer
Answers
to your questions about the world's most precious metal.
You've searched and
searched for the perfect rings. Perhaps you're narrowing your choices
down to a certain three or four. You're shopping carefully, because you
know these rings are going to be with you for a very long time. There
are style issues to consider, as well as price, comfort, and longevity.
You want style, rings that are easy to wear, and will last a lifetime
and beyond.
If you're like most
modern couples, chances are that the metal you choose for your
engagement rings and wedding bands will be platinum. Platinum is
enjoying a new renaissance. As you shop, you will undoubtedly have
questions about platinum. Although your jeweler is best prepared to give
you the advice you need to make a proper purchase, here are answers to
some of the most commonly asked questions about platinum bridal jewelry.
- Are
platinum and white gold the same or similar metals?
Absolutely not! Platinum is a precious metal and gold is a
different precious metal. They are completely different. When
platinum emerges from the ground, it is naturally white. Platinum
stays naturally white throughout the years with no added
maintenance. White gold, on the other hand, is simply yellow gold
that has had other alloys added to it to make it appear white. Then,
white gold often must be rhodium-plated. Rhodium is a member of the
platinum group metals family, and it only covers the surface of the
jewelry item. Often white gold jewelry tends to "yellow"
with wear. Platinum is also six times more rare than gold.
- Most
of my jewelry is yellow gold. Will platinum go with my wardrobe?
Yes! In fact, platinum is the easiest way to update a wardrobe
to make it appear more fashion-forward. The natural white color of
platinum especially complements the natural yellow color of gold.
Combination pieces (platinum with gold, usually 18-karat yellow
gold) are an excellent way to ease into the platinum look that is so
fashionable today. There is a definite white wave going on in the
world. White metals are at the forefront of the jewelry industry
just as white is leading the clothing and accessories market.
- How
can I tell if the jewelry I'm buying is platinum?
It's relatively easy to check to see if the jewelry you're
buying is, indeed, platinum. All platinum jewelry sold in the U.S.
must be stamped with a common quality mark that shows the percentage
of platinum used in the alloy. These marks are, most commonly
PLATINUM, PLAT, or PT followed by the percentage of platinum used,
for example: PT1000 (pure platinum), PT999 (999 parts per thousand
platinum and one part other metal).
Other common platinum alloys are 950PT (or 950PLAT or PT950) which
is 950 parts per thousand platinum and 50 parts other metals; 900 PT
(or 900PLAT or PT900) which is 900 parts per thousand platinum and
100 parts other metals; and 850 PT (or 850PLAT or PT850) which is
850 parts per thousand platinum and 150 parts other metals. Any
jewelry item containing 950 parts platinum or better can be marked
with only PLATINUM or PLAT.
- Does
platinum scratch?
Like all precious metals platinum does scratch. If a platinum
piece has a high-polish finish, scratches are actually easier to
spot, because of the high contrast between the polish and the
scratch. Platinum's surface, when scratched, will actually
separate and make room for the scratch without loss of metal. This
means that platinum does not lose the miniscule amount of metal that
disappears when other precious metals are scratched. This explains
why surface finishes such as florentine, engravings, and such last
almost indefinitely on platinum, while the same finishes in gold
will be worn off in a relatively short time.
Over time, platinum develops a natural patina that many people
prefer over the "just polished" look. This patina is one
factor that makes platinum very special; at any age, platinum has a
very distinctive look that is all its own. Platinum will never
tarnish. Jewelers can always repolish your platinum jewelry if you
prefer a high gloss look.
- I've
heard that platinum is harder to work with than gold or silver? Can
our rings be sized if we buy them in platinum?
Platinum, like other metals, can be worked on or altered by a
qualified jeweler. Platinum can also be sized. Platinum is different
to work on than gold or silver, but not more difficult for a
qualified and skilled craftsman. Platinum has a much higher melting
point than other precious metals and it can be easily contaminated
if mishandled.
- White
gold is less expensive than platinum. It's the same color. Why
should I buy it instead?
If you look closely at both white gold and platinum, you will
see that the color and the look are not entirely the same although
they both have a white appearance. The platinum piece will have a
whiter color, whereas the white gold might have a faint yellowish
tinge, or could be plated with another metal such as rhodium to
achieve a whiter look.
Besides the look, platinum also has a very different feel than gold
or silver. Platinum jewelry manufactured from a 900PT alloy weighs
60 percent more than the same piece if manufactured in 14-karat
gold. This is a huge difference, one you can feel immediately when a
ring of the same size made from platinum is compared with one made
of gold. Remember, when you're considering bridal rings, it's
important to keep in mind that you will wear this jewelry every day.
Platinum is very durable, more so than any other fine jewelry metal,
and will not wear down over time as do other metals.
- Why
does platinum cost more? Is it worth it?
Yes, platinum does cost more but for good reason: It is the
ultimate precious jewelry metal. Platinum is a purer metal (90 or 95
percent pure in most cases) than either 14-karat (58.5 percent gold
or 18-karat (75 percent gold) gold. Platinum is more rare (there is
less platinum in the world and it takes more effort to get it out of
the ground and refine it) and platinum is heavy (90 percent platinum
weighs 60 percent more than 14-karat gold) than any other precious
metal.
With platinum, you get what you pay for. There is more precious
metal in a piece of platinum jewelry. Platinum wears longer and
needs less maintenance over the years, a fact that will give you
peace of mind. Platinum also holds gemstones securely in place and
"lights up" a diamond in a way no other metal can. All
these factors make it the perfect choice for everyday wear.
Platinum is a metal
that's as unique, strong and precious as your relationship. Enjoy your
platinum wedding rings with the knowledge that you've bought the
ultimate - the most precious metal in the world.
Article
reprinted with permission from: Platinum Guild International
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