Know your Metals

THE CIRCLE OF Love

Know Your Metals

14-KARAT YELLOW GOLD CLASSIC

Durable for daily wear, polishes easily.

WHITE GOLD

Made by mixing pure gold with white metals; can be a less-expensive; alternative to platinum.

PLATINUM

Very white; heavy, durable metal; ideal for engraving.

PALLADIUM

Sister metal to platinum; naturally white metal; strong, non-tarnishing and hypo-allergenic.

Know Your Diamond

Diamonds are measured by the “Four Cs.”

ALL FOUR FEATURES CAN MAKE A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON THE QUALITY, & THEREFORE PRICE, OF A DIAMOND.

CUT

Proportions of a diamond and its facets, as opposed to its shape. A diamond gets its brilliancy from the cutting which maximizes the reflection of light.

COLOR

White diamonds are graded on a D–Z scale, D being the most colorless.

CLARITY

The presence of natural marks, called inclusions, in the gem. The Gemological

Institute of America judges clarity based on a standard 11-point scale from

“Flawless” through “Imperfect 3.”

CARATS

Diamonds are weighed in carats, which may also be expressed as “points,” where one carat equals 100 points.

THE WEDDING RING GOES ON THE LEFT RING FINGER BECAUSE IT’S THE ONLY FINGER WITH A VEIN THAT CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE HEART. increasing its value. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) judges’ clarity based on a standard 11-point scale from “Flawless” through “Imperfect 3” (see clarity scale below).

Carat. Diamonds are weighed in carats, which may also be expressed as “points,” where one carat equals 100 points. A diamond of 50 points, for example, equals .5 carat. Diamonds of more than one carat are extremely rare (one in a thousand), and therefore very valuable. But remember that carat weight is only one factor in determining value. Two diamonds of the same size can vary considerably in value depending on the other three factors – cut, color, and clarity.

APPRAISE IT

Request a written estimate of the value of your jewelry, which should include specific indications of the four Cs.

Immediately after purchase, photograph your jewelry for insurance purposes, and make sure your current policy has adequate coverage, including “mysterious disappearance.”

TAKE GOOD CARE

Although diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man, a hard blow could still chip one, so don’t wear your ring when doing rough work. You should also avoid direct contact with chlorine bleach and chlorinated pool water, which could pit and discolor the mounting.

Have your rings checked annually by your jeweler for loose prongs or settings. Just one broken prong could cause you to lose your stone. These precautions and gentle care will pay you back with years of enjoyment and pride in this precious symbol of your union.