Precious Metals

PLATINUM 

The platinum group metals comprise six closely related metals: Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Iridium and Osmium.

Platinum has a deep luster and a rich, white color. It is rarer, heavier and denser than all precious metals and considered to be more valuable than gold.

Platinum is often used to set the most valuable gems to produce the finest jewelry because it holds gemstones most securely and it neutral color enhances the brilliance and depth of diamonds and precious stones.
 

In the United States platinum is usually marked: PT or PLAT
In Europe, it is marked: 950 or PT950 

GOLD

Gold is a beautiful and imperishable metal. It was one of the first metals to be mined because it commonly occurs in its native form (100% Pure) 

Pure (100%) gold is too soft, and it is usually mixed with other metals (gold alloys) to make it stronger and more usable for jewelry.

The metals that are mixed with pure gold for strength can also modify the color of gold resulting in different shades of yellow, white, and pink.

KARATS - Indicate the amount of pure gold in the metal. Abbreviation: kt

PRICE - The following are some of the factors that determine the value of a gold jewelry piece.

• weight: gold is sold by weight - grams(gr) or pennyweights(dwt), the heavier the piece, the higher the gold content, therefore it is more expensive. One Troy Ounce = 31.1034768 Grams

• design: designer jewelry is more expensive, especially if it is a one of a kind piece.

• finish: special finishes to the metal such as matte, or sand-blasted finish add to the cost of the gold jewelry piece.

SILVER

Silver is the most reflective and affordable of the precious metals.

Sterling silver is the standard of quality for articles containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

Vermeil is a gold plated sterling silver.

MARKS - percentage of pure silver

• General -Sterling Silver

• American - 925

• European - 935

• French - 800

• Russian - 88 or 84 

Common Diamond Terms

Blemish - Imperfections found on the surface of a Diamond.

Brilliance - describes how well a diamond reflects white light.

Carat - is a unit of weight measurement used for weighing diamonds. One carat equals 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. 142 carats equals one (1) avoirdupois ounce.

Clarity - measures the degree of visibility of surface blemishes or internal inclusions of a diamond.

Cloud - Minor inclusion appearing milky rather than dark or ash like, only minimally detracting from the stone's appearance.

Color - measures the tint or internal color of a diamond, ranging from colorless to light brown or yellow.

Crown - refers to the upper domed surface above the girdle of a cut diamond. The angle of the crown between the girdle and the table is considered acceptable at between 30.0-37.0 degrees. Crown height is considered acceptable when between 11.0-16.2% of the girdle's diameter.

CT or CTS - Stands for total carat weight of singular stone.

CTW - Indicates the total diamond carat weight of the jewelry item.

Culet - is the end point of the pavilion, finer being considered better, however a sharp point is susceptible to chipping.

Cut - refers the shape (round, square, emerald, pear, oval, marquis, etc.) and proportions of a cut diamond.

Depth - is the vertical height of the diamond from the table to the cutlet. Considered acceptable when between 57.0 to 65.0% of the girdle's diameter.

Eye Clean - Diamond appears to be free of surface blemishes and inclusions to the naked eye. Diamonds graded SI-2 or better will appear to be eye clean.

Facets - are the small polished plane surfaces of a cut gem stone. A brilliant (round), full-cut diamond has 56 facets, while stones under 3 points can have as few as 16 (single cut).

Finish - Refers to the quality of the diamond's polish and symmetry.

Fire - Describes the intensity and diversity of the light spectrum (rainbow colors) emanating from a diamond.

Fluorescence - Refers to the emission of photoluminescence by a diamond detectable under a black light. Blue fluorescence can enhance a diamonds color, but other colors are often considered less desirable.

Girdle - refers to the edge where the crown and pavilion of a cut diamond meet, marking the maximum diameter or width of the diamond. A girdle width of between 2.0-4.0% of the girdle's diameter is considered acceptable. Too sharp or thin a girdle increases the likelihood of chipping.

Girdle Diameter - is the diameter of the diamond at the point where the crown and pavilion meet. Other dimension characteristics of a cut diamond are expressed as a percentage (%) of the girdle diameter.

Inclusion - refers to the internal defects of a diamond, appearing as ash like flakes, cracks, clouds, or other imperfections.

Make - Describes the diamond's cut and proportions.

Pavilion - is the tapered under half or base of a cut diamond below the girdle. The angle of the pavilion from the girdle to the cutlet is considered acceptable when between 39.7-41.7 degrees. Pavilion depth is considered acceptable when between 41.5-45.5% of the girdle's diameter.

Point - is a unit of weight equal to 1/100 of a carat, 100 points equaling one carat, and written as 1.00 carat.

Polish - Describes the luster of a diamond's exterior finish.

Symmetry - Describes if the diamond is true to its desired shape and is in balanced proportions.

Table - is the flat top surface of a cut diamond. Table diameter is considered acceptable when between 51.4-66.0% of the girdle's diameter

RING SIZING

If you would like to see a ring sizer for United States sizes which you can use right now, CLICK HERE.