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| 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 |
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| 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
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% of Gold |
37.5% |
41.7% |
58.5% |
75% |
100% |
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USA: |
9 kt |
10 kt |
14 kt |
18 kt |
24 kt |
| World Wide: |
375 |
417 |
585 |
750 |
999 |
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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.
- 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.
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| 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
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- Blemish
- Imperfections found on the surface of a Diamond.
- Brilliance
- describes how well a diamond reflects white
light.
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- 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 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.
- Included
- 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 underhalf 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.
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