Like any
industry, jewellery is packed with jargon and terms that may as well be in
another language for most people. Unlike rocket science or evolutionary
biology, many will be really interested in knowing what these terms mean!
Blemish:
Like
a pesky spot, a blemish is a mark or irregularity on a gem or pearl. In some
cases it will give the item an interesting quirk, in others it will be seen as
a flaw.
Brilliant:
A
type of gemstone cut, this is the most common type of diamond cut on the market
with a stunning 58 faces.
Carat:
One
of the Cs of diamond quality, this is a measurement of the weight of a gem
stone. One carat is 200 mg, or one-fifth of a gram.
Diamonds are available in various shapes and carats.
Carat:
Confusingly,a carat is also the
term used to measure the purity of gold. In American English, this is called a
karat to avoid confusion.
Clean: The word used to
describe a flawless gemstone.
Facet:
A
face, or flat surface, found on a cut stone or glass.
Lapidary:
The
job title of someone who cuts and polishes stones for a living.
Lustre:
Refers
to how reflective the surface of a gem or mineral is.
Malaya Garnet and Diamond Ring
Mohs
scale: How
to tell how hard your gem is on a scale from 1 to 10. This will give you an
idea of the scratch resistance of an item.
Paved/Pavé:
When
a series of stones is set close together without any space separating them.
Rough:
When
a stone, such as a diamond or emerald, is in its uncut form. Some jewellery
trends leave gems rough to show their natural beauty.
Solitaire:
A
type of setting in which a gemstone is mounted by itself.
Rose gold, the
pretty mixture of yellow gold and copper, creates an interesting alloy that
makes for beautiful jewellery. Increasingly available in a range of styles,
this unique formation is proving to be a popular purchase for jewellery
shoppers.
The standard
mixture to create this luxurious metal is usually comprised of 75 per cent
yellow gold blended with 25 per cent copper. However, the more copper used the
redder the tint will be in the finished metal, while those seeking a more pink
glow should look for less copper used in the mixture.
While a
fantastic and unique metal, the mixture that is required to make the alloy
means that rose gold in its pure state doesn’t exist, unlike gold or other
metals.
Stunning rose gold rings by Dreamtime Diamonds.
The term rose
gold actually refers to three mixtures: red gold, rose gold and pink gold. All
three usually are 18 karats, meaning that whatever your preference for the
shade, you will be getting high-quality jewellery that can last a lifetime.
Another benefit of this special metal is that rose gold and its related hues normally suit all skin tones, so it’s the perfect present for any loved one. As well as this, the mixture of metals that make rose gold mean it could be the ideal gift for those that like all the metals, or to give to someone whose jewellery preferences you are unsure of.
These gorgeous hoops crafted from rose gold, silver and gold showcase the versatility of rose gold.
Rose gold
continues to adorn the ears, necks, fingers and wrists of people all over the
world as its trend-setting status is increasingly secured. Watchmakers are also
using this delightful metal to add modern panache to age-old timepiece making
traditions, creating fashionable rose
gold watches.
However you
decide to wear rose gold, what’s for certain is that you will be on trend and
look amazing!
Buying diamond jewellery is something of an important undertaking, as a lot of time, care and attention goes into choosing that perfect piece. Perhaps it was the brilliant sparkle or enigmatic shine that attracted you to a certain ring or necklace – either way, you’ll want your jewellery to look as fabulous as the day you bought it! As with clothes, watches and other items that we wear everyday, jewellery collects dirt and grime through ordinary activities like cooking, cleaning and exercising. Learning how to keep your diamonds in tip-top condition is a simple process and, by following this guide, you’ll ensure that your jewels stay shining brightly for years to come.
Clean Machine
Keeping your ring, necklace or pendant clean is an integral part in ensuring that it’ll keep that effervescent gleam that so attracted it to you in the first place. Keeping your jewellery cleaned at home is a simple, quick task that you can do, in between coming into one of our specialist stores to have it professionally maintained.
Image: Passion8 Diamond Ring
Purchase a
soft toothbrush to be used solely for this purpose, and prepare a bowl of warm
water mixed with a reputable liquid detergent. Bubbles are good! Proceed to
brush the diamonds carefully, removing any build-up of dirt and grime you can
see, attempting to get under the stones and any other hard-to-reach places.
After you’ve finished brushing, rinse your jewellery under running water. Use a
strainer or colander to ensure that your ring doesn’t get washed away, but
ensure the plug is in anyway, for extra reassurance. Whilst rinsing, continue
to brush – this should help to remove any excess grime and soap remaining on
your jewels, before drying with a lint-free cloth. Try and carry out this
process at least once a month.
Save Them From Themselves
Storing your
diamonds in a suitable location is just as important as giving them a regular
clean. Diamonds are renowned as the hardest materials on Earth, but that
doesn’t mean that they are indestructible. In fact, they can be surprisingly
brittle – they are formed in layers, and those layers can peel away if met with
enough pressure. Like two tough men at loggerheads, a diamond can scratch
another diamond if chucked nonchalantly together. It’s good practice to store
your jewellery in a specialist box, with compartments for each separate stone,
protecting them from each other. Most gemstones are harder than the metal that
they are set in and so can ruin the fine finish of your precious band or watch
strap, so by treating them carefully and you should encounter no real problems.
Wearing a fine jewellery item is not advised when doing activities where it is likely to come into contact with dirt or come to harm, so store it away safely when hitting the gym or taking to the rugby field. It’s also important to remember that everyday chemicals, such as chlorine, can have a drastically detrimental effect on your diamonds, so remove them if you’re heading to the spa or going for a few lengths in the swimming pool.
Shine
On You Crazy Diamond
By following this simple advice, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are doing everything possible to maintain your diamonds and keeping them looking their brilliant best. However, the finest way to keep your diamonds nice and sparkling clear is to have them professionally maintained at your local Showcase Jewellers, who will give your precious stones the care and attention that they deserve, giving an sparkle so impressive you’ll think they’ve never been worn before. By treating your jewellery to regular inspections at Showcase Jewellers at least once a year, you can ensure that you won’t be subjected to unnecessary repairs over the lifetime of your piece. Additionally, we’ll check that your diamond is still securely set in its mount and set to sparkle for years to come.
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