As you browse the internet, you come across a vendor on eBay selling a perfect diamond ring with the perfect cut, clarity and color. But is it too good to be true? When it comes to buying jewelry and gemstones, we all want to find the best quality for the best price. But often times, in the search for a great deal, we become lured by the numerous online sites such as eBay and Craigslist, selling ”flawless” gemstones and beautiful jewelry for unbelievable prices. While it becomes tempting to grab onto such great deals, it’s important to understand the dangers of making these purchases from unknown online vendors.  

Gas bubbles in a synthetic ruby

Gas bubbles in a synthetic sapphire

It is important to remember that when you buy online, there are no guarantees. The description can be severely exaggerated because people can post anything they want, such as in Youssef’s case. There are no regulations requiring online sellers to accurately represent their goods, whereas the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires retail jewelers to abide by strict guidelines.   

What’s more, there is no guarantee of who or where the jewelry comes from. For instance, an online dealer may have a great eBay rating and then get negative feedback. To avoid the backlash, the dealer can just create a new account and sell through that name until the negative responses build up again, and so on. 

Remember that they saying ”You get what you pay for,” is almost always true. To ensure that you are getting real, quality stones and jewelry, it’s best to purchase from certified and knowledgable jewelers. Look for jewelers who are members of organizations such as the American Gem Society and their local chamber of commerce or have affiliations with groups like the Gemological Institute of America or the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.   

Another telling sign of a quality jeweler is the age of the business. If a store has been around for 50 or 60 years, it’s more than likely a reputable place. Word of mouth can make a store thrive or dive, so you can bet a store won’t stay afloat if they use deceptive or dishonest practices. Sooner or later they will get caught! 

In the end, if you purchase jewelry from a well-established bricks-and-mortar store (also known as your neighborhood jeweler), you’ll be happier and content knowing  you have beautiful, authentic pieces of jewelry. Even better, you’ll have actual people to take your jewelry to when you want it cleaned for a special party or if you need repair work done. 

Some photos from www.ruby-sapphire.com.

• “My objectives are to provide quality service to costumers and clients.” — They sound like fun people.
• “i worked for my father…who deals in precious and semi precious jems and minerals…” — Wonder what those look like.
• “Objective: To gain employment in the Food Service Industry for an upscale restaurant as a Professional Server or as part of the wait staff, tending bar and/or other front of the house positions or duties.” — We are not a restaurant!
• “Note this is mostley my restuarant expirience, which was mostly P/T…however I was employed by Fed Fed Ex ground for 5 years.”
• “Objective: To obtain an internship in the field of Anthropology to gain knowledge and experience.” – I know we deal with a lot of old people, does that make this an anthropological position?
• “i have some experience in customer service but would always b willing to train practice and learn as much as possible” – Really, is it that hard to put an “e” after the “b”? And how about using some periods — there were four sentences and not one used capitolization or punctuation.
• Education: School X – Twelve Credits, School Y – Seven Credits — Do people care how many credits you completed at each school? If so, seven doesn’t seem like very many…
• Two applicants are registered physical therapists, one is a veterinary technician, two have Master’s degrees in social work and one is a civil engineer — Why do you want this job?!?! I think they’re just applying anywhere they can!
• About 1/3 of the applicants didn’t send a cover letter (though we asked for one) and four out of 30 have sent no resume, just a few sentences about themselves.

Even though we are poking fun, we feel bad that this is the kind of information people are putting out there as the first impression of themselves. Surely they’re all using a computer that at least has spell check. If they aren’t, they should. We hope all our applicants find jobs, but unfortunately they won’t be with us. Good luck to them, and may their resume writing get better.

Probably the biggest consideration is that rings made of these alternative metals aren’t sizable. If you want a ring that you can wear forever and that can become a family heirloom, chances are alternative metals aren’t the right choice. Most people’s fingers change in size throughout their life, so they won’t be able to always wear the same ring.

Gold, white gold and platinum are still the best choices for sizable rings. The value of these rings is also considerably more than the alternative metals. As the gold and platinum markets rise, the value of your heirlooms will also go up.

If you like the modern metals and aren’t deterred by their downsides, there are some fun styles to choose from. Below is a quick review of some of the more common alternative metals. Hopefully it’ll help you narrow down your choices.

Tungsten
Color: Steel Gray
Weight: Heavy
Selling Point: Scratch resistant so finish will last
Disadvantage: Can’t be sized and can shatter
Price: Averages $300*

Titanium
Color: Slight Gray
Weight: Light
Selling Point: Light weight compared to other ring materials
Disadvantage: Can’t be sized
Price: Averages $150*

Damascus Steel
Color: Steele gray with matte gray wood-grain design
Weight: Medium
Selling Point: Same material as ancient samurai swords
Disadvantage: Can’t be sized
Price: Averages $375

Cobalt Chrome
Color: White
Weight: Relatively light
Selling Point: Scratch resistant and hypoallergenic
Disadvantage: Can’t be sized
Price: Averages $250*

Ceramic
Color: Black and white are most common
Weight: Relatively light
Selling Point: Scratch resistant so finish will last
Disadvantage: Can’t be sized and can shatter
Price: Averages $120*

*Prices based on solid rings with no inlays of gold, silver, etc.

We’ve compiled a list of the “powers” associated with each birthstone. You might just want to start wearing some of them yourself.

January

• Garnet was said to ensure safe travels and good health, to prevent skin disease and assure the wearer of love and faithfulness. Garnets were also used as bullets because the stone was said to cause wounds more dangerous than those caused by normal bullets.

February

• Amethyst was said to make the wearer gentle and amiable. The name amethyst comes from the Greek word meaning “not to intoxicate,” and it was an ancient belief that people could drink alcohol in abundance but remain sober if they wore amethyst. Those who tried found it to be untrue.

March

• Aquamarine was said to enhance the beauty of the wearer. It was also used to treat liver disease and diseases of the eye.

April

• Diamond comes from the Greek word meaning “unbreakable.” Even though they are the hardest-known substance, diamonds can chip or break. Because they are “unbreakable” many people believed diamonds could render all poisons harmless.

May

• Linked to fertility, emerald was the birthstone of spring and was frequently worn by women to ease childbirth. It was also used to stifle an epileptic fit.

June

• Attributed to the Goddess Venus, pearls are a symbol of innocence.
• Alexandrite was used by people recovering from surgery or a prolonged illness, specifically of the spleen and pancreas.

July

• Historically, rubies are associated with royalty and power. They were thought to prevent the loss of blood, strengthen the heart and were even used as an antidote to poison.

August

• In the past, peridot was used to cure liver disease, free the mind of envious thoughts and to dispel night terrors.

September

• Sapphire is associated with the eye and the sky, so it was thought that sapphires enabled the wearer to read the future. It was also believed that sapphires render black magic harmless and help the wearer discern falsehood and guile.

October

• Opal is said to provide great luck and increase self-esteem because it possesses virtues of all the stones whose colors appear within it.
• Tourmaline has been said to keep the digestive system healthy, to strengthen teeth and bones and to soothe stress.

November

• In the Middle Ages, It was believed that topaz healed physical and mental disorders and prevented death.
• Citrine used to be carried for protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.

December

• Tanzanite was worn by new mothers to ensure healthy lives for their children.
• In ancient times, zircons were used to restore appetite, induce sleep and protect against lightning.

Pictures from www.windsun.com, www.parentwellbeing.com and www.pricescope.com.

It is believed that birthstones originated during the time of Moses, because it was at his command that the breast plate of Aaron, a high priest, be made with 12 colors representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

People soon wanted to own the 12 stones of the sacred breast plate and began wearing one gemstone per month. This practice soon changed as people desired individuality. They began wearing only the gemstone associated with their birth month, thus creating “birthstones.”

It was believed that each birthstone represented a magical power such as protecting the wearer in battle, ensuring fertility, aiding in sleep and preventing drunkenness.

If you don’t know what your birthstone is or want to know someone else’s, check out the list below.

• January: Garnet
• February: Amethyst
• March: Aquamarine
• April: Diamond
• May: Emerald
• June: Pearl or Alexandrite
• July: Ruby
• August: Peridot
• September: Sapphire
• October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline
• November: Golden Topaz or Citrine
• December: Tanzanite or Blue Zircon

Our next post will include information about each birthstone — including some of the funny reasons people used gemstones.

National Jeweler

In February they wrote about the 507-carat Cullinan rough diamond, which was unearthed last September in South America by Petra Diamonds Ltd., a London-based mining company.

Dubbed the “Cullinan Heritage,” the diamond rough weighs exactly 507.5 carats and looks a bit like a large (oddly-shaped) chicken egg.

Petra sold the diamond to a Hong-Kong jewelry company for $35.3 million, the highest sale price ever recorded for a rough diamond. In a press release to National Jeweler, Petra said it doesn’t yet know what the buyer, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Ltd., plans to do with the rough.

“According to the release, the price achieved for the Cullinan Heritage is a reflection of the incredible rarity of the diamond in terms of size as well as color and clarity,” the NJ article states. The rough sold for a little less than $70,000 per carat.

This diamond is the 19th largest piece of rough ever unearthed. The Cullinan mine has been the source of many other spectacular diamonds, including the largest gem-quality rough diamond in history. It was called the “Cullinan” and weighed an incredible 3,106 carats — imagine what that looks like in your hand! 
 
To read the full National Jeweler article, visit http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/diamonds/pricing/e3i7f27204a864d83e7eecfcc08d4a6dd83.

Photo from www.idexonline.com portrays Petra CEO Johan Dippenaar holding the Cullinan Heritage.

According to the February 2010 edition of Jewelry Insurance Issues, a monthly newsletter for jewelry insurance professionals, pink diamonds are pink because of their structure and a process known as “plastic deformation.” Many other fancy-colored diamonds get their color from impurities embedded in the gem material. However, in pinks, intense pressure changes the lattice structure of the diamond while the crystal is growing. This produces the visual spectrum of pinks from bubble gum to raspberry.

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) laboratories grade hundreds of thousands of diamonds every year and of those diamonds only 5 percent are strongly saturated colors called fancies. The JII article states of that 5 percent, only a tiny fraction are classified as pink.

The article also indicates that nearly all of these high-value pink diamonds come from the Argyle diamond mine in Australia. The very best pink diamonds are offered each year in an exclusive sale known as the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender.

“For every million carats of rough pink diamonds produced by the mine, only one carat is of high enough quality to be offered for sale at the tender.”

The rarity of pink diamonds makes them extremely expensive. For example, a 5-carat pink diamond set world auction records in December 2009 by selling for $2.1 million per carat!

Whether a consumer has looked for diamonds online, at second-hand jewelry distributors, large chains or independent jewelers, they’ve likely heard prices all over the map. Granted, each diamond distributor may not have the same stone so prices have to vary based on the exact qualities of a diamond. But that said, diamonds of similar cut, color, clarity and carat weight should at least fall into the same ballpark.

In an effort to reduce confusion and increase confidence in diamond buying, the International Diamond Exchange (IDEX) has launched a website with a suggested retail price list for diamonds. The site is www.DiamondSRP.com.

It is not a complete website yet, but consumers can enter specific information about a desired diamond and will learn the maximum retail price they should pay for that diamond. For instance, a 0.75 carat round diamond with G color, SI2 clarity should not go for more than $5,934 per carat.

At this point, the site has prices for colorless diamonds with grading reports, so that does not include fancy colors like yellow or stones that have not been through a laboratory.

These suggested retail prices are based on current market data and the pricing methodology is explained on the Diamond SRP website. (Click here to learn more: http://www.idexonline.com/DRBMethodology.asp)

Visit National Jeweler at www.nationaljeweler.com.

Wife

• Diamond Studs – Available in many shapes and sizes, you’re sure to find a pair that will fit your budget. $200 and up
• Diamond Tennis Bracelet – There are stunning all-diamond styles or diamonds mixed with other gemstones like sapphires and rubies.  If you don’t want to spend a lot, go for a well-made bracelet with less diamonds, perhaps one diamond link to every two gold links, rather than a cheaply-made bracelet with more and/or larger diamonds. $1,000 and up
• Lorenzo Jewelry – This line consists of silver and 18k-yellow gold colored-gemstone jewelry, and especially stunning this year are designs with green amethyst and varying shades of citrine. $250 to $600
• Rainbow Sapphire – Beautiful bracelets, rings, pendants and earrings in both modern and traditional designs stunningly display the sapphires in a full range of color. $450 and up

Mother

• Loving Family Pendant –  In sterling silver or 14k yellow gold, these come in lots of family arrangements like one parent and two children, two parents and three children, etc. $40 to $200
• Watch — Seiko has many beautiful diamond watches and Citizen‘s Eco Drive technology means she’ll never have to replace the battery in her watch. $120 to $800
• Birthstone Pendants or Earrings — If she already has her own birthstone, get jewelry that displays her children’s birthstones. If she has more than one child, this gives you future gift ideas because you can get one pendant this year, another for her birthday, matching earrings next Christmas, etc. $150 and up depending on birthstone

Girlfriend

• Hot Diamonds – Great sterling silver collections featuring rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets, each with at least one genuine diamond. $100 to $550
• Elle – Modern sterling silver designs each featuring a uniquely-placed ruby.$100 to $400
• Pearls – From a single drop Tahitian pendant to a strand of white akoyas or a 6-foot multi-colored freshwater strand, there are pearls for every occasion. $100 and up

Sister

• Lorenzo Jewelry – Consisting of silver and 18k yellow gold, this line offers a big look (think 10 mm blue topaz, citrine or amethyst rings and pendants) without breaking the bank. $250 to $600
• Diamond Cross or Circle Pendant — Whether covered in diamonds or just a beautifully simple design with a single diamond, there’s a pendant to match your budget and her style. $200 and up
• Dangle Earrings — Designs in silver, gold and white gold can easily be dressed up or worn casually and many styles feature pretty pearls and colored gemstones. $75 and up

Daughter

• Jewelry Box — There are many styles and sizes available in finishes like mahogany, oak and cherry, as well as silver-plated boxes in heart and oval shapes and even the classic ballerina box. $30 to $300
• Birthstone Jewelry — No matter her age, there is adorable jewelry for your precious daughter. Special children’s sizes include crosses, lockets and earrings, and if she’s older there are styles from classic to ornate. $60 and up
• Charms — there is a charm for any activity or interest you can think of, including skis, a blow dryer, pigs, pianos, Christmas trees, communion and birthday cakes. If she doesn’t already have a charm bracelet start one for her because charms make great gifts for birthdays, Easter, graduation, etc. $15 to $100 for silver $100 to $400 for gold

Husband

• Citizen Watch – Eco Drive technology harnesses the power of light and converts it into energy that is stored in a rechargeable battery to run forever, and the Stiletto line is one of the thinnest on the market. $125 to $800
• Northern Front Range Ring – If you live in Northern Colorado, this ring will be quite a hit, especially if your husband likes the outdoors; it’s available in three different styles each depicting mountains like Longs Peak, Mummy Mountain and Horsetooth. $570 to $1150
• William Henry Pen – Many months and even more individual steps go into making these limited edition writing instruments that blend titanium with exotic woods, gemstones, mokume and damascus to create bold designs that include roller ball and ball point converters. $875 to $2000

Father

• Seiko Watch – Neat features like perpetual calendar, which automatically adjusts for odd and even months including leap year, and alarm chronograph that works as a stopwatch and 12-hour alarm are just a few of the cool things he’ll enjoy about these watches. $120 to $800
• William Henry Knives – Taking more than eight months and 800 individual operations to complete, each knife is heirloom-quality and uses exotic materials such as fossil ivories, black lip pearl, opal, wave damascus, superconductor and olive wood. $350 to $2000

Boyfriend

• Citizen Watch — Eco Drive technology harnesses the power of light and converts it into energy that is stored in a rechargeable battery to run forever; combine that with cool features like a stopwatch and military time and you’ve got a great gift. $125 to $800
• Cross Pen — Available in many styles, colors and sizes, these pens can also be personalized with a name or monogram. $45 to $400
• Lorenzo Jewelry – These masculine 18k yellow gold and sterling silver creations, like cuff links, are great for the guy who likes a little bling. $150 to $500

Brother

• Flask – Polished or brushed stainless steel and pewter or leather-wrapped flasks are available in varying sizes and some styles can be personalized with a name or monogram. $40 to $200
• Signet Ring — The best ones will be gold or white gold with his monogram or a family crest. $500 and up
• Citizen Watch – Mix Eco Drive technology, which means the watch never needs a battery, with features like a 43-city world timer, atomic time, digital time or diving depth meter and you have the perfect men’s watch. $125 to $800

Friend

• Book Jewels — These great bookmarks are available in all your favorite colors. $24
• Keychain – There are endless options available in various metals and many have personalized designs like golf clubs, horse shoes and spaces for a monogram. $40 to $400
• Clock – Seiko makes many great designs for the mantle or wall, as well as great travel and alarm clocks in silver, gold and wood finishes. $30 to $400

Many contemporary designers use any technique they can think up while others rely heavily on ancient techniques in new forms. For instance, wedding bands are being made of Damascus steel, which consists of many layers of forged steel — a technique that has been used since 1100 AD in Middle Eastern sword making.

Today, there are designers of all types including large multi-line manufacturers, highly prized exclusive designers and small, local artists. With the variety of designers comes a variety of quality, as well. This provides jewelry styles for everyone in every price range.  Like clothing, jewelry is used as a fashion statement and styles fluctuate with each season.

Polished gold and sleek lines were prominent in the 1980s and early 90s. Bracelets, earrings and rings with invisible-set diamonds, marquise shapes and tapered baguettes were used frequently, as well as clusters of small diamonds. Colored diamonds gained popularity in the 1990s. According to Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers, the increase in was due in part to the ”concerns about quality and origin of gemstones.” 

In the early 2000′s white gold or platinum solitaire engagement rings were all the rage and square or princess cut diamonds were the center stone of choice for younger brides. In the last few years, vintage-inspired designs have regained popularity for engagement rings. This includes micro-pave designs and halos surrounding the center diamond.

Rose gold has made a comeback and there is hardly any material that a designer won’t at least experiment with when designing jewelry. Wedding bands are being made of colored ceramic, steel, tungsten, titanium, palladium and we’ve even seen wood.

Of course the variety of materials creates a new set of concerns and more information of which consumers need to be aware. While titanium is light weight, it can’t be sized so men choosing a titanium wedding band better not want to wear if for the rest of their lives since most all people have to alter the size of their rings as they age. Tungsten rings won’t scratch, but they have to be broken off if they get stuck on a finger since you can’t easily cut through them. 

It certainly will be exciting to see what new and creative jewelry the designers will think up next — especially since gold is skyrocketing and many people cannot afford to spend gobs of money on jewelry right now. One of the biggest trends right now is the use of large, “semi-precious” gemstones like green amethyst, blue topaz, smoky quartz and created sapphires. They are relatively inexpensive so you get a big look for less money than the “classics” like ruby, sapphire and emerald.