DIAMONDS VS JUNK
Fine jewelry and costume jewelry fall into two very different and distinct categories or jewelry markets. Fine Jewelry is more often than not made from one of the noble metals. So, as a rule fine jewelry pieces are manufactured from either solid silver, solid gold or solid platinum. Noble metals resists chemical action, doesn't corrode easily, and is not easily attacked by acids. Solid noble metal jewelry is long lasting and expensive and are normally beautifully designed which ads to their value. One can find 925 silver or 9kt gold earring that are made hollow but that's the exception to the rule. Solid silver rings, earrings and broaches are normally not diamond encrusted, whereas solid gold and solid platinum pieces encrusted with diamonds are beautiful and expensive and construe true and real investment.
However, just because it is solid silver, solid gold or even solid platinum doesn't mean it's 100% pure. Silver commonly known as 925 Sterling Silver is in fact an alloy, composed of 92.5 % pure silver by weight and 7.5% by weight of one or more other metals, which is usually copper. The reason for making fine silver jewelry from an an alloy is that silver 99.9% pure silver, is generally too soft to be durable. Fine 925 Sterling Silver is commonly used for jewelry hosting semi precious gemstones like Ruby, Amethyst, Morganite, Onyx, Garnet Cabochon, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, etc... You may find Silver jewelry hallmarked with one of the following inscriptions. 800, 925, 950 or 957.
Platinum is predominantly reserved for diamond encrusted jewelry and can also be found as an alloy even though it is he hardest of the noble metals. My personal favorite is a 1ct solitaire diamond tension set in platinum because of its strength. Jewelry hallmarked PL, or PLAT or PT950 means it is made of 95% platinum by weight . When platinum is alloyed in a lesser ratio, it will be hallmarked with the alloyed metal first, for example IRID/PLAT which implies 10% iridium / 90% platinum by weight. Platinum is more expensive than gold and reserved for hosting the best diamonds for making he finest jewelry.
Be that as it may, desperate jewelry sales staff commonly use inappropriate terminology to dupe unsuspecting clients into buying worthless pieces of Jewelry at exorbitant prices. Calling stones other than diamond, diamond. In my opinion, if the jewelry item doesn't boast a diamond then the word diamond should never be used to describe it.
A beautiful pair of ruby earrings or a Sapphire ring will never be advertised as diamond rubies or ruby diamonds neither diamond Sapphire or Sapphire diamond but just as either Rubies or Sapphire. But the jewelry industry is replete with silly advertising, for example.
Eg:-1
Breathtaking! 4 Carat TW SIM PEAR Cut Diamond Ring with Accents Engagement Ring
Eg:-2
Amazing! Huge 4 carat SIM Diamond Solitaire With Accents Wedding Engagement Ring
Eg:-3
Astonishing! Huge 4 carat SIM Diamond Solitaire With Accents Wedding Engagement Ring
Eg:-4
Exquisite! Luxury British Princess Engagement Ring -Platinum Colour
The small print saying:- Rings manufactured from "Jeweller's metal" with 18k gold and rhodium plating, simulated diamond. Looking at the above adverts, if you don't know that "SIM" stands for simulant or "platinum colour" doesn't mean platinum then you in for a big surprise. Especially if you bidding for said ring on an online jewelry auction. And the facade continues. One site had the following label to advertise their wares.
Here, the term CZ written in uppercase stands out, almost alerting the prospective buyer into querying it. But when it it written in upper case like the eg below,
Prospective buyers are duped into making a bid and if successful are sort of prohibited from returning it to the suppliers because of their Ts&Cs (Terms and Conditions) which look something like this.
Shipping method Shipping details:- Registered Airmail R350.00 for "each" item purchased. -Returns: A 20% restocking fee is deducted for all returns of Jewelry items from amount paid due to the delicateness of items and shipping fees are non refundable on all items,
Watch out for the junk which is advertised as:-
New 18K RGP* in Yellow gold, ladies Infinity style ring adorned with Genuine AAA crystals
Main Stone:
Genuine Top Quality Swiss cubic zirconia simulated Diamond
Material:
100% Brand New White Gold overlay Ring
NB!
Gold-plated means "covered with a thin layer of gold".
Rolled gold means a "thin coating applied to a baser metal by rolling".
Gold filled means a "slightly thicker gold plating".
Simulated diamonds means "not real diamonds".
"Lab diamond means crystals" made in a laboratory.
Fine jewelry and costume jewelry fall into two very different and distinct categories or jewelry markets. Fine Jewelry is more often than not made from one of the noble metals. So, as a rule fine jewelry pieces are manufactured from either solid silver, solid gold or solid platinum. Noble metals resists chemical action, doesn't corrode easily, and is not easily attacked by acids. Solid noble metal jewelry is long lasting and expensive and are normally beautifully designed which ads to their value. One can find 925 silver or 9kt gold earring that are made hollow but that's the exception to the rule. Solid silver rings, earrings and broaches are normally not diamond encrusted, whereas solid gold and solid platinum pieces encrusted with diamonds are beautiful and expensive and construe true and real investment.
SILVER
However, just because it is solid silver, solid gold or even solid platinum doesn't mean it's 100% pure. Silver commonly known as 925 Sterling Silver is in fact an alloy, composed of 92.5 % pure silver by weight and 7.5% by weight of one or more other metals, which is usually copper. The reason for making fine silver jewelry from an an alloy is that silver 99.9% pure silver, is generally too soft to be durable. Fine 925 Sterling Silver is commonly used for jewelry hosting semi precious gemstones like Ruby, Amethyst, Morganite, Onyx, Garnet Cabochon, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, etc... You may find Silver jewelry hallmarked with one of the following inscriptions. 800, 925, 950 or 957.
GOLD
Solid gold is especially matched with diamonds but one may find gold rings, gold earrings and gold broaches hosting some other gemstones like emerald, or sapphire or tanzanite, etc. Some of these gems are often used as accent stones to flank the center diamond and make for beautiful contrast in stone colour. Gold also come in different grades ranging from 9kt to 24kt. Once again, like silver is an alloy composed of one or more metals, gold can be found as several alloys, gold mixed with either platinum, silver, palladium and rhodium so that it give gold the hardness needed to make men's jewelry which is normally 9kt. Women's jewelry is mostly manufactured from 14kt and 18kt. Gold rings can also be found with the European Gold Purity Stamp of 999, 917, 750, 583, 500, 417, 375 corresponding to 24kt, 22kt, 18kt, 14kt, 12kt, 10kt, 9kt respectively. Gold of 37.5% purity is better known as 9kt, gold of 41.7% purity is better known as 10kt, gold of 50.0% purity is better known as 12kt, gold of 58.0% purity is better known as 14kt, gold of 75.0% purity is better known as 18kt, gold of 91.7% purity is better known as 22kt, and gold of 99.9% purity is better known as 24kt. The higher the gold content the higher the value. Jewelers use an X-ray fluorescence meter to test the karat purity of precious metals in jewelry without damaging the fine jewelry.PLATINUM
Be that as it may, desperate jewelry sales staff commonly use inappropriate terminology to dupe unsuspecting clients into buying worthless pieces of Jewelry at exorbitant prices. Calling stones other than diamond, diamond. In my opinion, if the jewelry item doesn't boast a diamond then the word diamond should never be used to describe it.
A beautiful pair of ruby earrings or a Sapphire ring will never be advertised as diamond rubies or ruby diamonds neither diamond Sapphire or Sapphire diamond but just as either Rubies or Sapphire. But the jewelry industry is replete with silly advertising, for example.
Eg:-1
Breathtaking! 4 Carat TW SIM PEAR Cut Diamond Ring with Accents Engagement Ring
Eg:-2
Amazing! Huge 4 carat SIM Diamond Solitaire With Accents Wedding Engagement Ring
Eg:-3
Astonishing! Huge 4 carat SIM Diamond Solitaire With Accents Wedding Engagement Ring
Eg:-4
Exquisite! Luxury British Princess Engagement Ring -Platinum Colour
The small print saying:- Rings manufactured from "Jeweller's metal" with 18k gold and rhodium plating, simulated diamond. Looking at the above adverts, if you don't know that "SIM" stands for simulant or "platinum colour" doesn't mean platinum then you in for a big surprise. Especially if you bidding for said ring on an online jewelry auction. And the facade continues. One site had the following label to advertise their wares.
"Absolutely beautiful round brilliant cut 1 carat
CZ diamond wedding engagement style ring".
CZ diamond wedding engagement style ring".
Here, the term CZ written in uppercase stands out, almost alerting the prospective buyer into querying it. But when it it written in upper case like the eg below,
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL ROUND BRILLIANT
CUT 1 CARAT CZ DIAMOND WEDDING
CUT 1 CARAT CZ DIAMOND WEDDING
ENGAGEMENT STYLE RING
Prospective buyers are duped into making a bid and if successful are sort of prohibited from returning it to the suppliers because of their Ts&Cs (Terms and Conditions) which look something like this.
Shipping method Shipping details:- Registered Airmail R350.00 for "each" item purchased. -Returns: A 20% restocking fee is deducted for all returns of Jewelry items from amount paid due to the delicateness of items and shipping fees are non refundable on all items,
Watch out for the junk which is advertised as:-
New 18K RGP* in Yellow gold, ladies Infinity style ring adorned with Genuine AAA crystals
Main Stone:
Genuine Top Quality Swiss cubic zirconia simulated Diamond
Material:
100% Brand New White Gold overlay Ring
NB!
Gold-plated means "covered with a thin layer of gold".
Rolled gold means a "thin coating applied to a baser metal by rolling".
Gold filled means a "slightly thicker gold plating".
Simulated diamonds means "not real diamonds".
"Lab diamond means crystals" made in a laboratory.
