How to Clean your Rings and Other Jewelry!

For those of you looking for better ways to clean your rings and other jewelry without a visit to your local jewelry shop, there is a way, you can use one of these Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners that will get rid of dirt and dust particles using 42,000Hz of ultrasonic waves. Not only is this safer but your jewelry will thank you for it.

This is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner selected best for effectiveness and ease of use in tests conducted by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute. The cleaner scored highest for effectiveness because it generates 42,000Hz of ultrasonic sound waves that remove dirt and dust particles from rings, bracelets, and necklaces without manual scrubbing or harsh chemicals. It scored best for ease of use because it has a 16 oz. stainless steel tank (for proper sound wave impedance), an easy-to-read maximum fill line, and uses plain tap water for cleaning.

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What colorless gem has recently found a second career as a diamond substitute?

When it comes to gems, all that glitters isn’t diamond. The need for low price-point diamond substitutes has led designers to leave no colorless stone unturned in their exhaustive search for diamond essence at clear quartz prices. Obviously, our mystery stone is not quartz.

Neither is it zircon, which we have pitched for more than a year as an inexpensive natural diamond look-alike. So what is it? Well, here’s a generous, if not giveaway, clue. This gem was once found in the United States and may be found there again some day. Indeed, it owes its name to its American place of discovery.

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Slashing Prices with No Loss in Markup or Margins

I don't discount to survive. I give affordable alternatives. I am the bargain hunter's dream come true. How? I have learned how to be a non-traditional jeweler who can sell traditional jewelry by re-inventing it. Others give the old for less. I give the new for less. It's easy to do. Let me show you my method:
Let's take a three-stone ring (mounting #4797) from Stuller that I frequently offer customers.

Why am I using Stuller? Stuller's catalog is a great place to introduce shoppers to the incredible diversity of choices available to them. I use the catalog to explain alternative gems and metals that save money without sacrificing quality or beauty. But be forewarned: the catalog is useless if the jeweler doesn't have knowledge and appreciation of the cost-savings detours they are offering.

This 5.97-carat white zircon has everything a diamond has--except the price. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.
Remember: Sell only what you love or respect. I honestly believe white zircon is as beautiful as diamonds. And I think palladium is infinitely preferable to white gold. At every stage in the alternatives process, you must be able to talk knowledgeably about the options you are proposing. And you must believe in these options. So if you don't know about the alternatives, bone up on them. I find Colored Stone gives me constant tutoring in new gems and metals. Okay, let's get started. I've prepared a table that will take you from high to low prices for a three-stone ring that is an object of great desire for many women. You won't need your calculators. I've done the computations for you. Get ready to be amazed at how much you can save your customers.

For those who want the fine blue of sapphire for far less money, may we suggest this 6.83-carat tanzanite. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.
[Note: I’ve used Stuller’s catalog as a main frame of reference so that you can double-check my prices. However, I source some gems such as white zircon from other dealers. All prices are double keystone.] Here’s how this exercise in price-slashing works. I start at the top of expense chain and work down, substituting lower-price metals and gems as I go along. See for yourself how easy it is to play price-hero to consumers without sacrificing margins and profitability.

For bottom fishing consumers, there are stones like this 1.51 crystal quartz that give the colorlessness of diamonds at a tiny fraction of the cost. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.
Mounting #4749 with diamonds (5.8mm center; 4.88 mm side stones):
Set in platinum: $7,378.64
Set in 18k white gold: $6,826.00
Set in 14k white gold: $6,624.50
Set in 10k yellow gold: $6,495.00
Mounting #4749 with white sapphires:
Set in palladium: $697.00

Mounting #4749 with white zircon:
Set in palladium: $500.00
Set in sterling silver: $250.00
Mounting #4749 with colorless quartz or topaz:
Set in sterling silver: $100.00

This 2.70-carat iolite is a viable sapphire alternate and an answer to every penny pincher's prayer. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.

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Tips for Buying Gemstone

Gemstone jewelry is beautiful and if well cared for can last centuries. Here are some ways to get the best gemstone jewelry for your money.

Gemstone Jewelry Pricing

Gemstone price is determined by: size, cut, quality (color/clarity/treatments), and type. Here are some questions to ask about gemstone quality:
* Questions on Gemstone Size
o How big is the actual gemstone?
o Will the gemstone be too big or too small for the intended setting?

* Questions on a Gems Cut
o What type of gemstone cut? A well dimensioned "Brilliant" cut sparkles the most.
o How regular is the gemstones cut?
o What are the dimensions of a cut? The deeper (total depth) the gems cut, the more it will sparkle.

* Questions on Gems Overall Quality
o Are the gems damaged? Are there noticeable chips, inclusions, or marks?
o Has the gemstone been treated? (See treatments listed below)
o Is the gem natural or synthetic?
* Questions on Gemstone Color
o Is the gemstones color even?
o How good is the gems color? (Is it vibrant?)
o If you are buying the gemstones for earrings or cuff links, are the gem stones well matched?

Gemstone Treatments

Jewelry dealers may treat gemstones in hopes of getting a higher price. The savvy buyer asks lots of questions and hopefully tests the results. Here are some gemstone treatments to look for:

* Coatings: Jasper is often dipped in petroleum products to bring out color and to seal it. Emerald is oiled; turquoise is waxed.

* Dye: This is the most common treatment used. On clear gemstones, dye may be visible in cracks that are darker than the rest of the stone. Sometimes dye appears as a residue that rubs off or white patches. La pis and Rose Quartz are commonly dyed. Amethyst and Citrine are often dyed. Black Onyx is permanently dyed in normal processing.

* Fake Gem Stones: Some dealers will try passing off fake gems instead of natural ones. There are fake stones for most gemstones on the market. Always ask what gemstone something is if you are not certain. Honest dealers will tell you. If a gemstone looks too perfect it may be fake, irradiated or dyed. I avoid laboratory made products also known as synthetics (unless getting a really good discount).

* Gemstone Swap: When a deal seems too good to be true, the dealer may be substitutiong one gemstone for another. For example, dyed Howlite is often substituted for Lavendar Jade.

* Heat Treatment: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby, Tanzanite and Topaz are often heated at high temperatures to enhance color.

* Irradiation: It is common to irradiate Aquamarine, London Blue Topaz, Emerald, and

Diamond as well as other gem stones. This treatment brings out color and removes imperfections. Many dealers know if the gemstones they are selling have been irradiated. Honest ones will tell you if they are aware of the treatment.

Tips on buying gemstone beads

. Look for the best quality gemstone (if buying real gemstones)
. Verify that the cracks in a gemstone bead are not darker than the bead itself (if so, the bead is dyed)
. If the beads are being sold in a 16" strand -- I make sure it is 16" -- not 14" or 15" if possible.
. Make sure beads are not cracked or chipped by the holes as this tears the thread
. Evenly shaped beads (as appropriate)
. Good color (so can create harmonious necklaces and matching earrings)
. Good sized holes (so can use a stronger thread)

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