Answers To Commonly Asked Questions
What is the difference between 10 karat and 14 karat gold?
Pure gold is a very orangey looking and soft metal, rarely used in making jewelry for those reasons. Karat gold is a metal made of pure gold and other metals called alloys. Ten karat gold is 41.7% pure gold, while fourteen karat is 58.5% pure gold. The alloys that are used determine the final color of the karat gold (ie: yellow, white, rose). Ten karat and fourteen karat gold look so similar that it is often impossible to tell the difference without testing. As far as wear goes, some would argue that ten karat is sturdier because of less pure gold content.
How long will my watch battery last?
While there are some "cheap" watch batteries on the market that burn out quickly, the major manufacturers of watch batteries make a quality product. The answer to that question usually lies in the watch, not the battery. Just as a car's gas mileage mostly is determined by the automobile's fuel efficiency, different watches drain their batteries at different rates. A good average battery lifetime is about 1 1/2 years, but some die sooner, and some last longer. Watches with no second hand, date wheel, or other add-on functions tend to last the longest.
Why do Diamonds cost so much?
The basic answer is rarity. Diamonds are hard to find and many of the major deposits are in locations that are expensive to mine. In addition to this, mine workers have to process about a ton of rock to recover less than a half carat of rough diamond. Factor in that much of the diamond coming out of the earth is either not suitable for use in jewelry, and you can start to see why a 1 carat diamond with only minor inclusions and almost no color can be hard (and expensive) to come by. The good news is that "diamonds are forever", so your investment can last a lifetime!
Why does my white gold look yellow?
Pure gold comes out of the earth yellow. When making jewelry out of gold, the gold is mixed with other metals (alloys) to create a metal called karat gold. Depending on what alloys are mixed with the gold, the color of the final product karat gold can be changed to white, rose, or just a lighter yellow. The shades of white gold vary from piece to piece, but white gold usually has a yellowish tinge to it. Since the 1990's, it has become a common practice for almost all new white gold jewelry to be rhodium plated before being sold. The resulting look is a platinum color.
What is Rhodium plating?
Rhodium is a metal in the platinum family of metals which currently has limited uses. One of the primary uses of Rhodium is to electroplate ( a process using electrical current to transfer a fine layer of metal) jewelry to give it a platinum appearance.
Customers often ask to have their jewelry "dipped", a term that is misleading. The jewelry is not dipped in metal, but instead is submersed into a rhodium plating solution during the electroplating process. A video walking through the process can be seen here.
What is the accurate time?
The official time for the USA can be found here.
How can my diamond have a chip in it?
While diamonds are the thought of as the hardest substance on earth, they can be damaged or even broken. It is very common for a diamond that has been worn for many years to show signs of wear, which usually are small nicks in the girdle of the stone.
Do I need a GIA Certified Appraiser to appraise my jewelry?
No, and if someone is advertising that they are GIA certified in any way, I would avoid them. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) "does not certify anyone or anything". Our appraiser is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
Can I take a shower and swim in my watch?
If you look at all of your watches, you will never see one labeled "waterproof", at least not one that has been manufactured in the last 40 years. The United States FTC outlawed use of that misleading term in the late 1960's. What you can do to answer this question is look at the back (and sometimes the dial as well) of your watch for the term "Water Resistant". That label alone means that you can expose your watch to light moisture, such as sweating or getting briefly caught in the rain. In order to be able to use a watch for more extensive water use, it needs to have a depth rating (ie. 30ft, 50m, 5 bar, etc...) accompanying the Water Resistant label. The depth rating tells you how much water pressure a watch is designed to withstand when it is new. Keep in mind that as watches get older, gaskets on the caseback, crown, and buttons age, and the watch becomes progressively less water resistant.
Showering in your watch can create a buildup of grime in the crevices, as well as chemicals like shampoo can cause your rubber gaskets to deteriorate faster. Probably not a good idea.
Can I shower or swim in my jewelry?
The answer to this depends on the circumstances. For example swimming in a pool that is treated with chemicals (especially chlorine) can actually break down your gold through corrosion of the alloys. While ocean or lake water normally will not harm your jewelry, the activities that most people do while swimming can easily lead to broken (and maybe lost) jewelry.
Showering in most jewelry (there are exceptions like pearls) isn't necessarily harmful, but will often lead to a buildup of soap scum.
What should I use to clean my jewelry at home?
The best thing you can use to accomplish is a standard jewelry cleaner, such as the traditional Connoisseurs in the red plastic jars. If you don't have this you can substitute ammonia diluted 50% with water. In either case, you only want to soak most jewelry for a minute or two, then take a soft brush to gently scrub the piece before rinsing it off. Take special caution when cleaning soft stones such a pearl, opal ,and emerald. Also don't immerse any jewelry in cleaner that has glued in stones like rhinestones (aka Swarovski crystals) and pearls.
Can I use bleach or a cleaner containing bleach to clean my jewelry?
No. In fact, you should avoid any and all contact between bleach (or anything containing chlorine) and your gold jewelry. Mild exposure can lead to discoloration of your pieces, while extreme exposure leads to hairline cracks and crumbling of your jewelry. We have seen many rings simply fall apart from overexposure.
Can you size my ring while I wait?
We do not offer while you wait service on more involved jewelry and watch repairs. We do hundreds of repairs each week and our schedule does not allow us the extra time to offer this service. The good news is that most jewelry repairs are completed in 2-3 business days, which is eons faster than any chain store.
Is there a good way to get my ring size without coming in the store and having it measured?
The only solid way to do this is to bring a ring in that fits on the same finger and fits exactly how you want it to. Even that can be tricky because every ring fits a little different and some fit quite a bit different. Methods that we have seen used like wrapping string or paper around the finger are very inaccurate and should not be relied on. A ring being off even a half size might be too much to wear and the entire job may have to be done again. The best method is always to come in yourself and have your finger measured.
Can my ring be sized?
Rings made of precious metals (ie: gold, silver, platinum) can be sized except in rare cases where the design will not permit it. "Modern" metals (ie: tungsten, titanium, cobalt, stainless steel) and plated jewelry cannot be sized. Make sure you get the exact size you need when purchasing this type of jewelry.
My ring can't be sized, what are my options?
If your ring is too large, then we can install a ring guard. This is a yellow or white gold filled bar that wraps around the shank of the ring and tightens the ring on your finger.
Why is my ring turning my finger dark?
This happens for a few reasons, rarely having to do with the actual ring itself. Click here to read an excellent article which explains this.
Why is my finger raw and irritated under my ring?
The biggest reason that we've seen this happen is water (or other liquids) getting trapped under the top of your ring and sitting on your finger all day. This fluid is likely filled with bacteria and who knows what else, which causes your skin to react harshly over time. Sometimes people do have allergic reactions to certain metals, such as nickel, but this is much more rare and the amount of nickel in white gold jewelry has been drastically reduced over the last decade or two.
The only real solution to this problem is to remove the ring from the affected finger for as long as it takes to heal 100%. After your finger is irritation free, clean the ring thoroughly before beginning to wear again, and clean it regularly afterwards to prevent future flare ups.
What is vermeil jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry that is made of sterling silver is called vermeil. This is usually higher quality than other types of costume jewelry which have plating over less expensive base metals.
My chain/ bracelet/ anklet seems longer than it was when it was new, can they stretch?
Yes, gold (and also silver) is a soft metal and items worn consistently on our bodies will stretch out over time. Thinner chains are most prone to stretching, but even thicker pieces will get longer with normal wear and tear. It is not uncommon for a necklace to be 1-2 inches longer than it was originally after years of use.
Should I pull the stem out on my watch to save the battery when I'm not wearing it?
If you have a watch which you wear less than once a month, then pulling out the stem (which prevents most watches from running) can help preserve the battery. This is probably most effective for seasonal watches. If you wear your watch regularly and keep stopping and starting it, you can actually drain the battery faster than just letting it run.
How much will I get for my gold?
Chances are that your gold is either 10 or 14 karat, which means that it is either 41.7% or 58.5% actual gold content; the rest of your piece is made up of other metals called alloys. The gold market price is for 100% pure gold, so one of the key factors in pricing scrap gold is that you are paid based on what amount of pure gold your jewelry contains, rather than total metal weight. Also to be considered are expenses for precious metals dealers such as labor for daily paperwork filings, annual licensing, and bonding which are all required by the city. Finally, we as buyers have to pay refineries a percentage of anything we send them to assay the gold. Once we pay the customer and all of these other expenses (not to mention our regular expenses such as rent etc...), then we can begin to make a profit for the risk and financial commitment we make in buying gold.
The best way to make sure you get a fair price for your gold is to bring what you have to a few different buyers, get firm offers, then take the best one. Trying to figure it out yourself is very difficult, and buying into deceptively worded claims that some buyers make is a bad way to go. Go to someone you, or your friends and neighbors trust.
How often should I have my prongs checked on my stone jewelry?
It is a good idea to have all of your stone jewelry checked at least once a year for worn, cracked, or bent prongs etc... Some settings are higher risk for stones getting loose and should be checked twice a year. We always check your stones for free, and it just takes a few minutes.
What is my birthstone?
Birthstones are per full calendar month, and a few of them will vary slightly depending on who you ask, but here is a good page with the all listed.
Why does my automatic/ self winding watch keep stopping?
There are a couple reasons for this. All mechanical watches require periodic service because the parts get dirty and the lubrication dries up over time. Your watch may need to be overhauled, which we can do for you. Something else to consider: automatic watches are not the maintenance free delight that battery operated quartz watches are. If you don't wear your watch for over a day it will come to a complete stop. In this case you will need to give even the highest quality automatic watch a good base wind to start off with, before wearing it again. Most automatics you can wind for about 30 seconds, or you can shake back and forth for about a minute. Here is a link that explains how to wind and set the world's most famous automatic watch: Rolex.
*This is a growing section of our website and will be updated regularly. If you have a question that you would like answered which is not listed here contact us.
What is the difference between 10 karat and 14 karat gold?
Pure gold is a very orangey looking and soft metal, rarely used in making jewelry for those reasons. Karat gold is a metal made of pure gold and other metals called alloys. Ten karat gold is 41.7% pure gold, while fourteen karat is 58.5% pure gold. The alloys that are used determine the final color of the karat gold (ie: yellow, white, rose). Ten karat and fourteen karat gold look so similar that it is often impossible to tell the difference without testing. As far as wear goes, some would argue that ten karat is sturdier because of less pure gold content.
How long will my watch battery last?
While there are some "cheap" watch batteries on the market that burn out quickly, the major manufacturers of watch batteries make a quality product. The answer to that question usually lies in the watch, not the battery. Just as a car's gas mileage mostly is determined by the automobile's fuel efficiency, different watches drain their batteries at different rates. A good average battery lifetime is about 1 1/2 years, but some die sooner, and some last longer. Watches with no second hand, date wheel, or other add-on functions tend to last the longest.
Why do Diamonds cost so much?
The basic answer is rarity. Diamonds are hard to find and many of the major deposits are in locations that are expensive to mine. In addition to this, mine workers have to process about a ton of rock to recover less than a half carat of rough diamond. Factor in that much of the diamond coming out of the earth is either not suitable for use in jewelry, and you can start to see why a 1 carat diamond with only minor inclusions and almost no color can be hard (and expensive) to come by. The good news is that "diamonds are forever", so your investment can last a lifetime!
Why does my white gold look yellow?
Pure gold comes out of the earth yellow. When making jewelry out of gold, the gold is mixed with other metals (alloys) to create a metal called karat gold. Depending on what alloys are mixed with the gold, the color of the final product karat gold can be changed to white, rose, or just a lighter yellow. The shades of white gold vary from piece to piece, but white gold usually has a yellowish tinge to it. Since the 1990's, it has become a common practice for almost all new white gold jewelry to be rhodium plated before being sold. The resulting look is a platinum color.
What is Rhodium plating?
Rhodium is a metal in the platinum family of metals which currently has limited uses. One of the primary uses of Rhodium is to electroplate ( a process using electrical current to transfer a fine layer of metal) jewelry to give it a platinum appearance.
Customers often ask to have their jewelry "dipped", a term that is misleading. The jewelry is not dipped in metal, but instead is submersed into a rhodium plating solution during the electroplating process. A video walking through the process can be seen here.
What is the accurate time?
The official time for the USA can be found here.
How can my diamond have a chip in it?
While diamonds are the thought of as the hardest substance on earth, they can be damaged or even broken. It is very common for a diamond that has been worn for many years to show signs of wear, which usually are small nicks in the girdle of the stone.
Do I need a GIA Certified Appraiser to appraise my jewelry?
No, and if someone is advertising that they are GIA certified in any way, I would avoid them. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) "does not certify anyone or anything". Our appraiser is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
Can I take a shower and swim in my watch?
If you look at all of your watches, you will never see one labeled "waterproof", at least not one that has been manufactured in the last 40 years. The United States FTC outlawed use of that misleading term in the late 1960's. What you can do to answer this question is look at the back (and sometimes the dial as well) of your watch for the term "Water Resistant". That label alone means that you can expose your watch to light moisture, such as sweating or getting briefly caught in the rain. In order to be able to use a watch for more extensive water use, it needs to have a depth rating (ie. 30ft, 50m, 5 bar, etc...) accompanying the Water Resistant label. The depth rating tells you how much water pressure a watch is designed to withstand when it is new. Keep in mind that as watches get older, gaskets on the caseback, crown, and buttons age, and the watch becomes progressively less water resistant.
Showering in your watch can create a buildup of grime in the crevices, as well as chemicals like shampoo can cause your rubber gaskets to deteriorate faster. Probably not a good idea.
Can I shower or swim in my jewelry?
The answer to this depends on the circumstances. For example swimming in a pool that is treated with chemicals (especially chlorine) can actually break down your gold through corrosion of the alloys. While ocean or lake water normally will not harm your jewelry, the activities that most people do while swimming can easily lead to broken (and maybe lost) jewelry.
Showering in most jewelry (there are exceptions like pearls) isn't necessarily harmful, but will often lead to a buildup of soap scum.
What should I use to clean my jewelry at home?
The best thing you can use to accomplish is a standard jewelry cleaner, such as the traditional Connoisseurs in the red plastic jars. If you don't have this you can substitute ammonia diluted 50% with water. In either case, you only want to soak most jewelry for a minute or two, then take a soft brush to gently scrub the piece before rinsing it off. Take special caution when cleaning soft stones such a pearl, opal ,and emerald. Also don't immerse any jewelry in cleaner that has glued in stones like rhinestones (aka Swarovski crystals) and pearls.
Can I use bleach or a cleaner containing bleach to clean my jewelry?
No. In fact, you should avoid any and all contact between bleach (or anything containing chlorine) and your gold jewelry. Mild exposure can lead to discoloration of your pieces, while extreme exposure leads to hairline cracks and crumbling of your jewelry. We have seen many rings simply fall apart from overexposure.
Can you size my ring while I wait?
We do not offer while you wait service on more involved jewelry and watch repairs. We do hundreds of repairs each week and our schedule does not allow us the extra time to offer this service. The good news is that most jewelry repairs are completed in 2-3 business days, which is eons faster than any chain store.
Is there a good way to get my ring size without coming in the store and having it measured?
The only solid way to do this is to bring a ring in that fits on the same finger and fits exactly how you want it to. Even that can be tricky because every ring fits a little different and some fit quite a bit different. Methods that we have seen used like wrapping string or paper around the finger are very inaccurate and should not be relied on. A ring being off even a half size might be too much to wear and the entire job may have to be done again. The best method is always to come in yourself and have your finger measured.
Can my ring be sized?
Rings made of precious metals (ie: gold, silver, platinum) can be sized except in rare cases where the design will not permit it. "Modern" metals (ie: tungsten, titanium, cobalt, stainless steel) and plated jewelry cannot be sized. Make sure you get the exact size you need when purchasing this type of jewelry.
My ring can't be sized, what are my options?
If your ring is too large, then we can install a ring guard. This is a yellow or white gold filled bar that wraps around the shank of the ring and tightens the ring on your finger.
Why is my ring turning my finger dark?
This happens for a few reasons, rarely having to do with the actual ring itself. Click here to read an excellent article which explains this.
Why is my finger raw and irritated under my ring?
The biggest reason that we've seen this happen is water (or other liquids) getting trapped under the top of your ring and sitting on your finger all day. This fluid is likely filled with bacteria and who knows what else, which causes your skin to react harshly over time. Sometimes people do have allergic reactions to certain metals, such as nickel, but this is much more rare and the amount of nickel in white gold jewelry has been drastically reduced over the last decade or two.
The only real solution to this problem is to remove the ring from the affected finger for as long as it takes to heal 100%. After your finger is irritation free, clean the ring thoroughly before beginning to wear again, and clean it regularly afterwards to prevent future flare ups.
What is vermeil jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry that is made of sterling silver is called vermeil. This is usually higher quality than other types of costume jewelry which have plating over less expensive base metals.
My chain/ bracelet/ anklet seems longer than it was when it was new, can they stretch?
Yes, gold (and also silver) is a soft metal and items worn consistently on our bodies will stretch out over time. Thinner chains are most prone to stretching, but even thicker pieces will get longer with normal wear and tear. It is not uncommon for a necklace to be 1-2 inches longer than it was originally after years of use.
Should I pull the stem out on my watch to save the battery when I'm not wearing it?
If you have a watch which you wear less than once a month, then pulling out the stem (which prevents most watches from running) can help preserve the battery. This is probably most effective for seasonal watches. If you wear your watch regularly and keep stopping and starting it, you can actually drain the battery faster than just letting it run.
How much will I get for my gold?
Chances are that your gold is either 10 or 14 karat, which means that it is either 41.7% or 58.5% actual gold content; the rest of your piece is made up of other metals called alloys. The gold market price is for 100% pure gold, so one of the key factors in pricing scrap gold is that you are paid based on what amount of pure gold your jewelry contains, rather than total metal weight. Also to be considered are expenses for precious metals dealers such as labor for daily paperwork filings, annual licensing, and bonding which are all required by the city. Finally, we as buyers have to pay refineries a percentage of anything we send them to assay the gold. Once we pay the customer and all of these other expenses (not to mention our regular expenses such as rent etc...), then we can begin to make a profit for the risk and financial commitment we make in buying gold.
The best way to make sure you get a fair price for your gold is to bring what you have to a few different buyers, get firm offers, then take the best one. Trying to figure it out yourself is very difficult, and buying into deceptively worded claims that some buyers make is a bad way to go. Go to someone you, or your friends and neighbors trust.
How often should I have my prongs checked on my stone jewelry?
It is a good idea to have all of your stone jewelry checked at least once a year for worn, cracked, or bent prongs etc... Some settings are higher risk for stones getting loose and should be checked twice a year. We always check your stones for free, and it just takes a few minutes.
What is my birthstone?
Birthstones are per full calendar month, and a few of them will vary slightly depending on who you ask, but here is a good page with the all listed.
Why does my automatic/ self winding watch keep stopping?
There are a couple reasons for this. All mechanical watches require periodic service because the parts get dirty and the lubrication dries up over time. Your watch may need to be overhauled, which we can do for you. Something else to consider: automatic watches are not the maintenance free delight that battery operated quartz watches are. If you don't wear your watch for over a day it will come to a complete stop. In this case you will need to give even the highest quality automatic watch a good base wind to start off with, before wearing it again. Most automatics you can wind for about 30 seconds, or you can shake back and forth for about a minute. Here is a link that explains how to wind and set the world's most famous automatic watch: Rolex.
*This is a growing section of our website and will be updated regularly. If you have a question that you would like answered which is not listed here contact us.