Gold, Jewelry
What is Gold Plated Jewelry? And is it a good idea? Part 1
Modern has been around for quite some time now and is very popular. With the deposition of one metal (gold) on another, you can create the same look (at a much lower price) easily. How cool, right? This particular method is usually done on jewelry in the form of gold plated jewelry.
What is gold plating?
Gold plating is a technique in which a thin layer of pure gold is deposited onto the surface of another metal to create a ‘gold-like’ look. Thus it helps mimic the more expensive jewelry pieces at a rather lower price.
Is gold plating of real gold?
Yes! The gold plating makes use of pure, real gold itself. However, the amount of gold used is different from pure solid gold. It’s just a small amount. But the purity level of gold in gold plating and solid gold does not vary.
Most gold plating is done using 24k gold. This ensures that you’re able to achieve that lustrous gold shine on your jewelry.
What is the process of gold plating?
Gold plating is done in 3 steps:
- Cleaning the base metal and removing all the pollutants and dirt from the surface. This will help to achieve the best results because the cleaner, the better.
- Plating a thin layer of nickel on the base metal. This helps keep the gold layer on top safe from the metal underneath which could potentially destroy it.
- Dipping the metal into liquid gold and plating the gold onto the metal surface using the positive charges.
How much gold should be plated for a gold plated look?
Ideally, gold plating of 0.5-1.0 micron thickness is preferred but a simple gold plated look can also be achieved by plating gold of a minimum 0.17 microns thickness.
However, this can vary depending upon the jewelry type and also on how long you want it to last. Thus, if you want your jewelry to have a long-lasting gold plated look, heavy gold plating of 2.5 microns is the best.
Which metals can be gold plated?
Metals like Silver and Copper are most commonly gold plated. But other than that, brass, nickel, stainless steel, etc can also be used.
What is better? Gold plating at home or the plating service?
While at home-gold plating sounds fun, it may not give you the most flawless results. Thus, It’s always better to get a proper gold plating service done by experts. But that’s your choice, if you want to save money or have lots of jewelry that has to be gold free grammar check plated, you can always try those gold plating kits.
Custom Jewelry Design, Gold, Jewelry
Why should you buy Gold ? Is it the right time?
Gold has been a part of various heritage and cultures since forever. It was first discovered in India and is the most popular metal used in traditional Indian jewelry. The British even referred to India as The ‘Golden Sparrow’ because the Indian land was full of precious metals and stones including gold.
Thus, people not only buy it for themselves as an accessory but also consider it sacred to an extent. The use of and its popularity has continued for a long time. But why should you buy gold and is it the right time?
A Golden investment
Gold in itself is a precious metal that does not lose value easily. If you plan on investing in gold, you’ll stay in profit because barely go too low in the market. Even if they do, it doesn’t make a drastic difference overall. If you buy it now, you’ll have something valuable for all your life.
Traditional Significance
Gold has always had great significance in many traditions and cultures. Whether you take it is a family heirloom or new gift, it traditionally has a significance. Even for wedding seasons, opting for gold jewelry is always a good decision. It can help you achieve a regal look at all these festivals and weddings so it’s worth investing in.
Convenient to buy
Buying gold is extremely easy. All you need to do is go to any jewelry store that you love like, Master Jewelers and get your favorite gold setting instantly. And you can even buy small gold items or other forms of gold at your convenience over the months. These can be a very good investment without being too heavy on your pockets.
Great for Gifting
With the festive season around the corner, can be a very thoughtful option as a gift. Even a small gold ring that you buy can be given a gift because who doesn’t love gold, right? Gold never goes out of fashion so you better buy it right now before it’s too late.
Source of Instant cash
Like we’ve mentioned before, owning gold and buying it is an ever-growing form of investment. Why? Because if you have gold at your home, you can easily sell it off for money. Particularly in times of natural adversities like pandemics or during wars, gold prices always paper writing service go up. It does not lose much worth over time so your gold stock can result in monetary profit to you in hard times.
Custom Jewelry Design, Jewelry, Necklaces
Sapphires- The Favored Gemstone
Whether royal blue or hot pink, sapphires are one of the most popular stones among jewelry buyers. Read ahead to learn more about this dazzling gemstone.
What are sapphires made of?
Sapphires mostly consist of the mineral conundrum. What’s so special about sapphires is that by adding small doses of other elements, sapphires can be altered to form almost any colour of the rainbow. For example, blue sapphires get their colour by adding tiny amounts of titanium and iron into conundrum while pink sapphires are made by adding small amounts of chromium.
Why We Love Them
Sapphires are only rightly a favourite among jewellery buyers. They come in a variety of colours and shades, meaning everyone can find something that dazzles them. Another feature found in some sapphires is a colour shift that seems a different shade in changing light conditions. Bicolor sapphires, on the other hand, flaunt two distinct colours all the time. Sapphires are also one of the hardest stones out there (found just below diamonds on the Mohs Hardness Scale). This makes them durable and resistant to scratches and thus perfect for jewellery for everyday use.
How to Choose Your Sapphire
So now that you’ve decided that you want a sapphire stone on your ring, what exactly should you look for while buying the stone?
Colour
Perhaps the most important feature is to check out several colours and find on that speaks to your taste and preference.
Clarity
Unlike diamonds that are scrutinized under magnification for inclusions, it is taken for granted that most sapphires do have trace minerals in them. So the goal is to make sure that there are no visual inclusions visible to the naked eye.
Cut
Unlike diamonds, sapphires have no standardize cut to maximize their sparkle. Instead, sapphire is cut custom. Lighter colours are cut thick to deepen their colour’s intensity, and darker stones are cut thinner to brighten the stone.
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of the stone and not the size. Sapphires are denser than diamonds, and so a one-carat sapphire is usually smaller than a one-carat diamond.
At Master Jewelers Indiana, we have over 20-plus years working with gemstones. Sapphires are a popular favorite for many good reasons. Come in or check out our Sapphire jewelry online. Remember, we are here to design it for your style.
Engagement Rings, Jewelry
Etiquette for Heirloom Engagement Ring
Using a heirloom engagement ring to propose speaks great volumes. The ring itself demonstrates a family history full of commitment, love and belonging.
A heirloom brings with it a bunch of burning questions about how it should be used. Read ahead to answer some question about heirloom ring etiquette.
What is a heirloom engagement ring?
A ring that has previously occupied the finger of a fiancé’s mother or grandmother, or any close or distant relative to that matter, is called a heirloom ring. This ring along with its monetary value has great sentimental value because of its history in the family. Some families have a tradition of passing on rings onto the next generation of their families. Any events or stories of the previous owners’ lives add to its value.
How do you use a heirloom engagement ring to propose?
First of all, it is totally okay to ask your fiance’s family for a heirloom ring. Do it directly and make sure you take into loop all immediate family members. You will most probably end up getting permission for using a heirloom ring.
When you do get the ring, the first thing you should do is get it cleaned, appraised and then insured. Make sure to show it to a jeweller to get it cleaned and any damage repaired. Make sure to get any loose stones fixed.
The next step is to use your detective skills to ensure the ring fits her finger correctly. You can discreetly use any of her other rings to do so, and in case it isn’t the correct size, get permission from her family before getting it altered. You may also get it redesigned, or the centre stone reset according to your preferences or your partner’s taste.
You may want to keep in mind that it isn’t necessary that your fiancé would want a heirloom ring. One big reason may be emotional detachment. You want the ring to mean as much to her as it does to you, so avoid using the ring out of the blue. Acquaint her with the history of the previous wearer first. Even after, it may not necessarily mean the ring is for her.
Gold, Jewelry
Is gold jewelry a good investment?
Gold jewelry is undoubtedly an excellent investment if you’re interested in wearing it. The experts have long endorsed the psychological and financial benefits of this personal investment. But is gold jewelry good as a purely financial investment? Investors seem not to think so.
Some important arguments are put forward
Experts say it’s a good thing to keep in mind that gold jewelry comprises 43% of the total demand for gold, and jewelry manufacturers can charge way more than the base value of gold because of the craftsmanship put into designing the jewelry. This inflated price is then subject to a variety of taxes, making gold jewelry way more expensive than the actual value of the gold.
When is gold jewelry a good investment? Should I Buy Gold Coins Instead?
Gold coins are less practical than jewelry simply because they have little practical use as they cannot be worn or integrated in an outfit. This makes an oz. bar of gold or an oz. of gold coins less costly than 1 oz. of jewelry. The fact that the value of gold coins is linked to the true value of the gold and not to any craftsmanship or visual appeal makes gold coins and bars much more practical investment. Gold coins are very easy to purchase nowadays and can be bought instead of jewelry or bars. Buying coins from a reputable online store can help prevent you from being duped for fake gold.
Is gold jewelry a good investment for the gold value?
The price for an oz. of a gold bar or coins can easily be calculated using the current gold rate while calculating the worth of a necklace is much more complicated as you need to consider the dealer’s share and the design’s worth. Again, this makes gold coins a much more practical financial investment. Gold jewelry can be invested in if you want and intend to use the jewelry so that you can get its full worth.
It is, however, a simple fact. Gold in any shape and form is a great hedge fund against inflation.
Custom Jewelry Design, Jewelry
Cleaning your jewelry during COVID
This pandemic sure has brought upon us some strange times. How many times a day do you wash your hands singing ‘Happy Birthday’ every day? And how many times do you end up using alcohol sanitizer in a day? Probably a lot. While doing so, you might be wearing your rings. Maybe because you’re used to wearing them all the time or cheer you up and provide some consistency in your day.
Alcohol and soap, however, aren’t good for your rings. They can damage the stones and make them look unpleasant. This is why taking care of them is of increased importance. Something I do every day is to make sure I leave my rings in some warm water and Windex to clean off any grime or chemicals that may have stuck to it.
Knowing this probably was far from the best method, I ended up in a jewelry store whose owner I used to hand around with not so long ago (before this pandemic took over our lifestyle). According to her: “The safest way to clean your rings at home is with warm water and a mild dish soap—I use Ivory,” she says. “Soak your ring for a while and then use a soft toothbrush to brush any debris in the edges and behind stones.” She also adds that organic stones such as pearls and corals are way more likely to get permanently damaged by cleaners: “The alcohol in the sanitizer can dry out the gems and lead to surface damage or cracking. Hand sanitizer is also not safe on porous stones like opals or turquoise.” She adds that lovers of Georgian and early Victorian pieces should also take special care: “Water can get into rings with closed-back mountings and affect the stones’ appearance. Also, locket rings or any ring that has a photo of some other decoration under glass should not be washed with water.”
Another simple advice was to ensure you removed your jewelry when washing your hands and to make sure your drain was closed so that you don’t accidentally lose your rings! Contact Master Jewelers Indiana today.
Gold, Jewelry
10K gold vs. 14K gold-What You Should Know
10-karat and 14-karat gold are the two most widely used metals in jewelry. Today, we will be helping you understand the difference between the two.
It’s good first to understand that the two are gold alloys made by mixing other metals to the soft gold to increase durability. The amount of gold in the alloy is measured in karats: 24-karat being pure gold.
What Is 10K Gold?
10-karat gold consists of 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals such as copper, silver, and nickel. 10-karat jewelry is usually stamped with the marking 10K, 10KT, or 0.417.
What Is 14K Gold?
14-karat gold consists of 14 parts of gold and ten parts of other metals. Jewelry of this alloy is marked as 14K, 14KT, or 0.583.
10K Gold Is Cheaper Than 14K Gold
A key difference between the two types of gold is that 10K jewelry is usually cheaper than 14K items because of the lower gold proportion that it contains.
14K Gold Has a Better Color
In appearance, 14K gold understandably has a somewhat yellower color and is more similar in appearance to pure gold. This is not noticeable to the common eye, though; 14k gold does however tarnish quicker.
10K Gold Is Harder
Lower gold content doesn’t mean lower quality. This gold standard has its benefits. The major one being it is more durable, tarnishes slower, and gets scratched less frequently.
10K Gold: Not for People Allergic to Nickel
10K gold contains more nickel than 14K gold, which is why it is less suitable for people allergic to the metal as it may cause skin irritation and other symptoms.
Things to keep in mind when selecting 10K and 14K Gold
10K and 14K gold have their own merits, and none of them can be said to be superior to the other in all aspects. If you’re looking for a piece of jewelry, 10K is better due to its higher durability and lower cost. As for appearance, it is up to you to judge whether any of them looks better. If you’re looking for diamond jewelry, 14K may be the lowest karat of gold available, leaving you no choice in that domain.
Gold, Jewelry, Necklaces
Selling Gold Jewelry?!- Heres what to know
Gold rates have started hitting record highs as the financial uncertainty of the situation has caused people to start hoard the precious commodity. Selling jewelry has never been easier as there is no shortage of choices on how to sell, ranging from your local pawn shop or to an online jewelry store. Even eBay has added a new section to its website called the Bullion Center, a place for people to trade bullion including but not limited to gold and silver coins and bars. No matter where you decide to sell your metal, here are some tips to keep in mind while doing so.
Check out all your options: Always get a quote from at least a couple of local jewelry shops to have a base price in mind while negotiating offers. This also makes sure you’re not cheated out of your jewelry’s actual worth.
Always read the fine print: Consumers are always advised to make sure they read all the terms and conditions while making a deal especially online. Even legitimate online dealers can cause you to lose money by surprising you with hidden costs.
Don’t mix karats: ‘Gold parties’ are a relatively new way to sell gold. Though they may be convenient, you may not always get the most for your gold as many cuts have to be paid. At some places, it is weighed together and valued according to the jewelry of the lowest karat.
Beware rogue buyers: “Hotel” buyers are known to move from town to town setting up camp in hotel ballrooms, promising high buying rates but end up paying a lot less before disappearing.
Check credentials and look for reviews: Always check these before dealing with a potential buyer. Legitimate buyers always have a state-issued license to buy gold and are required by law to ask for picture ID when buying from you.
Observe the scale: Though pawn shops and jewelry shops are regularly checked for compliance to weighing regulations, hotel or house-based buyers could pay you less for more gold by altering the units used while weighing your jewelry.
Is it scrap or history? Before scrapping your jewelry, you should check whether your item a valuable antique that could attract a way higher price than its scrap value.
Master Jewelers, a jeweler you can trust, will purchase your gold jewelry. With over 20 years of plus experience in jewelery industry, you know the value of jewelry is more than just money. Visit us online
Custom Jewelry Design, Jewelry
Know How Silver Gets Valued Before You Sell
The value of your item fluctuates when the item is either gold or silver. The reason this fluctuation occurs is because 75% of the silver that gets mined comes from copper or lead mineralization, and the remaining 25% comes from silver ores.
Considering this fluctuation, a jewelry store will always make you an offer based on:
- Percentage of silver
- Currency fluctuations
- Market speculation
- Supply and demand
Besides the aforementioned four factors, fineness also contributes a lot. While gold is measured in Karats, silver is measured by its fineness or purity.
Since silver is prepared in two ways, the ore extraction method and the mineralization of copper and lead, certain assigned numbers such as 800, 925, 958, or 999 decide the fineness or purity of the silver. 999 means your piece is 99.9% silver. Anything less than 99.9% means it is an alloy.
The greater the fineness number of silver, the higher the purity level. Purity levels are measured by the amalgamation of other elements. Greater number means fewer elements.
Moreover, silver is not only used in ornaments, but it is also an excellent electricity conductor, battery element, and the best reflector of visible light.
Knowing the Amount of Silver Your Jewelry Have?
Measuring the weight of your silver is not difficult. If you have a bullion, the weight should be stated on the certificate or the piece. If you have silver jewelry, a scale that weighs the 10th of a gram will suffice.
Many times, the jewelry is adorned with extra jewels and stones. In that case, you’ll first have to weigh the gems, subtract that figure and then calculate the final weight of silver.
Now multiply the weight with the fineness number. For example, if the jewelry weighs 10.5 grams and the fineness number is 925 or 92.5% then calculate 10.5×0.925. The true amount of silver in your jewelry is the result of 10.5×0.925, which is 9.7125 grams.
It is best to sell your jewlery to an jeweler that you can trust so you can ensure you are receiving the best price. Contact Master Jewelers Indiana, our expert staff is ready to help.
Custom Jewelry Design, Gold, Jewelry
8 Tips Before you Sell Your Gold Jewelry
Before you start selling your gold jewelry, here are some of the greatest tips you need to follow.
Don’t rush, take your time!
Before you begin selling your ornaments, make sure you spend enough time examining every piece of your jewelry. Jewelry often holds sentimental value, so make sure the emotional worth it carries is greater lesser than the cost price of the product or else go for the worn-out and lost pair pieces.
Your buyer must know the worth of your jewelry
Ensure the company you are selling your jewelry to is a legitimate market with a proper license to buy your gold jewelry. Check their customers’ feedbacks section and see how satisfied they with their buying are and selling of the company’s products.
Know what you have
Most gold jewelry is not pure gold. It comes in a certain amount of gold mixed with other alloys that ranges from 10, 14 or 18 karats and so on. You will only be paid for the gold that your jewelry contains.
Consider the right evaluation
The intricate and antique jewelry that is costly and seemingly in demand needs to be evaluated by the right person before selling in the market. The evaluation must be done on the significance of the piece and its current demand in the market. There’s a high chance that it would be beneficial to sell it as a finished product.
Know the worth of your jewelry
Keep yourself updated with the market price of the jewelry. The prices may vary but will give you a rough idea of the worth of your piece.
Save yourself
It is recommended to keep a photograph and an official copy of your gold’s document as it will help you get a reimbursement in case a mishap takes place.
Try your luck everywhere
Get good rates bids from multiple buyers before you choose one buyer. Your offers may differ from buyer to buyer depending where you sell it.
Being practical
Selling your jewelry will not necessarily make you rich. You will only be paid for the amount you sold your jewelry for after deducting the amendment charges.
Master Jewelers has over 20 years’ experience within the jewelery industry. Contact us today to sell your gold.
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