Sometime during the 3rd century B.C., Archimedes was tasked with determining whether his king’s crown was gold or some other metal. Nearly 2300 years later, we come across the same question here at Condesa. Nowadays we determine an objects metal content using x-ray fluorescence technology. Not all that glitters is gold! In fact, there are numerous ways in which jewelry can have the appearance of gold. Let us start with a refresher on what constitutes “genuine” gold jewelry.
Diamonds have been sought after & loved for at least two millennia. However, the systematic & focused approach to diamond mining only began during the latter part of the 19th century. Diamonds are rare. Most are found in a geological formation, known as a kimberlite pipe. Only a few of these pipes’ bare diamonds in reliable density. The result is diamond mining that is more difficult & expensive. Moreover, most diamonds extracted from the earth are considered low-grade industrial diamonds.
One common question we get asked is “What is the difference between carat & karat?” I’m sure that you have also wondered this at some stage. This is especially the case, when looking at selections of engagement & wedding rings. Well, the simple explanation is that one is a unit of weight (Carat). The other is a unit of purity or fineness (Karat). A Carat is a unit of weight for diamonds & other gemstones.
When it comes to precious metals – most people think of silver & yellow gold. But did you know there are many colors of gold & lots of other precious metals to choose from also? Let us look at the most popular precious metal choices – engagement rings. Platinum Platinum is often the best option for those looking for a classic white engagement ring. Basically, no metal is better for holding gemstones in place.
When we talk about precious & noble metals, most people think of yellow gold & silver. However, there are many colors of gold & lots of other precious metals to choose from. White Gold White gold is a reliable metal with excellent durability. It holds gemstones in place very well. The alloys used to make white gold are either nickel or palladium. With palladium often being a more expensive option. The drawbacks to white gold are that around 10% of people are allergic to nickel.
Unlike other gemstones, diamonds have very specific criteria for determining their value. These are generally referred to as the 4C’s of diamonds – Cut, Color, Clarity & Carat. All four work together to make a diamond look stunning. 1st C Is For Cut: The most important factor one should look for in a diamond is the Cut. The GIA divides diamond cuts into the following descriptions: Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor The proportions of a cut diamond directly influence the brilliance & fire shown.
Gemstone setting is the art of securely setting or attaching gemstones into jewelry. The task of setting a gemstone can be simple or complicated, depending on the size & shape of the gem & the type of setting. There are many variations of setting styles, from traditional to modern to choose from. Here are the most popular fundamental types of gemstone settings for custom jewelry. All settings are available for discussion.
Gold comes in different colors. The element symbol for gold is Au. The symbol comes from the old Latin name for gold, Aurum. Which means “shining dawn” or “glow of sunrise”. Gold is the only metal that is yellow or “golden.” Other metals may develop a yellowish color, but only after they have oxidized or reacted with other chemicals. There are many colors of gold, this precious metal has many faces.
Customers often come into the studio looking for alternative gemstones. For a custom piece or as replacements in their current jewelry pieces. After speaking about their options, I sometimes suggest the world of phenomenal gemstones. As the name implies, this is a large group of gemstones presenting visual phenomenon. These gems can be grouped into roughly five categories. These gemstones show flashes of scattered light & colors as the gem is moved in the light.
So, you have decided, you are going to ask the one you love to marry you. Congratulations! There are so many wonderful gemstones to choose from, knowing where to start can be a daunting experience! There are many aspects to creating a custom ring, the first part to consider is what gemstone you should choose. Here are our top 10 gemstones that are best suited to engagement rings: Gemstone Choice 1: Diamond There is a reason why diamond is number one on this list!
