The unit of measure used to value precious metals is a "troy ounce". Every troy ounce of pure gold, platinum or silver can be "diluted" or "alloyed" with other metals to make jewelry. In the United States, gold jewelry is usually alloyed in 10 karat (kt), 14 kt, or 18kt. The higher the karat the higher the level of pure gold your jewelry will yield. The percentage of pure gold in 10kt is 41%, 14kt is 58.3% and 18kt is 75%. So, when the price of pure gold is $800 per ounce, 10kt is valued at $333/oz, 14kt is valued at $466/0z and 18kt is valued at $600/oz. The actual price you can expect to receive will depend on the quantity you are selling. However, if someone offers you less than 50% of the above prices you should find another buyer!
The weight of precious metal jewelry is measured in one of two ways: either in pennyweight (DWT) or in grams (GR). Don't let this confuse you. An ounce of gold weighs either 20 pennyweights or 31.1grams.
When selling your gold jewelry, you should expect to be told the pennyweight or the gram weight of the piece(s) you are selling and a price in dollars per pennyweight or gram the buyer is paying. Example: 10.0 DWT bracelet multiplied by $15.00/DWT is priced at $150 and the same bracelet weighed on a gram scale will weigh 15.0gr multiplied by $10.00/GR and still priced at $150.
Every company buying gold should be willing to quote you their daily price offering for the various karats and the price difference for larger quantities. You should be wary of those who will not give you a straight answer.
In today's marketplace it is easy to find buyers of precious metal on the Internet or in your local area. If selecting your buyer involves mailing your jewelry, be certain you are comfortable with the company's policy for shipping and insurance before sending your valuables.
IMPORTANT: Be careful when doing business with a company that suggests you send your valuables in a "kit' or an envelope and drop in a mailbox!!! You are taking an unnecessary risk of loss or theft. Regardless of how little you may be selling, I urge you to select the company which offers FREE insured FedEx, UPS or DHL service. This type of service offers you the best protection as well as providing you a third-party tracking number which enables you to know when the buyer has received your package.
I want you to receive the most money from the sale of your unwanted gold jewelry. You should expect your transaction to be handled in a safe and above board manner. how to sell gold jewelryUnfortunately, anytime there appears to be an easy way to make a fast buck, dishonest people get in the game. Sadly, that holds true for buyers of precious metals too.
The information I've provided should help you select the best company to do business with, the company paying the highest prices, with the most secure shipping methods and the fastest payment for your Gold, Platinum and Silver. Choose GoldFellow.com to exceed your expectations.
Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/How-to-Sell-Gold-Jewelry---Weighing---Measuring/114902
Monday, March 3, 2008
Identifying Real Gems From Fakes
If you just love to shop estate sales, internet auctions, antique stores, and flea markets to find great buys on jewelry, old or new, then you know how frustrating it can be to find a piece you really love with a price that is too good to be true, and yet be afraid to purchase it for fear it is not real, but a fake.
In this case you are a very good candidate for furthering your basic education in gem stone identification. At first glance the skill involved in this knowledge may seem overwhelming and complex, but there are some methods people use that give them more confidence in evaluating if a gem stone is real that are fairly easy to learn.
Fake gem stones are so much more prevalent today than at anytime in the past. The technique for making synthetic gem stones today is remarkable. There have been instances when even professionals have been put in doubt. If you shop for gems on a fairly regular basis, one of the basic tools you should invest in is a loupe. This neat little magnifying glass is made for one eye observation of gems and other up close inspection of jewelry.
The loupe will allow you to peer inside a stone to more clearly see what its flaws are. In natural gems, both diamonds and colored ones, flaws are always common. You will be able to see scratches and imperfections in faceting on the exterior of a stone more easily with the loupe, and as these exterior flaws can be found in real or fake gems, it may not necessarily tell you if the gem is real or not.
A gem is more likely to be real if you can see interior flaws. Small dark or fuzzy spots are common in a diamond. In an emerald, cracks are common because of the way the stones are formed. Natural rubies have a tendency to have needles, known as silk inside them. These are some basic things to look for when making a determination.
There are books and videos that you can buy that have color photographs that will help you even further. There is the Hodgkinson method of identifying gems that can be studied to help understand how light and rainbow effects of a gem can tell you more of their authenticity. This method is very enlightening and not too complicated to use. Investing in jewelry can be an expensive thing, and knowing what you are getting can be priceless.
Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Identifying-Real-Gems-From-Fakes/100089
In this case you are a very good candidate for furthering your basic education in gem stone identification. At first glance the skill involved in this knowledge may seem overwhelming and complex, but there are some methods people use that give them more confidence in evaluating if a gem stone is real that are fairly easy to learn.
Fake gem stones are so much more prevalent today than at anytime in the past. The technique for making synthetic gem stones today is remarkable. There have been instances when even professionals have been put in doubt. If you shop for gems on a fairly regular basis, one of the basic tools you should invest in is a loupe. This neat little magnifying glass is made for one eye observation of gems and other up close inspection of jewelry.
The loupe will allow you to peer inside a stone to more clearly see what its flaws are. In natural gems, both diamonds and colored ones, flaws are always common. You will be able to see scratches and imperfections in faceting on the exterior of a stone more easily with the loupe, and as these exterior flaws can be found in real or fake gems, it may not necessarily tell you if the gem is real or not.
A gem is more likely to be real if you can see interior flaws. Small dark or fuzzy spots are common in a diamond. In an emerald, cracks are common because of the way the stones are formed. Natural rubies have a tendency to have needles, known as silk inside them. These are some basic things to look for when making a determination.
There are books and videos that you can buy that have color photographs that will help you even further. There is the Hodgkinson method of identifying gems that can be studied to help understand how light and rainbow effects of a gem can tell you more of their authenticity. This method is very enlightening and not too complicated to use. Investing in jewelry can be an expensive thing, and knowing what you are getting can be priceless.
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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Identifying-Real-Gems-From-Fakes/100089
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Diamond Engagement Rings: So Many Beautiful Choices
Diamond engagement rings are proudly and traditionally worn by a bride-to-be as a powerful symbol that she is "taken" and will soon be married to her true love. The ring is viewed as an indication of love, faith, fidelity, celebration, and the wealth of the groom. By placing the ring on his soon-to-be-wife, the groom gives the world an outward demonstration that he not only loves his bride, but also can afford to marry her and take her from her father's care. Diamond engagement rings, with their perfect clarity and indestructible nature, have come to symbolize the purity and eternal commitment between a man and his wife.
Diamonds are relatively new as gemstones for engagement rings, the result of some very clever marketing by the diamond trade industry about 150 years ago. Other precious gemstones like sapphires, rubies, pearls and emeralds served as symbols of an engagement to be married in many countries, especially among royalty. Today, diamond engagement rings dominate the bridal jewelry industry.
Variations among Diamond Engagement Rings
Current bridal fashion favors a solitaire diamond engagement ring set in a band of yellow or white gold, sterling silver, or platinum. However, there are limitless rings for you to choose from, or have custom-designed. The cut of the diamond may catch your eye; Princess cut, Tiffany cut, Cartier cut, Square cut, Pear cut, Teardrop cut, Bezel cut, or Round cut - all are stunning and irresistible. The gorgeous Trilogy ring with its three equal-sized diamonds is said to represent the past, the present, and the future.
The clarity of the diamond engagement ring is important to many brides. Clear white diamonds of SI-1 or SI-2 have no carbon specks or flaws. Most diamond engagement rings must pass rigorous tests by the Gemologist International Association to be declared IF-VS2 clarity, and are considered to be either Ideal or Premium cut. Alternatively, some buyers actually prefer to have a carbon speck deeply imbedded in their diamond as a reminder that the diamond is a creation of nature, formed from the blackest carbon into a thing of timeless beauty.
While we generally consider diamonds as being clear, in fact diamonds come in many colors such as yellow, blue, or pink. Gemologists say that some of the most exquisite natural diamond colors are found in canary yellow diamond engagement rings. Colored diamonds are always the subject of delighted comments from buyers and friends of the bride who see these rings as unique and very meaningful.
An increasing trend among diamond engagement rings are cubic zirconium and moissanite stones. Among diamond traditionalists, these are "fake diamonds" of little or no worth. In reality, these clear white stones are diamonds, as "real" as those mined in Australia or Africa. The only difference is that these diamonds are man-made in laboratories rather than by nature over hundreds of years. Both are made from carbon, both have a pure white color. In fact, the CZ and moissanite diamonds are more refractive than natural diamonds, giving them a blinding brilliance than never dims. These diamond engagement rings cost only a fraction of what a highest-quality natural diamond would cost. Most buyers find that the band in which the diamond is set costs more than the diamond itself! For couples with a limited budget but who also want a large, impressive diamond, the CZ and moissanite diamonds may be the answer.
Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Diamond-Engagement-Rings--So-Many-Beautiful-Choices/37507
Diamonds are relatively new as gemstones for engagement rings, the result of some very clever marketing by the diamond trade industry about 150 years ago. Other precious gemstones like sapphires, rubies, pearls and emeralds served as symbols of an engagement to be married in many countries, especially among royalty. Today, diamond engagement rings dominate the bridal jewelry industry.
Variations among Diamond Engagement Rings
Current bridal fashion favors a solitaire diamond engagement ring set in a band of yellow or white gold, sterling silver, or platinum. However, there are limitless rings for you to choose from, or have custom-designed. The cut of the diamond may catch your eye; Princess cut, Tiffany cut, Cartier cut, Square cut, Pear cut, Teardrop cut, Bezel cut, or Round cut - all are stunning and irresistible. The gorgeous Trilogy ring with its three equal-sized diamonds is said to represent the past, the present, and the future.
The clarity of the diamond engagement ring is important to many brides. Clear white diamonds of SI-1 or SI-2 have no carbon specks or flaws. Most diamond engagement rings must pass rigorous tests by the Gemologist International Association to be declared IF-VS2 clarity, and are considered to be either Ideal or Premium cut. Alternatively, some buyers actually prefer to have a carbon speck deeply imbedded in their diamond as a reminder that the diamond is a creation of nature, formed from the blackest carbon into a thing of timeless beauty.
While we generally consider diamonds as being clear, in fact diamonds come in many colors such as yellow, blue, or pink. Gemologists say that some of the most exquisite natural diamond colors are found in canary yellow diamond engagement rings. Colored diamonds are always the subject of delighted comments from buyers and friends of the bride who see these rings as unique and very meaningful.
An increasing trend among diamond engagement rings are cubic zirconium and moissanite stones. Among diamond traditionalists, these are "fake diamonds" of little or no worth. In reality, these clear white stones are diamonds, as "real" as those mined in Australia or Africa. The only difference is that these diamonds are man-made in laboratories rather than by nature over hundreds of years. Both are made from carbon, both have a pure white color. In fact, the CZ and moissanite diamonds are more refractive than natural diamonds, giving them a blinding brilliance than never dims. These diamond engagement rings cost only a fraction of what a highest-quality natural diamond would cost. Most buyers find that the band in which the diamond is set costs more than the diamond itself! For couples with a limited budget but who also want a large, impressive diamond, the CZ and moissanite diamonds may be the answer.
Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Diamond-Engagement-Rings--So-Many-Beautiful-Choices/37507
Choosing the Engagement Ring that's Right for You
Contrary to popular thought and memory, engagement rings, especially diamond rings, are not an "age old" tradition; it is a fairly new preference that was propelled by some very clever marketing about 150 years ago. Fortunately for the jewelry industry, the idea caught on in a very big way. Today, we associate engagement rings with the ultimate symbol of love, a symbol of the life-long commitment of two people.
The hottest trend in engagement rings today are those designed for men. Other trends involve rings that are not diamond-based, but display a variety of gemstones like rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, and blue topaz. Since engagement rings are not only a Western or American tradition, other countries such as Japan, Ireland, Germany and Sweden have their own popular styles.
What Should I Look for in an Engagement Ring?
First, keep in mind that you will be wearing this particular ring for a very long time. (Hopefully) You will probably be wearing it every day of your life. Thus, the ring needs to be sturdy in construction. For the band, the most durable metal by far is platinum. It is virtually indestructible, but is also very expensive. Recently titanium has begun to rival platinum as a band setting because it's extremely durable and much less expensive than platinum. Even with these advantages, a platinum setting in an engagement ring not only holds its value over time, but the ring will even increase in value.
Gold, white gold, and silver are popular band settings for engagement rings. They are not only beautiful, but hardy as well. Softer metals are not recommended since an engagement ring can take a beating over time. Gold bands should be either 14 or 18 carats; 9-carat rings are not considered sufficiently durable. Sterling silver bands should be either 925 or 375 in quality.
When it comes to choosing a gemstone for your ring, diamonds are not the only "proper" stone; this concept is the clever invention of the diamond industry. All over the world, gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, chrysoberyl, white or pink pearls, and spinel. In fact, these hard, durable gemstones were the engagement rings of European royalty in the 1700's and 1800's, with diamonds added only in the last century.
Increasingly popular are engagement rings that consist of several different types of precious gemstones. You might choose a ring with a ruby in the middle, with diamonds on each side. Alternatively, you might like a diamond ring surrounded by sapphires. These rings are not only crafted by gemologists in bulk, but you can also order a custom-made ring that consists of the birthstones of the bride and groom.
Choose the engagement ring that best suits your taste. It's yours for life, so let your love and your creativity be your guide.
Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Choosing-the-Engagement-Ring-that-s-Right-for-You/37834
The hottest trend in engagement rings today are those designed for men. Other trends involve rings that are not diamond-based, but display a variety of gemstones like rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, and blue topaz. Since engagement rings are not only a Western or American tradition, other countries such as Japan, Ireland, Germany and Sweden have their own popular styles.
What Should I Look for in an Engagement Ring?
First, keep in mind that you will be wearing this particular ring for a very long time. (Hopefully) You will probably be wearing it every day of your life. Thus, the ring needs to be sturdy in construction. For the band, the most durable metal by far is platinum. It is virtually indestructible, but is also very expensive. Recently titanium has begun to rival platinum as a band setting because it's extremely durable and much less expensive than platinum. Even with these advantages, a platinum setting in an engagement ring not only holds its value over time, but the ring will even increase in value.
Gold, white gold, and silver are popular band settings for engagement rings. They are not only beautiful, but hardy as well. Softer metals are not recommended since an engagement ring can take a beating over time. Gold bands should be either 14 or 18 carats; 9-carat rings are not considered sufficiently durable. Sterling silver bands should be either 925 or 375 in quality.
When it comes to choosing a gemstone for your ring, diamonds are not the only "proper" stone; this concept is the clever invention of the diamond industry. All over the world, gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, chrysoberyl, white or pink pearls, and spinel. In fact, these hard, durable gemstones were the engagement rings of European royalty in the 1700's and 1800's, with diamonds added only in the last century.
Increasingly popular are engagement rings that consist of several different types of precious gemstones. You might choose a ring with a ruby in the middle, with diamonds on each side. Alternatively, you might like a diamond ring surrounded by sapphires. These rings are not only crafted by gemologists in bulk, but you can also order a custom-made ring that consists of the birthstones of the bride and groom.
Choose the engagement ring that best suits your taste. It's yours for life, so let your love and your creativity be your guide.
Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Choosing-the-Engagement-Ring-that-s-Right-for-You/37834
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