What Does 950 Mean on Platinum Chains?

Rare Alexandrite Gemstone Jewelry

Alexandrite is a highly unusual color changing variant of the mineral chrysoberyl that is often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night” by gem enthusiasts. In the 1830s, Alexandrite was identified in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld, a well known mineralogist, was the first to notice that this rare green, color changing gem […]

The Best Precious Metal for Wedding Bands

Shopping for wedding bands can be a fun and exciting endeavor centered around your upcoming, momentous Big Day. What wedding ring will you and your future spouse hope to wear forever? Answering this question can be an adventure in shopping but it can also pose some challenges. Where does one start? Which precious metal is […]

Is 18K Gold Softer than 14K?

Is 18K Gold Softer than 14K? The shorter answer is yes. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t safely purchase and wear a durable and strong piece of 18k gold jewelry. Keep reading to learn when 18k gold is and isn’t durable enough to wear as fine jewelry. Is 18K Gold Softer than 14K? Gold, […]

What is Rhodium Plating?

What is rhodium plating in its use in fine jewelry, particularly in precious metals, like white gold or even sterling silver? While solid yellow gold is naturally a dark yellow, white gold without the additional layer of rhodium will have a yellowish tint or hue. What is Rhodium Plating? White gold is a popular and […]

All About the Diamond

The diamond is commonly known as the traditional April birthstone. But did you know that diamonds are named from the Greek word, adamas, meaning “invincible”? It wasn’t just DeBeers, but James Bond, who aptly said, “Diamonds are forever”. This statement from pop-culture and advertising slogans alike is extremely suitable for the natural diamond’s properties and […]

All About Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is a valuable silvery-white metal that, despite its many applications, is most commonly associated with platinum jewelry, including such items as platinum cross pendants, platinum chains, engagement rings or wedding bands. Its symbol is Pt having an atomic number of 78 and an atomic mass of 195.1. Platinum has a melting point of 3,215.1 […]

All About Titanium Jewelry

Titanium Properties and Characteristics Titanium (Ti) is a silvery grey metal belonging to the periodic table’s Group 4 (IVb). Titanium is a high-strength,  lightweight, low-corrosion structural metal utilized for parts in high-speed aircraft in the form of alloys, which is why aircraft-grade titanium jewelry, such as titanium wedding bands, are extremely durable and strong but […]

Nickel Allergies in Jewelry

Nickel allergies are one of the most common allergies when it comes to precious and base metals. It is estimated that over 18% of people in America and Canada are allergic to nickel. The official, medical name for this condition is Nickel allergic contact dermatitis (NACD). While this can cause skin irritation, a rash and […]

What is the Mohs Scale?

The Mohs Scale is a qualitative hardness scale that ranges from 1 to 10, describing the ability of a harder mineral, such as a gemstone or diamond, to scratch other softer stones or minerals. It can be very useful to know the hardness of your gemstone when considering purchasing jewelry, whether you are shopping for […]