For anyone looking to purchase fine jewelry, online shopping can be a great way to find the right piece at the right price. There can be many advantages to buying fine jewelry online - with savings being one of the major factors. Reputable online jewelers usually have much lower overhead costs, and can pass those savings on to the consumer. Another advantage of buying fine jewelry online is convenience - you need travel no further than your computer to choose your jewelry and make your purchase. This being said, there are things you need to consider in order to make your fine jewelry purchase a positive experience.
Choose a Jeweler You Trust
The first thing you need to do is find an online jewelry store that you can trust. You will have to do a little bit of detective work in order to eliminate the less desirable companies and end up with a list of jewelers that you feel confident doing business with.
The Online Jewelry Store Should Provide Excellent Customer Service
This cannot be stressed strongly enough. Before you make a fine jewelry purchase from a website consider contacting the jeweler's customer service department by email and by phone. When talking to a customer service representative, ask questions and pay close attention to the responses you receive. If the rep seems irritated with your questions or is spending the entire phone call trying to rush you into buying a product, consider that a "red flag".
If you contact them by email, check to see how quickly they reply. It should take them no longer than 48 hours during the business week - within 24 hours is the ideal. Look for professionalism and a helpful attitude in their emails.
The Website Should Be Informative
The jeweler's website itself should have information on how to buy a quality diamond, the different types of precious metals, etc. They should have a wide variety of choices, and be able to help you find what is right for you. By providing you with information the company is helping you make an educated purchase.
Look for Quality Craftsmanship
What the Internet can offer you is the chance to shop several stores without having to drive all over town; this allows you to choose a company whose fine jewelry shows attention to detail and craftsmanship.
See If They Offer Extra Perks
Things like free shipping add up to big savings. If the online jeweler is located outside of the state you are buying from you pay no sales tax. Free shipping combined with no sales tax can make a big difference in your bottom line. Some companies offer a discount on your next purchase. This can also save you big money. If a company is offering these or other incentives, they will likely have this information throughout the site and in their shopping cart.
Your Jewelry Purchase Should Provide Good Value for the Money
When buying fine jewelry, you are getting a piece that will last a lifetime and become a family heirloom. Look for fine jewelry that offers the best value which is not only determined by how much the jewelry costs but by the quality of the piece and the materials used.
Online jewelry shopping offers convenience, selection and value. Consider the factors above when making your next fine jewelry purchase so you find the online jeweler that is right for you.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Where Diamonds Come From
120 million carats of Diamonds are mined each year. There are currently two methods of mining diamonds: Alluvial Mining and Pipe Mining. The Alluvial mining method is done on beaches and in riverbeds. When using this method, the water and sand on the bank are held back with man made walls, or a bulldozer is used to move the beach until the level of earth containing diamonds is reached. The diamonds are not sorted right there, instead the sand that has the diamonds in it is loaded into trucks and taken to screening plants.
With pipe mining, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These pipes are natural - not man made. Shanks are put in the ground next to these pipes, and then tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. Using this method, gigantic rocks that are full of diamonds are taken out of the mine and then moved to screening plants for sorting.
There are many diamond mines in operation around the world. Some of the major ones include:
The worlds largest diamond mine is Orapa which is located 240 Km west of Francistown. This mine is owned by a partnership between the government of Botswana and DeBeers named "Debswana". The mine operates 7 days a week and is the oldest one owned by Debswana. It offers schools for its employee's children as well as a hospital and game park. Orapa began production in 1971.
The Argye mine I slocated in the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine has the distinction of being the world's largest single producer of volume of diamonds. Unfortunately there is a low proportion of gem quality diamonds so it is not the value leader. It does, however, produce 90-95% of the world's supply of pink diamonds.
Diavik is another mine owned by Rio Tinto and located in Canada. It is on an island north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle. The island, connected by an ice road is an important part of the regions economy and employs more than 700 people. This mine produces more than 8 million carats annually.
Ekati diamond mine is located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada and owned by BHP Billiton. The Ekati is Canada's first operational diamond mine and the diamonds are sold under the Aurias trade name.
The Baken diamond mine is located in South Africa along the lower Orange River. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.
The largest diamond ever was produced by the Premier mine in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905. Named The Cullinan Diamond it weighed a whopping 3,106.75 carats. This same mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed in at 545.67 carats. In 2003, this mine, owned by De Beers was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine.
With pipe mining, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These pipes are natural - not man made. Shanks are put in the ground next to these pipes, and then tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. Using this method, gigantic rocks that are full of diamonds are taken out of the mine and then moved to screening plants for sorting.
There are many diamond mines in operation around the world. Some of the major ones include:
The worlds largest diamond mine is Orapa which is located 240 Km west of Francistown. This mine is owned by a partnership between the government of Botswana and DeBeers named "Debswana". The mine operates 7 days a week and is the oldest one owned by Debswana. It offers schools for its employee's children as well as a hospital and game park. Orapa began production in 1971.
The Argye mine I slocated in the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine has the distinction of being the world's largest single producer of volume of diamonds. Unfortunately there is a low proportion of gem quality diamonds so it is not the value leader. It does, however, produce 90-95% of the world's supply of pink diamonds.
Diavik is another mine owned by Rio Tinto and located in Canada. It is on an island north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle. The island, connected by an ice road is an important part of the regions economy and employs more than 700 people. This mine produces more than 8 million carats annually.
Ekati diamond mine is located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada and owned by BHP Billiton. The Ekati is Canada's first operational diamond mine and the diamonds are sold under the Aurias trade name.
The Baken diamond mine is located in South Africa along the lower Orange River. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.
The largest diamond ever was produced by the Premier mine in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905. Named The Cullinan Diamond it weighed a whopping 3,106.75 carats. This same mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed in at 545.67 carats. In 2003, this mine, owned by De Beers was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Cleaning Cubic Zirconia Jewelry
Cleaning Cubic Zirconia Jewelry is fairly easy. Cubic Zirconia gems nned to be cleaned to maintain their brilliance. Many things can dull the gem like body lotion, perfune, hairspray, perspiration or everyday wear.
A convenient way to clean your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry is to use a small brushing device with small bristles. Most likely a toothbrush, along with warm to hot water, mixed with mild dishwashing detergent such as Joy. Brush well to remove any scum buildup. Pat dry with a clean cloth. Don't expose your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry to abrasive substances such as household chemicals. Bleach, Amonia, Clorinated Water can damage you jewelry.
If you can't remove the dirt from your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry, take it to a jeweler where they can give it a high pressure steam clean.
Looking for Jewelry? Stop by Katherines Jewelry for all your jewelry needs. Here is the link.www.katherinesjewelry.com
A convenient way to clean your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry is to use a small brushing device with small bristles. Most likely a toothbrush, along with warm to hot water, mixed with mild dishwashing detergent such as Joy. Brush well to remove any scum buildup. Pat dry with a clean cloth. Don't expose your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry to abrasive substances such as household chemicals. Bleach, Amonia, Clorinated Water can damage you jewelry.
If you can't remove the dirt from your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry, take it to a jeweler where they can give it a high pressure steam clean.
Looking for Jewelry? Stop by Katherines Jewelry for all your jewelry needs. Here is the link.www.katherinesjewelry.com
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Earring Joke
I hope everyone had a Happy New Year. I heard an interesting Joke involving Jewelry and thought I would share with you guys.
Being the most conservative guy at work, when Jo walked in the office sporting his new diamond studded hoop earring, he made quite a scene. A colleague approached him to try and question him about his unexpected fashion statement. "Don't make such a big deal out of it!", said Jo, "It's just a diamond earring!". The colleague continued: "I'm just curious to know what made you decide to pierce your ear?". Jo replied: "The fact that my wife accidently found the earring in our bed."
Being the most conservative guy at work, when Jo walked in the office sporting his new diamond studded hoop earring, he made quite a scene. A colleague approached him to try and question him about his unexpected fashion statement. "Don't make such a big deal out of it!", said Jo, "It's just a diamond earring!". The colleague continued: "I'm just curious to know what made you decide to pierce your ear?". Jo replied: "The fact that my wife accidently found the earring in our bed."
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
History Of Rings
I thought I would enlighten you guys with a little History of Rings. Once again this article is going to be short. I would like to see your comments. Please comment below.
During the medievil period all classes wore rings. Rings were typically made of iron, copper, silver, and gold. The material of the ring worn usually indicated the class of the wearer. It wasn't until around the 14th century that faceted jewels appeared in rings. Native Americans use silver and turquoise in their jewelry. Early Christians used the Greek symbol, the Icthus, which resembles a fish.
Rings are used for many reasons. The first one is adornment. There are rings given as a reward for a job well done such as the Super Bowl victory. They are given to represent commitment as in engagements and marriages. Women religious to signify their commitment to God also wear rings.
Rings can be made of almost any material now. They can be made from plastic, silver, gold, or copper, even wood. They can be made of ceramic materials as well. They can be of simple design or something as intricate as filigree. There are school rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, friendship rings and mothers rings (usually the birthstones of her children set on a band. The price range of rings can be anywhere from fifty cents (usually found in the toy machines you see in stores) to thousands of dollars and more or even higher
During the medievil period all classes wore rings. Rings were typically made of iron, copper, silver, and gold. The material of the ring worn usually indicated the class of the wearer. It wasn't until around the 14th century that faceted jewels appeared in rings. Native Americans use silver and turquoise in their jewelry. Early Christians used the Greek symbol, the Icthus, which resembles a fish.
Rings are used for many reasons. The first one is adornment. There are rings given as a reward for a job well done such as the Super Bowl victory. They are given to represent commitment as in engagements and marriages. Women religious to signify their commitment to God also wear rings.
Rings can be made of almost any material now. They can be made from plastic, silver, gold, or copper, even wood. They can be made of ceramic materials as well. They can be of simple design or something as intricate as filigree. There are school rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, friendship rings and mothers rings (usually the birthstones of her children set on a band. The price range of rings can be anywhere from fifty cents (usually found in the toy machines you see in stores) to thousands of dollars and more or even higher
Monday, October 31, 2011
Choosing the Right Ring
This is my first blog entry. It will be short and sweet.
We can be very picky when it comes to picking out jewelry. I would like to give some advice about choosing the right type of ring. Many people look at rings without considering their hands, fingers and comfort. Look at your hands. If you have big hands you might get a solid ring. If you have small thin hands go for the Celtic bands. If you have short fingers try a thinner band. I know this advice is short but I hope this helps. Don't forget http://www.katherinesjewelry.com/ has many different rings to chose from. Here are some examples below
We can be very picky when it comes to picking out jewelry. I would like to give some advice about choosing the right type of ring. Many people look at rings without considering their hands, fingers and comfort. Look at your hands. If you have big hands you might get a solid ring. If you have small thin hands go for the Celtic bands. If you have short fingers try a thinner band. I know this advice is short but I hope this helps. Don't forget http://www.katherinesjewelry.com/ has many different rings to chose from. Here are some examples below
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)