Many folks believe that "real" gold, meaning karated gold like 14k or 10k gold, should never discolor- that is a sign that your piece of jewelry is "fake." This is NOT TRUE!
In fact, karated gold can and does discolor at times. We call this "tarnish." Gold can have definite chemical reactions to everyday items. In my experience, bleach or chlorine can make your genuine gold jewelry appear dark or even black in areas. Perfumes, colognes, hairspray and hard water can make your gold look coppery or orange in color. In most cases, using liquid Tarnex will remove this discoloration- but PLEASE read the Tarnex directions carefully. Stubborn tarnish can be removed by the jeweler.
Oppositely, costume jewelry and gold-plated jewelry "turns," (as opposed to tarnishing), which in my vocabulary means that the plating has worn off, and no amount of cleaning with Tarnex or anything else is going to make these pieces look new again. Generally speaking, seeing the color green on any of your jewelry isn't a good sign! How quickly a piece "turns" after you begin wearing it often has to do more with your own body chemistry than just the piece itself!
So as you are sorting through your jewelry box to trade-in old gold for new jewelry at Masterpiece, please bring in anything that "appears" gold and let us determine if it is "real" karated gold. Due to tarnish, some gold items may look fake! We can tell right away- for free!
Coming up next: Ring Rot!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Our Magnetic Clasps vs the "Clever Clasp"
About ten years ago was the first time that magnetic clasps came onto my radar as a jeweler, but those first generation conveniences weren't strong enough for us to feel confident offering them to our clients.
However, around five years ago a new brand of magnetic clasp came onto the findings (parts) market that we have been so very pleased with. The entire clasp is smaller than a pencil eraser, but is so strong that you can barely pull them apart using force. Instead, they have to be slid apart, or separated using a fingernail. They are small, attractive and they do the job effortlessly.
I'm bringing this up because today at Masterpiece a lady came in with a self-installed "Clever Clasp" on her very thin pendant chain. Although at first glance this "As Seen On TV" item seems like a great solution.
However, installing the Clever Clasp adds about an inch to the chain you need it for (which means that it may not be at the right length for your outfits anymore). Additionally, it is bulky and heavy for a clasp (which makes it obtrusive to the design of the chain, and it also tends to come around to the front because of its weight.) And the magnet just isn't as strong as I would feel comfortable with. Lastly, because it is neither karat gold, gold-filled or silver, the plating quickly wears off on some people, making it very unattractive!
Please know that a better, safer, prettier solution exists for those of us who can no longer easily operate traditional clasps- whether from arthritis, brittle fingernails, nerve damage (like myself) or just plain fumble fingers! These mighty magnetic clasps are very reasonably priced and can be installed right while you wait on almost any necklace or bracelet. Yes, you CAN wear your jewelry easily again!
However, around five years ago a new brand of magnetic clasp came onto the findings (parts) market that we have been so very pleased with. The entire clasp is smaller than a pencil eraser, but is so strong that you can barely pull them apart using force. Instead, they have to be slid apart, or separated using a fingernail. They are small, attractive and they do the job effortlessly.
I'm bringing this up because today at Masterpiece a lady came in with a self-installed "Clever Clasp" on her very thin pendant chain. Although at first glance this "As Seen On TV" item seems like a great solution.
However, installing the Clever Clasp adds about an inch to the chain you need it for (which means that it may not be at the right length for your outfits anymore). Additionally, it is bulky and heavy for a clasp (which makes it obtrusive to the design of the chain, and it also tends to come around to the front because of its weight.) And the magnet just isn't as strong as I would feel comfortable with. Lastly, because it is neither karat gold, gold-filled or silver, the plating quickly wears off on some people, making it very unattractive!
Please know that a better, safer, prettier solution exists for those of us who can no longer easily operate traditional clasps- whether from arthritis, brittle fingernails, nerve damage (like myself) or just plain fumble fingers! These mighty magnetic clasps are very reasonably priced and can be installed right while you wait on almost any necklace or bracelet. Yes, you CAN wear your jewelry easily again!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Booming Gold Market
This morning I woke up to talk radio 1150 WNDB, like I always do, and the top of the hour news was talking about how now is a good time for people to get rid of their unwanted gold jewelry. That newscast is less than 6 minutes long (including commercials) and so I found it impressive that this tidbit made it into their tight schedule.
Of course, at Masterpiece Tracy and I have been encouraging our customers to trade in their gold for brand new jewelry for over 2 years now- ever since the climb upward began! It's worth THREE TIMES what it was just 2 years ago! (And sorry about YELLING but I wanted to get my point across!)
We have been trading with customers on a daily basis now for months, and people sometimes ask me what we do with all the old unwanted jewelry we take in. We have a few options: 1) recondition the piece and resell it as a great value in our Estate Jewelry showcase; 2) use the piece for parts in our jewelry repair shop (gold shanks on rings can be used as sizing stock) or 3) it is sent to the refinery to be recycled into new gold.
Like all commodities, the gold market is volatile and can drop at any time, so stop procrastinating, go through your jewelry box, and trade your old gold in to us at Masterpiece!
Of course, at Masterpiece Tracy and I have been encouraging our customers to trade in their gold for brand new jewelry for over 2 years now- ever since the climb upward began! It's worth THREE TIMES what it was just 2 years ago! (And sorry about YELLING but I wanted to get my point across!)
We have been trading with customers on a daily basis now for months, and people sometimes ask me what we do with all the old unwanted jewelry we take in. We have a few options: 1) recondition the piece and resell it as a great value in our Estate Jewelry showcase; 2) use the piece for parts in our jewelry repair shop (gold shanks on rings can be used as sizing stock) or 3) it is sent to the refinery to be recycled into new gold.
Like all commodities, the gold market is volatile and can drop at any time, so stop procrastinating, go through your jewelry box, and trade your old gold in to us at Masterpiece!
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