KGee Jewelry

Kinds of Jewelry

Gold Jewelry:

Gold, while being one of the most precious metals on Earth, is a very a soft metal. This means that when it is used in jewelry, particularly in its 24k gold form, it must be alloyed with other metals to give it the durability that jewelry owners require. Most often, copper is used as the alloy, but silver and other metals may also find their way into the mixture. Types of gold jewelry include rose gold, white gold and more rare forms such as blue gold or even green gold.

Silver Jewelry:

Another precious metal, silver is used frequently to make jewelry. Sterling silver is especially popular and this is a mixture of 7.5% copper and 92.5% silver. A very thin coat of .999 fine silver as usually added as a coating to sterling silver jewelry, a process known as flashing. Since silver costs less than gold, it is the traditional alternative for those on a budget.

Diamond Jewelry:

One of the hardest substances known to man, diamonds are highly valued not only for their beauty, but also for their symbolic value. Diamond jewelry is considered a symbol of marriage or other enduring social bonds. Since diamonds are so rare and their mining is difficult, diamond jewelry is rarely offered at low prices.

Sapphire Jewelry:

The sapphire is a gem stone that is of the mineral corundum, the same mineral found in rubies. Sapphire jewelry is well loved for its rich blue hue that captivates the eye, but sapphires are also found in colors such as orange, yellow, black, gray or even without any color. The sapphire is the birthstone for those born in the month of September.

Emerald Jewelry:

Emeralds are well known as a vivid green stone that will attract a great deal of attention. While there are different shades of this stone, it is often the richer and deeper colored stones that are most prized. The Emerald is traditional birthstone for those born in the month of May.

Pearl Jewelry:

While pearls are not a gem stone, they are considered to be a gem in their own right. The size, symmetry, shape, color and shine of a pearl is what determines its value. Those who value the ability to have something different often appreciate pearls and it is traditional birth stone for those born in the month of June.

Blue Topaz Jewelry:

While topaz itself has no colorless, impurities within the stone give it the range of colors that collectors appreciate. Blue topaz jewelry is prized for its vibrant azure hue and the blue topaz is the state stone for Texas. Blue topaz often undergoes a process of irradiation to strengthen its blue color.

Amethyst Jewelry:

The stone amethyst is different from other gems because it is a form of quartz known for its purple hue. The colors prized in amethyst jewelry range from a pale pink shade of violet to a deep shade of purple called Deep Siberian. This is the traditional birth stone for those born in the month of February.

Garnet Jewelry:

Garnet is an often overlooked gem that not only has an impressive color, but comes in a range of hues from the traditional blood red to a vibrant green that is exceptionally valuable to collectors. Garnet is traditionally the birth stone for those born in the month of January.

Stainless Steel Jewelry:

A fairly recent trend, stainless steel jewelry is becoming increasingly more popular due to its rugged charm and extreme durability. Seen as a symbol of the industrial age, stainless steel is embraced by many subcultures such as the biker fashion movement and many rock music scenes.

Titanium Jewelry:

While titanium is sometimes used in rings and other jewelry, the most common way to come across titanium jewelry is in the form of body piercing jewelry. Due to its ability to be produced at implant grade so that it is safe in the body, titanium is prized for its usability.

Platinum Jewelry:

Platinum is the precious metal that is even more precious than gold and as a result, many of those who wish to own something truly valuable pursue platinum jewelry. Since it is highly resistant to tarnish, chemicals and other stains, platinum jewelry is meant to last a very long time without taking damage.

Tags: common jewelry guide, jewelry types

What to Keep in Mind When Buying Jewelry

As thrilling as the purchase of the right piece of jewelry can be, the process of shopping for it can be quite intimidating. Having the right knowledge to work from can save a person a lot of  stress, confusion and potential grief. Once educated on what they are doing most people find that it is quite easy to find what they are looking for without over spending, whether they are shopping in a traditional shop, a catalogue or even an online retailer.

One of the most common jewelry purchase will always be the precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum. For gold, it is crucial to consider the karat quality. Many times, gold is mixed with another metal such as copper due to its softness to create what is called a gold alloy. Pure gold is 24 Karat (abbreviated 24K) and this means no other metals are mixed in. Since the karat represents the amount of gold in a piece of jewelry, 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of another metal, called a base metal. Most gold jewelry has the karat quality marked on the piece and next to that you should see a trademark symbol such as a symbol or initials to signify the company that created the piece. If you do not see such a symbol, it is better to choose another piece. When something is sold as gold plated, this means that only a thin layer of gold has been applied to the surface of the piece. Keep in mind, gold plated jewelry quickly wears away and as a result, the value does not hold for as long.

Platinum is another heavily sought after type of precious metal more rare and expensive than gold. It, too, is often mixed with other metals. This is why you may see expensive jewelry marked 900 Platinum, meaning that it is 900 parts out of 1000, pure platinum. Similarly, silver is often sold mixed with other metals. Sterling silver is typically 92.5% pure silver, also noted as 925 silver. Silver plating means that a thin layer of silver has been applied to a base metal.

Gemstones are usually precious stones found in nature that are based on minerals that give them their color and sparkle. There are also lab created gems, sometimes called lab grown, that are synthetic (man-made) gems. These imitation gems are less costly than natural gems, but they strongly resemble their natural cousins in terms of visual aesthetic. Many times, synthetic stones may have an even more vibrant color than natural stones in their price range due to the fact that it is easier to create a stone than mine it. Always be certain to check whether a stone is natural or man-made because this can make a major difference in the price you should expect to pay.

When shopping for jewelry, it is always an excellent idea to shop around and compare prices from store to store. It is a smart move to make sure that the store’s return policy is fully understood before one makes such a costly investment as fine jewelry. Making sure that the gem or metal is properly described on the sales receipt can also make a huge difference. Once these basics are understood, buying jewelry is a much more pleasant experience.

Tags: buying jewelry, guide to buying jewelry, jewelry buying guide