GOLD
Gold comes in a variety of colors, most common
yellow and white. Natural gold is 24 karats, however because gold is
relatively soft it is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength
and make it suitable for jewelry. When other metals are blended with
gold it will change to a variety of colors. For example, adding copper
and silver creates yellow gold and depending on the percentage of yellow
gold it will be designated 18k, 14k or 10k. White gold contains platinum
or palladium, zinc and copper. Occasionally you can find “Green” gold
which contains silver, copper and zinc. And in a most atypical case using
copper only creates pink gold.
- 24K Gold: Pure gold, or 24-karat, is generally
considered too soft for use in jewelry, so it is alloyed with other
metals to increase its strength.
- 18K Gold: 18K Gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure gold. Jewelry
of this fineness is marked "18k" or "750," meaning
75 percent gold.
- 14K Gold: In the United States, 14-karat gold is used most commonly
for jewelry. Fourteen-karat gold is 14/24ths, or slightly more than
one-half pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked "14k" or "585," the
European designation meaning 58.5 percent gold.
- 10K Gold: Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally marked
or sold as gold jewelry in the United States. These pieces are marked "10k" or "417," the
European designation meaning 41.7 percent gold.
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Direct Shopping Network has priced our gold
jewelry as low as possible and therefore there is little wiggle room.
Gold Pricing is based on four factors: karatage, gram weight, design
and craftsmanship. The karatage and gram weight tell you how much gold
is in a piece, but other crucial factors determining price are the piece's
construction and design. A price based solely on gram weight does not
reflect the work that has gone into the piece. If you see a gold jewelry
item on the Direct Shopping Network website that is higher than another
you can be fairly certain that the goldsmith’s time to create that
piece was greater than the other.
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White gold is an alloy of gold and some white
metals such as nickel, silver and palladium. White gold can be 18k, 14k,
9k or any karat. For example, 18k yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold
with 25% other metals such as copper and zinc. 18k white gold is made
by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as nickel, silver and palladium.
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Platinum has been called a definite metal because
of its hardness and resistance to elements. It is a beautiful and precious
metal ideal for stone settings. It is typically alloyed with other metals-
palladium or iridium -at 95 parts to 100. Platinum is closely related
to five other metals, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium.
Together these six are known as the platinum group metals.
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DIAMONDS
Colorless diamonds are extremely rare and
highly valued. Most diamonds are nearly colorless with yellow or brown
tints. The GIA Diamond Grading System uses letters to represent colors,
beginning with D (colorless) and ending at Z (light yellow or brown).
The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory uses a Z masterstone to distinguish between
normal range and "fancy" yellows. on the Diamond Quality Analysis
Report.
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One of the most important “Cs” when purchasing a diamond
for personal use, like a engagement ring. Color is an important factor
because the first thing most people notice, most everyone wants to wear
a "white" diamond. Therefore because of the importance placed
upon color, it plays a significant role in affecting value. “D” is
the clearest diamond color grade and continues down the alphabet through “Z” onto “AA” and
so on. A diamond that is a natural yellow color slightly deeper than
a Z grade, its color is designated as "fancy light yellow".
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The presence or absence of inclusions
or flaws within a stone; is one component of the “four Cs” used
in grading stones. Most diamonds contain these distinctive birthmarks
called “inclusions” (internal) and “blemishes” (external).
The higher the number of inclusions, scratches, trace minerals or other
tiny characteristics that can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond,
the lower the clarity. Diamond clarity is rated on a scale, that ranges
from flawless (FL), to diamonds with more prominent inclusions.
| FL |
FLAWLESS |
Has no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10X
magnification |
| IF |
INTERNALLY FLAWLESS |
Has no inclusions when inspected under 10X magnification,
however may have some minor blemishes. |
| VVS1 |
VERY VERY SLIGHT INCLUSIONS |
Contains only minute inclusions, which
are difficult to see under 10X magnification. |
| VVS2 |
| VS1 |
VERY SLIGHT INCLUSIONS |
Contains minute inclusions such as small
crystals, clouds, or feathers when observed with effort under 10X
magnification. |
| VS2 |
| SI1 |
SLIGHT INCLUSIONS |
Contains inclusions (clouds, included
crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers) that are noticeable under
10X magnification. |
| SI2 |
| I1 |
OBVIOUS INCLUSIONS |
Contains inclusions (possibly large feathers
or large included crystals) that are noticeable under 10X magnification
and may affect transparency and brilliance. |
| I2 |
| I3 |
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Diamonds are weighed and sold by using metric carats,
abbreviated “ct”. One carat equals one-fifth of a metric
gram in weight, it is the standard unit of weight used for gemstones,
not to be confused with karat “kt”, which refers to gold
quality. A carat weighs about the same as a small paper clip. Just as
a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 “points.” This
means that a “50 point” Diamond weighs 0.50 carats.
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When gemologists refer to shape, it usually
means the face up outline of a gemstone. The most common gemstone shapes
include round, oval, square, pears, marquise and octagon.
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Cut is a diamond’s final proportions
and finish. Proportions are the size and angle relationships between
the facets and different parts of the stone. Finish includes polish and
details of facet shape and placement. A diamond in its natural state
generally conceals its beauty. Three of the four “Cs” color,
clarity, and carat weight are naturally occurring while the cut is left
in the hands of the master cutter, to release the brilliance and fire
of a diamond. The optimum cut of the diamond gets the most out of the
optical properties within the diamond, particularly its ability to refract
light and disperse color.
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These are terms very often confused.
The easiest way to remember the difference is that “Shape” refers
to exactly that, the shape of the stone. As for Cut it refers to the
way the stone is fashioned, to cut the surface into a number of flat
faces, known as facets. This gives the stone its final shape. For example
there is only one Shape referred to as “Round” however the “Cut” refers
to the size and angle relationships between the facets and different
parts of the stone.
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Enhancement
is the “Old School” term used for the treatment of gemstones.
Certain gemstone can be heat treated to improve their color. Heat-treating
is widely accepted because it is a continuation of a natural process
and usually causes a permanent improvement of the gemstone’s color.
Value is typically not changed when gemstones have been treated or not
as long as the color is known to be permanent. It should be noted that
an enhancement can also refer to the faceting and polishing of a gem.
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In 1996, the Federal Trade Commission’s
(FTC) revised guides for the jewelry industry and declared that under
many circumstances, use of “enhancement” led to deceptive
and unfair trade practices. In a report that accompanied the guides,
the FTC explained its ruling: “Enhancement is…used by the
trade to describe the treatment of gemstones to improve their color or
otherwise improve their appearance. However, the Commission has determined
that a more accurate term is “treatment “ and has added this
term, in lieu of “enhancement “ to the list of attributes
that should not be misrepresented.
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Fluorescent diamonds, especially
the extreme rare cases known as overblues, give a diamond a visible haziness
that undervalues them on the market. They appear almost cloudy in light
with strong ultraviolet content, which compromises their clarity and
decreases their appeal. Strongly fluorescent diamonds with yellowish
body color have the appearance of better, whiter color in sunlight.
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A diamond certificate is a document
which lists your diamond's exact measurements and weight, as well as
the details of its clarity, cut and quality. It precisely points out
all the individual characteristics of the stone, including imperfection
and inclusions. Note that a certificate is not the same thing as an appraisal.
A certificate describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place
a monetary value on the gem.
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WATCHES
Yes. Direct Shopping Network does offer a one
time free sizing. However we recommend that your local jeweler size your
new watch so that you get the exact comfortable fit you want. Also know
that some watchbands like Bulova are 14 carat Gold Bracelets made of
solid gold chains, Direct Shopping Network cannot size these watches
and you must have it sized by the manufacturer.
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Yes, typically ladies watch bracelets come
standard at 7 to 7.5 inches and Men's are usually 7.5 to 8 inches. However
it should be noted that skin-diving (Dive) watches are larger because
they are designed for use while wearing a wetsuit.
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Wrap a tape measure around your wrist
to determine its circumference. A common practice used to obtain the
correct size is simply wrap the measuring tape around your wrist snuggly
(not tightly), then add ¼ inch for comfort.
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You should see a pull down menu just below
the quantity window “Watchband Size”. Select the desired
size to the nearest ¼ inch.
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Yes. Direct Shopping Network will ship the
removed links from your new watch. This is done so that in the event
you need them, you will have them.
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If you determine by your wrist size that
you will need additional links, please use the special request form and
someone here at Direct Shopping Network will e-mail you with any additional
cost and availability of the additional links.
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Yes. We highly recommend that you use a local
jeweler because your jeweler can typically make those sizing changes
while you are there, so that you get the exact fit you want, you can
no longer return the watch to Direct Shopping Network for a refund or
exchange within the 10-day return period. Of course you are still covered
by the full original manufacturer's warranty where applicable.
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