Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Cruise Winners!
As part of our annual Anniversary Sale, we give away a Mexican Cruise. This year the winners were Jack and Renee Hodges!!! Congratulations!
Countersketch
As of November, we have a new program in the store for customers to use in order to create custom engagement and fashion rings and pendants! Check out the video above that tells all about it. The great part(s) (yes...parts) about this program is that you can show the ring on a hand before it's made. You can also take almost any design and craft it however you want. Come in to give it a whirl!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Ideal Cut Diamonds
I find that most people who walk into the store know that when grading diamonds there some-thing called the 4 C’s. Color, Clarity, Carat, and the fourth is Cut.
What they don’t know is that Cut goes beyond the shape of the diamond. After all, if it was the shape we were concerned about, they’d be called the 3 C’s and an S.
In 1919 a mathematician by the name of Marcel Tolkowsky, wrote a Masters thesis on the facet proportions for round brilliant cut diamonds. His findings were the basis for what we now call the “Ideal Cut" diamond.
In stories passed down, it’s said that he asked people in the streets of London to select the most appealing diamond from a small group. From these casual opinions, and together with those of the diamond cutters in his family's Belgian business, he confirmed the proportions of the best looking diamonds. He then had to use his math and physics skills to prove why this was.
The proportions he chose produced a masterpiece diamond. However, it’s taken more than eighty years for the rest of the diamond industry to realize that his theories predicted a range of proportions, not just the single set of parameters. Tolkowsky was aware of a trade-off between the maximum brilliance and maximum fire that results from the many varying combinations of crown and pavilion angles possible.
It wasn’t until 1996 when AGS (American Gem Society) began proportion based Cut grading based on Marcel’s proportions.
Only one in twenty diamonds are ever cut to ideal proportions. The reason behind this being, diamond cutters want the maximum amount of carat weight out of the rough diamond.
When you start to look your first diamond, comparing color and clarity is not enough. You must also be comparing the perfection of the cut. Any-thing cut too deep or too shallow will lose the brilliant fire that it could have.
Here at Belliston’s, we specialize in only Ideal Cut or Near-Ideal Cut diamonds. Each stone is hand-picked by Dean Belliston and must meet certain standards. You can be sure when buying your diamond that you will be getting the absolute best stone for your money.
What they don’t know is that Cut goes beyond the shape of the diamond. After all, if it was the shape we were concerned about, they’d be called the 3 C’s and an S.
In 1919 a mathematician by the name of Marcel Tolkowsky, wrote a Masters thesis on the facet proportions for round brilliant cut diamonds. His findings were the basis for what we now call the “Ideal Cut" diamond.
In stories passed down, it’s said that he asked people in the streets of London to select the most appealing diamond from a small group. From these casual opinions, and together with those of the diamond cutters in his family's Belgian business, he confirmed the proportions of the best looking diamonds. He then had to use his math and physics skills to prove why this was.
The proportions he chose produced a masterpiece diamond. However, it’s taken more than eighty years for the rest of the diamond industry to realize that his theories predicted a range of proportions, not just the single set of parameters. Tolkowsky was aware of a trade-off between the maximum brilliance and maximum fire that results from the many varying combinations of crown and pavilion angles possible.
It wasn’t until 1996 when AGS (American Gem Society) began proportion based Cut grading based on Marcel’s proportions.
Only one in twenty diamonds are ever cut to ideal proportions. The reason behind this being, diamond cutters want the maximum amount of carat weight out of the rough diamond.
Here at Belliston’s, we specialize in only Ideal Cut or Near-Ideal Cut diamonds. Each stone is hand-picked by Dean Belliston and must meet certain standards. You can be sure when buying your diamond that you will be getting the absolute best stone for your money.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Pearls: Symbol of Purity
Care and Cleaning
For centuries, pearls have been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. These opulent gems can keep their rainbow lustre for centuries, when the generations of owners remember how these jewels of the sea differ from other precious gem material, and the proper way to care for them.
Proper care of pearls is not difficult, and it is merely a matter of remembering that these gems are organic by nature, grown in water from living cells of a mollusk. Like the oysters or mussels that formed them, they require moisture. Because they usually are worn on a silk string which will deteriorate when wet, the pearls will need to be re-strung more frequently if they are taken for a swim in salt or fresh water. Never expose to chlorinated water. Like their "organic" owners, pearls are prone to damage from pollution and injury. They can't stand the heat, and they should definitely stay out of the kitchen. After all, historically they were a gem for the wealthy and not the maid.
Here are some other tips to remember to keep your wedding jewelry elegant for years to come:
• Apply cosmetics, perfume and spray products first before putting pearl jewelry on.
• Wipe off your pearls after wearing by using a soft cloth. Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners unless specified on the label.
• Re-string pearls regularly for the sake of the pearls as well as to avoid a broken string. Makeup, powder and grime will form a soft, gluey paste on the string, attacking both the silk and the pearls.
• Store pearls separately from other jewelry, in a cloth bag or jewelry pouch.
• Avoid-
o Perspiration.
o Acids in the skin and elsewhere.
o Makeup and skin creams.
o Perfume.
o Hairspray and insect repellent.
o Talcum powder.
o Dust and grit.
o Ultrasonic cleaners.
o Steam cleaning.
o Soap and detergent
o Chlorinated water in shower or pool.
o Scratches from crystalline gemstones and metallic jewelry.
o Dehydration
o Heat
For centuries, pearls have been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. These opulent gems can keep their rainbow lustre for centuries, when the generations of owners remember how these jewels of the sea differ from other precious gem material, and the proper way to care for them.
Proper care of pearls is not difficult, and it is merely a matter of remembering that these gems are organic by nature, grown in water from living cells of a mollusk. Like the oysters or mussels that formed them, they require moisture. Because they usually are worn on a silk string which will deteriorate when wet, the pearls will need to be re-strung more frequently if they are taken for a swim in salt or fresh water. Never expose to chlorinated water. Like their "organic" owners, pearls are prone to damage from pollution and injury. They can't stand the heat, and they should definitely stay out of the kitchen. After all, historically they were a gem for the wealthy and not the maid.
Here are some other tips to remember to keep your wedding jewelry elegant for years to come:
• Apply cosmetics, perfume and spray products first before putting pearl jewelry on.
• Wipe off your pearls after wearing by using a soft cloth. Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners unless specified on the label.
• Re-string pearls regularly for the sake of the pearls as well as to avoid a broken string. Makeup, powder and grime will form a soft, gluey paste on the string, attacking both the silk and the pearls.
• Store pearls separately from other jewelry, in a cloth bag or jewelry pouch.
• Avoid-
o Perspiration.
o Acids in the skin and elsewhere.
o Makeup and skin creams.
o Perfume.
o Hairspray and insect repellent.
o Talcum powder.
o Dust and grit.
o Ultrasonic cleaners.
o Steam cleaning.
o Soap and detergent
o Chlorinated water in shower or pool.
o Scratches from crystalline gemstones and metallic jewelry.
o Dehydration
o Heat
How to Care for Your Ring
White or Yellow Gold
Gold rings should be inspected by a trusted jeweler every six months. This includes checking for loose stones, and prongs that may be wearing down. To keep your prongs from wearing fast, take your ring off at night as the sheet fibers will pull on the prongs and rub on them, loosening up your center diamond. Gold is a precious metal and with normal wear will begin to shift and file down. With white gold, it is a naturally off-white color and will need to be Rhodium Plated every six months to a year to keep it looking as new as the day you said “Yes.” If you work with chemicals on a consistent basis, the frequency of rhodium plating will increase, so it’s recommended that you remove the ring while working with even simple cleaning chemicals. This is actually highly recommended for any metal. If chemicals get trapped between the ring and your finger, it can cause an allergic reaction.
Platinum
Platinum is softer than gold, and will scratch much easier. You will need to have it polished about every four months as it becomes dull and gray. Although platinum is a very strong metal, it’s recommended that you have stones checked as well. Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewelry when doing home cleaning, gardening, or other types of heavy work or manual labor.
Tungsten/Tungsten Ceramic
Tungsten ceramic is a little more vulnerable than and not as strong as other tungsten styles. We would advise that customers wearing a tungsten or tungsten ceramic ring take the ring off during physical activities where the ring may get damaged. Be aware that the ring should not be soaked in harsh chemicals for they will weaken the tungsten and especially the ceramic. Tungsten is a brittle metal and care is needed. To clean, simply wash with warm water and soap. If the band happens to break or if it simply needs to be exchanged for a new size, bring it back to Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band for free. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Titanium
Titanium is slightly harder than gold and therefore will scratch. It will need to be polished and refinished about every six months to a year. Titanium is also a very strong metal and so if it gets hit it will not break, but is also not very pliable. As with tungsten, bring the band into Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band if bent or if a simple size exchange is necessary. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Gold rings should be inspected by a trusted jeweler every six months. This includes checking for loose stones, and prongs that may be wearing down. To keep your prongs from wearing fast, take your ring off at night as the sheet fibers will pull on the prongs and rub on them, loosening up your center diamond. Gold is a precious metal and with normal wear will begin to shift and file down. With white gold, it is a naturally off-white color and will need to be Rhodium Plated every six months to a year to keep it looking as new as the day you said “Yes.” If you work with chemicals on a consistent basis, the frequency of rhodium plating will increase, so it’s recommended that you remove the ring while working with even simple cleaning chemicals. This is actually highly recommended for any metal. If chemicals get trapped between the ring and your finger, it can cause an allergic reaction.
Platinum
Platinum is softer than gold, and will scratch much easier. You will need to have it polished about every four months as it becomes dull and gray. Although platinum is a very strong metal, it’s recommended that you have stones checked as well. Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewelry when doing home cleaning, gardening, or other types of heavy work or manual labor.
Tungsten/Tungsten Ceramic
Tungsten ceramic is a little more vulnerable than and not as strong as other tungsten styles. We would advise that customers wearing a tungsten or tungsten ceramic ring take the ring off during physical activities where the ring may get damaged. Be aware that the ring should not be soaked in harsh chemicals for they will weaken the tungsten and especially the ceramic. Tungsten is a brittle metal and care is needed. To clean, simply wash with warm water and soap. If the band happens to break or if it simply needs to be exchanged for a new size, bring it back to Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band for free. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Titanium
Titanium is slightly harder than gold and therefore will scratch. It will need to be polished and refinished about every six months to a year. Titanium is also a very strong metal and so if it gets hit it will not break, but is also not very pliable. As with tungsten, bring the band into Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band if bent or if a simple size exchange is necessary. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Monday, June 21, 2010
HURRY FAST!
The first person to come into the store tomorrow morning with 5 referrals (Name, address, and phone #'s of those you know who are looking for a ring) will get a free set of pearls! Doors open at 10am!!!!!
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