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Buying a Diamond

Before you venture out to buy your first diamond, there are a few points to read up on.  Price can be effected by a number of factors and knowledge of such can help you compare quality with quantity. 

Color

Carat

Cut

Clarity

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What is “Dipping”?

In the world of fashion and trends, white is in and gold is out.  Many customers are looking for that quick fix to change their jewelry, but we have a few words of caution before you consider “painting your gold”. My first suggestion is to redesign your diamond into a new white gold ring. Because, in my opinion, the “diamonds” really are the lasting memory that can be reset into a design that you will cherish for another generation. Continue on to learn about rhodium plating.

Question

Hi,
I recently inherited a diamond ring.  I would like to start wearing it every day, but unfortunately it is yellow gold and I do not like the yellow gold color.  Are there options for me to change the color?  I’d like to keep the ring as is, just get it dipped in white gold or something.  I’m not sure if that is even done, but I thought I’d ask.  If it can be done, can it be done at your jewelry store?  

Thanks for your help.

 

Answer

This is a very common question.  I know there can be an attachment to something old, especially when it belonged to a close family member.  

My first suggestion is to redesign your diamond into a new white gold ring. Because, in my opinion, the “diamonds” really are the lasting memory that can be reset into a design that you will cherish for another generation.

The second option is to have the ring rhodium plated. Rhodium is a very hard, inert and durable metal. The “dipping” process is really electroplating in a water solution containing rhodium is used with electricity to bond a layer of the metal onto the gold. When done with a yellow gold ring, the ring comes out very white and looks nice. We do this for a few ladies who simply have yellow items and want the trendy white color!

The drawback is that even hard and durable, rhodium will eventually wear off. Then, to keep the white color the ring must be re-plated with rhodium.   How long the plate will last and stay white is not easily predicted. Why? I don’t know how thick the plate will be in the first place and don’t know the conditions where the ring is worn.

Generally, ladies who have us rhodium plate items get about a year on the average for a well done rhodium plate. This is different for everyone and some will last longer, some less time. Still, this is the best option for making the yellow ring into a ring with a white color.

White gold rings are not plated with white gold to cover a yellow base metal. White gold rings are generally rhodium plated to “brighten” the white gold look. The rhodium will eventually wear off to reveal the true white base color. A white gold ring will NEVER look yellow!

Rhodium is the most expensive precious metal on the market and is in the platinum family of metals. Still, the refinishing and rhodium plating of the ring should not be very expensive. Here, we charge about $30.00 to refinish and plate with rhodium.

Most regular jewelry stores who have a bench jeweler on the premises, like Golden Creations, should be able to do the work.  A bench jeweler is not the sales person but the one who actually “sits at a workbench” and does the jewelry work.  Make a few phone calls to find out who does the rhodium plating and what the basic charge might be. If you can’t find someone in your area, feel free to stop by and I will re-rhodium the ring for you while you wait.

I do hope this helps a little. Get back to me if you need more information.

Frank.  

April 21, 2009

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Special Events

Chamila jewelry box available
for our Chamilia customers

ONLY $35.00*

*Limited Quantities

The top tier has been designed to serve as a travel case with a hinged, magnetic closure.
The tier contains 2 large compartments for bangles or coiled necklaces,
2 compartments for small jewelry items and
2 compartments for bracelets.
This tier also houses the Chamilia wand for opening the locks.

 

Introducing

DEBBIE BROOKS

Handbags & Accessories

LCL-S-PURPLE-DRAG edited-2

Debbie Brooks evokes the emotions of excitement and adventure of everyday indulgences and transforms them brilliantly into collectable works of art. Her colorful, whimsical scenes remind us of a place we often wish we could be, uniquely captured in a way that only her personal style and sense of humor can do. Setting the trend, she has translated her internationally collected gallery Pop artworks into a sophisticated and sassy evening and handbag collection with quite a celebrity following.

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From the South & East

Follow Route 22 West from Turnpike 66. Continue past the “Village of Murrysville” shopping center in Murrysville and stay in the right lane.
Golden Creations has 2 entrances which are located approximately 1/4 mile past “Tarr Hollow Road” and are on the right side of the highway adjacent to the JADE GARDEN restaurant.
We share the building with OSTERIA PASQUALINO, THE OLIVE MERCHANT, PURE a salon, THE RACK Boutique, and I LOVE NAILS Salon.

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From the North & West

Traveling from I-376 & I-76, exit 6 (Pittsburgh/Monroeville), exit onto Route 22 East.
Follow 10-traffic lights (approx 5.5-miles).
Turn into the left turn lane at “KFC” and drive behind the KFC building onto a right of way that connects to the new plaza.  Or continue to the “Tarr Hollow Road” turn lane on the right and backtrack.
Look for a Rose colored plaza “ROSA COURT” on the westbound side of the highway.
We share the building with OSTERIA PASQUALINO, THE OLIVE MERCHANT, PURE a salon, THE RACK Boutique, and I LOVE NAILS Salon.