Humans have spent thousands of years entranced by gemstones and precious metals. In some ways, we’re like fish – we’re attracted to shiny things! That’s why jewelry and gemology are such fascinating subjects with rich histories. It’s also why it’s so difficult to tell the real deal from the imitation. While costume jewelry and diamond alternatives are beautiful accessories, they won’t get you the cash that real jewelry will. Here are our tips to distinguish the real jewelry from the fake… and how to know when to seek a professional’s opinion. Precious Metals While we see today’s Olympic champions bite their gold medals, we don’t suggest this course of action for actually testing whether or not your gold is real. The history of the “gold bite test” dates back to merchants who would trade gold coins for goods. If their bite left teeth marks, the coin was deemed a fake since forgers would alloy their gold coins with other metals, including lead. In fact, some Olympians have even chipped their tooth whilst chomping down on their hard-earned medals! So, please (please) don’t do this. There’s a much easier (and dentist-approved) way to test the validity of the precious metals in your jewelry: look for stamps. Jewelry will often have teeny-tiny marks stamped on them in order to indicate their metals and fineness. We suggest getting our your readers for this. Here are some popular marks and what they mean: Metal US Fineness Marks International Fineness Marks 9- or 10-karat gold 9K or 10K 375 (37.5% pure gold) or 417 (41.7% pure gold) 14-karat gold 14K 585 (58.5% pure gold) 18-karat gold 18K 750 (75.0% pure gold) 24-karat gold 24K 999 (99.9% pure gold) Platinum PT 950 Sterling Silver 925 or sterling 925 Some jewelry pieces are unmarked, or the mark might be damaged. In this case, you can always bring the piece into one of our locations for a free check – no appointment is needed. Diamonds vs. Diamond Alternatives While metals have markings that can help the average consumer distinguish the real from the imitation, diamonds are a little trickier. An untrained eye can typically spot a real diamond, however there are a few diamond simulants that can dupe jewelry enthusiasts: Cubic Zirconia (or CZ) If you’ve ever shopped for an engagement or wedding ring at a big box store, you might know that CZ is used to simulate a diamond to visualize what it would look like in a certain setting. There are a few key differences to distinguish CZ from a real diamond. First, the dispersion of a CZ is much higher than that of a diamond. This means that the CZ will break up the light into a larger spectrum of colors than a diamond will. Second, most CZs are completely colorless. This is rare in real diamonds – a colorless diamond falls into the D color category on the diamond color scale. Even really stunning diamonds will have a twinge of yellow, while you won’t typically see this in CZs. Synthetic Moissanite This is a relatively newer diamond alternative that has recently gained popularity. Similar to the CZ, it also has more dispersion than that of a natural diamond. Natural moissanite is so rare, that if you’re looking at moissanite in jewelry, odds are that it’s synthetic. According to Brilliant Earth, “The most effective way to tell moissanite apart from a diamond is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown, of the jewel at an angle. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicates a double refraction, an inherent quality of moissanite.” White Sapphire or White Topaz Unlike the previous alternative, white sapphire and white topaz will have less dispersion than a natural diamond. Glass Glass is more transparent than diamond. Another easy way to tell the difference is to check for inclusions. Most diamonds will have inclusions that can either be seen with the naked eye or with a jeweler’s loupe. Glass will not have any inclusions as it will be hand-cut to simulate a diamond. Lab-Grown Diamonds You might be asking, “what about lab-grown diamonds?” Well, lab-grown diamonds technically are diamonds. However, since they’re man-made and manufacturing is ever-growing, they don’t fetch the same prices as natural diamonds since they are easier to come by. In fact, it’s often speculated that the value of these man-made alternatives will go down rather than up like their natural counterparts. Lab-grown diamonds can fool cheap diamond testers, so if you’re wondering whether or not yours was grown in a lab we recommend bringing it in for a closer look. Emeralds, Sapphires, and Other Gemstones There aren’t really any great DIY tests for gemstones, so the simple answer to this is just to bring it in to one of our GIA Graduate Gemologists. They’ll easily be able to distinguish real gemstones from imitations. While we don’t typically purchase pearls, there is a DIY method to check if they’re real or not. While we don’t encourage using your teeth to test gold, it is okay to use your teeth to test pearls. Simply rub the pearl against your teeth! If it feels grainy, you’ve got a genuine pearl on your hands. If it feels smooth, odds are that it’s not real. Other Tips to Distinguish Real Jewelry From The Fake We always recommend bringing in an item for our experts to take a look at, especially if you wish to sell it. Whether you sell it to us or not is up to you – and we’ll look at it for free, so there’s nothing to lose. You can visit us at any of our DFW locations in Dallas, Euless, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, and Lewisville – no appointment needed.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Jun
In the jewelry world, we judge diamonds by using the four Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. Each affects the price, so read on to learn more about each C! Carat Carat weight is arguably the most important of the four Cs: it’s how big that rock is! Carat is often confused with karat, which refers to gold purity (i.e., 18K gold). Diamonds and other gemstones are measured in metric carats. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. While that may not seem like a lot, precision is crucial when it comes to measuring a diamond’s carat weight – even one-hundredth of a carat changes the diamond’s price. Color We measure a diamond’s color on a scale from D to Z, with D being the whitest and Z being brown. So, when you think about it, the color evaluation of a diamond is actually based on the absence of color. According to GIA, “a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of water, and consequently, a higher value.” Keep in mind, some people like colored diamonds, and they’re just as gorgeous! But, if you’re looking for a traditional, bright white diamond, you want to get as close to D as your budget will allow. Clarity Just as our faces get blemishes, so do diamonds. As GIA explains it, “natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. The process can result in various internal characteristics called “inclusions” and external characteristics called “blemishes.” Unlike humans, however, some diamonds really are perfect. We refer to diamonds with the best clarity as flawless. After that, the scale gets a little tricky. The GIA standardized scale breaks it down: Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification So, clarity should be part of your decision-making, but remember, not everyone is going to be looking at your diamond with a jeweler’s loupe. Many diamonds have imperfections, and that can be part of what makes them unique. Cut A diamond’s cut (not to be confused with shape) refers to the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance. It works with a diamond’s clarity and color to fuel its sparkle. Again, this is graded by the GIA. Raw diamonds look very different from their cut counterparts. Diamond-cutters are responsible for the brilliance you see in cut diamonds. The quality of the cut and proportion determines this C. GIA Cut Scale: Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor
Jul
So, you want to sell gold, but you’re not sure where to start. You might have questions like “what’s my gold worth? How can I tell its purity?” At Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange, we want you to feel comfortable selling your gold and for you to know you’re getting the best offer. That’s why our experts have put together a guide containing (almost) everything you need to know before you sell gold. We want you to be an expert, too! Here’s 4 things you should know before selling your gold: What “karat” actually means. When we use “karat” to refer to gold, we are referring to its purity. Pure gold, or 24-karat, is too soft for use in most jewelry. To create a durable metal, gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength so that it can be used in fine jewelry. Most importantly, the karat purity of your gold will affect the price. To check the purity of your gold yourself, look for the gold hallmark stamped into your jewelry. While you can always check our tracker to see what the price of gold is, this is referring to 24-karat (pure) gold. To get the price of 14-karat or 18-karat gold commonly used in jewelry, you need to both weigh your item and do a little arithmetic. For example, if your item is 14-karat gold, and the current price of gold is $1,600 per ounce, or $51.45 per gram ($1,600/31.1), then the price of your scrap gold is $51.45 x .585 = $30.10 per gram. Gold Hallmark Karat Indicators: Karat Karat Mark European Mark Percent Pure Gold 10-karat 10K 417 41.7% 14-karat 14K 585 58.5% 18-karat 18K 750 75.0% 22-karat 22K 917 91.7% Of course, we can help you with all of this when you bring your items in for a quote. This is just for your reference! Beware of illegitimate buyers. There are many sellers out there who claim to be experts and won’t give you a fair value for your items just to make a quick buck. To avoid these, only sell gold to legitimate jewelry stores, not pawn shops or random pop-up buyers. When you believe you’ve found a reputable buyer, make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau and ensure they have a good grade. Is it really scrap? Or more? Research whether or not your gold items are more valuable as they are than if they were melted down as scrap. You never know how much an item is really worth until you do a little digging! Of course, our experts at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange can help you with this and give you the most accurate quote in Charleston. We really know our gold! However, if you’re aware that your gold item has some history, let us know so we can get you the best price. Shop around before you sell! Don’t believe we’ll get you the best price for your gold? That’s okay — we’ll let our offers speak for themselves! Check with different (legitimate) gold buyers around Charleston to ensure you’re getting the best offer. If you find a better offer than ours, we’ll match it. Simple as that! Come see us in the Belle Hall Shopping Center when you’re ready to sell.
Mar
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is an iconic diving watch that can survive enormous depths on the wrists of divers – but don’t worry, it works just as well for a land-dweller, too! Want to learn more about this classic watch? Keep reading for the history, key features, and tips on how to spot a fake. History of the Rolex Sea-Dweller During the 1960s, the needs of professional divers led to the innovation of water-resistant tools to conduct safe diving operations. After all, it’s a dangerous job working at 1,000+ feet depths! The Submariner was already known as the premier diving watch of the time, but divers were experiencing an issue at record-breaking depths: the plexiglass crystals on these watches would pop off due to the pressure. That’s why Rolex pushed the boundaries of diving watches by creating a Sea-Dweller capable of diving 4,000 feet. Key Features of the Sea-Dweller The most notable feature of the Sea-Dweller, and an easy way to differentiate it from a Submariner, is its Helium Escape Valve. Why does the Sea-Dweller need a Helium Escape Valve? Due to the saturation and pressure thousands of feet below sea level, tiny molecules of helium get pushed past a typical waterproof watches’ seal. A helium escape valve allows those molecules to escape while leaving the seal intact. Another quick way to identify a Sea-Dweller from its Rolex brethren is the lack of the date-magnifying cyclops. The Sea-Dweller in Pop Culture The Rolex Sea-Dweller 116660B, otherwise known as the “James Cameron,” commemorates the notable director’s solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Why was this dive in need of commemoration? The Mariana Trench goes about 36,000 feet deep! It features a dial with a blue-to-black gradient, unique to other Rolex-brand dials to represent the descent from the vibrant open water to the dark, alien depths. Which celebrities rock the Sea-Dweller? Here are just a few: David Beckham is quite the Rolex collector and has been seen with the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller on his wrist more than a few times. Charlize Theron also rocks a Sea-Dweller. Who says it’s strictly a men’s watch? How to Spot a Fake Sea-Dweller A trained eye can spot the difference between a real and a fake Rolex quickly. A tell-tale sign of a fake Rolex is a second hand that ticks rather than sweeps. If you see the second hand counting seconds with a ticking motion rather than a smooth motion, it’s an easy sign of counterfeit. Another sign that might be less obvious is uneven or inconsistent font. For example, the text that reads “OYSTER PERPETUAL” on a real Rolex dial will be sharply printed, evenly-spaced with consistent thickness. If the font looks funky, it’s a fake. The inside of the clasp is another good way to tell if a Rolex is fake or not. A real Rolex Sea-Dweller has a clasp with a frosty finish with and a clearly-etched logo. A “Faux-lex” Sea-Dweller clasp often has a smooth, brushed finish with printed letters that will likely wear off over time. While there are tell-tale signs of fake Rolexes, counterfeiters are getting better and better at fooling the naked eye. Sometimes, the best way to make sure a Rolex is authentic is to have an expert open it up and inspect it. Our luxury watch experts at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange have decades of experience with luxury watches and can spot the Rolex from the “Faux-lex” in a sweeping second. If you’ve purchased a Rolex and think it’s counterfeit, we’ll check it for you free of charge!
Feb
Valentine’s Day is here again and we’ve broken out the glittery pink and red heart decorations here at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange. We’ve helped lots of boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives find the perfect gifts for their loved ones over the years. However, we know not everyone is looking to buy a gift to romance a Valentine. Whether you’re recently single or you’re an eternal bachelor(ette), our experts would love to help you pick a gift for someone very important this Valentine’s Day — yourself! Buy Your Dream Piece Have you been eyeing a Rolex? Or maybe a David Yurman or Cartier bracelet? Perhaps a necklace from Tiffany’s? Don’t wait for the next special occasion! You know you’ll get the best price here at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange — why not use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to buy yourself a nice present? Now is the best time to treat yourself. Come on in and take a look at our wide selection of designer jewelry and watches. We have such a wide selection that something just might catch your eye that you never expected! Sell Your Engagement Ring If you fall into the recently single category, you may have a diamond ring laying around. Maybe your relationship wasn’t meant for forever — but your diamond ring still is! If you are still holding onto your old engagement ring, that’s okay. Just don’t let it collect dust for long. Whether or not you believe your ring has bad juju, that diamond still holds a lot of value and we will give you the best price for it. Let us take it off your hands; trade it for some sweet, sweet cash. Or, buy yourself something nice like a vacation or even something else you find here at Charleston Gold & Diamond — you’ve earned it!
Apr
An engagement ring: a symbol of hope for the future and longevity in a loving, trusting relationship. Engagement ring etiquette dictates we wear it on our left ring fingers because that’s where a vein connects to your heart. This, however, is an old wives’ tale. While it’s a romantic thought, it’s a modern myth… similar to the idea that every engagement turns into forever. While it’s certainly not your intention when you purchase or accept an engagement ring, we know that plans and relationships fall through. After a particularly painful end, it may be tempting to put that ring to the side and let it gather dust. However, let us be the first to encourage you to dust off that ring and give it a new life. Whether you want to sell it for cash or get rid of its bad juju, we can help you create something wonderful with it. After all, as C.S. Lewis said, “there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Can’t decide what to do with that old engagement ring? Let us make some suggestions: Engagement Ring Etiquette According to Worthy, engagement ring etiquette dictates that the ring should be returned to the giver if they are the ones who called off the engagement of if the breakup was through a mutual agreement. If the recipient of the ring calls off the engagement, it’s traditionally returned to the giver. Check the Laws in Your State Concerning Who Gets the Engagement Ring. If your engagement or marriage was recently called off, look into the local laws concerning who gets to keep the engagement ring. According to Worthy, broken engagement rules vary from one state to the next in the United States. However, keep in mind that most states don’t consider who ended the engagement. Be sure to discuss the expectations of the ring ownership with your ex or your attorney before making any decisions. For more information, visit Nolo. Sell Your Ring So, you’ve researched or spoke with your ex and the ring is yours. Maybe you no longer want it or maybe the only thing that will heal your emotional wounds is sweet cash. This opens up a world of opportunities! If you sell it to us, we’ll give you cash on the spot for it. Whether you want that cash for a trip or rainy day fund, you’re free to choose how that ring contributes to your future. Trade in Your Ring If you’ll miss the feeling of a ring on your finger, trade it in for something you’ll love. Trading in your ring at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange means you could end up with a pre-owned Rolex watch, a ring with a different gemstone, David Yurman bracelets, or even a new diamond ring. We’ll make sure you’ll leave with something that makes you as happy as that old engagement ring was did. Repurpose Your Diamond Perhaps the diamond in your ring is a family heirloom or you have a sentimental attachment to it. By re-setting or re-purposing your diamond, you can keep the sentimental aspect and cleanse it of any bad memories. Whether you want to set it in a new ring or as a necklace, our full-service repair shop can create your perfect piece. At Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange, we can help you make the best of any situation where “I do” becomes “I don’t.” If you find yourself in this predicament, bring in your ring and we’ll help you decide what’s best for you!
Apr
Are you attracted to the lower price tag of lab-grown diamonds? Think twice before making this particular investment! We all know the first step to the perfect proposal: picking out the diamond ring your partner will swoon for! And our team at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange is thrilled to help you find the right match. We also want our customers to make the most informed decision possible when it comes to this investment, because it’s a big one! Which is why we’d like to discuss one of the newest trends in diamond-buying — lab-grown diamonds. The difference between natural and lab-grown can still be a bit muddy to consumers and sellers alike. In fact, some companies have landed in hot water for falsely advertising their lab-created diamonds. Here’s what you need to know: Natural diamonds are forged deep within the earth over many years under great pressure and heat. We mine, cut and polish raw diamonds to use in fine jewelry. For years, natural diamonds have been the only choice for that signature engagement ring sparkle. They are still what you’ll see in most engagement rings today. However, some companies have started creating diamonds in laboratories. They create them in one of two ways: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). The quality of these lab-created diamonds is increasing with time and reputable diamond-graders (like GIA) even grade them based on the four C’s. However, a professional jeweler can still spot the difference fairly easily. If you’re trying to find the right diamond within your budget, perhaps you’ve considered lab-grown diamonds. After all, their prices are up to 30% lower than their natural counterparts, according to Money Under 30. But, before you pull the trigger, consider your diamond’s resell value. Marriage is a life-long thing; you may want to upgrade your ring one day or the marriage may not last forever (unlike that diamond). That’s why Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange suggests investing in a natural diamond, even if you have to spend a little more for it now. Natural diamonds hold their value extremely well. The supply of lab-grown diamonds is only going to grow, meaning the demand will inevitably go down, making them a poor investment. If you invest in a natural diamond now, you’ll thank yourself later when you need to resell and get at least 30-50% of your money back. If you go to resell your lab-grown diamond, that number decreases to the point where you’ll get next to nothing back. Still interested in a lab-grown diamond? Let us know. While we don’t typically carry them in our store, we can still help you find one with the best quality for the best price! Now that you’ve thought about how your diamond is made, check out our guide to picking the perfect diamond shape.