Fine Jewelry
Jewelry can be made out of just about every material known to man, including precious metals such as gold, sterling silver and platinum that has been set or inlaid with precious or semi-precious gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies or topaz.
It can also be made of much less expensive base metals such as silver plate, vermeil, brass or pewter, set with synthetic or imitation gemstones, or wood, beads, seashells, glass, bone, pearls or ivory.
Although it can still be used for its original purposes - pinning clothes together and as a way to store and display wealth - jewelry is now used almost exclusively as a fashion accessory, for personal adornment or to make a fashion statement. It can also be used to signify membership in a group, such as with a Masonic ring, or it can be used to denote a particular status, such as with a family signet ring or a wedding ring indicating that the person wearing it is married.
There are two major categories of jewelry. The first category is often referred to as fine jewelry. It is high quality jewelry that is made of precious metals, sometimes inlaid or set with precious or semi-precious gems. The other major type of jewelry is costume jewelry. Costume jewelry (which is also called fashion jewelry) is usually made of much less expensive metals, glass, plastic, lucite, and simulated or imitation stones such as cubic zirconia or rhinestones. Fashion jewelry is often, but not always, inexpensive. In contrast, fine jewelry can be extremely expensive and, since it almost always retains and even appreciates in value, fine jewelry can be looked upon as a form of investment.
Fine jewelry is usually made by goldsmiths, silversmiths or lapidaries, all of whom are fine craftsmen or women. Most American and European gold jewelry is not pure gold, but rather an alloy of gold - a mixture of gold and some other metal. The purity of the gold mixture is identified in karats. American gold jewelry is at least 10 Karat (a little more than 40% gold in the alloy) and is usually no more than 18K (75% pure gold). Higher percentages of gold are much less common, more expensive, and normally considered to be too soft for use in fine jewelry in the Western world. Higher-purity gold alloys are, however, often used in fine jewelry that is made in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The platinum that is used for fine jewelry is also an alloy, ranging from between 90% pure platinum to 95% pure platinum. When silver is used in fine jewelry, it is usually sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure.
Many different finishes can be used for the precious metal portions of fine jewelry. Typical finishes for fine jewelry include high-polish, satin or matte, brushed, and hammered. Highly polished jewelry is the most common and most popular finish. A satin or matte finish is much less "shiny." It is most often used to emphasize gemstones that are inlaid or set into the metal and makes their appearance much more striking. A simulated "brush-stroke" appearance results from the use of a brushed finish, while hammered finishes have a wavy or bumpy texture which can be a bit more rustic, masculine or primitive in appearance. But no matter which finish is used, and no matter which precious metal or gemstone is featured, a piece of fine jewelry is an heirloom piece.
Fine jewelry is precious. It can be a fine gift for yourself or a gift for someone you hold precious in your heart.
Secure Ordering and Free Gift wrapping
So choose that perfect gift for that special someone, regardless of your budget or of their tastes.
We have made online ordering as easy and worry free as possible, with our secure online ordering your
security is guaranteed, we also have a return policy, gift wrapping on all orders over $30.00.
...................................................................................................................................................
Our aims simple: To bring joy to the recipients of all our great Gifts, · Make shopping on our site and
Enjoyable Experience......
|
