Tag: craftsmanship

The Metals used to make your jewelry!

Metals have been used in jewelry making across the globe since almost the beginning of civilization.
Why metals?
Metal is important for jewelry because of its durability, value, versatility and aesthetic appeal. And metals have also been used by ancient civilizations to represent wealth, power and knowledge. In this article we are going to discuss in depth about the top 5 metals.Which we can wear in our daily lifestyle.
Here are some of the top metals used in jewelry, their pros and cons.
New trends include use of mixed metals like gold along with silver, and the rise of silver back to the top charts.
1.Tungsten carbide
Tungsten carbide became popular in the late 20th century due to its expected hardness and scratch resistance. Rings made from this can be used in everyday lifestyle Because it does not require much maintenance.
But the issue that arises with this metal, is that its jewelry items cannot be resized. Also its brittle nature may cause it to break in rare instances.
2. Titanium
Titanium has gained popularity for its hypoallergenic properties, durability and lightweight. Most men choose titanium rings, due to its qualities, aesthetic appearance and its low maintenance.
The main disadvantage is that it cannot achieve a mirror like finish. Thus the jewelry item will fail to shine under lighting.
3. Gold
Gold rings have been used as engagement rings for hundreds of years in many cultures.
They can be used in everyday lifestyle, they can add a touch of elegance to any outfit.
Gold rings require some maintenance to look perfect. Regular cleaning can maintain the beauty and shine of gold.
4. Sterling Silver
Sterling silver jewelry is made from an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. Silver gives a timeless look. And its affordability makes this metal very special.
Needs regular maintenance. And is susceptible to tarnish. However it can be polished using household items like lemon juice can restore its shine, making maintenance relatively easy
5. White Gold
White gold is a popular choice for jewelry due to its durability, Tarnish resistant and Aesthetic appeal. However, it can cause allergies for some skin types because it often contains nickel.
It can lose its color as it is often coated with rhodium, which wears off. A re-plating of the jewelry piece would keep the luster and color intact. This metal requires some maintenance to keep it looking perfect. Clean regularly, store properly and avoid harsh chemicals.
More susceptible to allergies due to the presence of nickel.
6. Platinum
Jewelry made of platinum can be the best choice due to its durability, rarity and luster. And platinum is also hypoallergenic. So it can be a good choice for sensitive skins. Caring for platinum jewelry is easy, however it can scratch easily. But it can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water using a soft brush can clean it well. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
Doesn’t invoke allergies.
Scratches easily. However, it retains its natural beauty and luster.
There you have it!
In the end, when it comes to choosing metals for jewelry it’s not just about style, it’s also about practicality and personal preference. While gold and platinum represent timeless elegance and sophistication. Tungsten carbide and titanium provide durability and low maintenance, while sterling silver and white gold offer affordable options with unique aesthetic appeal. Now feel free to choose the right metal for your style and be confident in what you are wearing.

May 13, 2024
What are Gemstones?

Silent in the glance.. yet empowering…
Providing the wielder, that desired touch of magic….
“You are your own unique brand indeed…
risk taking… overcoming the fear of failure….
To dive into the deep unknown…”
The words above are a glance of some of the feelings which a gem in your possession can inspire…
“ dumb jeans in their silent kind, more than quick words do move a woman’s mind”
William Shakespeare
Symbolified as tokens of love, royalty, wealth from Tutenkhamen to Queen Victoria, the history of gemstones extends to the Neanderthals who used hematite to decorate their shells. All ancient cultures had some references to gemstones in their society.
So do you ever wonder, of the journey undertaken by a gemstone to end up in jewelry?
It all begins in the dirt, where a miner has identified the presence of a previously untouched entity, in the midst of all the mud and other stones. And you would not recognize the stone in this initial state.
^ this is a licensable photo. We should sell our own somewhere. Good looking miners can be posed.
Some stones do appear colorful and as shiny as they look in jewelry… but this is rare…
A majority appear darker with multiple inclusions in them. If you are lost at inclusions then don’t worry. We’ve written an article discussing this.
Here are examples of rough stones found in Kalu ganga, a river in Sri Lanka, famous since ancient Times for its sapphires.
The rough stones are then cut to form the basic shape, such as square, oval, round…
This depends on the original shape of the gemstone. Some stones can be cut into two, to make perfect pairs for earrings. It is cut in such a manner, so as to preserve weight, color and to slough off the inclusions.
It is definitively a topic of its own to discuss the procedure which help you get the best possible cut for a gemstone.
Once the basic shapes are formed, the stone is then faceted and polished. This is the sparkly stone in your jewelry.
In the midst of this process since stones undergo treatment, in order to improve color or clarity.
As gemstones exchange hands, they maybe recut, to adjust shape as the owner sees fit.
Finally the gemstone ends up in the hands of a jeweler who has seen it to be the perfect match for an accessory they had in mind.
And with the stone set up in the jewelry item, and held firmly it is put up for sale awaiting its rightful owner…. To claim it for their own.
And there you have it! This was just a brief overview in gemstones.
We are hoping to expand on this, so it can prove as a valuable resource for those interested in purchasing jewelry, those running jewelry stores, gem businessmen hobbyists out there.

March 21, 2024
Engineering your Cut & Polishing for Rough Gemstones

A pink sapphire. All those indents at the surface must be sloughed off. Notice how the outline shape is irregular. We’ve got to even it out and aim for a rectangle
Notice how small it has become.This depends on how much meat there is to the stone. That is how much base, you can obtain without making the stone go flat.

I wish I could have taken a picture of this before heating it. Imagine a very pale blue stone.

This rough stone weighed about 3 carats. And notice the white inclusions protruding inwards from the lower end. The goal is to slough these off, and make them less noticeable in the faceted gemstone.
Here is the same stone, after cutting. Its now got a lighter shade of blue compared to the rough stone. Why is this?

The parts of the stone responsible for the darker shade of blue were superficially located and were thus sloughed off.

Now here’s the final product. It wasn’t perfect. Not the shade of blue we wanted. And much smaller than expected.
Beautiful, nevertheless.
Another pink sapphire. As the size of this rough stone is already small, we had to go for the shape most closest to its outline. That is a pear/ drop shape. Sadly this shape isn’t common and the market for it is less.

This is an example of a stone in which we didn’t succeed. We opted to heat it, resulting in it being blasted to smithereens. That happens, occasionally.

Some of the key pointers we have to consider are
The basic shape of the rough stone
The types of inclusions in them
Size…
Possible changes in color

March 21, 2024