There has been a rash of alternative metals making headway in the jewelry industry over the last ten years. They’ve been most popular in men’s wedding bands, but every once in a while, I’ll see some of them pop up in women’s rings. The two major players as far as white metals go are titanium…
Palladium is not as new to the jewelry game as many people might think. When platinum was declared a “strategic government resource” at the onset of World War II, palladium was brought to bear as its replacement in white gold alloys. That practice is still common. In fact, palladium white gold is the European standard,…
White gold has multiple sides of the white metal story on its own. It depends on two things: first, the karatage of the gold you’re considering; second, the alloy content of that particular karatage. The US standards for gold jewelry are 10k, 14k, or 18k; that is: 41.6% pure gold by weight (10k), 58.5% pure…
Although yellow gold and rose gold are making a comeback, white metal is still the first choice for many engagement rings, wedding bands, and all jewelry styles in general, really. But while there is only one yellow metal in the world from which to choose (gold), there are a handful of white metals on the…
A lot has been said about diamonds over the years, both positive and negative. In the spirit of inclusiveness, here’s a quick rundown. Diamonds are beautiful, perfectly suited for use in jewelry, and every single natural diamond is unique to itself no matter what detractors may say. Diamond as a material substance represents the extremes…
Black diamonds are smokin’ hot. And they are sensual – even a little edgy and mysterious. I enjoy working with them and pairing them with other metals, as they look amazing next to gold OR silver. And they look very sexy against bare skin. What’s so special about black diamonds? I think it’s how they…
There really is nothing quite like staring at a brilliant diamond as it reflects fire and light and scatters a rainbow of colors across a room. But what are you really talking about, when it comes to discussing a gemstone’s “brilliance?” Scientifically speaking, when light enters a gemstone, it can either be reflected back out…