Gold and All it's Many Colors.

          Gold is one of the most fundamental base colors for jewelry. There are innumerable options that you can pick the colors of gold jewelry from. You might be interested to know how to highlights these option and then, pick the right gold jewelry up from the rest. There are lots of thing here, describe what you have to consider when you are looking for this jewelry type. Base on these descriptions, you can at least ensure that you get the right jewelry pieces from the rest.

               There are lots of different shade colors of gold jewelry that you have to keep in mind. Color of gold is already a well know, but with different shade of gold, you probably want to take a closely look and make your decision after all. But keep in mind that different in color shade is not necessary the thing you need to first look when it comes to gold.
With the white gold, the colors of gold jewelry will be very contrast in comparison with the traditional gold. Therefore, if you are looking for anything that look different from gold, but made by gold, white gold is your best option to go for. You can figure out for any jewelry accessories whether or not that is something you want to stick with the real gold shade, or you want to have it in different color format. Then, white gold would be your option to go for.

          Based on your requirement, whether you want to go for the traditional colors of gold jewelry or not. If you take a look at those jewelry set and figure out that you want to have it in the real gold color, you can just go for it. But if you want things that look different in the color tone, white gold or pink gold may be your option to go for. With some metal mixing with gold, the color shade can look differently for the traditional gold colors. It is really up to you want kind of color shade you would go for. Keep in your mind that not only the color shade of gold that you need to look at, but also the pattern of jewelry pieces is another thing to consider at the same time. You need to consider for all everything that involved with jewelry piece, before make your final decision for it... Rose gold. I'm sold :)

We Lost MCA today, Beastie Boy would loved gold.

         The world lost MCA today, Adam Yauch today, one of the founding member of the Beasie Boys. Here in NY, they are close to our hearts. The Beastie Boys may not be recognized as fashion pioneers like Run-DMC, but they clearly made a unique imprint in the eighties with their signature style. Respectful of cultural influences, the ironic rebels blended classics like gold chains and Adidas trainers with tapered jeans, leather jackets, button-downs, and even polos. Perhaps more significantly, the Beastie Boys are credited with reviving hip-hop style in the nineties. Visionaries and some even dubbed them 'genuis' they were ahead of their time and still get club play.  However, they rocked the Dookie chain whic has made it's come back, some thirty years later. 

http://www.mtv.com/bands/g/gold_ropes_feature_060619/

The Non-Bloggy Blog. Trends, trends, trends.

Okay, if you're reading this, you will love this jewelry. I do at least.  http://www.jewelryrevelations.com/  , This second link is letting us know the top 5 trends in jewelry right now. Mine, obviously, is the last. Green jewelry :) Enjoy!  http://www.overstock.com/guides/top-5-jewelry-fashion-trends

Natural VS. Color Enhanced Diamonds.

                                             Color Enhanced Diamonds?

       Recently, our boutique had bought a 3 carat canary colored diamond. It was color enhanced, since this was my first encounter with such a stone, I began a feverish search for the pros and cons of the stone.  Quick lesson, diamonds are made from carbon, diamonds are the hardest known substance to man and are both a naturally occurring and manufactured abrasive. It takes a diamond 1 to 3 billion years to form beneath the earth. Once formed, a diamond travels to the earth’s surface via streams of molten rock. Throughout this process, natural diamonds acquire inclusions and or flaws within them that give them their own unique “fingerprint”.
      Diamonds can be purchased in various sizes (carats), shapes, colors, and clarities. Natural diamonds are preferred over enhanced or treated diamonds because of their rarity and individual fingerprint. No two natural diamonds in the world are identical; each one is unique whether it’s because of its color or clarity or both combined. Now, here comes the deceiving part.
       The term “enhanced” may sound like a positive feature, however, any diamond that has been enhanced has been treated and altered from its natural condition to artificially improve its appearance. If you decide to purchase an “enhanced” diamond, find out what kind of treatments have been used and how they might affect the value of the diamond. You should also be concerned with the long term care and appearance these enhancement treatments may have on the diamond, as enhancements sometimes result in discoloration or cracks in the diamond.
         Enhanced diamonds, unlike high quality natural diamonds are natural diamonds that have had very specific treatments done to them to improve their characteristics, or their natural “flaws”. One type of treatment is laser drilling, which is a process that removes minor inclusions in a diamond to produce a clarity enhanced diamond. This process will typically create lines that resemble tiny trails, which are visible under side-view magnification. The laser may dissipate the imperfection, or chemicals may be injected into the resulting tunnel to bleach away the color. This is a more permanent process than fracture filling. However, it is highly debated whether or not this process damages the integrity of the diamonds, thereby decreasing the value of clarity enhanced diamonds in the long term.
           Fracture filling is a treatment that adds a glass-like resin material to a natural diamond to close small cracks. Since the filling has the same optical illusion and refraction index as a natural diamond, it’s nearly impossible to detect the “repair” to the flaws. Fracture filling is not a permanent treatment as heat from future repairs, cleanings, and even sunlight can erode the filler or possibly darken its color, making the diamond less valuable as time goes on.
          There are different ways to detect if a diamond has had clarity enhancement treatments done to it. As mentioned above, laser drilling results in very thin, white lines or tunnels within the diamond that do not follow the pattern of the loose diamond. When fracture filling is used, the diamond may appear flawless when viewed from the top, but careful examination from the sides or other angles may reveal flashes of color that disrupt the pattern of facets in the diamond. Fracture filled diamonds may also have air bubbles trapped within them. Because these hints are only visible from the sides, it is very important to examine the diamond closely and preferable as a loose diamond rather than set into a diamond ring setting.  I hope you learned as much as I did my diamond loving friends!!

Misprinted Money... What's it worth anyway?

  The numistaic term is "error print" but it's when a paper or coin currency has a malformation on it.  Okay, I'm not sure if anyone has seen the show Pawn Stars, but I happened to the other evening. This gentleman had a misprinted bill.  So, naturally I had to find out all I could on the matter :)  This is the first article that struck me.  A sticker on a twenty dollar bill is worth what?!?  Fourteen thousand dollars, read the lucky man's story... http://www.startribune.com/nation/11610811.html
    In my most recent findings, I stumbled upon this. So, the moral of the story is...  everyone keeps your eyes open for mistakes when it comes to currency!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-Faced-Dollar-Bill-Rare-US-Currency-Circulated-/370274979838?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56361bcffe

Vintage Jewelry and it's Current Beauties...

"It is easily overlooked that what is now  called vintage was once brand new."- Visconti

 How well do you know your jewelry?  In addition to all the cuts that engagement rings come in (i.e., princess cut, marquise cut, emerald cut, etc), there are so many other jewelry terms out there,  it’s hard to keep track!  I've even seen words in a necklace or bracelet descriptions but wasn’t really sure what it was or how to pronounce it. Today I’m going to dispel some of that mystery for you. And after you’re done reading, you can impress some people with what you know, I know I will :)  About as vintage as I used to go was the 60's... but we're about to take a time machine to the 1920's.

• Briolette, is a stone that is multifaceted all around. If there are no facets with just a smooth surface, we would just call it briolette-shaped or pear-shaped. (Faceting is the art of cutting and polishing fine gems... Aren't they beautiful?

   

  

• Cameo, is a piece of jewelry has been in style for centuries. Genuine vintage cameo rings are hand-carved and made of shell or other natural substances such as ivory, lava, glass or stone. The foreground is a silhouette or face, while the background is a different-colored layer. My sister loves these pieces, she integrates them into her wardrobe all the time, they're timeless as pearls.



• Marquise cut, It’s pronounced “mar-keys” and it reminds me of our eyes, tapered on both ends. A marquise-cut stone is faceted, but here we might describe any jewelry with the shape as marquise-cut. The name is from Marquise de Pompadour, Mistress of King Louis XV. Who knew a mistress could revolutionize jewelry forever?

•  Cabochon, which to me reminds me of a lady bug :) It's pronounced (ka-boshon) and comes from the French term “caboche” which means “head.” Does that have anything to do with cabbage? or a head of lettuce, let me know... Anyway,I love the smooth surface that a cabochon has. (And I love how the word makes me sound really important)! The back of the cut stone is usually flat or hollowed out and encased and made into pendants or put onto bracelets. I've seen the hipster community bringing them even into barettes and rings. They are my favoite so far.

These vintage pieces have such beauty in the detail of the period but combined with today's fashion can offer fresh design interpretations to fit today’s styles and fashions...

I hope we learned together how the past and the present can fuse when it comes to jewelry.

Gold Bullion, what to know...

                 Gold Bullion collecting goes Couture? The Info on Investing in Bullion.

      While researching this topic, I stumbled upon a blog where Jean Paul Gaultier has designed his own bullion bar. Take a look!

  http://www.bullionstreet.com/news/jean-paul-gaultier-introduces-1850-designer-gold-bars/875

      As a society, our love of gold shows no sign of stopping. Bullion dealers have sold coins, gold bars and Krugerrands by the bucket load. Contrarily, people have invested in gold exchange-for cash in record numbers also, which I have seen personally in my own store. A number of websites have joined the gold rush, offering to take unwanted gold jewelery off your hands for cash. I also asked myself, which is the best way to make a profit out of gold?
    There is a huge range of methods to choose from.  One can buy actual gold in one form or another, jewelry, bars, coins... while others don’t require you to build your own vault. This is what I needed to research.
      Bullion coins are legal tender in which country they are issued.  The market value of bullion coins is determined by the value of their gold content, plus a premium that varies between dealers. Many make the mistake of confusing bullion coins with collector's coins.  Their value depends on rarity, design AND finish, not just their gold content alone.  When you own physical gold yourself there is no risk involved, no other parties.
      Buying gold jewellery for investment purposes is common in the Middle East and much of Asia. Jewelery used primarily for investment purposes is because, unlike the US, the caratage of the gold is higer, usually 22 or 24K.  While jewelry does have a good correlation to gold price and it easy to buy and sell, it might be linked more to the fashion trends then then content value.
       I hope this cleared some questions up for everyone as it did for myself.  That JPG bullion bar is pretty brilliant though. Haute couture gold. What next??

           This is so interesting, check it out guys!!!    http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/01/how-a-diamond-is-like-a-champagn.html.  

Nicole Scherzinger Sparkles in just about EVERYTHING!

                       Nicole Scherzinger Sparkles in just about EVERYTHING!         

        Sparkly dresses can be a little bit tricky to pull off - not only do you need to have confidence, the dress also requires the right kind of jewelry. Former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger has had both and is always so chic when seen out and about.

             What Nicole does best besides singing, is dressing & accesorizing. The "Buttons" singer opted for a sexy two-toned sequined number with loose sleeves. The bottom half had a gunmetal tone while the bodice had a light beige color. The short dress was complemented by a pair of beige pumps that definitely accented her gorgeous gams. She carried a clutch on her right hand that matched her shoes as well.  When it came to the accessories, Scherzinger understood the need to keep it simple as to not detract from the dress. On her left arm was a simple gold bangle that she paired with a ring on her middle finger. Occassionaly peeking through her wavy locks was a beautifulpair of hanging chandilier earrings to accent her glowing face.
           There are the majority of times where Scherzinger takes it to the top and rests  comfortably there.  With millions of women adoring her style, coupled with men adoring her beauty, Nicole loves all eyes on her.   Here are some examples of how she has made "oversized" jewelry somewhat of a trademark for her.

Here are some links you might enjoy to replicate her style, but not her pricetag.

http://www.stylebistro.com/Nicole+Scherzinger/Jewelry
http://www.yournextjewelry.com/2011/12/nicole-scherzinger-hoops-cocktail-rings-cuffs/

                                            "Watch Me Go into The Past With You."

On July 1, 1941 the Brooklyn Dodgers played the Philadelphia Phillies. This game was televised, but before it began, something was shown that had never been seen before - a televised advertisment for a consumer product.  And for what was the world's first televised advertisement?  A watch, of course. The ad that was first to take over all other ads was for Bulova wristwatches, one of the great American timepiece companies.    The ad is pretty simple by today's standards, but that's ok - it only cost Bulova $9. Priceless.     http://youtu.be/lsjc2uDi1OI

As Quentin Tarantino so brilliantly captures in this scene from ‘Pulp Fiction’, a watch is something that really begs to be looked after. Because a watch is more than just an object that tells you the time – it’s a token of love, a cherished heirloom, a piece of history.

                                

     There’s also an extreme sense of indivituality, to know no one in the room will have the same piece as you.  To Be Continued...

What happens after you sell your Gold & Silver?

There are actually a few different methods of refining gold. Depending upon the quantity of gold you are working with and the desired level of purity, the two most common methods for refining gold are the use of high temperature flame and the use of chemicals to refine the gold.

Refining with flame is one of the oldest methods of refining metals. Mentioned even in the bible, refining by fire is the preferable method for larger quantities of gold. In ancient times, this form of refining involved a craftsman sitting next to a hot fire with molten gold in a crucible being stirred and skimmed to remove the impurities or dross that rose to the top of the molten metal. With flames reaching temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius, this job was definitely a dangerous occupation for the gold refiner. The tradition remains largely untouched today with the exception of a few advancements in safety and precision.

The second method of refining gold involves the use of chemicals. Strong acids are used to dissolve the impurities in the gold ore and afterwards, are neutralized and washed away, taking the impurities with them. The resulting product is a muddy substance that is almost pure gold (99.999% or 24K). This muddy substance is dried until it is a powdered residue and then heated with a torch or other source of heat to melt the gold powder into useable gold. The acids used for this process are Nitric acid and Hydrochloric acid.

A silver refiner provides precious metal recovery that recycles material, keeping it out of landfills. Whether it be scrap metal or jewelry, the process of refining silver separates silver from other metals and waste.   Scrap from the process, such as silver metal foil, silver leaf, and antique silver is weighed and smelted. As the scrap becomes liquified in a furnace, ash and borax are included to separate pure silver from other precious and non-precious metals.

The largest consumers of silver are Kodak and Fuji. That is because more silver is used for photography than any other product. Large amounts of silver are also used for silverware, jewelry and industrial products. Silver is also used to treat burn victims as it kills bacteria, allowing the individual to heal more quickly.  Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

Now back to the refining process. The Silver refiner mixes silver in with other metal, such as gold and copper, because different amounts of other precious metals can be in a piece of jewelry. The refiner of silver creates bars of metal and dumps them into ice water to reduce particle size. The bars are dissolved in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid for six to twelve hours. Nitric acid attacks the silver and copper and puts the metals in liquid form. The pure silver is then extracted, dried and cooled.

The refining of silver puts the precious metal back into use, making a positive impact on the world around us. Worn-down jewelry, scrap silver, and silver coins can be refined into pure silver bullion. As the price of silver continues to increase, selling that bullion can be a windfall for an individual, and thus silver refining is becoming a growing business. Refining sterling silver produces silver and other metals as sterling silver is more than 92 percent silver, with the remaining eight percent being copper or another metal. The added metal provides strength as items of 100 percent silver would bend. Sterling silver is primarily used for jewelry and silverware.

Silver refiners have the expertise to melt silver jewelry and other pieces of jewelry into their liquid form and rework them into other uses. Most also buy, refine gold, silver and platinum.  I hope we both learned as much from this lesson as I.

What Does the Price of Gold Tell Us Historically?

                                
      What Does the Price of Gold, Silver &           Platinum tell us Historically?

Was gold struck down by lightning? After hitting a new high of $1921 per troy oz. the price of gold retreated in the face of some heavy selling which very briefly brought it down below $1800. Spot gold is now trading $1,581 per troy ounce as you can see on http://www.kitco.com/ daily. Following that, the silver price hit a low at $26.3 – though both metals have staged a decent rally since then.

                      Although the gold price is still up by 10.22% this year, the silver price is currently down 8.21% for the year. Platinum have failed worse, goign down by 20.35%. Simply put: gold is a safe-haven metal in a way that the other precious metals are not. All are safe havens to the extent that they represent tangible assets with unique properties and industrial utility – in contrast to currency or bonds – but as economic fears have grown over the course of the second half of the year, industrial utility has been the last thing on investors’ minds. Below, I've included the closing gold prices as we approach this new year.
                   

                More importantly, anyone who understands that gold is money can see why demand for it, by definition, rises during deflations.Whether we see ‘70s style inflation, ‘30s style deflation or a more extreme cases in our future, gold is STILL the best insurance. The price of gold rose in all those scenarios. As long as real interest rates remain negative, the opportunity cost of saving in gold is zero. Sell your gold while you can, get the highest rates while they are still fluctuating. Holding on to your gold, silver, or platinum ensures nothing. It is a seller's market.

Round Brilliant, Timeless...

          


       Round Brilliant cut diamonds, often called ‘Round diamonds’, or ‘Tolkowsky’s cut’, are the most expensive cuts, and with good reason. They are what is called an ‘Ideal cut’. Cutting an unpolished stone into any other shape usually allows more carat weight to be retained, but the Round Brilliant cut is designed to reflect almost all the light that touches it.
    
     Besides, it takes a diamond cutter 4 to 5 times as long to cut a Round diamond to ideal proportions for the highest polish and symmetry ratings than it does to cut a diamond to average cut parameters.
Even though Round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most expensive in the market, they make up the overwhelming majority of diamonds found in engagement rings, and are popular as stud earrings and in pendants. Today, these loose diamonds account for more than 75% of all diamonds sold.


         The Round Brilliant cut is designed to maximize the brilliance of the diamond, making the stone appear to sparkle and dance in the light. It has traditionally been the choice for engagement and wedding rings, and is ideal for today’s popular vintage settings.

Useful tips

• The Round Brilliant cut is the most versatile of all the diamond shapes because it can be used in several types of jewelry and in countless styles. The round shape complements almost every design or setting, from classic solitaires to the most avant-garde designs.



• Apart from individual stones, the Round Brilliant cut is highly popular as a center stone and as side stones in both modern and vintage jewelry.



• If your Round Brilliant diamond has an Ideal cut or a Very Good cut, the setting should not be strong, but minimal, so that most of the diamond is exposed to the light.

      Round Brilliant cuts can be set into four or six prongs, based on the design of the setting, or into a bezel mounting, which is a metal band that runs around the edge of the diamond to hold it securely in the setting.


    If you have a Round Brilliant diamond, or any cut diamond, gold, silver, watches or coins, we are experts in maximizing your opportunity to make money.  We are Suffolk Gold Buyers, Voted Long Island Press' official winner, 2011.   Call us at 631-651-5100 and have an expert look at your diamond!!!!!  

 

This is what to avoid!!!!!

 Wash Your Car & Sell Your Gold?

       

     From barber shops, to church halls, home parties to craft fairs, and even store fronts that have popped up in neighborhoods across the island, seemingly overnight—it’s hard to miss the signs all around you. As the value of gold has sky-rocketed, so too has the number of people looking to buy gold and take advantage of those looking to cash in. Everywhere it seems there are places where you can bring your unwanted jewelry and walk away with money in your pocket. But beware, because what you can get in convenience can leave you less-the-richer in terms of the payment on the value of your gold.

      When looking to sell your gold, it is important to get it evaluated by a professional jewelry buyer. It may seem like an easy transaction, but there are factors involved when appraising jewelry that goes beyond just its weight in gold:

1. A professional buyer as ours has their reputation at stake. Look for a buying company that has been around for a number of years who will pay better because your repeat business is important to them. We are a family run business who has been feautured on CNN, NBC, Newsday & The New York Post.
2. Gold prices fluctuate day-by-day. A professional buyer will know today’s value.
3. In addition to simply weighing your gold, reputable buyers such as us, will be able to identify its karat, or level of purity .
4. A reputable buyer can explain how your gold is weighed, and how you will be paid (dollar amount per gram, troy ounce or pennyweight).
5. If your piece is an antique, vintage jewelry or from a famous maker such as Tiffany, a professional buyer will take that into consideration and pay you what its worth, not just by weight.

       If you’d like cash in your pocket, now is a great time to sell the gold you can part with. Make sure you get the price you deserve by doing your homework and dealing with a buyer who has earned your trust. When you know that your gold was evaluated by a reputable buyer what is TRULY worth (and not just thrown on a scale by a non-professional looking to cash in) you’ll walk away with confidence that you haven’t been taken advantage of. More importantly, you’ll walk away with more money for your gold. 
     Customer service and sastifaction are of number one importance to Suffolk Buyers, Long Island premier luxury buying company.  Our location is Northport, 837A Ft. Salonga Rd. is equipped with state of the art facility and trained professionals.  Our phone number is 631-651-5100. 

Gold Buyers VS Jewelers? Maximize your possession's value!

The economy has seen some rough times in the past few years, leaving many jobless or just barely keeping their heads above the water.
In such dire times, many people turn to selling their valuables, from collectibles to antiques to everyday furniture. The most common and often most lucrative of these items are gold and jewelry.
The gold buyers are perhaps the best method of selling your gold and jewelry directly. Companies such as ours specifically buy gold, silver, diamonds, and antique jewelry from clients. The gold, silver, and other precious metals are usually melted down into scrap, which can then be reused into other pieces of jewelry, coins, or bullion. Diamonds are often just polished and sold or inserted into jewelry.

Secondly, gold buyers will generally give you an amount close to gold’s going price on the market. This is almost always more than you will receive selling your jewelry to retail.
Selling to gold buyers is much easier than other methods, requiring very little legwork from you. After finding the right company to sell your items to, the buyers will send you an envelope with detailed instructions on how to send your merchandise. Most companies reimburse your shipping fees. First time gold sellers should expect quite a bit of money and usually great service if they choose to sell to scrap gold buyers.

Many people will initially consider selling to a local jeweler. While this might be convenient for you, you can’t expect much money from this option. No jeweler will buy a piece of jewelry back for retail price. That’s just how businesses go. If a jeweler bought all the jewelry presented to him at retail price, he would easily go out of business.
Consider how most jewelers obtain their merchandise. They get their jewels, stones, and other items from suppliers, but the jeweler has no obligation to sell them. After so many days, if the jeweler hasn’t sold something, he can return that something to the supplier. The jeweler doesn’t have the same option when it comes to buying from you.However, know that, when it comes to diamond rings, the jewelers are more interested in the stone than the ring. The ring is usually sold for scrap, so if you want to sell any precious metals, it’s a better idea to just sell to gold buyers.

Unwanted or unused jewelry.

         All women have jewelry that they don’t wear anymore. Maybe you don’t like the style or design or maybe it came from an ex-boyfriend that you would rather forget. Maybe you just don’t wear gold anymore but have changed to silver, or traded up to platinum. Whatever the reason may be, there are pieces in your jewelry box that haven’t been touched in years. Instead of just letting them accumulate dust, you can have a monetary gain from them.
        All those extra gold pieces that have been lying around that you kept saying you were going to sell, but too busy to do so. Now is the best time and you are going to get back a lot more money than you would have even just a couple of years ago. Why wait longer and risk the prices dropping again? You might wind up with a small fortune.
      Again, visit our newest location, 837A Fort Salonga Road Northport, NY 11768. Hope to see you all very soon!

Rare Coins, Gold Coins, & Coins Coins Coins!

A nice collection we recently purchased of Coins

There are a bunch of different factors which go into what a coin is worth. For instance an old morgan dollar that usually comes into one of our shops has a few factors which will determine its final value. The weight of the silver coin is the preliminary factor which has an effect on the price. Next, the mintage year and number of coins minted in that year will have a huge impact on the worth of the coin. There are coins which look exactly the same but the difference of an 1882 and 1883 coin could be THOUSANDS of dollars! Next is condition, there are many different grading scales that many numismatic experts follow and it can get very confusing. We like to grade according to the standards of reputable companies such as NGC and PCGS. In our New York and Long Island shops, we see over 1000 coins a week, and are constantly grading, pricing, evaluating these rare beauties of our clients. One tip we have for sellers is that when you are trying to sell your old coins, rare coins, US and Foreign coins - please do not WASH the coins or POLISH them prior to bringing them in. Just the other day a woman brought a rare coin into our Northport, Long Island location and she polished a coin which would have been worth around $1400 and now is only worth around $350. So please, call us if you have any more questions about selling your coin collection in one of our locations in NY, LI, Nassau/Suffolk/Queens.