Blog
For the Love of Jewelry
Jewelry is a compilation of small shiny things that more often than not have a big meaning. Jewelry is metal and stones crafted into tiny wearable works of art. It's thought to last generations and gains sentiment as it's passed from person to person. Jewelry is often a very personal gift and given on very momentous occasions throughout a lifetime like an engagement, a baby or birthday. It's so much more than just a monetary trinket. It's a symbol of love and devotion. It's a symbol of family or being a part of something. It's a symbol of individuality and personality. These small wearable trinkets of skill and craftsmanship should be worn and enjoyed. Jewelry isn't meant to live in a box, on a dresser, or at the bank.
That's where an Appraisal comes in. Have all your fine pieces appraised, add a rider to your homeowner's insurance or add a separate jewelry insurance policy and get to wearing those beautiful shiny sentiments.
Securing your sparkles!
Securing your sparkles starts with an Appraisal. Then finding the right insurance for your coverage needs. Options include having a rider policy on your homeowners or renters' insurance or having a separate jewelry policy from a provider like Jewelers Mutual.
Jewelry insurance covers your pieces if they are ever lost or stolen. It may also cover certain repairs depending on your policy. Each policy is different, some may cover pieces up to a certain dollar amount without a special jewelry policy or add on to an existing policy. Ask your agent what kind of jewelry coverage is included and then consider appraising any piece over that specific dollar amount.
Appraisals also need to be kept up to date about every 3-5 years. Any time you are switching insurance providers they are going to want a new or current appraisal. Updates appraisals are also helping when getting estate items ready for the family.
Bijou Appraisals is focused on keeping your appraisals updated as easy as possible. An online copy will be emailed for quick reference.
Is it time for maintenance?
Jewelry maintenance is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about jewelry. Often it's not even considered until there is a problem like a broken prong or missing side diamond. So don't wait. Your jewelry should be professionally cleaned and checked at least twice a year.
Much like a car, jewelry is made to last a long time but not without some form of maintenance. Over time the metal holding the stones, known as prongs, will need to be built up as it will wear thin. The shank or bottom of rings will also wear over the years, similar to tread on a tire, and this too can be replaced. Bails on pendants, jump rings on chains, and hinges on tennis bracelets are all things to keep an eye on as well. Jewelers will often find a loose stone and can have it easily tightened which can save the cost of replacing it later.
Though jewelry can be worn for many years with no issues, it's never too soon to have it looked at by your jeweler. Most stores will clean and check your pieces even if they weren't purchased there. They want you as a client and potential customer so this is a service most will provide free of charge. Treat yourself by getting all sparkled up!
Being mindful about how pieces are worn will extend the life of your jewelry and will save money on those future repairs. Jewelry is meant to be worn but not necessarily all the time. There are activities that are best done without the bling. Housework, yardwork and working out are a few times when the bijoux is better left in a safe place instead of being worn. There are some great wearable alternatives, like silicone bands, if you feel bare without your rings.
Bottom line is having your valuables evaluated a couple times a year to check for potential problems and sparkled up is a win-win!
Fluorescence... is it bad?
No, in short fluorescence is not a bad thing. It's not necessarily a good thing either. It just is... or isn't depending on the stone. Fluorescence is not just limited to Diamonds either. Many colored stones both natural and man-made show signs of fluorescence in a variety of colors. So, why do some stones seem to glow under long-wave and/or short-wave ultraviolet light?
Let's get a little sciencey...is that even a word? Spellcheck doesn't like it but we are going with it anyways. It's simply an excited molecule. The molecule absorbs light at a specific wavelength and emits light at another wavelength. So, when some stones are put under longwave or shortwave ultraviolet light they seem to glow.
Florescence, or the glow caused by ultraviolet light, can be seen in many different species of gems and in both synthetic and mined stones alike. Diamonds tend to fluoresce shades of blue most commonly followed by yellow but can also have whitish or greenish florescence as well.
Rubies often fluoresce orange or shades of red with their synthetic counterparts often showing much stronger fluorescence in the same color range. Florescence can also be violet. If a gemstone is inert then it does not show signs of florescence.
In short florescence is simply a quality that some stones have. I personally find this particular attribute quite fun. This detail on whether or not a stone show florescence is part of a full detailed appraisal.
No, in short fluorescence is not a bad thing. It's not necessarily a good thing either. It just is... or isn't depending on the stone. Fluorescence is not just limited to Diamonds either. Many colored stones both natural and man-made show signs of fluorescence in a variety of colors. So, why do some stones seem to glow under long-wave and/or short-wave ultraviolet light?
Let's get a little sciencey...is that even a word? Spellcheck doesn't like it but we are going with it anyways. It's simply an excited molecule. The molecule absorbs light at a specific wavelength and emits light at another wavelength. So, when some stones are put under longwave or shortwave ultraviolet light they seem to glow.
Florescence, or the glow caused by ultraviolet light, can be seen in many different species of gems and in both synthetic and mined stones alike. Diamonds tend to fluoresce shades of blue most commonly followed by yellow but can also have whitish or greenish florescence as well.
Rubies often fluoresce orange or shades of red with their synthetic counterparts often showing much stronger fluorescence in the same color range. Florescence can also be violet. If a gemstone is inert then it does not show signs of florescence.
In short florescence is simply a quality that some stones have. I personally find this particular attribute quite fun. This detail on whether or not a stone show florescence is part of a full detailed appraisal.
Something old into something new!
The question here is....are you wearing and loving your jewelry? If yes, Fantastic! If yes, then are you appraisals up to date for your insurance company so that you can wear your pieces with the confidence that they are covered? If No....and you aren't loving everything that has accumulated over the years then that's where a jeweler can help... and I'm here with some ideas.
Before you just take that pile of old gold to the gold buyers for pennies on the dollar lets talk about making it into something your going to love and want to put on. Jewelry at its base is metal and stone most often. At any time we can rethink what the purpose of any given piece is.
Say you have a pair of Diamond Stud Earrings. Sadly one gets lost and suddenly you have options. You can easily get a match and have one earring made, sometimes you'll need to have the original stone remounted to make sure the settings match but a good jeweler will match the size, color and clarity to get those stone looking like a pair again. I would recommend locking backs or screw backs for a more secure earring option. Or maybe now you make that single earring into a pendant add a chain and you now have a new necklace. The options are really endless when it comes to designing a new piece from an old one.
If you have a pile of random old things that no longer fit, they are broken or damaged in some way, maybe a few of those single earrings hanging out... this is the perfect chance to bring all of those old pieces together into one new one. Maybe that pile of scrap gold becomes a new diamond anniversary band or a mothers necklace.
Jewelry should be enjoyed. It is after all a luxury item. It is meant to adorn and be worn. Repurposing pieces is a great way to continue to enjoy them and having a custom piece that is made just for you is super fun too!