Most Popular Questions About Jewelry

The art of jewelry is thousands of years old. Beloved for its value and enchanting aesthetic, jewelry takes a careful hand to craft. Creators and purveyors alike must be extensively trained and experienced to work with these luxurious, delicate accessories. There is a lot of jargon, technique, and nuance to these incredible pieces. As a result, new jewelry owners may have many questions. We’re here to help by providing answers to the most common jewelry questions.

How Do I Clean My Jewelry?

It’s easy to clean jewelry, as these accessories are made to last for many years. If taken care of properly, they can survive a lifetime and more. To clean jewelry at home, you’ll need some soap, water, a microfiber cloth, and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be aware that harder toothbrushes can scratch jewelry, as can coarser fabric. Combine soap and warm water in a container, then let your jewelry soak for about 40 minutes.

After it’s done soaking, give it a gentle scrub with the toothbrush. Try to get into all the nooks and crannies, such as between the prongs, taking care to be very gentle with them. Finally, dry it off with the cloth. It’s also recommended to take it to a jeweler for a professional cleaning once or twice a year.

How Does Diamond Grading Work?

Gemologists have a strict set of standards they use to judge diamonds. About 80% of diamonds aren’t useful for jewelry, as they contain too many inclusions. Those that remain are graded in accordance with the Gemological Institute of America’s guidelines, the “Four C’s:” cut, clarity, carat, and color.

There are plenty of diamond cuts available – like round, oval, and princess – but some are more valuable than others. Notably, the round cut is the most expensive conventional cut, despite being the most common. Clarity refers to the amount of flaws or inclusions in the diamond. Carat is the measurement of a gemstone’s size; larger diamonds are typically more valuable. Most diamonds have a yellow-brown tint, but the ideal diamond is colorless.

What Types of Gold Are There?

There are many types of gold alloys, but fine jewelry usually makes use of three. Rose gold possesses a royal pink color, a result of the addition of copper. White gold has a bright hue from rhodium, chrome, and other silvery metals. Yellow gold is not usually pure, as gold is soft and delicate. The karat system denotes gold’s purity and typically ranges from 8-24k.

What’s the Difference Between Sterling Silver, White Gold, and Platinum?

These metals may have a similar hue, but each has its own unique characteristics. Sterling silver is made of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). It has a classic silver color and is generally more affordable than most precious metals. White gold is more valuable, stronger, and durable than sterling silver. However, it must be redipped at a jeweler occasionally, or else the yellow gold will begin to show through.

Platinum is the most valuable common precious metal. Unlike gold and silver, this element is naturally strong and durable. As such, platinum jewelry is almost completely pure and doesn't’ need to be redipped. It is, however, still vulnerable to scratches.

Why is Mitchum Jewelers the Best Jewelry Store in Missouri?

Mitchum Jewelers has a top-notch selection of today’s finest designer brands, ensuring that every visitor leaves with all of their wildest dreams come true. We’ll do anything to keep our customers coming back, which is why we offer a plethora of services including jewelry repair and custom design. Give us a call at (417) 581-2415 and email us at Info@MitchumJewelers.com to learn more.