GIFT OF GOLD

A gift of gold jewelry says love and permanence as eloquently today as from the beginning of mankind. The Egyptians associated gold with the sun, the giver of life, and reserved its use for pharaohs only. To this day Indian and Chinese brides wear 24-karat gold jewelry on their wedding day to ensure a lifetime of good luck and happiness. Corvette jewelry

Gold is one of the world’s most precious metals and the most appealing use has always been in jewelry. There are four basic characteristics that make gold a possession to be treasured: beauty, purity, durability and workability. Most jewelers prefer gold to all other metals for its beauty and ease of workmanship. Gold can be shaped to create most any design. When combined with other metals, its strength increases and color can change. New colors of yellow, white, green, rose and pink gold are formed. For example, yellow and rose gold are created by alloying with copper and silver; white gold contains nickel, zinc and copper and pink gold is created by using copper only. Corvette jewelry

Pure gold, 24-karat, is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry. In the USA, 14-karat gold is the most commonly used and is about 58.5% pure gold. Corvette jewelry

Pricing is based on four factors: karatage, weight, design and craftsmanship. The karatage and weight tell how much gold is in a piece. Other vital factors determining the price of a piece are the design and construction. A price based on weight alone does not reflect the work that has gone into it. It’s important to remember that each piece of gold jewelry is a precious possession that is designed and crafted to last a lifetime. 

Proper care of karat jewelry is required to assure its lasting qualities. Here are a few suggestions and recommendations that can help you but you should always consult your professional jeweler first.

• Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned.
• To clean your jewelry at home, you'll find many commercial cleaners available. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask your jeweler to recommend both of these items for you.
• For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again, ask your jeweler to advise you.
• Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
• You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of     ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones, because some stones require special cleaning procedures.
• Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone pieces. Corvette jewelry

GIFT OF SILVER

The gift of silver expresses affection, friendship, celebration, congratulations or thanks. The element silver is generally considered too soft in its pure form to use in jewelry so the alloy copper is usually added to make it workable for jewelry. corvette jewelry

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metal. Like other precious metals, sterling silver can oxidize over time. With proper maintenance, silver jewelry improves with age and if cared for properly, it will reward you with long life and a lustrous look. corvette jewelry

Tarnish-resistant sterling silver is a special metal, not a coating or plating, that stays polished approximately ten times longer than regular sterling silver but contains the same amount of fine silver (92.5%).

Here are a few suggestions and recommendations that can help you properly care for your silver jewelry but you should always consult your jeweler first. corvette jewelry

• Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then pat dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use jewelry cleaner designed for silver use. Ask your jeweler to recommend an appropriate brand.
• Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth or sealed plastic bag. Store pieces individually, so that they don't knock together and scratch. corvette jewelry
• Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Your jeweler should be able to provide these. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products.
• Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage – this can cause silver to tarnish. And don't wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals such as bleach and ammonia.

KIM’S GOLD DUST
403 Caldwell Road
Eighty Four, PA 15330

Phone: 724-945-5184
E-mail Address: kim@kimsgolddust.com

© KIM’S GOLD DUST 2003

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