Jewelry FAQ
Finger / Ring Size
If the ring size you’re looking for is not listed as an option, it means that there is an added charge for that particular size. Some brands have set prices for larger and smaller sizes. For more information and quotes on your preferred ring size, please give us a call at 1-866-687-1944 for further assistance. Size 6.5 is the most common size among women and size 9 is most common among men. Bought the wrong size? We can fix that! Come by, give us a call, or shoot us an email for further assistance.
Tips on finding your perfect size
To ensure the ultimate accurate fit, come by to our store and have one of our expert staff help you find your ring size. We have sizing tools at our disposal to find your perfect fit.
Your fingers are at their smallest when in cold weather. We suggest you measure your finger at the end of the day, when your body is at its warmest and your fingers are at their largest.
This is never an easy thing to do but we have a few tips to not give your surprise away.
- Ask her friends or family – they will probably have a better idea and they can even do their own investigating on your behalf.
- Borrow one of her rings – be sure it’s for the right finger! Go for a ring that she often wears. Trace the outside and the inside of the ring several times on a piece of paper and bring that to us, we will be able to make a ballpark estimate. Having multiple traces helps us determine a closer estimation. Rings with wider bands tend to fit a bit tighter so try to measure a ring of hers that would be similar to the ring you’re choosing for her.
- Make sure you’re measuring the right finger – our dominant hands are generally slightly larger, we do recommend measuring the exact finger for the best fit possible.
- Bigger is safer – if you have tried everything and can’t get a good estimate, we recommend to go with a larger size so the ring still slips on her finger when you’re proposing
Metal
Gold
Gold jewelry is made up of an alloy of gold and other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc. The actual gold content of metal is measured in Karats (K) or carats (ct), which describes the proportion of pure gold to the other metals in the material. The higher the proportion of gold in the final metal, the more expensive it will be.
The maximum gold content is 24K, but because 24K gold is soft and malleable, it cannot be used for jewelry. By comparison, 14K gold has 14 out of 24 parts of pure gold, and the rest is some other metal. This makes it stronger and easier to work with. An 18K gold is 75 percent pure gold, and the balance is made up of different metals that give the final metal its unique appearance and color.
Pure gold is yellow in color. The non-gold metals used in the alloy determine the ultimate color of gold. The metal added to make the alloy gives it a different hue:
- Yellow gold is the alloy of pure gold, silver and copper or zinc. Yellow gold is naturally yellow but since pure gold is soft, it is usually alloyed with silver or copper to both bring out the metal’s natural warmth while strengthening it. Yellow gold does not require plating as the colour is already pure through.
- White gold is the alloy of pure gold and white metals, such as nickel, silver and palladium. It is actually grayish in color and is plated with rhodium to give it a whiter look. White gold jewelry will need to be rhodium plated multiple times in its lifetime to maintain that shiny look while adding to its durability. Today, nickel is not preferred, as many people are allergic to it.
- Rose gold is the alloy of pure gold and a great proportion of copper. The reddish hue is due to the increased of copper in the alloy. Rose gold does not require rhodium plating as the colour is already pure through.
Gold in any of its colors makes beautiful wedding bands, rings, earrings and necklaces. We do recommend that you bring in your rings and other frequently worn jewelry for checkups and cleanings every couple of years or so to keep it looking shiny and to help detect any loose stones.
Platinum
Platinum is the rarest and most expensive of the metals. It is incredibly durable, hypoallergenic, and does not tarnish: Platinum is also 40% heavier than 14k gold, which is found to be appealing to some people who enjoy that extra bit of weight in their ring.
To enhance its characteristics and durability, platinum is alloyed with copper and cobalt along with "platinum group" metals: Ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum together make up the platinum group of metals. For a piece of jewelry to be labeled as "platinum" it must have a minimum level of purity of at least 90% pure platinum. A purity level of less than 90% would require the metal be identified as a platinum alloy.
If you’re choosing to engrave your ring, platinum would be an amazing choice as the strength of the metal promises for more precise and sharper engravings.
Sterling Sliver
Sterling is a mix of pure silver and copper or other similar metals to create sterling silver. This is done because pure silver is too soft to be used to make jewelry on its own. Sterling silver is quite durable and contains at least 92.5% pure silver. While sterling silver is stronger than pure silver, it does unfortunately scratch and tarnish fairly easily. We always suggest keeping your sterling silver jewelry in a cool and dry place as humid environments can speed up the tarnishing process.
Carat weight
Carat weight is the measurement of how much the diamond weighs. A metric carat is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat can be divided into 100 ‘points.’ This allows for a very precise measurement to the hundredth decimal place. One carat will be shown as 1.00ct.
“Under-sizes” are diamonds that weigh just below a cutoff weight. While fewer exist, they may represent an enhanced value. They are more difficult to find as a diamond cutter will choose to sacrifice beauty in order to cut a diamond with a weight that reaches one of the cutoff weights, or “magic numbers” as they are known in the industry. The cutoff weights are 0.50 ct., 0.75 ct., 0.90 ct., 1.00 ct., 1.50 ct., and 2.00 ct.
Diamond prices increase with diamond carat weight because larger diamonds are more rare and desirable. Larger diamonds are much more valuable because they are discovered in nature much less frequently than small ones. That being said, two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat.
Diamond Quality
Color
Colorless diamonds are scarce as most diamonds have tints of yellow or brown, making ‘whiter’ diamonds more valuable and expensive. Diamonds are scaled from D-Z in order to determine the ‘whiteness’ of the diamond.
Clarity
Diamonds have internal features (inclusions) and irregularities (blemishes). Clarity is the grading of absence in inclusions and blemishes. Blemishes are imperfections that exist on the surface of the diamond, whereas inclusions live inside the stone itself. That being said, there are times where inclusions break through the surface of the stone. Inclusions are mineral crystals or diamond crystals that are trapped inside the diamond when it forms.
Clarity characteristics have negative impacts on the diamonds value because it is less of a rarity to find an imperfect diamond. The positioning of the inclusion also has a great factor. For example, an inclusion to the side of the diamond will have less of a negative impact to the diamond’s value than an inclusion in the middle of the diamond would. The most desirable diamonds are the ones deemed to be Flawless. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and they demand top prices as a result. Diamonds on the end of the clarity scale typically have inclusions that can be seen by the unaided eye.
Cut
A well-cut diamond displays the beauty expected to be seen in a diamond. When a diamond interacts with light, every angle affects the amount of light returning to the eye. A diamonds proportion determines how light performs when it enters the diamond. The diamond’s beauty is dependent on three optical effects: white light reflections (brightness), flashes of color (fire), and areas of light and dark (scintillation). There must be enough contrast between bright and dark areas to give the pattern of a diamond a crisp and sharp look.
The term “cut” is also used to described the diamond’s fashioned shape. Shapes other than the standard round brilliant are referred to as “fancy cuts.” Fancy diamond cuts have their own names based on the shapes themselves. The best known are princess, pear, oval, emerald, and marquise cut.
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Since all diamond shapes are very different, unique characteristics determine quality for each shape. Select your shape below to learn how to recognize the most beautiful diamond. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact one of our Diamond and Jewellery Consultants who can help you find the diamond that's perfect for you.