Top Jewellery Gifts for Men

Here is some advice from the Master himself on the top Jewellery gifts for men!

·         The Watch – here a whole world can be opened up for the giver!  Sports style Watch is the most popular gift.  Men these days tend to have many watches to suit all the different requirements in their life. However, every man must have or wants a Dress Watch, one he is proud to wear, and one that says who HE really is!  Gold is mostly worn for formal and a black face being most popular.  Stainless steel has certainly come into its own. Start with a good Brand name – men are far more Brand conscious than they admit to! Analog (the more traditional style with hands on the face) is by far the more popular now rather than, as a few years ago the digital reigned.

·         The Wedding Ring – this can be the most important Jewellery Gift a man ever receives!  Much more than a gift, it symbolizes all your love and future together.  Platinum two-tone is extremely popular and often inlaid stone set with a beautiful Diamond. A bit of advice here, Men are generally very hard on their Wedding Rings, as they are rarely taken off, so choose carefully the design, robust and not too complicated. If your man must take his ring off for business (eg. Builders) purchase a beautiful matching chain through which he can thread his Wedding ring  when not on his finger.

·         Men’s Chains – Simple or elaborate, depending on the personality of the receiver.  Traditionally made from gold, now often fashioned from Titanium or Tungsten.  Ensure the clasp is strong, as these chains are generally much heavier.  There is a chain for every man, and every man should have a beautiful Chain.

·         Men’s Pendants – always a popular gift and dating back to earlier times when crosses were worn for religious significance.  Today, Crosses are still one of the most sought after types of pendants for men.  Other than Crosses, pendants fashioned as good luck symbols or star signs and out of stainless steel or white gold are most popular.

·          Cufflinks – a great gift for any occasion.  Suits all budgets and a gift that will last a lifetime.  Nothing smarter than a man wearing cufflinks/ cuffs buttoned – screams style!  Modern trends are gold, titanium and stainless steel and stone set with a diamond or another precious stone.  Stone set Cufflinks add that touch of class.  Designs should be simple, easier to wear.

·         Men’s Earrings – the stigma of Men wearing Jewellery has finally worn off and is now more common.  Age is no barrier – a fashion for all ages.  As with most items in Men’s Jewellery, Earrings are now made from the more durable materials such as titanium, but classic gold is still popular and timeless with the Diamond Stud the most popular of all.

·         Men’s Bracelets – often a Gift of a ring is a bit too personal or one does not want to indicate a level of commitment.  Strength is again an important factor – Titanium & Tungsten the most popular with inlays of leather, or either/or pink, white or yellow gold.  They range from very plain to quite ornate. This is the most bought gift by men for themselves, other than a watch.

·         Promise Rings – a commitment to marry.  Dating back to the sixteenth century, given in situations where the groom could not afford to get married so he would give a promise ring.  These days they are seen as a pre-engagement ring and have become VERY popular.  These are worn on the right hand and then changed to the left as relationships grow to a deeper level of commitment.

Engagement Rings – relatively new concept but gaining popularity fast.  This is generally chosen together.  Men’s hands are generally larger and therefore suite the heavier, stronger new materials.  Most popular are Titanium rings, as are black titanium and often stone set with at least one of the same stones in the ladies Engagement Ring.  These should be specially designed and handcrafted as they are generally a gent’s version of the ladies Engagement Ring.

Diamonds are a Great Investment

Diamonds are a Great Investment
By Larry Woldenberg

In times of uncertainty putting money into a tangible investment like jewellery is a good idea. According to Susan Cliff of Robert Cliff Master Jewellers, diamonds are, indeed, “a woman’s best friend”.

“Certificated Diamonds are a good long term investment - top quality Diamonds are in demand, hence the price has risen dramatically.  Diamonds are all about supply and demand,” claims Susan. “Gold is also a great investment, it’s at the highest price it has ever been at the moment.  It has remained at a steady price for years, however, in the past 12 months has sky-rocketed and there is no sign of it going down”

“My husband, Robert is always commenting on how shocked people would be if they realized just how much gold, and certainly in dollar value, that they are actually sitting on in the back of their Jewellery drawers. Instead, they could bring in their pieces and turn them into something that will be worn and enjoyed whilst increasing in value.

“Think of it like trading in a car or up-grading your home. You can trade back your diamonds, too, into larger ones. When you trade in your gold, we’ll test and value it free of charge – to market value at the time you come in, and then take it off the price of a beautiful new design.”

“As for those pieces that are stone set, Robert will design you something new utilising what you’ve got and if you want, add more stones. He will actually do a sketch for you of what the piece can look like once finished. In fact, people often frame his sketches. This kind of skill and service is hard to find these days, the art of jewellery making is disappearing.” Susan claims.

“Robert actually consults the client, asking them about their preferences and how they intend to use the new piece. Then he’ll present them with a few options designed from scratch. That’s the difference between a Master Jeweller like Robert and ordinary retailers, the Master Craftsman is irreplaceable – he is an artist.” Susan claims.

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“A favourite strategy of people is to have their old gold pieces melted down and made into solid gold bangles – worn, enjoyed, and becoming a great heirloom.

“The turnaround time depends on the complexity of the project. The normal time to complete the commission is 2-3 weeks. The credit you receive when you trade in a piece depends on the weight of the gold, if it’s 9ct, 14ct, l8ct,or 24ct.

Trends in jewellery change as well. “People are more discerning and want quality now.  Years ago you couldn’t give pink diamonds away, now, they’re the rage, gone through the roof.   Argyle, the Australian Mining company are planning to mine underground and whilst they change over to this, there will be no supply.   Hence, prices have risen and will go on doing so. Black diamonds are quite popular now too. They go well with traditional white ones. Other less popular colours include yellow and cognac (brown).

“Pink diamonds are very expensive.  But to be sure about your investment you need to go to a registered gemologist. Cheap lower quality diamonds from overseas easily fool people. Trust is paramount. You have to trust who you’re dealing with in this business. That’s why people come to Robert. He’s been 40 years in the trade, 25 years in his own business and has been at our present location in Castle Towers, Castle Hill, for over 9 years.”

Good quality white diamonds are rare and can command a high price.  There is no signs of diamonds going down, they truly are forever, remember, they did take thousands of years to form - an heirloom in most families.

If you want your jewellery valued to trade-in, Robert will examine and test it for free. If you then decide to trade in your piece to upgrade, and once you have your new piece you can then come in yearly and he’ll do a free appraisal to keep you up-to-date on your investment.

The time it takes to assess depends on the complexity of the pieces. As Robert is also a Gemmologist, he is able to acquire the help of other specialists when people bring in exotic pieces, like jade, antiques, etc.  that are more difficult in their uniqueness to assess.

A $20,000 diamond can be the size of the end of your pen, so you have to be sure that what you are investing in is truly of value.  Robert won’t hear of all the doom and gloom talk, look to the future, invest now, so you can get pleasure from your investment while you hold onto it.

Most people don’t know the value of what’s sitting in their drawers. Maybe it’s time to pull out the pieces from Grandma and find out their value. Then why not have them made into something you would want to wear? Sounds like a win-win proposition.

AUSTRALIA – WORLD LEADER IN PEARL PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Australia’s modern pearling industry began with a fleet of abandoned pearl luggers on a beach in Darwin!

In the early l950’s the invention of plastic was crippling the booming trade of mother-of-pearl fishing for the production of buttons, buckles and cutler.  Back then, the pearl itself, the lustrous orb so rarely found inside the shells of oysters harvested from the wild were considered a bonus and not the main focus of the industry.

The Japanese had been successful in growing substantial quantities of their native Akoya pearl within controlled environments.  With the help of Japanese scientists, Nicholas Paspaley, a Greek migrant who fell in love with the industry as a teenager, was not to be deterred by the down-turn in the industry and set about creating his own pearl farm in l956, some 420kms north of Broome.

Pearls form naturally when a foreign object such as a grain of sand, or parasite, finds its way into the pearl oyster, causing the oyster to react by coating the irritant with layers of mother-of-pearl, or nacre. Paspaley’s team intended to simulate this by retrieving the indigenous south Sea oyster from the sea bed and manually inserting an irritant to promote pearl growth.  They couldn’t find a way to keep the South Sea Oyster alive until harvest.  By l970 the venture had failed!

Paspaley and his son needed a new direction and over time, the two introduced radical farming methods that were successful in keeping the oysters alive and nurturing the growth of cultured pearls, thus the beginning of the extraordinary rise of the Australian Pearling industry as a whole.

Fifty years after Paspaley’s first farm opened for operation, Australia is the main producer of South Sea cultured pearls, generating exports valued at approx. $180 million annually.  Several pearl farms dot the tropical coastline from Broome to the Northern Territory border, across the Arnhem Land coast and down to Cairns.

The gold and silver lipped oysters that produce white south sea pearls with silvery, cram, pink and golden undertones thrive in Australia’s northern waters because these waters are so pristine – isolated and the huge tides serve to distribute the nutrient-rich material for the oysters to consume!

Farming procedures has not changed too greatly since the l970’s however technology has improved. Cultivators know that the best way to achieve high quantities of large, luminous cultured pearls is to implant each oyster shell with a round nucleus drawn from fresh water mussel, since it is least likely to be rejected from the oyster.  It is also important to give each oyster time to recover from the surgery, to regularly clean the shells themselves, to turn each shell in order – to ensure even coverage of nacre around the nucleus.  Boats used now are equipped with surgically clean laboratory and operating facilities for technicians to implant the oysters at the collecting grounds.

Australian South Sea pearl is regarded around the world as the most beautiful of all varieties, consistently the largest, the most luminous, and possesses the most prized natural colour.

Initially, Japan has absorbed the vast majority of Australia’s South Sea pearl production, due to the considerable demand for large, white pearls to be set as engagement rings.  Now Europe, the US and the rest of Asia are vying for hefty slices of the product.

Australian pearl farms are currently producing just under three tonnes of white South Sea pearls per year – 260% increase in production compared with six years ago. While Indonesia is the biggest producer of South Sea pearls, Australia is the leader in value with a market share of almost 50 per cent.  Of all produced in Australia, just 2 to 4 percent remain in the country for local use.  Vast majority are exported to the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Europe.  Globally, the global pearl farming market is estimated at $US1.5 billion, a figure tipped to double by the end of this year, 2010.

A few facts of interest!

South Sea Pearls – come in white and black, primarily cultured in the northern waters of Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia, range in size from 8mm right up to 20mm and come in various shapes, and don’t require bleaching, tinting, or dying. The black ones are found over a wider area stretching from the Cook Islands, eastward through Tahiti and beyond.

Tahitian Pearls – Cultured in the atoll and lagoons of the South Pacific, tend to be more “drop” in shape, size vary from 7mm-15mm.  Light grey to black with shades of green and purple.  More expensive than Akoya Pearls, but cheaper than South Sea varieties.  Rarest colour is peacock green.

Akoya pearls – Farmed mainly in Japan and China, primarily round or oval in shape, measure a relatively small 2mm-10mm, ranging in colour from pinkish white to cream and silvery blue.  They are the pearls most used internationally in necklace strands.

Freshwater Pearls – Found in bays and rives in Japan, China and the US. Cultivated from freshwater molluscs and are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls, their low price and unique colours and shapes have made them popular in recent years.

Kasuminga pearls – a new type of pearl that comes from a lake northeast of Tokyo.  Te mussels are crossbreed between Japanese and Chinese freshwater mussels, implanted with round or flat seeds.  Kasuminga pearls come in rosy hues of light to dark pink.

With Australian pearling companies experiencing steady growth, even though a young market, it has already established itself as one of the country’s most lucrative. 

I believe there is a slight pearl renaissance at the moment.  The most sought after pearl is still the round pearl with high lustre and a pink hue.

From a man’s perspective, pearls are a safe gift because pearls are a staple part of a wardrobe just like a good pair of jeans!

The Facts on Gifts for Women.....and a little bit of advice!

TOP JEWELLERY GIFTS FOR WOMEN

·         Diamond Earrings – always a beautiful gift, ready for any occasion.  Generally, the hero of the style is a central Diamond or a cluster for the big effect if on a budget.  Drop Earrings are for the elegant look (perhaps after 5) with Stud Earrings generally being worn more consistently, day or night!

·         Diamond Pendant – a classic and elegant gift and a must for every woman’s jewellery collection.  These often match Earrings and are a great gift to have ready for the next birthday or Anniversary.  Again, the hero is the Diamond, often accompanied by other coloured precious gemstones to enhance the design or for that special colour.

·         Diamond Bracelet – Worn alone, for affect, often these days worn with a watch on the left wrist. The Diamond Bracelet truly says it all, she will feel like a million dollars, every woman wants to be able to say “Oh, yes, he gave me a Diamond Bracelet”. The perfect Gift, I promise.

·         Pendant – the options here are endless, which is perhaps why this is a very popular gift.  Settings are more popular in white gold, (gemstones more often than not) with either white or yellow gold being the hero of the design.  A chain is a must when giving a Pendant, and choosing the chain that suits the Pendant is a big decision – ask for help here, your Jeweller should know which best suits the Pendant!

·          Engagement Ring – almost always the Diamond, solitaire, quality and size being the most common factors, surrounded or enhanced by smaller diamonds and generally set in white gold.  The style is a woman’s choice – however, a trend that is emerging is Vintage, retro, which I love, as I can let my imagination go when I design something that has real style and craftsmanship.   Best to have this gift designed and handcrafted – as next to a house and car, the most expensive gift you will give and it must be right!

·         Rings – a beautiful and traditional gift for a very special occasion.  Hero is generally a Diamond or diamonds with more often than not at least another coloured gemstone.  This usually depends on their favourite gemstone or colour, and often a birthstone.

o   Anniversary or Eternity Ring - the ring given now as an appreciation and continuing commitment of love, it was originally given on the first Wedding Anniversary.

·         Watch – a watch is a very common gift for a woman, my advice; unless you are giving sports watch, ensure it has Diamonds set in it, somewhere!  Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!  White or yellow gold and colour of the face is just a preference, but for a woman, the Diamonds are a must!

·         The Locket – if you want to give a gift that you can have an inscription engraved on etc., this is a great idea.  Often becomes a “keepsake” for years to come and is rarely taken off.  Mostly given in yellow gold, however, white gold is now on the rise.

·         Earrings – Classic Hoop Earrings are a necessity for all women, white or yellow gold, big or small, a very versatile gift and for any budget! Easy!

Pearls – a great summer gift, and the more they are worn the better they look.  The gift of Pearl symbolizes love, happiness and even success for the wearer!  Our Broome Pearls are some of the best in the world and I love them!  Stud Earrings, most popular, Studs Earrings with the Pearl the hero surrounded by Diamonds – gorgeous!  There is almost nothing more gorgeous than the lustre of a good quality strand of pearls, so traditional, so classic and very much the retro trend in gifts.

What is a Jeweller..... Really?

I have been asked the question “How do you get to be a jeweller?”, or “Can you fix my Watch”, or “You’re a Jeweller, can you fix my clock?”   All good questions and I have been asked them many, many times. 

There are a great many “facets” to this Trade of Jewellery (forgive the pun).  Many miss-truths, miss-understandings and sadly some miss-trust.

 Robert Cliff Master Jewellers has a reputation in the Jewellery industry of employing specialists in all of the fields within this Trade – most of who are the best in the industry.  Therefore, if you will allow me, I will try to answer some of your questions, to explain what you may want or should know!

What is a qualified Jeweller?

v  To become a qualified Jeweller you must firstly complete the Jewellery Trade and Design course (in Sydney- Enmore TAFE) over three years and also complete an Apprenticeship with Master Jewellers, over 4 years.

v  The TAFE course is concentrated on the skills involved in the manufacturing of fine jewellery, designing, drawing, bench sketching, engraving, setting and the theory of melting points of all precious metals and gem-stones.

v  Jewellery manufacturing is a combination of metal work fitting and turning using and very expensive metals together with smaller and minute equipment. 

v  Most shaping and forming is still done by hand, not by machine.

v  By end of the Apprenticeship you are competent enough to start to make pieces in gold.

v  When your course is complete you are qualified and enabled to create and make the ring and its mount.  This excludes the gemstone setting (a trade and skill separate).  

v  The first twelve months anything that is to be created by the Apprentice is done so using Silver – the cost of a mistake can be huge in this industry!

v  Your time will also be taken up with a lot of rolling of gold, cleaning and polishing (both the jewellery and the workshop!)

This is only the start – it takes much more than just the first four years – now your trade really begins!  Many

Diamond and Gemstone Setting which takes place after the Jewellery tradesman has created their work of art.

v  This is a separate Trade within a Trade.

v  The Gemstone setter sets the gemstone into the jewellery – they do nothing else, they are specialists. 

v  Most people think the stones are glued in – they are not.  The Gemstones are held by the precious metal, minute claws that the Jewellery has created specific to every design and stone.  This is a highly specialized field.  Unfortunately, here in Australia now, there is not a formal course.  It is now, purely a learnt skill from sitting with these highly skilled Gemstone Setters for many years.  Practicing on only your own pieces – as some gemstones are easily scratched or broken during this process.

v  All Gemstone setting is done by hand – however, currently, a setter has equipment to help in this delicate task, specific microscopes that allow setting to be done under the Lens called “micro setting” (many gemstone setters lost their eye sight very early in life) and power tools to help him manoeuvre the claws over the stones, gently, softly and carefully.

v  A huge change that has affected this part of the trade in modern day is many designs are requiring them to be multi-stone set. All of which are done under the microscope and extremely time consuming!

 Engraving – yet another facet of this intricate trade:

v  Hand Engraving – unfortunately a dying art. 

v  Today, with all the laser machinery that is on offer, can be done faster and more accurately than ever before.  Therefore, slowly, this will become yet another lost art. 

v  There is not any formal course available for specifically hand engraving only to learn it from a Master Craftsman. 

v  Most hand engravers are all skilled Jewellers.  However, if this is required – and for beautiful hand crafted pieces it often is, not all work is guaranteed to be done this way (small Engraving machinery may be found with key cutters).  Engraving, be it hand or by laser, is still a specialized skill that is far better with the skills of a jeweller to understand the creations upon which their work will be forever recorded.

v  Ensure that your engraving is done via a specialist – ask!

Valuing Jewellery - Gemmology.

v  Valuing jewellery is performed (or should be) by a qualified Gemmologist and Registered member of the Jewellers Council.   

v  Qualifications for this skill - a Gemmological Degree, specializing in crystal systems, gemstones, their identification and valuation for replacement or sale.

Designing

v  In the very large Jewellery houses of Europe they have Jewellery Designers that do nothing else, all day, but design, utilizing specific pre-determined parameters, gemstones and metals.  These Designers don’t make jewellery, only design it.  However, often stifled by their company restrictions.

v  Here in Australia, all good Designers are also Jewellery tradesman.

v  There is a course at TAFE for Jewellery Designing and is highly recommended to any Manufacturing Jewellery company or qualified Jewellery Tradesman.

v  The skill of drawing is a must (my opinion) as a clients need be able to see what they are going to own as their thoughts are discussed with the Jewellery Designer – a very personal moment.

v  Computer programmes have been developed to create an image, and they certainly have their place, however, again, the parameters are pre-set and creativity is often stiffelled.

v  Designers are artists, creative and imaginative, (not robots or computerized) they must have the knowledge of the medium to be used to ensure the design is not only possible, but unique and wearable.

Watch Making – not a “facet” of crafting Jewellery, at all!

v  A totally separate part of the Jewellery trade. 

v  A TAFE Course, however, a much different descendent of a very old Trade today.

v  Highly skilled and specialized, using minute parts that one must dis-assemble and reassemble.

v  Many of these minute parts moved and inter-reacted with one another to ensure a time is kept absolutely accurately.

v  There are many modern mechanical advances in this trade today with many or most parts now not re-created, just replaced.

v  Most parts are (if not all) are now made by machines, the Watch Maker fixes the machines mistakes!

v  Most Watches and Clocks today are required to be returned to the Manufacturer to ensure the warranty is not erased.

v  This part of the Jewellery trade has seen the biggest changes – not always for the best!

Robert Cliff Master Jewellers - 30 years in the Jewellery industry and with Master Craftsmen creating in their Workshop (with over 40 years experience) works of art that are worthy of eternity.

Go to our Website and click on “Make an Appointment”, Mention this article, leave your details, and we will send you out a Free ring check and Clean Voucher together with a free Catalogue.

We will be more than happy to answer all your diamond and jewellery questions with an obligation free consultation.  So feel free to contact us to make an appointment or call.

Trade in your old gold? YES and NOW!

Since 2009 Gold prices have almost doubled, however, what most do not realize, it is yet to reach the heights of l980.

 As Global investors seek a safe haven in gold amid the slowing & diving currency values and equity market drops, investment gold surpassed jewellery as the leading driver of global gold demand for the first time in 30 years.

Gold has been a valuable and highly wanted precious metal for a great many things - jewellery, coins, medicine, dentistry, industry, symbolisms, ideologies and many other forms since before recorded history, with gold prices being the most common basis for money policies throughout human history. 

Generally measured by grams, when other metals are included (alloyed) the word carat is used to indicate the purity of the gold that is present.  24 carat being pure gold. 

The price of gold is determined by the trading in the gold and its derivatives markets.  The Gold Fixing, a procedure known as such, started in London in 1919 provided a daily benchmark price to the gold industry.  Believe it or not, an Afternoon Fixing was introduced in 1968 when the United States of America opened its market.  Gold was historically used as currency, and when paper money was introduced, it was a receipt that could be redeemed for gold coin or billion.

By l961, it was becoming hard to maintain a fixed price and a group of US and European banks agreed to manipulate the market to control currency devaluation against the increased demand for gold.  In l968 the economic circumstances of the time caused the collapse of this group and a new scheme was begun.  A two tiered pricing scheme was established – international accounts were settled at an agreed price, but on the private market gold was allowed to find its own level. 

To this day, Central banks hold gold reserves as a store of value, however, this level has been dropping – the largest of these deposits in the world is that of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in New York, it holds approx. 3% of the gold minded (so too the U.S.Bullion Depository at Fort Knox).

In March, 2011, gold hit a new high for all time, of $1,432.57, based on investor concerns regarding the continual unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. In August of this year, Gold hit yet another high of $1,913.50

Private holders of gold store it generally in bullion form or bars as a hedge against inflation, cashed in when the Gold prices are high. Most believe they are not in a position to take advantage of this amazing opportunity, however, you may be very mistaken! 

 Scrap gold has become valuable due to this steady rising in the price of gold and we can all take advantage of it. There is a treasure trove of gold lying around most jewellery boxes in the home.

 The true value of this may be realized by either cashing it in or trading it in against the purchase or creation of something you would like or perhaps would not have generally afforded. You can realise the true value of your old scrap un-wanted gold and jewellery at today’s prices.  This can be the same for  white gold and platinum – Rings, Earrings, Pendants, chains, anything that is made from any kind of gold or platinum.

Most genuine Manufacturing jewellers will willingly take on this old scrap gold as they can take advantage of a better price for part of their production costs and at the same time offering their clients to take home something they will have forever and wear with pride at an excellent price.

To Trade in your Old Gold, and to take advantage of the amazing high price of Gold, may I suggest the following as a good start:-

 

·         The daily gold price may be checked via various internet sites, however, may I recommend http://www.perthmint.com.au  

·         Then, gather all your items that you believe to be gold or platinum, any, don’t be afraid, you will be quite surprised. 

·         Choose a Jeweller you trust!  May I recommend those that are Registered Valuers only?

·         Have them weigh and test your items.

·         Have them put a scrap metal price on your items, remembering this will be a second hand and not new Gold Price.

·         Suggest that you Trade your items in against a new piece

·         Or, better still; utilize this towards having a new piece commissioned especially for you.

Gold fever is here, and it will not pass in a hurry – my advice, take advantage of it.

White Gold - an automobile

History shows us that we have preferred the colour of gold to stay as close to the colour of pure gold as possible. However, to wear gold jewellery in its purest form is almost impossible, or at the very least, far too soft.  The gold would have to be so heavy and thick to ensure it does not bend. 

In order to harden the gold for more general use, to fashion into jewellery, various yellow alloys (alloy is basically the mixture of more than one metal) are mixed with the pure gold.  Gold itself is a yellow metallic element, the colour caused by gold absorbing violet and blue light, but reflecting yellow and red light.  Metals mixed with gold to produce alloys include copper and silver, common components of most yellow gold alloys and nickel, zinc and palladium to produce the white alloys.

Contrary to what most people imagine, white Gold is not a shiny white metal.  It begins as yellow gold and has many components to create its beautiful gleam, not the least its rhodium coating applied after is completion, without this, the white-gold might be dull, grey or even a pale pink.  The rhodium plating should be re-plated each 12 to l8 months to ensure it keeps is shiny appearance.

It became quite fashionable in the l920’s and again in this century.  During the l920’s three patents were filed for different “recipes” of white gold alloys and using different components to produce the whitening, or bleaching affect.  The most common metal that creates a significant bleaching in gold is nickel, an advantage, as it is inexpensive and a good colour match for platinum.  Unfortunately, nickel often creates allergic reactions on the skin, such as dermatitis.  Approximately one in eight people may experience an allergic reaction from this alloy.  There are some regulations covering the use of nickel in jewellery being implemented quite soon, and hence, all or most jewellery sold will have to be nickel-free. 

White gold, as it is called, is a wonderful substitute for platinum – itself fashionable and popular today.  However, as we know, Platinum is quite expensive, it needs great temperatures to be able to work with and as a Master Craftsman, believe me, it can be quite hard to work with, much more complex than gold although is an ideal setting metal for Diamonds.

The other metal ideal as a component to create white gold alloy is palladium.  A very close relative to platinum.  Its disadvantage is that it is quite expensive.  Another disadvantage is the high melting point, a jewellers workshop must be quite modernised in order to cope.

Another hidden factor in the high cost of alloy components is that there are large proportions of scrap produced during jewellery manufacture.  Because this involves expensive precious metal alloys, recycling is very important.  Also, when scrap contains high levels of expensive metals like palladium, there are extra costs involved in recovering it, which have to be added back to the production costs.

Other bleachers include silver, platinum, chromium, cobalt, tin, zinc and indium.  Silver would be a great property, but unfortunately, it does not have a very great bleaching effect.  Copper does not tend to whiten.  A typical palladium containing white gold alloy might be, in parts per thousand:  Gold 750, Silver 40, Copper 40 and Palladium 170.

I prefer to use l8ct white gold alloys for our diamond rings, containing palladium, which is nickel-free.

White gold is a magnificent alternative to Platinum when utilizing Diamonds, as the colour itself enhances these beautiful stones and helps to reflect their dazzling light.

Now, and on a less serious note, and to leave to the very last –  white gold has been utilized in a variety of non-jewellery items, not the very least that of a car! 

Yes, as only a totally self-indulged billion who obviously has it all, would want .  Using the term very lightly, the “car”, a Mercedes, fully built in white gold, with a price tag of approximately $50 million!   How do you put a price tag on this!

Have a look for yourself at http://benz-in-white-gold