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Q: What is the difference between precious and semi-precious stones?Top
Precious stones are diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and natural pearls. All other stones used in jewelry are semi-precious.
Q: What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls?Top
Saltwater pearls are produced by oysters. Freshwater pearls are produced by mussels in China, Japan and the United States. They are available in a variety of pastel colors.
Q: What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?Top
A natural pearl is formed in nature by chance. A cultured pearl is created by a pearl farmer who inserts a small foreign object into the mussel or oyster. This irritates the shellfish which secretes nacre, a combination of crystaline and organic substances which builds up in layers, eventually becoming a pearl.
Q: What is a glass pearl?Top
A glass pearl is a glass bead covered with a pearl-like coating. Swarovski, maker of fine Austrian crystal, manufactures a quality glass pearl.
Q: What is Argentium Sterling Silver?Top
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Argentium Sterling Silver is sterling silver and is guaranteed to be not less than 92.5% pure silver. The difference is that Argentium Sterling Silver replaces 1.68% of the copper with germanium. It is this small quantity of germanium that give it the tarnish resistant properties. When traditional sterling is heated in air, copper oxide is formed - this oxide penetrates below the surface of the material and causes a dark, disfiguring stain called firescale.
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Argentium Sterling Silver is highly tarnish-resistant. It requires nothing more than a light dusting or an occasional wipe with a soft cloth to keep it’s long-lasting shine.
Q: What is the difference between silver plated, sterling silver, Thai Hill Tribe silver, 999 fine silver and PMC?Top
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Silver plated is .15-.25 mils of silver plated to brass metal. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other alloy, proportions fixed by law. Sterling will 'patina' in time (take on an 'antique' look).
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Thai hill tribe silver is hand wrought, 94-95% pure silver.
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999 fine silver is pure silver.
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PMC (precious metal clay), developed by the Japanese, is
reclaimed photographic emulsion silver in a clay-like form that becomes 999 fine silver when kiln fired.
Q: What is the difference between gold plated, gold filled, vermeil and karat gold?Top
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Gold plated is .15-.25 mils of gold plated to brass metal.
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Gold filled is a 14 karat layer on a base metal, usually brass, then rolled or drawn to the desired size. It has a long life and can be worn by most people without reaction or difficulty.
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Vermeil (vur-may) is 14-18 karat gold over sterling silver.
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Karat (kt) is the measure of fineness of gold.
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24kt gold is pure gold; 14kt is 14 parts pure gold, the balance is alloy.
Q: What is a Kazuri bead?Top
Kazuri is the Swahili word for 'small and beautiful'.
A wide range of hand made, hand painted ceramic beads shine with a kaleidoscope of Kenyan art and African colors that reflects a culture and appeal to a worldwide market.
About 40 years ago, Lady Susan Wood began making beads in her backyard workshop with the help of two local women. Soon she realized that she could provide jobs for many more single mothers without income. In less than 15 years, Kazuri employed over 120 workers. Clay from Mt Kenya is the predominant material used in making Kazuri beads.
Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act
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