TOPAZ

TOPAZ

November Birthstone

and

23^rd Wedding Anniversary

The name Topaz derives from the ancient Sanskrit word “tapas”, meaning fire.  Topaz was thought to fuel matters of the heart, inspire courage, increase intuition and sharpen wit.

A November birthstone, Topaz is recognized as a gift for the 23rd wedding anniversary, symbolizing love, truth and devotion.  Topaz was believed to sweeten dreams and dispositions.  The gemstone of friendship, Topaz reveals the gracious and charismatic qualities of those who wear it.

Topaz comes in a variety of colors with the rarest being natural pink, red and fine golden orange.  Intense fiery-golden Imperial Topaz, particularly in medium to large sizes, is considered among the most valuable.  The abundance of blue Topaz makes it the most affordable.

Colorless Topaz is routinely heated and irradiated to produce blue, red or green colors.  Topaz in yellow and orange is occasionally irradiated to intensify color.  Brown Topaz is not commonly enhanced.  To clean Topaz, use warm water, a soft damp cloth and a soft brush.  Although Topaz is hard, it cleaves and a sudden impact can cause a break.  Ask one of Stanley Jeweler’s four Gemologists for details regarding special enhancements and care.

CITRINE

CITRINE

November’s Birthstone

and

The 13^th Wedding Anniversary

Revered as a gift of the sun by the ancients, Citrine was believed to inspire optimism and good spirit.  Sister to Amethyst, this golden quartz-family gem is a symbol of warmth and affection.

A November birthstone, Citrine is the recommended gift for the 13^th wedding anniversary, signifying fidelity and bliss.  The gemstone of joy and contentment, Citrine illuminates the sunny disposition of those who wear it.

Derived from the French word “citron”, meaning lemon, Citrine can vary in color from pure yellow to golden honey to smoky brown.  Of all the earth toned gemstones, Citrine is one of the most popular and affordable.  Known for having good luster, Citrine is available in all sizes.  Generally, intense orange colors are most valuable.

Heating various types of quartz produces Citrine.  Heat enhancement is also routinely performed to lighten Citrine’s color.  To clean Citrine, use warm soapy water and a soft brush.  An ultrasonic cleaner is generally safe, but a steamer is risky.  Avoid contact with harsh chemicals.  Ask one of Stanley Jeweler’s four Gemologists for details regarding special enhancements and care.

How do I Care for My Platinum Jewelry?

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY PLATINUM JEWELRY

·         Store pieces separately in a jewelry box or chamois bag so they don’t get scratched by other items of jewelry.

·         Remove your platinum jewelry when doing manual work.

·         Don’t handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing platinum jewelry.  Although they won’t hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolor gemstones.

·         Clean platinum periodically in the same way you clean other fine jewelry ~ using a pre-packaged jewelry cleaner or by soaking it in a mild solution of soap and warm water, and then gently rubbing it with a soft cloth.

·         Have your platinum jewelry professionally cleaned at Stanley’s Jewelry Gemologists once in a while.  For platinum jewelry set with gemstones, be sure to do this every six months.

·         If looked after properly, your platinum jewelry should not need to be repaired.  For adjustments, resizing, polishing, and cleaning look for a qualified jeweler with a platinum trained bench jeweler.  Stanley’s is fortunate to have such a bench jeweler on staff.

TOURMALINE

TOURMALINE

October’s Birthstone

and

The 8^th Wedding Anniversary

Perhaps the most diverse gemstone available, Tourmaline possesses a dazzling array of colors.  Moreover, there are bi-colored and tri-colored Tourmalines where two or more colors appear side by side in the same gemstone.

An October birthstone, Tourmaline is also the chosen gift for the 8^th wedding anniversary.  Tourmaline is considered a gemstone of enlightenment and resolution.  Believed to foster compassion, composure and reflection, Tourmaline reveals the most captivating characteristics of those who wear it.

The name Tourmaline means “Multi-Colored”, a modest description of the variety that exists in this mineral family, which includes dark green chrome Tourmaline, deep blue to blue-green indicolite, pink to deep red rubellite and watermelon Tourmaline.  Color determines price, with more vivid gemstones commanding higher prices.

Tourmalines are commonly enhanced by traditional heating methods.  To clean Tourmaline, use warm, soapy water or mild detergent.  Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.  Ask one of Stanley Jeweler’s four Gemologists for details regarding special enhancements and care.

OPAL

OPAL

October’s Birthstone

and

The 14^th Wedding Anniversary

Described by the Ancient Romans as the “Queen of All Gems,” Opal is a chameleon encompassing the essence of every gemstone in one.  Its name means to “See A Change Of Color”, which this phenomenal gemstone shows in unusual optical effects of shifting spectral hues described as play of color.

An October birthstone, Opal is favored as a gift for the 14^th wedding anniversary.  Opal is revered as a symbol of hope, fidelity and purity.  A gem of positive transformation, Opal reveals the colorful attributes of those who wear it.

Opal occurs in several types; the most common is White Opal with vibrant color play.  Boulder Opal is black Opal with some of the ironstone in which it occurs.  Crystal Opal is clear with glints of swimming color.  Fire Opal has a yellow, orange or red body-with our without color play.  Value is typically based on the brilliance and pattern of the play of color, as well as size, with larger gemstones more valuable.

Opals, with the exception of Fire Opal, are commonly enhanced to improve durability and appearance.  To care for Opal, clean with a soft dry or damp cloth.  Rub periodically with an olive oil-moistened cloth.  Do not soak Opal, use mechanical cleaners or allow them to come in contact with harsh chemicals.  Avoid impacts.  Ask one of Stanley Jeweler’s four Gemologists for details regarding special enhancements and care.

The Platinum Buying Guide

THE PLATINUM BUYING GUIDE

Love…The greatest gift one can give to another.  A symbol of this highest, pure emotion should be fashioned from platinum, the most noble of all precious metals.  Choosing a gemstone is just part of the jewelry buying process.  Its setting is also of utmost importance. 

Platinum engagement rings and wedding bands celebrate a lasting bond.  Platinum’s subtle beauty enhances a stone’s brilliance and depth.  No other precious metal is as distinctive to own and wear or possesses all the qualities of platinum.  Platinum’s lustrous sheen and rare beauty are coveted worldwide.

What is the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum is naturally white, whereas yellow gold is alloyed with other metals to achieve a white look.  The color of white gold is often further enhanced by plating the piece with rhodium.  This plating can wear away, however, revealing the yellow-gray color of the white gold.  A more immediate means of distinguishing the two metals is their comparative weight.  Even a simple wedding band made of platinum is noticeably heavier than the same ring made of white gold, giving reassurance of its value.

Why is a platinum ring more expensive than gold?

·         The rarity of platinum means that its price is invariable higher than gold.

·         Platinum jewelry is generally 95% pure platinum, compared with 18 karat gold jewelry which is 75% pure gold.

·         Platinum is denser than gold, so a piece of platinum jewelry weighs over a third more than the same piece made of 18 karat gold.

·         The process of making a piece of platinum jewelry requires a higher level of craftsmanship.

Will Platinum jewelry scratch?

Platinum was used for decoration by both the ancient Egyptian and Inca civilizations and, in modern times, was the first material capable of securely holding diamonds in a delicate framework.  This led to the creation of the beautiful Art Deco pieces of the 1920”s.  Today, the understated elegance of platinum continues to enchant new generations of consumers.

Can I wear Platinum if I have sensitive skin?

Because of its purity, platinum is hypoallergenic, therefore ideal for sensitive skin.  This exquisite metal is 30 times rarer than gold. 

Eternal

Platinum jewelry is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday wear.  Its density and weight make it more durable than other jewelry metals.  Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely.  Like all precious metals, platinum scratches.  However, the scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal, and very little of its volume is lost.  So, even though wearing it each day many leave an impression on the surface, it remains what it was – a symbol for all things eternal.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY PLATINUM JEWELRY

How to care for your Platinum jewelry will be available soon.  Be sure to check our Blog daily.

How to Clean Precious & Semi-Precious Gems

HOW TO CLEAN PRECIOUS & SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMS

Proper Care & Cleaning

Most people have no idea how to care for the jewelry they own.  All gems can be cleaned safely using mild soap and water; however, detergents can leave a residue.  The jewelry should be rinsed thoroughly and a soft toothbrush used to reach underneath the prongs of mounted gems.  Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste should not be used!  Commercial cleaners are available in various formulas for specific uses such as diamonds, colored gems, or pearls.

Many people have purchased small ultrasonic cleaners for use at home.  A self-inflicted disaster can be avoided if you know that your ultrasonic cleaner should be used with caution.  Emerald, for example, is frequently treated with oil to conceal fractures and can be damaged in an ultrasonic.  Any gem with inclusions and some treated stones also can be damaged in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Organic gems are particularly susceptible to damage by an ultrasonic cleaner.  Porous gems, such as lapis, opal, or pearl, should never be cleaned this way.

Stanley’s Rule: If In Doubt…Don’t!

If you are ever in doubt about how to properly clean your gems and metals, please feel free to stop by the store any time with your jewelry for a thorough cleaning.  In the majority of cases, this is done while you wait at no charge.  We will clean your gems, polish the metals, and check the gems for security.

Cleaning Guide

The following gems are safe to clean in your ultrasonic at home: Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Alexandrite, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, and Citrine

The following gems should only be cleaned using mild soap, water, soft bristled brush, and then rinse thoroughly with luke warm water: Aquamarine, Emerald, Peridot, Opal, Topaz, and Tanzanite

Special Note: Pearls should only be cleaned using a lightly damp soft cloth.  Since chemicals such as cologne, perfumes, and hairspray can damage pearls, they should be the last item you put on when dressing and the first item you take off when you get back home.  They should not be stored with other jewelry!  Pearls are very porous and scratch easily.

PLATINUM BUYING GUIDE

The Platinum Buying Guide will be available soon.  Be sure to check our Blog daily.