Before getting your watch engraved, we consider taking a look at our Jewelry Engraving Guide for additional information.

Thinking About Custom Jewelry Engraving

Like a tattoo, you don’t want to end up regretting customizing your jewelry.

When engraving anything, you want think about what piece you will be engraving, what design or words you’ll be engraving, which font you’ll use, the line spacing and size of the font, and any other details about the engraving itself.

Removing an Engraving From Jewelry

In the event you decide you no longer want or like your engraved piece, if it’s a modern watch, you can find a replacement case back for it and have it replaced with a fresh, un-engraved back. If that’s not an option, then you’ll have to consider the case and type of engraving if you want to remove it.

If it’s machine engraved, luckily, it can be polished out, but this will take away from your case back so be aware of that risk. If it’s hand engraved, that’s going to be harder to remove as it’s deeper than a machine engraving.

If it’s a gold case, you may be able to laser fill it, but this will ultimately be the priciest way to go.

The Value of Engraved Jewelry

Also consider the value of the watch. If it’s old or vintage, consider how the modern engraving might look on it. If the watch might be resold one day, know that engraving a watch will seriously decrease the value of the watch at resale. Lastly, if you plan to hand the watch down, consider the messaging you plan to use and if it is appropriate to pass along to someone else.

To avoid these costly measures, take the time to really think about your engraving. Once you do and you’re still set on engraving your watch, visit your local jeweler to speak with an expert engraver.

Guida: Your Jewelry Engraving Experts

At Guida Jewelers, we can either machine or hand-engrave watches and other jewelry in script or block, monograms, poems, and even family crests.

If you’re consider personalizing your watch with an engraving, contact us or come stop by Guida Jewelers at our showroom in Morris County, NJ.

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What Is A Wedding Anniversary Band?

It is what it sounds like – a ring gifted for a wedding anniversary. This ring could be for the first, second, third, fifth, tenth, or even fiftieth anniversary. Gift a wedding anniversary ring to your significant other whenever it feels right for you.

These anniversary bands often have diamonds on them, but since they are less traditional, there really are no rules when it comes to designs and styles or when to gift an anniversary band. Most often, couples gift anniversary rings to each other on more significant anniversaries, such as the 10th or 25th anniversary, but there’s no reason you can’t gift an anniversary band on the 3rd or 7th anniversary. Again, there are no rules. One idea we think would make the ring even more special is if you coupled the band with the renewal of your wedding vows. It doesn’t get more special and romantic than that!

We do recommend, though, that you make sure that the anniversary ring you decide to get matches the style and taste of your significant other.

Related: Anniversary Gifts By Year

Anniversary Band Styles and Designs

As mentioned, there aren’t any rules when it comes to anniversary band styles and designs, but it doesn’t hurt to get some suggestions from a jeweler like us!

You may opt to go a more traditional route, with a gold or silver band featuring only slight embellishments. On the other hand, you may decide to go with something more showy, like a dazzling Frederic Duclos ring. Perhaps you’d like instead an intricate and elegant Gabriel & Co. ring that may more closely match your wedding bands.

If you do end up choosing a ring studded with diamonds, be sure to familiarize yourself with Jewelry Identification Reports so you know that you’re getting quality jewelry.

Getting the Right Ring

To get the right ring for him or her, read our Ring Size Guide to find his or her ring size without them knowing! Just be aware of which finger the ring will be worn on; some people choose to wear the ring on the same finger as their wedding band, others choose to wear it on their right ring finger, and still others choose to wear it on another finger. Just be aware of wear the ring will sit so you get the proper measurements.

And if you’re looking to customize your anniversary band with a personal engraving, we have a comprehensive Jewelry Engraving Guide to help you.

Come visit us at our showroom, conveniently located in Denville, Morris County, NJ, or visit our contact page to get help choosing the perfect wedding anniversary ring for him or her and for all your fashion and bridal jewelry needs.

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And believe it or not, you can redesign your engagement or wedding ring. To get the process started, you can visit us if you live in northern New Jersey or your local jeweler.

Steps to Redesigning Your Ring (Setting)

First, you want to get an idea of what you’re looking for in terms of design. Consider what it is you don’t like about your current ring to get inspiration for exactly what you’ll be changing. If it’s the cut of the diamond, look at different cuts and see which one you like most. If it’s the setting, consider a design that’s more ‘you.’

Next, you’re going to want a computer-aided design (CAD) and 3-D model of your designed ring made up to make sure everything looks and feels how it should. An experienced jeweler can walk you through this process and help you to get the perfect ring design for you.

Once you think you’re set, double-check. Then triple-check. You want to be absolutely sure because who wants to keep redesigning their ring every few years? Plus, it may be harder to redesign and ring a second time so try to make sure that you’re absolutely satisfied with the ring before it goes to be made.

Redesigning the Diamond Stone in Your Ring

If you’re looking to redesign the stone, either itself or in addition to the setting, then you’ll have to consider even more when redesigning your ring.

This is even more delicate than the metal part of the ring, obviously, so it’s important to do this right. Talk with your jeweler about maximizing the size and sparkle of your diamond and getting a high-quality cut. Also, be sure to only consider diamonds with GIA certificates, or another similar reputable certification.

Related: What Are Jewelry Identification Reports & What Do They Mean?

How Much Does Redesigning a Ring Cost?

The price of redesigning a ring isn’t an easy number to come up with as it’s going to differ depending not only on the design itself, but it will also vary by jeweler. To get the most accurate estimate, you should visit your local jeweler to discuss pricing.

Lucky for you, we’re experts at designing and manufacturing custom jewelry.

Come visit us at our showroom, conveniently located in Denville, Morris County, NJ, or visit our contact page to get started on your engagement or wedding ring redesign.

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Gabriel & Co. Fashion Necklace

Minimalistic Necklace Trends

This year, “smaller” chain necklaces are in. No need for heavy, bold necklaces; a simple, yet elegant designer chain necklace is the perfect fashion jewelry accessory for your summer style. We recommend Frederic Duclos, Gabriel & Co. and Zeghani fashion designer necklaces.

Trendy Bold Rings and Warm Colors

Gold is the trend this summer, so be sure to grab a bold gold ring and add it to your repertoire of accessories. In fact, don’t be afraid to wear two or three or more rings – stacking up your rings is a trend this year. Sturdier rings are best for daytime, while lighter cocktail rings are better for nights out.

For fashion-forward designer rings, we recommend Frederic Duclos, Gabriel & Co., Kabana and Zeghani fashion designer rings.

Frederic Duclos Fashion Bracelet

Stylish Stackable Bracelets

Stacked lightweight bracelets and cuffs have been a fashion trend for a while now and it shows no signs of slowing down. This summer, be sure to pile on your metal bracelets, or wear one or two leather or other material-based bracelet. We recommend Alisa, Frederic Duclos and Gabriel & Co. fashion designer bracelets.

Gold Hoop & Fringe Earrings

Big gold hoop earrings, part of the 70s-revival style trend, and gold fringe earrings are big players in fashion this summer. Dazzle friends and family with warm, glowing gold hoop or fringe earrings. We recommend Frederic Duclos, Gabriel & Co., Kabana and Zeghani fashion designer earrings.

Stay in Style with these Summer 2017 Jewelry Trends

If you have any questions about cleaning your jewelry, engraving your jewelry, getting your jewelry appraised, repaired or anything else, please stop by and visit us in our local Denville, NJ showroom.

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Above all, you might consider the worth/value of your jewelry when asking yourself if it’s ok to get your jewelry wet. Regardless of whether or not a hot shower or a dip in the pool would affect your jewelry, you should consider whether or not risking the jewelry falling or slipping off is worth it. If you’re comfortable with the idea that your ring may slip off (and you may or may not lose it) then you can read on, but if it’s too valuable (a family heirloom or some piece of jewelry with personal significance), then we recommend you take it off before you are exposed to water.

Showering/Bathing with Jewelry

Generally, it is ok to shower with your jewelry. If your jewelry is gold, silver, platinum, palladium, stainless steel, or titanium, you’re safe to shower with it. Other metals like copper, brass, bronze, or other base metals shouldn’t go in the shower as they can turn your skin green.

Tap water rarely, if ever, has harsh enough chemicals in it that would react with your jewelry. That being said, if you take a bath, submerging your jewelry may not be the best thing for it, so try not to do that. But taking a regular shower or getting some tap water and soap on your jewelry is fine.

Water does oxidize silver, but it happens over a long period of time, and normal aging of your silver jewelry will cause it to darken anyway so at best you can simply clean your jewelry yourself, at worst you can have it professionally cleaned.

Also consider if your jewelry has any crevices, mechanical parts and/or gems. Jewelry with these kinds of features should probably avoid water. Trapped water in crevices and mechanical parts can damage your jewelry and not all gems react well with water, in fact, some are porous so water can damage them fairly easily. But fresh water is one thing, chlorinated and salt water is another.

Swimming with Jewelry

Swimming with jewelry is much different that showering or bathing. When swimming, your jewelry is not only coming into contact with more water more often, but there are other chemicals in the water, namely chlorine and salt, that interact with your jewelry far more dramatically than fresh water (and soap) alone.

In the Pool

When swimming in the pool (or hot tub) you’re exposing your jewelry to chlorinated water and chlorine tends to react negatively with a lot of jewelry. Especially avoid swimming in chlorinated water if you’re wearing silver as this will damage your jewelry. Other metals could potentially dissolve and otherwise get damaged from too much chlorine and certain gems may get damaged from the chlorine in pool water. If you’re jewelry comes into contact with chlorinated water, don’t worry; a few contacts with chlorinated water is likely not enough to do any real damage. Just rinse off your jewelry with fresh water and should be OK.

In the Ocean

Salt water is different still from fresh water and pool water. Pool water is harsher for jewelry for than salt water, but salt water is still corrosive. Plus, if you drop your ring in the pool, you can swim down and retrieve it – if you lose your ring in the ocean, it will be much harder to retrieve your ring. Also, shiny jewelry might attract some unwanted sea creatures, so we recommend taking your jewelry off before swimming in the ocean.

Additional Things to Consider

Other sources of water, such as rain and sweat, can have an effect on your jewelry, but nothing significant that would make us urge you to take off your jewelry before it rains or before you sweat. In any case, be sure to take care of your ring, keep it dry when possible, but don’t be afraid to shower with it or take a dip in the pool with it on. If you do need it cleaned, we’re always here to help.

Come visit us at our showroom, conveniently located in Denville, Morris County, NJ, or visit our contact page to get more information.

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How to Tell If Your Watch Can Even Be Repaired

This is not so much a question of if your watch can be repaired, because most can; this is more of a question if your watch is worth being repaired.

This can come down to multiple factors, including intrinsic value, sentimental value, quality of craftsmanship, and more. A watch that once belonged to your great-grandfather who fought in a war will likely be more valuable and therefore worth a repair than, say, a regular watch you just bought a few years ago.

Additionally, if the cost of the repair outweighs the cost of the watch itself, unless it holds some sentimental value to you, then it is probably safe to say that it is not worth getting repaired. In this case, you may opt to get a new watch instead.

If the watch is rare and, therefore, parts are hard to come by, or if the watch is damaged beyond repair, a repair may not be an option in this particular instance.

One last thing to consider is the age of the watch. Many of these experts can repair old watches because they were meant to be repaired. Believe it or not, many newer watches are harder to fix because they weren’t necessarily built to be repaired (ergo, forcing you to buy a new watch).

A trained watchmaker or jeweler can take a look at your watch and determine the best course of action for you in terms of repairing your watch.

How Often You Should Get Your Watch Repaired

The older the watch, the more it should be repaired or at least serviced. Think of vintage pianos and older cars; these things require maintenance to work at peak performance.

When you bring your watch in for servicing or repair, ask your jeweler or watchmaker how often they think you should bring the watch in to be checked or serviced. Seeing the watch and knowing its condition will help give a better estimate on when to get your watch repaired.

Just note – don’t wait until your watch is broken to get it fixed (you wouldn’t wait until your car stopped working before getting it serviced, would you?).

How Much a Watch Repair Costs

Watch repair costs vary. It’s important to remember, though, that watch repair requires a highly technical proficiency and skill set so this can contribute to a higher cost.

That being said, the cost of watch repair really depends on the type of watch repair you are seeking.

Different Types of Watch Repairs

New Battery

For non-mechanical batteries, most-often quartz, a battery repair should be a fairly quick and simple process. Depending on the battery, watch and whether it has hybrid mechanical parts or not, a battery replacement can cost anywhere from $10 – $50.

Strap, Clasp, Bracelet or Band Replacement

If your watch strap, band or bracelet is weak, worn or otherwise in need of repair, a jeweler or watchmaker will need to take a look to determine to what extent the piece needs replacement or repairs.

Clasps, straps and bands are typically cheaper because they are smaller parts in the case of clasps or they are made out of more cost-friendly materials in the case of straps and bands. Depending on the style, brand and material you choose to get for your new strap or band, prices can vary but expect to pay no more than $100 or so.

Bracelets tend to cost more since they are usually made out metals like white gold or silver. Basic bracelets can be less than $100 but higher-end bracelets can go up into the thousands.

Straps and bracelets are important to the integrity of your watch for obvious reasons. Without it, your watch might fall off your wrist! So be sure to keep this part of your watch in tip-top shape and get it replaced if and when necessary.

Major Watch Repairs

If your watch needs a total repair or major components of the watch need servicing, be prepared to spend a lot of time and money to get the job done.

A total watch repair includes taking the watch apart, cleaning the pieces, recalibrating, putting the pieces back together and much more. This kind of repair requires the utmost care, attention, and craftsmanship.

Major watch repairs can go from a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand, depending on the watch, its age, complexity and a variety of other factors. This is also by far the longest watch repair service.

Replacing Watch Pieces and Other Minor Watch Repairs

Whether it is the watch face, the dial, single band pins or straps, the gasket or something else, these minor watch repairs are typically the cheapest of the types of watch repairs. These types of repairs are often quickest, too.

Why You Should Not Try To Repair Your Watch Yourself

You may be tempted to repair a watch by yourself but heed our warning: do not attempt to repair a watch yourself if you do not have the years of experience a jeweler and watchmaker would have, especially if the watch holds sentimental value for you or someone else you know.

Even something as “simple” as oiling a watch can be worsened by improper care and cleaning. Only an experienced jeweler or watchmaker should handle your timepieces when it comes to repairs – trust us!

Where To Get Your Watch Repaired

Of course we would love to see you in our showroom in Denville, NJ for a quality watch repair, but the truth is, many watches are covered under a limited warranty. Check with your manufacturer if your watch is covered. If not, then come on down and we’ll take a look for you and do our best to repair your watch with expert care.

The post Watch Repair Guide: Different Types, Costs, How-To’s and More appeared first on Guida Jewelers - Denville NJ.

But textiles and lace gifts are not limited to 13th Anniversaries. You may not want to get just a piece of fine jewelry; you may decide to also get a thoughtful and beautiful lace or textile-based gift. We’re here to help you choose the perfect textile or lace gift for your significant other, in addition to offering suggestions for fine jewelry that pairs well with such gifts.

Lace Gifts

There are numerous lace clothing items you can get for your significant other. The lace represents the intricacies and patiently-woven bond between two people, so no matter how you gift it, you’re sending a message of strong, caring love.

Other lace gifts can include furnishings like tablecloths, curtains, decorative pillowcases and other decorations.

Citrine Ring, by Mauro Cateb

Citrine Jewelry

Citrine jewelry is also traditionally gifted for 13th Anniversaries, so it’s safe to say citrine jewelry is a good compliment to lace gifts. Citrine is a yellowish quartz that can be great gemstones for earrings, bracelets and other fine jewelry.

A warm citrine gemstone perfectly compliments the elegant lace you may pair it with. Combine the energy and radiance of citrine jewelry with the classic appeal of lace for a memorable and romantic gift.

Fabric & Textile Gifts

Fabrics and textiles include a wide range of possible gifts, from clothing to furnishings like rugs and even certain accessories like aprons and scarves.

Similar to lace, fabrics and textiles are woven materials that are bound together by tight bonds, a symbol of your commitment to your significant other. Choose a fabric or textile gift your significant other is sure to love, or let them pick out their favorite fabric or textile gift. Either way, a fabric or textile gift is a fail-safe way to show your love.

Moonstone, by Matthew Hardy

Moonstone Jewelry

Moonstones, like citrine gemstones, are also gifted for 13th anniversaries. The soft glow of a moonstone will go well with any piece of apparel or any other fabric or textile gift, guaranteed.

Compliment a fabric or textile gift with a shimmering moonstone for a one-of-a-kind romantic gift for that special someone in your life.

To have custom citrine or moonstone jewelry made for your significant other, stop by our showroom conveniently located in Denville, NJ.

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Factors That Affect the Value of Jewelry

1. Material

   Obviously, a 24k gold ring is most likely to be more valuable than, say, a wooden bracelet. The material that makes up the piece of jewelry will have an impact on the value of your piece of jewelry, but other characteristics (noted below) will also come into play when getting something appraised.

2. Weight of the Precious Metal

   If the piece of jewelry is made of metal, such as gold or silver, the weight of this metal will play an important role in how much the jewelry is worth. The more the metal weighs, the more likely it is to be more valuable; however, also remember most jewelry includes metal alloys mixed in, so you’ll also need to consider the purity of the metal (ex: 24KT is more valuable than 14KT gold).

3. Gemstone or Diamond

   The weight of the gemstone or diamond will play a major role in how much a piece of jewelry is worth. In addition, whether the gemstone is natural, treated or otherwise unnatural, that will also affect its value. Consider getting your gemstone appraised and getting a jewelry identification report along with it.

4. Style & Design

   Outdated styles and designs may not be as valuable as more modern styles – or vice versa! If the style is vintage, but popular in today’s jewelry, then you might be able to get more value than some modern styles.

5. Condition

   This factor is likely one of the easiest characteristics for you to determine on your own – and one that you have the most control over. If jewelry is damaged, discolored, worn, or otherwise “unlike new,” the value of the jewelry is going to be less than a piece of jewelry in better condition.

   Helpful Hint: A piece of jewelry that is stored properly will likely be in better condition than a piece of jewelry stored improperly. Ask your jeweler’s advice on proper care of your valuables!

6. Authenticity

   The presence of a certificate of authenticity is a very helpful document to store with a piece of jewelry. Appraisers can consider the proof of authenticity when calculating the piece’s value. You may also consider getting your jewelry independently appraised, and requesting a jewelry identification report that indicates the jewelry’s worth.

7. Uniqueness

   If your jewelry has a special history (from a certain famous time period, owned by a famous person, etc.) or if it has a unique quality about it, then it may carry a higher value than a regular piece of jewelry. Likewise, if the jewelry is engraved or otherwise customized, it may affect the value more or less.

Considering the Appraisal Value

Consider, first, the intrinsic value of the jewelry, which is the value of the gemstone and metal combined. This is a plain and simple number based on nothing but the materials that comprise the jewelry’s construction.

Secondly, consider that there is a difference between a piece of jewelry’s appraised value and what you can actually receive for it when attempting to resell it. Appraisal values are almost always higher than what you will actually be able to command when you resell your jewelry. The reason appraisal values are higher than the jewelry’s actual market value is for insurance purposes.

If you desire to sell your jewelry, brace yourself for the news that you’ll likely sell it for a price slightly lower than what it was appraised for. The intrinsic value and the appraisal value will give you a better average estimate of how much your jewelry is worth.

Where to Sell Your Jewelry

Once you have a solid idea of how much your jewelry is worth and how much to sell it for, you can resell your jewelry on sites like eBay and DiamondBistro.com.

We’ve hoped this has helped you with your jewelry appraisal and reselling process! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!

For a professional jewelry appraisal, come visit us in our showroom conveniently located in Denville, NJ.

The post Getting Jewelry Appraised: How to Know How Much Your Jewelry is Really Worth appeared first on Guida Jewelers - Denville NJ.

Learn His/Her Taste in Jewelry

It’s obviously important to know the style of jewelry your significant other prefers. Does he/she like gold, silver, rose gold, or platinum? What does he/she compliment when they see it worn by someone else? What is their favorite color? What jewelry does he/she wear the most already? Paying attention to all these little clues will help you choose something that your significant other will love.

If you’re getting a diamond ring, you obviously have to worry about choosing a beautiful diamond, including choosing a shape (princess? round? marquis?) that she’s always dreamed of. If you’re considering other gemstones, of course it’s important to choose one your significant other likes and will enjoy wearing. Some tips include choosing a color that will look good with your significant other’s hair color, eye color, and/or skin tone. You may also consider choosing a stone that may hold some significance, such as a birthstone.

Lastly, knowing your significant other’s general sense of style & fashion is important. Is he/she trendy or conservative, a nature-lover or a city-dweller? Bold or refined? Answering these questions can help you to determine the designers you should consider & the style of the jewelry you purchase.

Read Up On The 4 C’s of Diamond Grading

Anyone shopping for a diamond must go to school on the 4 C’s of diamond grading, which stand for carat, clarity, color and cut. By knowing the 4 C’s of diamond grading, you can be sure about whether or not you’re choosing a quality diamond and getting a good value on its price.

Knowing the 4 C’s of diamond grading can also help you to know if you’re spending a lot of money on a good quality diamond ring or spending money on something subpar.

Don’t Fall for Flashy Sales!

Sure, receiving a large percentage off a piece of jewelry for Valentine’s Day may seem like a good deal – but remember to consider the reasons why the jewelry is on sale to begin with.

The particular piece may be overstock and therefore less desirable, it could be an outdated style, or be of low quality or flawed in some other way. Be an educated buyer and do your due diligence to avoid sales on jewelry that may not be the quality you desire or that your significant other deserves.

Also, don’t be afraid to shop around to get an idea of different available options. You may find a ring more suited for your significant other’s tastes, or you may find a similar ring for less elsewhere. And remember that jewelers have access to far more pieces than what are available on display in their showrooms. Don’t see something that grabs you? Ask! A jeweler has access to a large amount of jewelry that they can get on-site within a matter of days.

Finally, our biggest tip of all: Work with a trustworthy jeweler to ensure you’re getting the attention and care you deserve. It’ll only help make your Valentine’s Day that much more special.

Come visit us at our showroom, conveniently located in Denville, Morris County, NJ, or visit our contact page to get expert input on your purchase.

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If you want to get a piece of jewelry appraised, or if you’ve already gotten a piece of jewelry appraised and want help deciphering the lingo on your jewelry identification report, Guida Jewelers can help. Come stop by our showroom in Denville, NJ so one of our jewelry experts can help you to understand your jewelry identification report.

For a brief overview, we’ve provided a breakdown of common parts of jewelry identification reports, so you can get a general idea of what your report tells you about your piece of jewelry.

What Is a Jewelry Identification Report?

A jewelry identification report simply tells you everything you need to know about your piece of jewelry’s gemstone in regards to the carat, weight, color, origin, details, and more. Most often, qualified experts provide impartial analyses of a piece of jewelry and its gemstones. Proof is provided through documentation and pristine photographs of the item.

What’s So Special About a Jewelry Identification Report?

A Jewelry Identification Report, most commonly issued by the International Geological Institute, helps to provide a real value for the gemstone and piece of jewelry that you own.

In addition to a piece of jewelry’s intrinsic value, a jewelry identification report can tell you the quality of the gemstone through the eyes of expert jewelry appraisers and, potentially, its monetary value.

A jewelry identification report will not tell you how much exactly a piece of jewelry is worth; however, the information on a jewelry identification report can provide documentation for appraising, which can tell you how much a piece of jewelry is worth in dollars.

Parts of a Jewelry Identification Report

Here is an example of a jewelry identification report.

Below the header section is where the report officially begins. You will see the report number and the date of the identification.

Below that will be additional information about the gemstone, in addition to a high quality image of the gemstone.

1. Description

The description on a jewelry identification report briefly describes the piece of jewelry being examined and includes details about its weight, the metal type, and the gemstones included.

2. Main Stone

The main stone section is self-explanatory in its purpose, but each sub-section deserves an explanation. After providing the name of the gemstone, additional details about the stone are provided.

Species:

Just like plants and animals below to species, gemstones belong to certain species, as well. Most gems are minerals, with a few exceptions, so most gemstone species will be a type of mineral.

On a micro-level, a species is determined by looking at both a gem’s chemical makeup and crystal habit. This can be simplified when you consider diamonds and graphite both have identical chemical makeups (i.e. they’re made of Carbon). Where they differ is in their crystal habits.

On a macro-level, there are numerous species and identifying which species a gem belongs to is just a matter of further identifying a specific gem.

Source: Rocks and Co.

Shape and Cut:

The shape and cut of a gemstone is very important as it is not only an artform in and of itself, it is the way to unlock the true beauty and elegance of a gemstone.

The shape and cut of a gemstone will effect the shine, color and brilliance of a gemstone, so it is very important to consider how a gemstone is shaped and cut.

Measurements:

The measurement of a gemstone is usually something like 3 x 6 x 2 mm, that is, a gemstone measured at 3 mm long, 6 mm wide, and 2 mm deep. If, however, the gemstone is round, then it will only have two measurements, the length and the depth (since the length and the width are the same for round gems).

While it is the color, cut, clarity, and carat of a gemstone that determines its monetary value most often, other factors, including size, can effect the assigned value.

Estimated Carat Weight:

A carat is specifically used as a weight measurement for gemstones and is equal to 200 milligrams.

Don’t mistake a carat of something like a diamond for what is commonly used to describe gold. 14KT gold is the number of parts of a metal out of 24 that is actually gold. A carat that describes a gemstone is purely a measurement of its weight, just like ounces and pounds are units of weight measurement.

Therefore, a higher or lower carat for a gemstone does not mean a better or lesser gemstone, it is simply another factor that further describes a gemstone and which may have an impact on its monetary value.

Color and Transparency:

The color and clarity of a gemstone are very important. On the most basic level, the purer the color and clearer the gemstone, the better it is. While not usually visible from the naked eye, a close examination of a gemstone can reveal very tiny imperfections such as fractures that may change the prescribed value of a gemstone.

Characteristics:

Characteristics take a look at the inside of the gemstone and further describe the stone on a micro-level and can greatly effect the value of a gemstone. Very often you will see something like “natural inclusion pattern,” which simply means that there are expected (i.e. “natural”) imperfections within the gem.

For diamonds, the inclusions can make the difference between a clear, brilliant diamond, or a cloudy one. In other gems, however, inclusions can actually add value to the gemstone. Regardless, inclusions are one of the most important factors in prescribing a value to a gemstone.

Comments:

This section allows the appraiser to add any additional notes worthy of mentioning and are specific to each appraisal.

3. Side Stones

On a piece of jewelry, such as a ring or necklace, if there are additional gemstones, these will also be examined and prescribed a value. The value of the side stones may add to the overall value of the piece of jewelry.

Knowing Your Jewelry and Understanding Jewelry Identification Reports

Knowing the value of your jewelry is important for many reasons, from personal value to monetary value.

As we mentioned in the beginning, Guida Jewelers can happily assist you in understanding your jewelry identification report. We can explain your report thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.

Come visit us at our showroom, conveniently located in Denville, Morris County, NJ, or visit our contact page to get more information.

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