Jewelry FAQ
- What is fine jewelry?
- What is fashion jewelry?
- What are bonded metals?
- What does rhodium plated mean?
- What do the marks inside my ring mean?
- How should I clean my plated/costume jewelry?
- How do I know what size ring I take?
- Can any ring be sized?
- How long will it take to get the personalized item I ordered?
- Why can't I return personalized jewelry?
- How can I tell if my jewelry is real?
- Does all silver tarnish?
- Why is gold jewelry so expensive?
- My watch stopped working after only a few months, what should I do?
- I ordered a ring in my normal ring size but it is too small, why?
- I bought a silver ring and now it looks grey and/or black, why?
- Why does my gold jewelry look darker now then when I first got it?
- Why does the ring I just bought turn my finger green/brown?
- Why do some people have an allergic reaction to jewelry?
- Why does it look like the "gold" is wearing off my jewelry?
Fine jewelry is jewelry made of precious metals such as gold or silver. Genuine gemstones are usually used to adorn these pieces as well. Back to top
Fashion jewelry usually refers to less expensive jewelry also called Costume jewelry. These are budget-friendly items that are created with inexpensive metals and usually less expensive stones. Back to top
Bonded metals like our "Oro Magnifico™ Collection" are when two or more metals are placed together under pressure to create a blend of the metals, usually silver and gold. This results in stronger more durable fine metal at a much lower cost. Back to top
4. What does rhodium plated mean?
Rhodium is a precious metal, a member of the platinum family. Rhodium electroplating is used on jewelry, both silver and gold. This provides a surface that will resist scratches and tarnishing, and give a very white, bright appearance. As with any plating, it will wear off over time. Back to top
5. What do the marks inside my ring mean?
You may have up to 3 different markings inside your ring that all represent different things. U.S. law requires that gold and silver jewelry be stamped with the correct fineness stamp such as 925 for silver, 10K or 14K, etc. The manufacturer's registered trademark may appear as a symbol or letters or both. It may also have the country of origin stamped inside the ring. This helps the retailer and the customer understand what the ring is made of, what company manufactured it and where it was made. Back to top
6. How should I clean my plated/costume jewelry?
Plated jewelry can be cleaned with soap and water and a soft cloth. If you are using a polishing cloth, be gentle. The plating may come off if you rub too hard. Never soak your costume jewelry that has stones. Many times they are just glued in and this may loosen the glue. Back to top
7. How do I know what size ring I take?
Check out our ring Sizer that you can print off right from your computer. Or stop into any jewelry store and ask to have your finger sized to determine your correct ring size. Remember, if the ring is a wider style, go up a size. Back to top
No. There are metals that cannot be cut to make larger or smaller such as titanium and stainless steel. Some types of jewelry are also plated and the plating would burn off when exposed to the heat necessary to solder a ring during sizing. Always take it to a reputable jeweler when in doubt. Back to top
9. How long will it take to get the personalized item I ordered?
All of our personalized jewelry comes directly from the manufacturer and takes 3 to 4 weeks to receive. The customer service representative will inform you of this time frame when you order. On the website, there will be a pop-up display with the notice. Occasionally it may take a bit longer due to high volume during certain seasons. Back to top
10. Why can't I return personalized jewelry?
Personalized jewelry is just that, personalized with a name, date and/or birthstones just for you. Since they are created to your specifications, we cannot just place them back into our stock if returned. Back to top
11. How can I tell if my jewelry is real?
All gold and silver jewelry must be stamped with the correct fineness and/or karatage located somewhere on the piece. The fineness refers to 10K, 14K or 18K, etc. Sterling silver will be stamped 925. Sometimes older pieces of fine jewelry may no longer have the stamp because of wear or repair done over the years. When in doubt, take it to a reputable jeweler to be tested. Back to top
Eventually, yes. Some silver jewelry is rhodium plated to help keep the silver from tarnishing. That plating wears off eventually depending upon wear. Some silver jewelry is also coated with a clear coating to help slow down the tarnishing but that will wear off as well. To learn how to best care for silver jewelry visit our Jewelry Care Guide. Back to top
13. Why is gold jewelry so expensive?
The cost of gold has sky rocketed since 2003. To give you an example on April 7th, 2003 gold was selling for $319.90 an oz., and it hit over $1,000.00 an oz. in March of 2008. It has been a roller coaster market ever since. So the gold used in fine jewelry has tripled in cost since 2003. Back to top
14. My watch stopped working after only a few months, what should
I do?
One nice advantage of buying a watch is it usually comes with a manufacturer's warranty. Some even have a limited lifetime warranty. Be sure to file away those papers when you first get your watch. Have the battery checked to be sure that is not the problem. Your warranty booklet should have instructions as to how to send it in for repair. Most times you only pay for the postage. Back to top
15. I ordered a ring in my normal ring size but it is too small,
why?
The wider the ring the larger the size you will need. Some of the wider rings require 1/2 size larger and some a whole size. When in doubt, go the next size larger than your normal finger size. Back to top
16. I bought a silver ring and now it looks grey and/or black, why?
The silver is starting to tarnish. This will happen eventually. When silver tarnishes it starts out looking grey and then can turn to black. A good silver tarnish remover or polishing cloth will remove the tarnish to make it look like new again. We suggest using one of our polishing cloth's such as F2320. Back to top
17. Why does my gold jewelry look darker now then when I first got
it?
Even gold jewelry items can tarnish or discolor. There are many reasons why but the most common are the possible chemical reactions to your skin and what comes into contact with your jewelry like hairspray, cologne, etc. A good cleaning and a light buff with a jewelry polishing cloth should bring it back to the correct color. We recommend jewelry cleaner F2340 and polish cloth F2320. Back to top
18. Why does the ring I just bought turn my finger green/brown?
There are some people whose skin will react with different types of metals used in jewelry. Even in gold jewelry. Green marks are usually caused by copper being part of the mix of metals in the jewelry. Not everyone has a reaction but the chemicals in your skin, along with perspiration, can cause green or even brown marks to appear on your skin. Coating the inside of the ring with finger nail polish may be a temporary fix. Back to top
19. Why do some people have an allergic reaction to jewelry?
Nickel is usually the culprit with skin allergies. That is a metal commonly found in white gold jewelry as well as costume jewelry. You won't just have discolored skin. You may also have a rash, bumps or itchy skin where it comes into contact with the metal. With rings, sometimes soap or water may cause the irritation. Be sure to dry the area well where the ring comes into contact with your skin. Back to top
20. Why does it look like the "gold" is wearing off my jewelry?
The jewelry piece you have is probably plated. It could be sterling silver, plated with yellow gold or a base metal that has been plated. There is even a plating solution that does not contain any "karat gold" but is just the color of gold usually called goldtone. The plating process coats the item with a thin layer which will wear off over time depending upon how often the piece is worn. Back to top