If an item is marked as 14kt, is it solid 14kt or overlay?
Are your gemstones natural or lab-created?
What quality of diamonds are used in your jewelry?
What do you mean by high quality workmanship?
What is meant by handcrafted and/or selected?
I am not sure about my ring size, how can I know the right size?
What kind of free gift do I receive with my purchase?
Are the jewelry images actual size?
What are my recourses if I am not happy with a purchase?
I bought a ring from you last year and a stone fell out. What can I do?
Do you ship internationally?
What is your method of shipment and is signature required?
Can I ship to a different address besides my own?
What are my payment options?
What if my jewelry doesn't arrive on time or is damaged?
INFORMATION ABOUT GOLD
DIAMOND DEFINITIONS
TAKING CARE OF YOUR GOLD JEWELRY
If an item is marked as 14kt, is it solid 14kt or overlay?
All of our merchandise is made of genuine 14kt plumb gold.
Are your gemstones natural or lab-created?
All of our gemstones are natural genuine gemstones. We require top grade quality from our suppliers with the main requirement being color intensity.
What quality of diamonds are used in your jewelry?
We require a minimum of I1 clarity and H/I color.
What do you mean by high quality workmanship?
We require the finest of gold, diamonds and gemstones to make our jewelry. We also use the finest jewelers and manufacturers (where it would be beneficial for the production of Lana Design pieces) that are available.
What is meant by handcrafted and/or inspected?
We either hand produce the jewelry item or we hand inspect and at times hand finish a manufactured jewelry item. If we can manufacture the jewelry item without forsaking the quality of the piece and it lowers the cost to you as the customer that is the direction we go.
I am not sure about my ring size, how can I know the right size?
The best method would be to go to a local jeweler to get your ring sized. Our sizes run at the quarter of a size…6 ¼, 6 ½, 6 ¾.
What kind of free gift do I receive with my purchase?
Your free gift for purchasing a piece of jewelry from Fine Jewelry of Faith would be a jewelry pouch you could use for travel, a bottle of jewelry cleaner, or a buffing cloth. It would be to our discretion on which would get sent with your order.
Are the jewelry images actual size?
No, images at times may be enlarged or reduced to display as much information as possible about the design of the jewelry. We do provide actual measurements as part of the description of the product is provided in Length and Width format
What are my recourses if I am not happy with a purchase?
You will need to get a return authorization from us within 10 days of receiving the item at that point we assume you are pleased with your purchase. If you are not happy with your purchase simply call the number on our site or email us (Contact page) and we will do our best to resolve any displeasure that you have. Please note in our warranty section that we do not refund for personalized jewelry nor shipping and handling charges unless the item was defective. In the instance that the item is defective we must be contacted within 10 days of receipt.
I bought a ring from you last year and a stone fell out. What can I do?
We have an unconditional free two year repair warranty. Simply return the item to us via an insured carrier and we will fix it at no additional cost except for a $15 shipping charge (please include a check). We do reserve the right to waive this warranty in the case of potential fraudulent activity.
Do you ship internationally?
We do not ship to International locations at this time.
What is your method of shipment and is signature required?
We ship through FedEx and we do require adult signature for all packages. Shipments are insured.
Can I ship to a different address besides my own?
Not at this time, we do not accept orders that do not have the same credit card billing address and shipping address. Please make sure that you enter the correct billing and shipping addresses.
What are my payment options?
We accept the following major credit Cards: Visa, and Master Card. Our shopping cart also allows for payment options by PayPal.
What if my jewelry doesn't arrive on time or is damaged?
You can contact us through the information listed on this Web site. You can follow the Tracking of the jewelry Important Jewelry Facts
INFORMATION ABOUT GOLD GOLD
Gold is a beautiful and imperishable metal. It was one of the first metals to be mined because it commonly occurs in its native form (100% Pure)
Pure (100%) gold is too soft, and it is usually mixed with other metals (gold alloys) to make it stronger and more usable for jewelry.
The metals that are mixed with pure gold for strength can also modify the color of gold resulting in different shades of yellow, white, and pink.
KARATS
Indicates the amount of pure gold in the metal. Abbreviation: kt
37.5% 41.7% 58.5% 75% 100% USA: 9 kt 10 kt 14 kt 18 kt 24 kt
DETERMINATION OF PRICE :
The following are some of the factors that determine the value of a gold jewelry piece.
WEIGHT: gold is sold by weight - grams (gr) or pennyweights (dwt), the heavier the piece, the higher the gold content, therefore it is more expensive.
DESIGN: designer jewelry is more expensive, especially if it is a one of a kind piece.
FINISH: special finishes to the metal such as matte, or sand-blasted finish add to the cost of the gold jewelry piece.
FINE GOLD:
Gold containing no other elements or metals. It's also called pure gold or 24K (24 karat) gold and has a fineness of 999.
FINENESS:
The amount of gold in relation to 1000 parts. For example, gold with a fineness of 750 has 750 parts (75%) gold and 250 parts of other metals.
GOLD ALLOY:
A mixture of gold with other metal (s) formed by melting them together. Gold is alloyed (combined with metals such as silver, copper, zinc, and nickel to reduce its cost and plyabilaty)
KARAT GOLD:
A gold alloy, which in the United States must have a fineness of at least 10K. in Britain and Canada, it must be at least 9K. There's a possibility that 10K will become the legal gold standard in Britain and Canada too. British use " carat " not " karat. " Modern European standards are marked as decimals .750 for 18k, .585 for 14k etc.
KARAT (Kt or K): The gold content of metal; refers to the quality of pure gold.
24 Karat (24K) - pure gold or fine gold
18 Karat (18K) - 75% pure gold and 25% alloy. Can be yellow or white in color.
14 Karat (14K) - 58.3% pure gold 41.5% alloy. Can be Yellow or white in color.
10 Karat (10K) - 41.67% pure gold and 58.33% alloy. Can be yellow or white in color.
PLUMB GOLD (KP):
In general usage, it means gold that has the same purity as the mark stamped on it. Therefore, 14KP means gold jewelry which had been soldered could be stamped 14K. according to current US and Canadian law, the pure gold content must be within 3 parts per thousand of the stamped karat mark for unsoldered items and 7 parts per thousand for soldered items. This means that technically all marked gold sold now is plump gold. In reality, not all gold jewelry is. When jewelers describe their jewelry as plumb gold, they are emphasizing that they abide by the law.
In the US and Canada, gold solders have to comply with the plumb-gold laws. A 14K solder might range from 12 to 14K. If jewelers specify that they want a solder which is actually 14K they may request a plumb solder. When you have repairs done you should ask if they will use a plumb solder!
PURE GOLD: Same as fine gold.
SOLID GOLD: Gold that is not hollow. Even though legally in the US, "solid gold" can only be used for 24K gold, it more commonly refers to karat gold which is not hollow or layered.
GOLD FILLED (GF): Composed of a layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal ( a non-precious metal such a brass or copper.) using heat and pressure. In the US, the layer must be at least 10K gold and 1/20th the total weight of the object.
GOLD OVERLAY: Same as gold filled except the gold layer is thinner. It can be from 1/20th to 1/40th of the total weight of the object.
GOLD PLATED (GP) or ROLLED GOLD PLATE (RGP):
Same as gold overlay. An example of how it might be indicated on a piece of jewelry "1/40 12 Kt RGP, " meaning that the piece has been mechanically bonded with a layer of gold which is 1/40th of the total weight of the piece. Canadian law does not allow plated items to be stamped.
HOLLOW:
Hollow is just that hollow. Jewelry that looks big and heavy but feels light is apt to be hollow. It's a good idea to always ask if a piece is hollow. You should be told with out asking, but this is not always done. Hollow jewelry presents a variety of problems. When the walls of the piece are thin, it dents and wears through quickly, leaving holes. Repairing it is difficult or impossible. You will find chains, bracelets, earrings, charms and many other items of jewelry made this way. The advantage of buying hollow jewelry is cost and weight. A rope chain that is hollow, or earrings will be lighter and therefore more comfortable to ware and will cost much less then solid.
THE COLORS OF GOLD:
YELLOW GOLD - This is gold in its natural shade. It is by far the most common type of gold used in jewelry. Yellow gold used for jewelry is usually alloyed with copper and silver to strengthen it. The warm glow of yellow gold works with virtually any outfit, any skin or body type and any gemstone. How yellow a piece is will depend on its gold content. Generally, 14 karat gold has a brighter yellow than 10 karat gold; 18 karat gold has a deeper yellow than 14 karat gold, and so on.
WHITE GOLD - White gold has become very fashionable in recent years as many consumers have opted for the cool, contemporary white look over the classic yellow look. White gold has the same properties as yellow gold, but is mixed with different alloys to give it its white color. Generally, white gold is created by using a nickel or palladium alloy, zinc and copper. Sometimes, white gold is plated with an even whiter metal, such as rhodium (a rare member of the platinum family) to enhance its appearance. A white gold setting can enhance the look of white diamonds and put a modern twist on a traditional standard.
ROSE GOLD - By alloying just copper with yellow gold, metalsmiths can create gold with a pink, blush-like tint, which experts say lends a soft, flattering effect to the skin.
GREEN GOLD - This alloy is created by mixing silver, copper and zinc to yellow gold.
DIAMOND DEFINITIONS
Blemishes -- The term blemish is used when the diamond has scratches or marks on the external area of the stone.
Brilliance -- Liveliness, or sparkle in a stone when light is reflected from the surface and from the total internal reflection of light.
Brilliant-cut -- Brilliant cuts are scientifically found to reflect the most light from within the stone, and often are considered to have the most brilliance of all cuts. A round brilliant-cut diamond has 58 facets. Other brilliant cuts include the heart, oval, marquise and pear shaped.
Carat -- Unit of measure of weight of diamonds and gemstones. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .75-carat stone is the same as a 75-point or 3/4-carat stone.
Channel setting -- Used most frequently for wedding and anniversary bands, a channel setting will set the stones right next to each other with no metal separating them.
Clarity -- A diamond often has natural imperfections, commonly referred to as inclusions, which contribute to its identifying characteristics. Inclusions are found within the diamond, and can be white, black, colorless, or even red or green. Most are undetectable by the human eye, and can only be seen with 10X magnification. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection called clarity.
Color -- Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Fancy colors refer to diamonds with hues like pink, blue, green, yellow, and very rarely red. Fancy colors are not included in this color scale and are considered extremely rare.
Cut -- Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and, disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance, and ultimately value.
Prong or claw setting -- The metal tip or bead that actually touches the stone and holds it into place. This setting usually consists of four or six claws that cradle the stone. Because this setting allows the maximum amount of light to enter a stone from all angles, it sometimes can make a diamond appear larger and more brilliant than its actual weight. This setting can also hold larger diamonds more securely.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR GOLD JEWELRY
Whether bought for yourself or as a gift, gold expresses love, permanence, individuality and style more eloquently than words could ever do. If treated carefully, the gold jewelry item you purchase today could last a lifetime and might even be handed down to future generations. So here are some tips that will help preserve the beauty of your gold jewelry.
First of all, gold is lasting and durable but can get scratched or dented if treated roughly. This is particularly true of items worn on the hands like rings and bracelets that are prone to a lot of knocks. So remove these pieces before any type of strenuous activity.
Second, beware of chemicals. Gold's worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can weaken gold's structure, eventually leading to breakage. So keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and jacuzzis.
On a related note, acids, abrasives and other harsh chemicals found in some common household cleaning solutions can weaken your jewelry or damage its finish. So it's best to cover up rings and bracelets with rubber gloves while doing heavy-duty cleaning. Or better yet, take them off altogether.
Gold can loose its luster over time if repeatedly exposed to dust, moisture, perspiration and makeup. So make sure to clean your jewelry regularly. You can use a cleaning solution of sudsy, lukewarm water, or bring it to your local jeweler and have it professionally steam-cleaned. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.
Proper storage is as important as cleaning. Protect your gold jewelry by storing it safely in a jewelry box or keeping it wrapped in a soft cloth when not being worn. Furthermore, keeping pieces stored separately will prevent them from getting tangled or scratching one another.
Finally, always inspect your gold jewelry for weakness or damage and bring it to a professional jeweler you trust for immediate repair. Pay particular attention to clasps (to ensure they catch easily but are still secure); prongs (to ensure they haven't cracked, bent or loosened, which could cause the stone to fall out); bracelet and neckchain links (to ensure they don't kink or bend); pin backs and earring posts (to see if they are bent or loose); and wedding bands, pendants and charms (dangling pieces and items worn every day for a long period of time) are subject to wear and can thin out and eventually break. Your jeweler will be able to handle these and many other repair jobs and ultimately restore your gold jewelry for you.
