Super Jeweler

Hi Friends,

If you have been following the news lately, you may have seen that the prices of gold and diamonds have risen to all-time highs. As we write this, for example, gold is at $1,753.20 per ounce. This didn’t happen overnight and we at SuperJeweler have been doing the best to hold the line on prices for years in the face of rising costs.

As of September 1st, however, we will have to make our first large-scale price changes. We have been offering the best jewelry prices online for a decade and we don’t take changes like this lightly. To that end, we also wanted to share with you some ways to continue saving money, even with the changes.

First, you still have some time before September 1st gets here. That allows you to still buy at current prices – most of which were set when gold was still $999 per ounce.

Next, silver is (and has always been) a much more affordable alternative to gold. At SuperJeweler we have a huge array of silver jewelry, which has pricing that doesn’t hinge on the price of gold.

With our matching wedding bands creator, you can save an additional 10% when you pick a matching wedding bands set from SuperJeweler.

Also, we have recently bolstered our collection of fashion jewelry to include items that are not made of gold or diamonds. These fun and affordable pieces include Murano glass, Swarovski crystal, alternative metals, and more.

Finally, our clearance jewelry section will continue to showcase the very best clearance and closeout deals on the ‘net… and that’s not going anywhere.

We appreciate your understanding. And we re-affirm our commitment to offering really good jewelry at really low prices.

Thanks,
The SuperJeweler Team

If you have been paying attention to the news lately, you may have seen that the price of gold is sky high at the moment, roughly $1,600 per ounce. This is a common occurrence actually. When economies slow, the price of gold goes up. It’s something that jewelers watch carefully so we can adjust prices if need be.

So what does that mean for the price of jewelry?

If you are a SuperJeweler customer, it doesn’t effect you at all really. Some jewelry stores adjust their prices when the price of gold goes up. At SuperJeweler, however, we make a commitment to keep our prices low and we do this in a number of different ways:

Different Types of Gold
A couple of years ago, we did a blog post on different types of gold. You can follow that link for a more detailed breakdown, but I’ll sum it up like this. The lower the karatage of the gold (i.e., 18k gold, 14k gold, 10k gold), the lower the ratio of 100% pure gold in the piece. For instance, 18k gold is 75% pure gold, while 10k gold is 41.6% pure gold.

SuperJeweler offers jewelry in 24k, 18k, 14k, and 10k gold for a few reasons. We believe our customers should have choices. If budget allows for 18k gold and that’s what our customer wants, that’s what she gets. If the customer loves the look of gold, but has a smaller budget or little concern about karatage, then she will be pleased with the 10k gold.

From our position, this allows us to maintain prices better in time of increased gold prices. That’s because a 10k gold ring has nearly half the amount of pure gold as an 18k gold ring. In that respect, the increase in gold prices only applies half as much, making it easier for us to absorb the change and keep prices lower for you, while still offering the same beautiful gold jewelry.

Metals Other Than Gold
Last year, we really started increasing our offerings in Silver Jewelry. We consistently get feedback from customers who enjoy it as an alternative to white gold or platinum. In that time, the silver jewelry section has really taken on a life of its own.

To that end we also offer other metals, too. Check out our Platinum Diamond Earrings, Titanium and Tungsten Wedding Bands, and even Stainless Steel Necklaces and Bracelets

We want you to have choices that are both adorable and affordable. That’s why we maintain a commitment to offering jewelry in metals in addition to gold.

Artisan Jewelry
If you have been following our Deal of the Day section, you will see that we have featured some gorgeous new jewelry from our Fashion Jewelry section. These pieces are SUPER affordable and include Murano glass pendants, bead jewelry, fine crystal jewelry, and even pretty white shell jewelry. The absence of gold in almost all of these pieces make them completely independent of changes in the price of gold, so you know that, despite the price of gold, these items will always remain very affordable.

At SuperJeweler, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to offering our customers beautiful jewelry at really low prices. We just want you to be assured that, even though the price of gold may be high right now, our prices at SuperJeweler are not. Shop with SuperJeweler today!

If you have been looking for diamond jewelry, you have probably had more than one friend tell you about the “4 C’s” of diamond buying. Today, we are going to dig into what exactly the 4 C’s are and why each is important. We’ll even talk about the 5th C that you all think about, but don’t like to talk about so much.

So just when did all of this 4 C’s business come about? The 4 C’s system we know as the accepted standard for grading and classifying diamonds was created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the ’40s and ’50s. In fact, as part of our continued dedication to excellence, the staff at SuperJeweler features several members whom hold degrees or certificates from the GIA.

The 4 C’s: Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut.

• Carat – This is the easiest of the 4 C’s to explain. Simply put a diamond on a scale, the carat (ct) is the diamond’s weight. Carat weight was originally based on the equivalency to grains of sand; yesterday’s 4-grainer is today’s 1ct.




• Color - This represents… wait for it… the color of the diamond! The grading for diamond color is from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brown) It is important to note that color is not the color of the diamond if the diamond color has been enhanced, such as in this 1/4ct Right Hand Diamond Ring with Pave White and Blue Diamonds. For GIA purposes, color represents the natural color of the diamond. The scale begins at D because the colored gemstone industry had already begun using A, B, and C to distinguish the color of gemstones.




• Clarity – In the simplest of terms, clarity represents the amount, type, and location of inclusions (or imperfections) in the diamond. An expert gemologist will use magnification to look through the diamond to accurately determine the clarity.




• Cut - Many people think this is the single most important of the 4 C’s. Cut does not refer to the shape, such as brilliant cut, marquise, princess, etc. Cut actually refers to how close the actual diamond has been polished (or cut) to the exact proportions required to produce the maximum fire and brilliance.

A diamond is valued based on all these factors, which when combined, together determine how far from perfect the diamond is. It should not be inferred, however, that a diamond that is not perfect is not rare or valuable. Indeed, most mined diamonds are not gem quality. In fact roughly 80% of all mined diamonds are not gem quality. This brings us to the 5th C…

• Cost - It’s just a simple fact: Not everyone can afford to buy the perfect diamond. Most people, however, can still afford to find the perfect diamond for them at SuperJeweler.

At SuperJeweler, we combine all 5 C’s to offer you the best diamond jewelry at the most affordable prices, from cheap engagement rings to diamond eternity bands and everything in between. When you add our 60-day money back guarantee and lifetime warranty, we are confident that you’ll have a piece of diamond jewelry that not only addresses the 4 C’s, but puts a smile on the face of the one you love. And we think that is even more important than the 4C’s.

One of the most common misconceptions with diamond jewelry is that cuts and shapes are the same thing. They, in fact, are not. One of the most common areas this misconception presents itself is with regard to the difference between a round diamond and a brilliant cut diamond.

If you have been looking at jewelry, you may have noticed the words round and brilliant have been used interchangeably. While this is a pretty common practice, a round diamond refers to a basic shape that many cuts of diamonds can be. A round brilliant cut diamond (also known as the Tolkowsky Brilliant) first debuted in 1919 as the creation of engineer Marcel Tolkowsky, when he was just 20 years old.

Tolkowsky’s findings quickly became the standard for diamond cutting and polishing. His mathematical calculations created a diamond cut for maximum fire and brilliance. Today, 92 years later, it is still the standard for diamond cutting. In fact, the term “ideal cut” is used to represent a diamond that is cut to exact proportions Tolkowsky determined.

A round diamond, on the other hand, is simply the shape of the diamond. Prior to Tolkowsky’s findings, round diamonds where also known as miner cuts, old European cuts and single cuts, just to name a few.

Today, there are many trademarked names representing an ideal cut diamond, check out these 1ct Hearts & Arrows Diamond Earrings in 18k White Gold. These diamond earrings from SuperJeweler feature Hearts and Arrows diamonds. Tolkowsky cut diamonds are also known as hearts and arrows diamonds because, if you look at one through a microscope, you will see hearts through the top of the diamond and arrows through the bottom.

They don’t call pearls the diamonds of the sea for nothing. That’s because, in fact, pearls do come from oysters and other mollusks.

Perhaps the better question might be: What’s the difference between natural pearls and man-induced pearls? And the answer is… not a whole lot. Let’s first take a look at how pearls are formed, then talk about the differences between natural and man-induced pearls.

A pearl occurs when some sort of irritant works its way into an oyster. Once the oyster recognizes a foreign element, it begins secreting a substance to surround that irritant to protect itself. It continues doing this, creating layer after layer, until the final result is a pearl.

Okay, so the difference between natural and man-induced pearls…

A natural pearl happens when the pearl-creating process occurs without any human intervention. That is, when an ocean current carries an irritant into an oyster. As such, a perfectly round or white natural pearl is extremely rare and priced as such. Like diamonds, natural pearls need perfect conditions to form on their own.

Man-induced pearls, also known as “cultured pearls,” on the other hand, can have the ideal conditions created. A cultured pearl is created when a person places the impediment–usually a mollusk shell called the “bead”–into the oyster or other mollusk. From there, the same process of pearl creation occurs as the oyster begins creating the secretion that eventually becomes the pearl.

Cultured pearls are created in large oyster farms, usually in Asia. In these conditions, the size of the pearl can be controlled because the time the pearl has had to grow can be measured. The more time an oyster has, the larger the pearl can grow. Because so many pearls can be created, “pearl farmers” can choose from the very best pearls for making jewelry like these 12mm Shell Pearl Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver.

SuperJeweler carries a fine selection of high-quality of pearl jewelry at amazing prices. Right now, it’s wedding season and pearl jewelry is one of the most popular bridal party gifts you can give. Check out SuperJeweler selection of bridal party jewelry today.

Have you ever wondered how a ring can come in so many sizes? It’s not like a shoe store; a jewelry store doesn’t keep the same ring in 7 different sizes in stock. In some instances, rings can be created in the size you order. For instance, this 1ct diamond eternity band in 14k white gold is a ring that is crafted to an ordered size.

In most cases, however, women’s rings are crafted in a size 7 as this is the most common ring size for women. So what happens if you need a size 6? Or a size 9? As it turns out, resizing a ring is actually a fairly easy process when performed by an expert jeweler.

If you need your ring to be larger, the jeweler will make a cut at the base of the ring – the side opposite the gemstone. This part of the ring is commonly referred to as the “shank” of the ring. At the cut in the shank, the jeweler adds another small piece of gold matching the color and karatage of the ring to increase the circumference to the new size. After the adjustment, the ring is measured with a mandrel to ensure proper sizing. After proper sizing has been verified, the jeweler polishes the entire ring to achieve a uniform shine.

On the other hand, to make a ring smaller, the process is the exact opposite. A jeweler will cut out a section of the shank and mold the remaining ring around the mandrel to the correct size. This process of adding or subtracting gold to resize a ring does not weaken the ring when done properly.

Not every ring can be resized, though. For example, some size 5 rings cannot magically become a size 9. In the rare event that a ring cannot be resized, however, SuperJeweler will contact you with additional options to ensure your satisfaction.

At SuperJeweler, we know that a ring is more than just a piece of jewelry. It is a symbol of love and affection that carries a sentimental value you just can’t put a price on. That’s why our team of expert jewelers at SuperJeweler go to every measure to ensure your ring is just the way you want it… right size and all.

The NW Ayer ad Agency stated that a diamond is forever, here are some of our other favorite diamond quotes:

“I never hated a man enough to give him back his diamond.” – Zsa Zsa Gabor

“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” – Confucius

“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.” – Mae West

“Kissing your hand may make you feel very very good, but a diamond and sapphire bracelet lasts forever.” – Anita Loos, screenwriter Gentleman Prefer Blondes

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” – Marilyn Monroe

“I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.” – Rita Rudner

“Big girls need big diamonds. – Elizabeth Taylor

What are your favorite quotes, please post them on the SuperJeweler Facebook Page.

When we think of diamonds, we normally think of those clear and shiny gems that adorn our favorite jewelry. In fact, diamonds naturally come in most colors of the spectrum. This is because millions of years ago, certain impurities adhered to the carbon molecules that formed the diamond. In time, the constant pressure that forms a diamond from carbon also pressed the impurities, giving the diamond a different color.

Natural colored diamonds are extremely rare and, as such, usually cost a small fortune. Perhaps you have heard of The Hope Diamond, which, at 45.52ct, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, and certainly the most famous blue diamond in the world.

In the early 1900’s, Sir William Crookes began experimenting with the effects of radiation on diamonds. To his surprise, his experiments created color enhanced diamonds; that is, normal diamonds changed colors when treated with different degrees of radiation. The only downside, and it was a biggie, was that, while these colored diamonds were beautiful, the levels of radiation they possessed made them unwearable.

Still, where one door closes, another one opens.

Crookes’ research led to the understanding that diamonds could, in fact, have their color altered, making colored diamonds accessible to the general public. In fact, in the past few years, a process known as High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) has led to the creation of color enhanced diamonds that are both exquisitely beautiful and very affordable.

SuperJeweler carries color enhanced black, blue and brown diamonds, putting the beauty and character of colored diamonds in your jewelry box. In fact, these black diamond earrings are one of our absolute bestsellers! Check them out today.

In our last post, we talked about white gold, specifically answering the question: Where Does White Gold Come From? Another question worth asking before making any jewelry purchase is whether the diamonds are real or fake. (As an interesting aside, a created diamond is not necessarily a fake diamond, but that is a topic for another post.)

In short, there are a number of ways to tell if a diamond is real. Professional jewelers have a variety of options at hand, and each one requires a certain degree of technical expertise and equipment. Because diamonds and cubic zirconium (CZ) reflect light in different ways, an ultraviolet light test is one option.

To tell if a diamond is real, a professional will likely use a tool called a loupe, which is just a small 10x magnifying glass, to take a closer look at the internal characteristics of the stone. Doing this, a professional can easily tell if a diamond is real or fake.

Of course, most people aren’t professionals, nor do they have a loupe lying around the house. For the average person, you can tell if a diamond is real by subjecting it to a very simple heat test.

A diamond, because of its very molecular makeup, does not hold heat. Therefore, if you breathe on a stone and the fog from your breath stays on the surface for a moment, you can be assured that this is most likely a real diamond. Remember, however, it is very important that the stone be absolutely clean before the breath test to ensure you are applying the heat from your breath directly to the stone.

If you want to be 100% sure, though, just buy from SuperJeweler. We use real diamonds in every piece of diamond jewelry we sell. We don’t even carry any kind of CZ jewelry. So all the diamond rings, diamond stud earrings, diamond bracelets and more that you see on our site are 100% the real deal.

At SuperJeweler, we know a few things about jewelry. For instance, we know that we sell white gold jewelry items at 10 times the rate we sell yellow jewelry. And that’s pretty standard among most jewelry retailers. We also know, however, that most people really have no idea just what white gold is or where it comes from. So that’s what we are going to talk about today.

We all know that gold, in its purest form, is yellow. So what exactly is white gold? A while back, we did a post titled What Are The Types of Gold? and we are going to revisit a couple of those points here.

Pure 100% gold is 24k gold. Because pure gold is a very soft and malleable metal, jewelers mix it with alloys to strengthen it. For instance, the popular 14k gold is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloys. So 14k gold is actually less valuable than 24k gold, but is much stronger and will last longer under normal jewelry-wearing conditions.

One of the most common alloys used in white gold is Nickel,which will give yellow gold a whitish tint, but that’s not all. At the end of the manufacturing process, white gold receives a coating of Rhodium, which is another rare metal that gives the white gold a bright, platinum-like appearance.

Because the Rhodium is a coating, however, it may begin to wear off in time. This is completely normal and to be expected of white gold jewelry. In this case, the piece will need to go through a simple re-Rhodium process. (As an interesting aside, Rhodium coating may also be applied to some silver pieces to help reduce tarnishing.)

While we are talking about alloys, we would be remiss if we didn’t address the commonality of Nickel allergies. It is estimated that one-in-eight people have allergic reactions to nickel. If you are among this group, you can try a few things. The most obvious would be to simply avoid white gold jewelry. Some people with Nickel allergies, however, have been able to continue wearing the white gold jewelry they love by simply coating it with clear nail polish from time to time. Still, if you are unsure as to the severity of your Nickel allergy, it is always best to check with your doctor regarding the matter.

And remember, whether your prefer white gold, yellow gold, silver, platinum or even titanium jewelry, you can find it all at SuperJeweler.