Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but there are still lots of questions when it comes to buying them. Jewelry Stores in Los Ranchos De Albuquerque have provided answers to the most frequently asked questions about precious stones and metals.
Q: Are carat and karat the same thing?
A: No, most definitely not. While they are both terms that are used in the jewelry business, they refer to vastly different things. Karat refers to the purity of gold. It is used a standard of measurement of how much gold is present versus how much alloy is present. 24 karat gold is the highest attainable rating. Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is the equivalent of 200 milligrams.
Q: Is it easy to spot fake platinum jewelry?
A: It is fairly easy to spot a fake. Platinum is much denser and therefore heavier than gold is. Platinum is more rare than gold is and much more expensive so it is often counterfeited. For a simple way to spot a fake, gently bounce the platinum jewelry in your palm.If it feels heavier than a gold jewelry of the same size, then it is most likely real. However, to be sure, take it to pretty much any of the jewelry stores in Los Ranchos De Albuquerque and they will be able to tell if it is real or not.
Q: If platinum is white, is it the same metal as white gold?
A: Heavens, no. They completely different beasts altogether. Platinum is exceedingly rare, very pure, and is the strongest of all precious metals. White gold is actually an amalgam of yellow gold, silver, copper, nickel, and zinc. This amalgamation is what gives it its white appearance.
Q: Why does silver jewelry tarnish?
A: Real silver will tarnish when it is exposed to air. If a piece of jewelry at the store shows signs of tarnish, it may be a good idea to haggle with the salesperson as this means that the jewelry has been sitting for a long period of time. Simply clean it when you get home and it will be as good as new.
Get more information about all forms of jewelry at John Thomas Jewelers. A highly trained customer service staff can answer virtually any question that one may pose.
