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Learn about the 4 C's (cut, colour, clarity & carat), shapes and quality
Check out many of the parts and components that make up a ring
Choosing the right ring - be it for an engagement, wedding or other special occasion - shouldn't be a mystery. We can help to simplify the process
From chains to pendants, learn more about a necklace that can add style to anything you wear
Learn about the many different chain types - from bead ,to mesh, to rolo and more!
Earrings make the perfect gift because they are always the right fit. Learn about the 3 main styles
999 Jewellery Design uses the finest materials. Learn more about the varieties available to find the one that is right for you
There are five essential characteristics of gemstone quality. Learn more so you can shop with confidence
Find out more about the different types and qualities available
The most important characteristics to understand when making a diamond purchase are the 4Cs of diamonds - cut, colour, clarity and carat.
Shape: Diamonds come in many shapes, see the photo to the left for examples. Unique characteristics determine quality for each shape. If you have any questions, contact us and we can help you find your perfect shape.
Colourless Diamonds
D-F Colour Diamonds (Highest Quality)
Near Colourless Diamonds
G-H Diamonds (Best Value)
I-J Diamonds (Great with Yellow Gold)
Colour is a good thing when referring to the rainbow spectrum of colours (red, purple, orange, etc.). Coloured diamonds are graded on a separate colour scale and can be even more valuable than white diamonds.
Flawless Diamonds
FL & IF Diamonds (Rare Finds)
Slightly Included Diamonds
VVS Diamonds (Excellent Quality)
VS & SI Diamonds (Best Value & Most Popular)
The quality of a diamond is a combinaton of the cut, colour and clarity. 999 Jewellery Design offers diamonds of exceptional quality.
Here we will cover some of the basics of ring anatomy. Pictures found in our photo gallery will help illustrate what you have learned. You will also see additional photos of some anatomy that we have not elaborated on. Please contact us if you have any questions along the way!
HEAD
MOUNTING
SHOULDER
SIDE STONES
PRONGS
TIPS
PEG
SHANK
FINISHES
There are many options when it comes to matching wedding rings to your engagement ring!
A simple diamond of your preferred shape sits on a metal band
Increase the sparkle by adding side stones to a Solitaire
Vintage, timeless details are fit to be passed down as family heirlooms
Smaller stones surround a center diamond, making it appear larger
The middle stone is the largest. Typically 3 stone rings represent your past, present and future together
Add vibrancy to a ring by lining the ring band with coloured gems to contrast with the center diamond
A necklace consists of any type of chain or length of precious metal or gems. There are many options including a metal chain, pearl strands or solitaire pendants. Solitaire pendants will show off a beautiful diamond, pearl or gemstone suspended from your choice of chain. A pearl strand is a length of closely strung pearls. Necklaces make fashionable gifts and can easily be customized.
There are many options of chain types to choose from and they go with everything! Consider adding a beautiful solitaire pendant to your favourite chain.
Bracelets can be a classic chain, traditional pearl, or a simple bangle. Some bracelets are available in different lengths. If you are purchasing one as a gift it is recommended to measure a bracelet he/she already wears
There are many options of chain types to choose from and they go with everything!
It is important to consider when the bracelet will be worn if you are giving it as a gift. This will help you decide the chain type you choose. For example, will it be worn every day or just on special occasions? Connect with us if you have any questions and we can help you choose the right style for maximum beauty and durability combined.
Studs are easy to wear as they are small. They are great for everything such as an evening out or every day wear.
Hoops give a feminine touch. Choose a pair with diamonds for added sparkle.
With various settings and stones to choose from, Drops add an elegant touch.
Although there are many metals available, we will be focusing our education on Gold, Silver and Platinum which are the most commonly used.
Gold is the most popular metal for jewellery, known for its denseness and glistening shine. It is resistant to rust, tarnish and corrosion. Gold is very strong, however it is the most malleable of the precious metals.
To increase strength and durability, gold is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel and zinc. Karatage indicates purity or how much of the metal in a piece of jewellery is gold. Karatage is denoted by a number followed by a "K" and is expressed in 24ths. Therefore 24K gold is 100% gold which is too soft for fine jewellery. We can help you decide if 14K or 18K would be the best option to maximize your durability.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold jewellery gets its rich shine from natural gold and colour-saturated alloys such as copper and silver.
White Gold
White gold is made by combining metal alloys that are white in nature and plated with an extremely hard element called Rhodium. Black Rhodium can also be used to create a rich, black appearance that is extremely strong and hard. Both white and black rhodium may wear over time but can be simply restored by replating.
Rose Gold
The addition of copper alloy to gold creates the beautiful pink hue of rose gold.
Pure sterling silver is a soft metal with a white, lustrous hue. Because it is so soft and malleable, it is commonly combined with other metals such as copper to increase durability. Typically the added metal only makes up 7.5% of the product. This is why you will see sterling silver stamped with a ".925" meaning that it is 92.5% pure silver.
Silver was once considered more precious than gold. Today silver is used to craft many fine jewellery pieces.
Platinum accentuates the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond. Its naturally white sheen will never change colour or fade - it lasts forever. Platinum can incur scratches causing the development of a Patina (a satin sheen on the surface from normal daily wear and tiny scratches). Many people prefer this unique luster, however if you prefer, it can easily be buffed away with a soft cloth to revive the shine. Platinum is hypoallergenic and makes the most secure setting for your diamond or precious gemstone.
Similar to diamonds, gemstone quality is defined by 5 essential characteristics that include Colour, Clarity, Cut, Size and Enhancements.
Colour is the most defining characteristic of a gemstone. Hue, tone and saturation are examined when deciding upon gemstone colour. For your best value, it is best to go with a gem that has a lot of saturated colour, "slight" traces of other colours and are not too light or dark.
HUE: Hue describes the other colours present in addition to the primary colour. The most valuable gemstones have only slight hues of other colours. For example a sapphire can range from "slightly purplish-blue" to "slightly greenish-blue".
TONE: Tone represents the depth of the gemstones colour. It ranges from colourless to black and is described as "light", "medium-light", "medium", "medium-dark" and "dark".
SATURATION: Also known as colour purity, saturation refers to the degree to which the gem is free from brown or grey hues. Typically the most desirable gemstones are described as "vivid" or "strong" in colour saturation. These gems are those that show little grey or brown.
All gemstones contain inclusions. Flawless gemstones are very rare and very expensive! Gemstones that are lightly to moderately included will be the best value. Clarity is important in comparing quality of coloured gems. Inclusions will not necessarily diminish beauty or desirability of a coloured gemestone. It is important to measure your expectations against the standard for the variety of gemstone you are looking at. For example, some varieties such as a blue topaz will naturally have fewer inclusions while an emerald or ruby tends to have a higher number of acceptable inclusions.
There is not an "ideal" cut for maximum brilliance like there is with diamonds. Instead, a high quality gemstone cut presents the most even colour, displays most of the gems weight and exposes the fewest inclusions when set in jewellery. Typically a shallow cut will provide greater colour saturation than a deeper cut. So if you have a less saturated gem, the colour may benefit from a deeper cut. A well-cut gemstone is symmetrical, reflects light evenly across the surface, the polish is smooth and there are no nicks or scratches.
Gems vary in density (mass per unit volume), so the carat weight will not necessarily allow you to accurately envision its size. Always request the dimensions of the diameter (for round) or length and width (for other shapes) to ensure the majority of the gems weight will be visible in the setting.
Nearly all coloured gemstones sold at fine jewellers are enhanced using various techniques. To find one without is very rare and will come with an extravagant price tag. Some treatments are almost universal, are permanent, and require no special care of the gemstone. Some of the methods for enhancements include:
The majority of pearls sold today are cultured. This is done by implanting a tiny bead into the oyster. Over time, the oyster gradually coats the bead in many layers of natural minerals and proteins. The layers are referred to as “nacre” (Nay-Ker). Nacre is what gives pearls their beautiful colour and lustre.
QUALITY
There is no industry wide standardized grading for pearls but 999 Jewellery Design ensures that each pearl meets our high quality standards.
COLOUR
The general colour of a pearl is also known as the body colour. Classic pearl colours are white, cream, yellow, pink, silver, or black. However, a pearl can also have a hint of secondary colour, or overtone. This is seen when light reflects off the pearl surface.
LUSTRE
When light reflects off the many layers of the tiny calcium carbonate crystals that compose the pearl, it produces an intense, deep shine called Lustre. This substance is called nacre. A larger pearl will have more nacre and therefore will exhibit more lustre.
SHAPE
Round pearls are the rarest pearl shape. Less spherical or symmetrical pearls are considered lower quality. Tahitian, Akoya and South Sea pearls found in jewellery have a tendency to be the roundest. Freshwater pearls more often tend to be oval or slightly off-round.
SURFACE MARKINGS
The layering process that occurs while an oyster creates the pearl can cause spots or bubbles to appear if the layers of nacre do not adhere smoothly. The smoother the surface, the higher the quality of the pearl. This will affect the price range when you are looking at pearls and is something to take into consideration.
SIZE
The size of the pearl really depends on the type of pearl. Freshwater pearls tend to range in size from about 3.0-7.0mm, Akoya pearls from about 6.0-8.5mm, and South Sea and Tahitian pearls can be as large as 13mm.
CARE
When cared for properly, pearls can last a lifetime. Our body’s natural oils keep pearls lustrous so the best way to care for them is to wear them often! Just remember to remove them when dealing with household chemicals including perfume, makeup and hairspray. These products can dull the lustre of your pearls. When putting your pearls away, wipe them with a soft cloth and store them separate from other jewellery to avoid scratches.
If I send my ring in for the warranty, cleaning, and semi-annual maintenance, what is the turnaround time? The turnaround time for our Care & Maintenance service is approximately 7-10 business days. Please always allow 1-3 days lead time for shipping.
Do you have a return policy? Yes! Simply return it for a full site credit or exchange within 30 days on any other purchase. For full instructions please call us directly or send an email to info@999jewellerydesign.ca.
Note: If it is determined that an item has been altered in ANY way, the item will not be accepted for return. Custom items or any other special orders cannot be returned or cancelled. However, we want to make sure you are happy with your purchase so please contact us to discuss. Additionally, engraving and shipping fees are non-refundable.
Do you provide gemological appraisals? Yes, anything over $1000.00 comes with an appraisal and a lifetime guarantee (with some exceptions).
Do you offer a warranty on the jewellery I purchase? Yes. In staying true to our high standards of customer satisfaction, we offer a Lifetime Warranty to protect against manufacturer defects in craftsmanship. The warranty does not include normal wear and tear or damages incurred due to trauma, negligence, lack of regular maintenance, loss, or theft.
Can I view a diamond before it is set? Absolutely! We can set up an appointment for you to view your diamond when it arrives.
How do I cancel my order? You may contact us directly at 613-224-7565 to cancel an order. Please have your order number available when calling. This can only be done within 1 business day once an order begins processing. Anything after this time period would be treated as a return within 30 days.
How do I clean my diamonds or jewellery? You can clean diamond jewellery in warm water, using a mild liquid detergent. Use a soft brush to create a lather around the jewellery piece. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Never do this over an open drain!
How long have you been in business?
Can I have a ring resized? Any ring purchased from 999 Jewellery Design can be sent back for free resizing for life (does not include re-shanking if required or if already sized at another jeweller). Ring resizing is completed approximately 7 - 15 business days from the time the shipment is received. If you have purchased a ring and need to have it resized please contact us!
Can you engrave my ring? If a ring is engraved, is it still returnable? Yes. We offer engravings for nearly all of our engagement ring and band styles. Should you wish to return a ring that has been engraved, a credit will be issued for the ring minus the engraving fee.
What is rhodium and what does it do? Rhodium is a metal alloy that is derived in the separation process of platinum. Rhodium is commonly applied to fine jewellery and rings to create an incredibly hard protective coating on silver and gold. It also provides a whiter shine and tarnish prevention to silver and white gold.
What is the difference between 14K and 18K gold? '18 karat' means the metal is 75% pure gold, whereas '14 karat' means the metal is 58.5% pure gold. Both purities are used primarily for quality jewellery and are durable for everyday use. 18 karat purity produces a finer-quality gold and a richer color when used to create yellow gold. In white gold, 14K gold will yield a slightly whiter colour and is slightly more durable than 18K gold.
How much does it cost to design a piece? It costs nothing to talk with us and get a quote. Once you agree to details, we’ll provide you with a free initial estimate and next steps.
How long does it take to create a custom piece? Design time varies depending on your vision. Once you approve your design, it typically takes about 4-6 weeks for us to craft your piece and deliver it to you. If you need a rush on a piece please let us know right away and we will try our best to accommodate.
Copyright © 2018 999 Jewellery Design - All Rights Reserved.
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