Education
Gold Alloy Explained
For centuries, gold has always been seen as a safe haven but also used to adorn those with intricate detailed jewellery made by accomplished craftsmen whom have taken years to learn the skills needed to make decorative items of jewellery and turn their expressions into an artform. Transforming their vision into a tangible piece, to be worn but to also hold its value against times of need.
Within this section we will talk about the differing carats of gold alloy and what it means for the beholder. Carat is a unit of mass and within the jewellery industry it is always preceded by a number to inform you of how much gold is encapsulated within your item of jewellery.
9ct Gold
9 parts gold to 24 parts metal, or 37.5% gold is the most affordable of all carats and within the UK hallmark standard, the numbers 375 will appear.
14ct Gold
14 parts gold to 24 parts metal, or 58.3% gold is more durable and is often sold within Europe and the USA. It is gaining popularity within the UK for those whom like a higher carat of gold but still desire the properties of 9ct alloy.
18ct Gold
18 parts gold to 24 parts metal, or 75% gold is used readily throughout the world, very often sold as white, yellow and rose gold. Diamonds are often used within this carat of alloy, the alloy retains most of its value yet is still strong and durable to encompass high value diamonds and still be worn on a daily basis. The UK hallmark standard will incorporate the numbers 750 within it.
24ct Gold
24ct gold is a precious metal in its purest form, meaning its 24 parts gold to 24 parts metal. Its rich, lustrous, deep yellow hue is almost mesmerising and is of the highest value. It is mainly used as a form of investment and more often than not, used for gold bars and is openly traded on the global market for all. It is also in its most malleable form and is rarely used for jewellery made to be worn on a daily basis, therefore it is alloyed with other non-precious metals to establish integrity
22ct Gold
22 parts gold to 24 parts metal, or 91.6% gold has the highest content of gold therefore retaining most of the value. Traditionally, referred to as ‘Indian gold’ it has a deep lustre and is used for the most intricate of jewellery due to its soft nature. But with the advent of new technology, modern designs can now be made with this high value gold alloy. 22ct jewellery is very often sold by the item weight and the UK hallmark standard will incorporate the numbers 916 within it.
Ring Size Guide
At DBS Jewellery we are committed to stocking the most popular ring sizes, as well as those that aren’t quite as popular as others. We have dedicated our resources to carry 10 UK sizes within each of our ring selection, stocking sizes from I through to R negating the need to resize our rings thus decreasing any wait times that other retailers may quote for.
We recommend that you check your finger size before an order is placed, upon your request we can send out a free ring sizer for you to check in the comfort of your own home.
We suggest that your ring should go over your ring finger knuckle comfortably with relative ease and without the ring slipping back away from the finger without resistance. It is also advisable, whilst wearing the ring sizer, to give your hand a shake to ensure it doesn’t slip over the finger knuckle away from the finger.
Tips to consider when measuring your finger
- Temperature – high temperatures expand the skin, whilst cold will contract the skin. Take this into consideration before measuring.
- Weight loss or gain – any changes in weight will have an impact on how the ring fits your finger.
- Pregnancy – due to the many changes one experiences during pregnancy, fingers often become swollen affecting the ring size.
- Comfort – consider how easy it is to put the ring onto the finger but also when you’re taking it off.
- From years of experience, we have found the ring finger knuckle is a good indicator of how comfortable the ring will be for you.
- Time of Day – as a general rule, it is best to measure your ring size towards the latter part of the day as opposed to the very first thing in the morning. Quite often, your ring size will be slightly bigger towards the evening.
Cubic Zirconia
Whether they are set within a pair of earrings, ring or bracelet, there’s no denying that a Cubic
Zirconia set piece of jewellery do really sparkle on any occasion. Cubic Zirconia is a real alternative to diamonds but without the price associated with diamonds.
Cubic Zirconia or CZ as its commonly known as, is a synthetic gemstone introduced commercially in 1976. They are created under lab conditions, using incredibly high temperatures of around 2750 degrees. Zirconium dioxide is crystallised to form a material, which is hard and colourless.
This is then expertly cut and polished like a diamond would be in its final process. To the untrained eye, Cubic Zirconia and a diamond are very much like from a distance. The density being a tell tale sign to determine the difference between the two, as CZ’s are heavier than a diamond of the same size.The simplest way of telling the difference between the two is to observe how natural light passes through the two, a diamond will show dazzling light – known as brilliance whereas the light passing through a Cubic Zirconia will be almost rainbow like.
Not only it is highly scratch resistance but it is extremely strong too, scoring 8.5 on the Mohs scale when compared to a 10 of a diamond, making it perfect for wearing on a daily basis. What makes it even better they can be made to match all of the popular diamond cuts, like the classic round brilliant cut solitaire, or the eye catching Oval to the striking Cushion cut.
And because they won’t put a uncomfortable dent in your wallet, Cubic Zirconia gem set jewellery is not only visually awe inspiring, it is also perfect for affordable gifting whether its for yourself or to treat that extra special someone.
At DBS Jewellery, we have perfected the art of setting these low cost gemstones into a high value gold alloy, we keep our margins low to offer our customers the best possible at the highest quality of finish.
Jewellery Care
Jewellery is not only an investment, for many people, it carries great sentimental value too. Therefore, it is important to take care of your jewellery, making sure they look their very best for many years to come.
At DBS Jewellery we have compiled a guide on how best to take care of your jewellery with confidence.
General Care
Here’s a few tips on what can be done to keep your jewellery looking as good as the day it has been bought.
- Take your jewellery of, if you’re involved in any activity where you could potentially scratch, knock or damage it. If you have any doubts, take it off and keep it safe.
- Keep it well away from chemicals, in particular, chlorine. If your jewellery does come into contact with any chemicals, rinse it under lukewarm water and allow it to dry naturally.
- Before going to bed, take your jewellery off.
- Remove your jewellery whilst cooking, cleaning or washing up.
- Shower and apply lotions and/or perfumes before wearing your jewellery.
- When storing jewellery, it is recommended to use a storage box or case, which is soft lined.
- If multiple pieces are stored, create space in between them to avoid any unnecessary
scratches. - Make sure chains and bracelets are fastened prior to storage to avoid any tangling.
- When storing jewellery, keep away from direct sunlight, excessive heat and damp conditions.
Cleaning Your Jewellery
- Gemstones, particularly Cubic Zirconia are bought for their sparkle and colour therefore it is essential to keep them looking at their best with some periodic gentle cleaning.
- Submerse your gem set jewellery into a bowl of lukewarm water, avoid using extreme temperatures whether hot or cold as this can negatively impact the Cubic Zirconia.
- Add a few drops of washing up liquid, allow the jewellery to soak for approximately ten minutes, using a soft bristled brush – we’ve found a used toothbrush is more than adequate for the job, gently brush the gemstones and the surrounding area with light pressure to remove the dirt, grime and oils built up over time.
- When the cleaning is complete, allow the jewellery to dry naturally, and with a mircofibre or lint free cloth, wipe the item with gentle pressure to avoid any scratching.
We recommend against the use of any mechanical cleaning tools, such as a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic. These tools should only be used by a professionally trained jeweller.
