Find the perfect ring size
If you are not sure of your ring size there are some easy methods to find out. Here in the UK we use letters and in the US they use numbers but they are all derive from the same measurement - the internal diameter. To obtain this you could measure the internal diameter of an exisiting ring, take a piece of string and wrap it around the desired finger (you may need some help) and measure the length, or pop into a jewellers and ask them to measure your finger. When measuring please consider that in hot weather your hands/fingers do swell, if your knuckles are larger than the finger make sure you can get a ring over. Once you have a measurement you can contact me and I can convert for you. Half-sizes can also be made if required.
Magnetic jewellery and pacemakers
Magnetic jewellery is becoming quite popular especially for clasps, which is ideal for those that struggle with fiddly clasps. Magnets can interfere with pacemakers so it is advised to avoid them.
Nickel allergy
Plated and sterling silver can prove an itchy affair for someone with a nickel allergy. Sterling silver which is bought within the EU does not have nickel present; this is due to the high amount of people who are allergic to the nickel and has now been removed
Why do items need hallmarking?
Any sterling silver item which weighs 7gms or more needs to send to the Assay Office to be hallmarked. The Assay Office will identify the purity of the silver alloy used for the piece, to identify the silversmith or company and to note the name and the location of the manufacture. Once the Assay Office is happy that the piece meets the requirements the silversmith's individual hallmark will be stamped on the piece and returned to be sold.
What's the difference between pure silver and sterling silver?
Pure silver is 99.9% (also seen as 99.9) silver and sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (also seen as 925). Pure silver is weaker than sterling silver but it is perfectly fine to use for jewellery but not ideal for large objects such as silver cutlery and serving bowls. The other material which takes sterling silver's percentage up to 99.9% is copper which gives it the strength required.
Real or fake pearls?
When purchasing fresh water pearls there is a test that you can do to ensure you are buying the real McCoy, rub the pearl on a tooth and if it feels like grains of sand the pearl is real, if it feels smooth then its a fake. Obviously you can't do that test in a shop so a couple of other tricks is to do the weight test, gently bounce them in your hand, if real they will feel dense and heavy. Real pearls will have natural flaws in the surface, if they look too good they probably are not real. The hole of the real pearl where the string goes through will be sharp and even chipped.
Semi precious stones - How to tell if real
To tell if your piece of jewellery has real semi precious stones, when putting it on it will feel cold, that is the natural source giving you a shiver!
Birthstones
| January | Garnet | A lovely warm red |
| February | Amethyst | Shades of purple |
| March | Aquamarine | Pastel blue to bluish green |
| April | Diamond | No explanation required! |
| May | Emerald | Green |
| June | Pearl | Cream/white |
| Alexandrite | Greens, reds, purples | |
| Moonstone | Browns, pink, grey, green, yellow | |
| July | Ruby | Red |
| August | Peridot | Bright green |
| September | Sapphire | Many colours, blue, pink |
| October | Tourmaline | Pinks, watermelon, green, blue |
| Opal | Red, white and various others | |
| November | Citrine | Yellows and browns |
| Topaz | Various pinks, blues and whites | |
| December | Tanzanite | Blues, lilac, violet |
| Zircon | Blues, greens, red, white, yellow | |
| Turquoise | Turquoise blue |
© Romilly Norman 2010
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