Q: What are diamonds?
A:Diamonds are extremely pressurized and heated
carbon crystals, believed to have been transported in diamond pipes of
"blue ground" called kimberlite, from deep within the Earth when the
Earth was formed billions of years ago. Diamonds are the hardest
natural material on earth. They have a specific gravity of 3.5, quite
high considering it is an non metallic mineral. Diamonds are hard
because of their crystalline structure, which can be best described as
a tight alignment of its carbon atoms that are held together by strong
electrical bonds, 4 times tighter than any others atomic density. It
is the hardest known substance on earth, and possibly in the
universe. It is estimated to be almost 150 times harder than corundum
(ruby and sapphires), the world's second hardest material. The perfect
crystal looks like two Egyptian Pyramids, base to base, called an
octahedron. Unfortunately the diamond crystal has 4 natural cleavage
planes that can cause the stone to break (cleave), if enough force is
properly directed along one of these planes. This brittleness is a
surprise to most consumers who do not understand the two unique
properties of this gemstone. Surprisingly, diamonds come in all colors
of the rainbow; some colors are much more rare and valuable than
other.
Q: Where did the name "diamond" come from?
A: The word comes from a derivative of the Greek
"Adamas," which means "the invincible, hard, untameable."
Q: What is some of the folklore associated with
diamonds?
A: Diamonds are said to be the traditional
symbols of wealth, beauty, royalty and love. The diamond is "the
gemstone of Kings and Queens." The word diamond conjures up images of
grand balls, mysteries, entertaining stories of great capers and even
murders, as well as great love stories. The wearer of diamonds is said
to have good luck, great intelligence, health and wealth, strong
courage, victory in battle, as well as protection from poisons,
floods, fire, thieves, fear, serpents, evil spirits, plagues,
nightmares and other pestilence. Diamonds were said to cure impotence,
insanity, dermatitis, weakness and psoriasis. On the other hand, the
wearer of a flawed stone, according to Hindu beliefs, could cause
jaundice, pleurisy, lameness and even leprosy.
Q: Are
diamonds rare?
A: For centuries, the only known location where
diamonds were ever found was the alluvial deposits in the streams of
the Golconda region of India. At one time, diamonds were known as the
"gem of kings," the most valuable of all gemstones, because they were
so scarce that only kings, queens and nobility were able to own one.
That all changed when news came in 1725 that diamonds had been found
in Brazil in the Minas Gerais region near the town of Diamantina.
These were also alluvial deposits, where sparkling crystals were found
in streams and rivers. It gave the world another area where diamonds
could be found to help satisfy the demand, which was ever increasing
worldwide.
It was not until 141 years later, in 1866, that the diamond rush was really on, creating an industry, with the first discovery of the crystals in the actual surrounding rock called Kimberlite, which was named after the nearby town, Kimberley, South Africa, near Johannesburg. This discovery above all others allowed the common man to own an affordable diamond as well as give scientists and geologists a key clue for the further successful search of other diamond pipes throughout the world.
The main mines of South Africa and throughout the world have either been purchased or have agreed to sell some or all production to the DeBeer's Cartel, a worldwide monopoly that controls the search, mining and distribution to cutters. It was formed in 1889 when Cecil Rhodes took over many small claims in South Africa creating the DeBeer's Consolidated Mines. In 1934, the DeBeer's organization, under the deft rule of the Oppenheimers created the Central Selling Organization (CSO). In 1999, it is estimated that the DeBeer's organization had over 13 billion dollars in sales of rough diamonds. Because of the USA's federal anti-monopoly (anti-trust) regulations, as well as other countries rules against controlled selling syndicates, the DeBeer's Organization can not sell directly to the public in those specific countries. They sell the rough diamonds only to the invited large cutting buyers at the 10 annual sales called "sights" where they can be expected to pay upwards of $170.00 per carat for good quality rough, If a sightholder does not buy the prepared box, they may very well not be invited back again for the next sight. (Note: Each prepared box holds upwards of $2 - $2.5 million dollars worth of rough gems, which if chosen must be paid for in full within 7 to 10 days).
Because of the many recently discovered locations throughout the world, including the most recent areas in Canada, there seems to be a very plentiful supply of diamonds, and in relationship to other gems such as Alexandrite, diamonds are no longer rare. They are however controlled in price and value. We therefore, at Ralph Miller Jewelers would not suggest nor advise the purchase of a diamond as a worthwhile financial investment, unless one is purchasing a rare natural blue, red, green, violet or other fancy colored gem (we specifically mean natural and not color-enhanced gems by irradiation in a cyclotron. When in doubt, telltale evidence can be easily obtained by testing the gem in question on a spectroscope and if it shows a 5940 absorption line it has been irradiated).
Q: Why is the Golconda area of India so important when we talk of diamonds?
A: The crystals found from the streams in
Golconda region were the main source of these hard "invincible"
gemstones for nearly 18 millennia. This region gave us the
spectacular gems named The Hope diamond and its twin blue called The
Eugenie (both in the Smithsonian), The Dari-i-nur in the crown of the
Shah of Iran, The Koh-i-noor, in the Queen Mother's Crown of England,
The Great Mogul and the Orloff. The traits of many of the crystals
found there have become to many diamond connoisseurs the criteria of
perfection for superb luminous and colorless transparency. It was here
that the "Rose Cut," a checkerboard style of
cutting a diamond with surface facets, was created.
The mystique that this region has given to the diamond industry is undeniable.
Q: What is the "Big Hole?"
A: It is the largest excavation by hand ever
undertaken. It is the result of the millions of yards of kimberlite
ore mostly being hand carried to the processing tables at the
world-renowned Kimberley Mine in South Africa, starting in 1872, after
6 years of research and the selling of 31-foot-square claims. The
inefficiency was unbelievable; there were many deaths due to caveins,
and fights and even murders over stakes and claims. The situation
continued until two strong entrepreneurs entered the scene to change
the history of the diamond industry forever. In 1888 Mr. Barney
Barnato battled Mr. Cecil Rhodes for ownership of the mine's many
small share owners. Each tried to outmaneuver the other for ownership
of the hundreds of 31-foot-square claims, making deals and buying
shares at a frantic rate, and at seemly exorbitant prices. Finally
Cecil Rhodes won control of the "Big Hole" by writing the largest
check ever written up until that time, worth $200 million today, to
create the DeBeer's Consolidated Mine, Ltd. (Named after the DeBeer
brothers who were the first to find diamonds on their farm land were
the mine started). The hectic, out of control mass claims mining was
immediately replaced by Rhodes with unified controlled mining. Formal
mining started in 1903 and continued uninterrupted until 1932 when the
mining was not able to continue because of water problems. In the end,
25,000,000 tons of materials were hauled out and a record yield of
over 14.5 million carats (over 3 tons) of diamonds were found. When
you see the pictures of the "Big Hole" and you see the water
approximately 1000 feet down, remember that the water is approximately
another 500 feet deep. The "Big Hole" was the largest excavation of
its time but has easily been surpassed by many open strip mines using
modern machinery and technology, as well as the Premier Mine which is
over 2000 feet deep, and still in operation today.
Q: What is the largest diamond ever found and where?
A: The largest diamond was called the "Cullinan"
after Thomas Cullinan, who founded the
Premier Diamond Mining Company Limited at one of the richest diamond
mining sites in the world, located 24 miles east of Pretoria, South
Africa. It was found by an African worker who pointed out the shiny
crystal in the wall of the mine, It was dug out by the mine manager,
F.G.S. Wells. Found in 1905 and weighing in at an amazing 3024 3/4
carats, it became a historic epic size that has yet to be out done. It
was purchased by the Transvaal Government and was presented to King
Edward the VII of England. To current collectors and
historians, the cutting of the stone into smaller ones was a
travesty, but at the time it was considered a proper undertaking. It
was cut into 9 large stones and 96 smaller stones. The largest stone
is called "The Star of South Africa." It is mounted in the royal
Scepter of Britain, and can be seen in the Tower of London in the
display of the crown jewels along with the Koh-i-noor found in India.
Q: What is the difference between graphite
and diamonds?
A: In one respect, nothing; they both are made up
of pure carbon atoms. But there the similarity ends, and it is said
that no other two minerals on Earth, of the same base, have such
diverse properties. 1) Diamonds have very tightly electrically bonded
atoms, while graphite's atoms are far apart with weak bonds to hold
them together. 2) Diamonds have a specific gravity of 3.5 while
graphite has 2.2. 3) Diamonds are hard, lustrous and transparent,
graphite is soft, opaque and dull. 4) Diamonds are non-metallic,
graphite is metallic.
Q: Why do diamonds get so dirty so fast?
A: Another one of the unique properties of
diamonds is that they are attracted to dirt, grease and grime. Perhaps
this is
because of the electrical bond of its atoms. This property was used to
an extreme advantage by many mining companies, who devised an easy
process to separate the diamonds from the kimberlite. It was
accomplished by running the crushed rock over heavily greased tables
to collect the crystals that would adhere immediately to the sticky
surface while the rest of the ore past by without any adherence
whatsoever. The diamonds in your jewelry maintain this same property
of attraction. We recommend weekly cleaning of your fine jewelry
items. At Ralph Miller Jewelers we never charge a fee for cleaning and
checking your items.
Q: How are diamonds priced?
A: Diamonds are priced by grading them using a
descriptive formula called "The 4 C's": Cut, Clarity, Color
and Carat Weight.
Cut is the shape of the stone as well as the proper alignment of facets and the proportions of the table, pavilion, star cuts and girdle.
Clarity is the transparency of the stone, as well as the degree that the stone is absence of imperfections.
Color is the actual hue of the diamond. Although diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow the rare colors are blue, red, green, violet, purplish-red, pink, yellow, etc. The white stones are valued by the degree of colorless tints that the particular stone possesses. The whiter and more brilliant and transparent the stone the better.
Carat weight is the actual metric weight of the stone. 5 carats is equal to 1 gram.
See much more information on each in our diamond section.
Q: Why should I buy a diamond from Ralph
Miller Jewelers?
A: Because we are proud to add another "C"
confidence, to our grading system. We will educate you to become an
informed knowledgeable consumer. You can trust this century-old store.
WE DO:
You will be confident that the stone you select from us is exactly what it is said to be.
We inspect every stone we sell.
We offer highly trained associates to assist you in your search for your special item.
We grade all of our stones very strictly.
We have been in business for over 100 years and we have a century of tradition of trust, confidence and fairness.
We can import directly from our sources in Johannesburg, South Africa, Belgium, Israel, etc., for your special needs of unusual colored diamonds or diamonds over 3 carats.
We only sell well-proportioned stones.
We sell only faceted or polished girdle diamonds.
We offer a trade up policy to all of our diamond patrons.
We sell Certified stones: GIA, EGL, AGL, ARGLE, etc.
We are members of the Retail Jewelers Association of America as well as the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, bound to uphold integrity, trust and honesty to all of our patrons.
WE DO NOT:
We do not sell laser drilled, quality enhanced or whitened stones.
We do not sell poorly-cut stones with major differences in facet alignment and girdle thickness.
We will not sell any diamonds that we've had to sacrifice one of the "C" to increase our profit margin.
We do not sell stones that we do not know the source of.
Q: What is a fossil?
A: Fossils are remains of prehistoric life. They
include frozen mammoths, dinosaur tracks, fossil sea life, ferns and
petrified wood. They can be microscopic or gigantic. Not all fossils
are turned to stone; amber is a fossil resin that can hold fossil
insects and dry caves can preserve extinct animals as mummies.
Q: What is Coprolite?
A: Coprolite is the formal name for fossilized
dinosaur dung, or any fossil excrement. Coprolite can be from any
type of animal and it is difficult to determine what kind of animal
was responsable. Dinosaur coprolite is identified by shape, large
size, and content as well as locality and age. The excrement is totaly
replaced by stone over millions of years.
Q: Are fossils rare?
A: NO! There are trillions of fossils and they
can be found in localities all over the world. Places to find fossils
exist in every state and Province in North America. For instance,
scientists estimate that Montana alone contains enough dinosaur
remains to fill displays in every grade school, high school and
college in the country. One rock formation in Wyoming and Utah holds
enough fossil fish that every person on the planet could have
one. Fossils are not rare! Some kinds of fossils are found only
infrequently and should be shown to persons familiar with local
fossils to see if they are new types or important enough to publish.
Fossils like this are best kept in museums.
Q: Should all fossils be in museums?
A: Fossils of new species should be placed in
museums, but if all fossils were in museums we would have to store
billions of repetitive samples. For example, many buildings are made
of rock that contains fossils; mining coal and other fossil fuels
produce uncounted fossils; and in states like Florida, most of the
roads are made of crushed fossil shells. In addition the public
sector needs fossils in schools, colleges and universities, and
amatuer collectors dealers and students have legitimate reasons to own
fossils. We are lucky to live in a free country where we can do
this. Specimens of new kinds of fossils need to be donated or offered
to museums.
Q: Why is gold called the "noble metal?"
A: From ancient times to the present, gold has
always been associated with nobility. In addition, gold does not
oxidize in its pure state. It maintains its deep, warm, rich, yellow
color unless it is acted upon chemically.
Q: What is 24 karat gold?
A: This form of the metal -- colored a deep,
rich, warm, yellow -- is 99.99% pure gold. It is the highest purity
of gold available.
Q: What is the difference between 18 karat, 14 karat, and 10 karat gold?
A:
Q: What is the difference between "carat" and "karat" in the jewelry industry?
A: They are the metric measurement for weight and purity, respectively.
Q: What is the lowest karat gold available in the
United States?
A: Ten karat gold is the lowest, legally allowed
gold purity of a jewelry piece without it being hallmarked as gold
filled. Other countries, however, do permit 6 karat and 8 karat gold
to be sold.
Q: What is the meaning of the 18 karat HE plate stamped inside a ring?
A: It means that the ring has 18 karat gold electroplated over the base metal, which is usually brass or some white metal composition.
Q: Is there any difference in the quality of gold
purchased in different countries such as Italy, Brazil, England,
France, India, etcetera?
A: No. Gold is an element and its quality does
not vary. Also, stamped 14 karat gold is always 58.3% gold no matter
where it is being sold.
Platinum
Q: What is Platinum?
A: Platinum is a white metal that is found in nature in
usually alluvial (water-washed and -transported sediment) deposits.
Its name is a derivative of the Spanish word "plantina," which means
"silver." It was given the name "platina del Pinto," because it was
first found in 1741 in New Granada, now known as Colombia, South
America. It unfortunately is never found in its pure form in nature;
it is always found with other alloys of metals of the platinum group
of metals (the platinum group is a closely-related group of alloys
consisting of platinum - the most abundant, iridium, osmium,
palladium, rhodium and ruthenium). It also is found in deposits of
iron, copper, gold and nickel. Platinum, with a specific gravity of
21.45, is a much denser and thus heavier metal than gold which has a
specific gravity of 19.3. Because it is heavier than gold and is
usually much stronger, it was used to hold many important gems
including the Hope Diamond. In jewelry, platinum is usually used
at 90% to 95% purity, and thus it is a purer metal than the 10kt (48.0%),
14kt (58.5%), or 18kt (75.0%) alloys of gold and therefore it is
much more expensive.
Q: Does platinum tarnish like silver?
A: No, platinum does not tarnish, and because it does
not, it is in high demand for use in the art, industrial and medical
fields. It is one of the very few metals that does not cause allergies
to the human body and is used in surgical situations for bone
supports, pins and plates. Although platinum that does come in contact
with certain chemicals can develop a darker patina, it can be easily
removed by simple buffing by the jewelers at Ralph Miller Jewelers.
Q: Are there different cleaning needs for
jewelry made from platinum?
A: No, a standard recommended jewelry cleaner
available at any jewelry store is fine for this purpose, as well as a
mild liquid soap mixture that you can mix at home while using a
discarded toothbrush to clean crevices, undercarriages and behind the
gemstones. Wipe the item with a soft cloth to clean off fingerprints
and smudges. Please note that it will not remove the scratches.
Q: My platinum rings have many scratches that are
due to my constant everyday wear. When I purchased them and paid
considerably more money for them then gold, I thought since platinum
is a much stronger and denser metal it would be less susceptible to
scratching.
A: Yes, platinum is a heavier, more expensive
and stronger metal than gold, but it still will scratch. All precious
metals will scratch with wear. These everyday wear scratches can be
easily removed by a fine jeweler. At Ralph Miller Jewelers we do not
charge for cleaning and polishing of your platinum jewelry items.
Q: What is the difference between 14kt white gold and platinum?
A: A platinum item of the exact same proportions
will weigh 60% more than the same item in 14kt white gold. White gold
is an alloy of pure yellow gold that has had other metals added to the
mixture to bleach out the yellow color (nickel was one of the alloys
used in many older pieces of white gold jewelry along with silver,
platinum and palladium, etc.). 14kt white gold is usually
electroplated with rhodium (another member of the platinum group), to
increase its brilliance and enhance a whiter look. On the other
hand, platinum is a naturally white metal.
Q: Why is platinum never mentioned in the history
books as being used by civilizations of antiquity, as are other precious
metals such as gold, silver, copper and bronze?
A: Although platinum is as plentiful as gold and
silver, it was not discovered until 1741. Platinum is not
found in easily identifiable veins as is silver and gold. It is found
in much less identifiable concentrations, usually in gravel along
stream beds and never in its pure form. The stream beds in New Granada
(Colombia) was the only known location for platinum until 1824, when a
new discovery was found in Russia in the Ural Mountains. It was not
until a 1935 discovery in Canada that platinum was found in North
America. The greatest deposits of platinum were found in South Africa
in a region known as the Bushveld Igneous Complex in 1923. An
extremely mineral-rich area of approximately 30,000 square miles in the
Waterberg district, by the 1950's this had become the world's leading
producer of platinum.
Q: What is German Silver?
A: German Silver is not silver at all, it is nickel.
Q: Why do watches and clocks take longer to repair than jewelry?
A: Watches and clocks take longer to repair
because of the length of time needed to obtain the appropriate parts.
Many parts are usually made in -- and must be shipped from -- Asia.
After the parts are received, it takes an additional week or two to
clean and reassemble the piece and to make sure that it is timed
correctly (that all the mechanics are working in coordination).
Since the current fashion fad of body piercing has become commonplace to the younger generations, new cases of allergic reactions are occurring at an alarming rate. Statistics have stated that white metal allergies have increased by 40% during the last five years, with nickel being the main cause (according to Dr. Pamela Scheinman, Dermatologist and Allergy Specialist from the New England Medical Center). With the continued exploration of unique areas of piercing to the body both visible and hidden, the exposure to varied infections can be caused by just the sheer locations of the piercings. Locations such as the genitalia, tongue, navel, breasts, eyebrows, lips, nose and nasal septum, as well as the upper areas of the ears, all increase the chance of infections, skin reactions, scarring, and life long allergies to nickel. Extreme care must be taken in these areas of possible infections to avoid medical problems. Remember that piercing is an invasion of the largest organ of the body (the skin).
Q: I've suddenly developed an allergic reaction to certain pieces of jewelry. Why?One of the leading causes of allergic reactions is the use of the metal alloy, nickel.
Q: Is there something I can do to prevent this
skin reaction from continuing, if it has already occurred?
A: It is our recommendation that you remove
the item of jewelry that is causing the problem, plus we
recommend a visit to an qualified dermatologist or allergy specialist
immediately for proper treatment and medication. NOTE: Once you
have developed a skin allergic reaction to nickel, it is extremely
hard to avoid reoccurrence, except under proper medical care.
Q: What can I do to avoid this type of skin allergy, if I plan on getting a piercing in the future?
A: Remember that proper sterilization and
sanitary conditions must prevail prior, during and following the
piercing, so go to only properly trained professionals for the
recommend proper care and piercing techniques. The use of the
one step, spring-reaction piercing systems are the safest of all.
They use surgical stainless steel studs that are used only once, which
helps greatly to remove the chance of infections. Just boiling and
using a flame to prepare your instruments is not enough. It is not
a do-it-yourself project or a group event at a party. If you have
skin that is susceptible to scarring, or your family has a history of
skin problems, you may be at risk (please consult a qualified
dermatologist prior to your piercing event). The piercing of
cartilage and thick areas of skin are at much higher risks of
infections and reactions, plus they take a lot longer to heal.
Q: I only wear 14kt gold and Sterling silver
earrings and yet I've developed a keloid, scar tissue growth on one of
my ear lobes. What am I to do?
A: The use of 14 karat gold and Sterling
silver is not a guarantee that you will not develop an allergic
reaction to the metal alloys (especially nickel), which they both contain
(in small amounts). Keloids are growths that can occur due to, for
example, the cartilage of the ears, and if left untreated can grow to
the size of the ear itself. Immediate attention must be given by a
qualified Dermatologist. The entire piece of jewelry must be made
of nickel free gold or silver, platinum, or surgical stainless steel to
avoid the risks of skin allergies. The solder at the base
of the earring post that secures the post to the rest of the earring
should be plumb solder with as high a gold content as possible. A
nickel test kit can test your earrings to avoid any doubt of the
possibilities of the presence of nickel. We invite you to stop into
Ralph Miller Jewelers for assistance.
Q: What is nickel and why does it increase the occurrence of skin allergies?
A: Nickel is a white metal used to make jewelry
bright and shiny. But the body, to many different degrees, can react
to the presence of the metal. The cells of the human body react
against the presence of nickel causing the skin to erupt. The
specific cells of the body which fight the nickel are called T-Cells.
Unfortunately (in this case) they have cell memory. Once they have reacted to
nickel coming in contact with the body, they will continue to do so
every time the body is exposed to the presence of nickel, thus
developing an immediate reaction time and time again. Reactions can
occur by events as simple as chewing on a metal pen or a paper
clip.
Q: What metals are safe to wear?
A: We recommend the wearing of only fine jewelry
made of pure gold, platinum, palladium, or rhodium electroplated
jewelry, nickel-free alloy gold or silver items, and surgical
stainless steel. At Ralph Miller Jewelers we will be happy to help
you with your problems or search for safe alloy metals.
Q: Where are diamonds found?
A: The leading producers of diamonds are
Australia, Siberia, and 5 different countries in Africa. However,
diamonds are also found in China, Brazil, Colorado, and (most
recently) Canada.
Q: When buying a diamond, of the '4 C's' -
cut, clarity, color, carat weight -- which are the most important? (See Diamonds for more information.)
A: At Ralph Miller Jeweler it is our belief that
color is the most important aspect of a diamond. A diamond can always
be re-cut if the stone is old or damaged. Re-cutting or re-facetting
of the girdle can decrease a diamonds carat weight. However, one can
never change the diamond's color without bleaching it -- a
considerably expensive process.
Q: Why does a diamond break if it is the hardest substance known to man when measured on the Mohs Scale of hardness?
A: Although diamonds are very hard, they are also brittle like emeralds.
Q: What if I do not like my birthstone?
A: Along with the traditional birthstones, each
month has several other stones associated with it. Check out the
birthstones section on our website or
give us a call.
Q: Are all gemstones treated or enhanced?
A: Although there are a few that are not treated,
the majority of gemstones are enhanced. Some of these treatments have
been handed down since the 1600's.
Q: Why does it take so long to repair watches?
A: Because watches are timing mechanisms, they
require exact timing control. It takes approximately a week to two
weeks to lock in the correct syncopation of all parts. In addition,
any parts that are needed are usually supplied from distributors that
deal in watch replacement parts that are usually made
overseas. Therefore, it takes time for the suppliers to ship the
replacement parts. It also takes time to clean, overhaul, oil and
adjust the watch’s mechanical or electrical interior parts.
Q: Why is it so expensive to repair a watch?
A: Because replacement parts are expensive and it
takes considerable time by our trained watch-repair personnel to
repair the watch. It is usually a long, involved process that
requires that the watch first be taken apart to see what the
problem(s) are. Unlike cameras or other electronic repair centers, we
do not charge to investigate what the problem(s) are and what it would
take to return your watch to working order. Here at Ralph Miller
Jewelers, we always give you -- the customer -- the option of a free
estimate to permit you to decide if it is worth the expense to you to
have your watch restored to working order.
Q: What does the stamp "Silver Ore" that is on the inside of a pocket watch mean?
A: It is an old stamping term used in the early century
to denote "Nickle Silver" to inform that it has no silver content
what-so-ever in the case.
Q: What does the stamp "20 Year Case-Guarantee" on the
inside of a pocket watch mean?
A: It is a stamping term used to denote a gold filled
case that has a 20 year wear guarantee. It was a very popular and less
expensive option chosen over solid gold priced cases.
Q: Why can't I set the hands on my pocket watch even
though the stem and the crown turn freely and I can still wind the watch?
A: More than likely you have what is called a
"lever set" style pocket watch. This was very popular early in the
century, especially for gentlemen working on the railroad where a
watch that was worn in one's pants pocket or vest would not change
time if bumped or handled was needed. Your pocket watch, if it is a
lever set, must be opened on the dial side. The lever should be at
approximately the 2:00 location around the rim. Pulling it out will
engage the stem to allow you to set the correct time. Push in the
lever after the task is completed and return the case cover to its
original location. Note that some case covers are screw-off and not
pry-open or lip-pin styles, so extreme care is advised in determining
how to remove your dial cover. We invite you to stop in to Ralph
Miller Jewelers and we will be happy to show you how to correctly set
your antique watch at no charge . (Also note that some pocket watches
also require keys to set and wind. Notches and key-pins are easily
seen when closely investigating your watch).
Q: Why are some antique watches more valuable than others?
A: Several series of questions need to be answered in order to determine the value of your watch. These questions are listed below.
Q: How long will a watch battery last in my quartz watch?
A: It depends on the type of battery that is installed in your watch. If it is a standard high or low drain 1.5 volt battery, it will last approximately 1 - 1.5 years, many times even longer. If it is a 3 volt lithium battery it will last up to 3 years. Of course the battery's life will also be determined by the treatment of the watch itself such as if it is kept clean and dry. Water will short out a battery and the electronic components in a quartz watch very quickly. We invite you to stop in to Ralph Miller Jewelers and see our selection of "Kenetic Watches" and the revolutionary "Solar Watches" that never require batteries.
Q: What is the difference between waterproof and
water-resistant watches?
A: Most consumers
are confused by the terminology, they think that the "water-resistant"
stamp on their watch means that it is waterproof. This is not the
case. Water proof watches are just as they say they are, they can
withstand being submerged in water and usually have a specific depth
of water pressure also marked on the case; i.e., 20 feet, 35 feet, 50
feet, 100 feet, etc. These are usually sports, divers or fashion
watches and are more expensive depending on the depth standard.
Waterproof watches usually have heavy crystals and lots of gaskets to
keep the water out, especially around the stem and crown -- the
easiest location for a watch to leak. Many watches in this category,
such as Rolexes, Bolovas and Mivados, usually have a screw-tightening
crown to further insure that the watch does not leak. These types of
watches are expensive to overhaul because once the seals have been
broken they must be replaced in order to insure the continuation of
the water proofing.
Water-resistant watches on the other hand are NOT waterproof. They do have seals and gaskets, but they are not intended for under water work. Do not wear these common watches to do the dishes, wash your car or take a shower, etc. They are, as they say, resistant to a degree, but after that they will take on water, severely damaging the watch. Quick care in drying out your watch is needed when this occurs before damage can become extensive. Time is of the essence. We therefore invite you stop in to Ralph Miller Jewelers for your watch care, overhaul and repairs. We have Rolex certified repair personnel for all your most expensive and serious repair needs.
Q: I have white gold rings. Why did they lose their brightness after only a year from purchase?
A: The most typical reason for loss of brightness
is the loss of the rhodium plating that is on the ring when purchased.
Rhodium is type of platinum that is very white and often used to plate
white gold items in order to make them much whiter and brilliant. At
Ralph Miller Jeweler, we invite you to stop in and have your rings
cleaned, buffed and rhodium re-plated at a nominal charge in order to
restore your rings to their original luster.
Q: Why do most diamond engagement rings have
the center diamond(s) set in white gold prongs?
A: White gold is an alloy of gold and it is much
stronger than pure gold. To increase their strength even more, most
white gold prongs are forged and fabricated instead of cast. In
addition, white gold is brighter and gives the diamonds a more
brilliant white reflection than would yellow gold.
Working with Gold
Q: When sizing pieces of jewelry do you stretch the
gold or add to it?
A: At Ralph Miller
Jeweler, we always add gold to the ring unless it is a designer
band (the design goes all the way around the ring) or the size of the
ring is only going to be increased by one-half of a size.
Q: Why do shanks discolor where soldered?
A: Discoloration occurs when the jeweler does not
use a hard plum solder to solder the joints during the sizing
process. Although plum solder is more costly, it is a more pure
solder. At Ralph Miller Jeweler, we always use the more expensive hard
plum solders to avoid discoloration.
Q: When I wear my gold rings, why do they turn my fingers black?
A: Fingers are turned black by gold rings due to
the chemicals in some of the hard and soft waters in which you wash
your hands or cook. In addition, certain cosmetics and medical
prescriptions can cause this problem. We recommend that you take a
soft cloth and wipe your rings well, especially on the inside.
Q: What is added to gold to change its color to white,
pink(rose) or green?
A: Various ratios of the following substances are used to create the colored gold alloys.