Monthly Archives: August 2018

You’ve probably paid a lot to the jewelry business – and unless you’ve shopped at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange, you’ve definitely paid too much for your bridal jewelry. But now the jewelry business wants to pay you. The Gemological Institute of America is awarding $2 million in scholarships next year, and the deadline to apply is September 30. “With changing consumer trends and technological advancements in the industry, it is now more important than ever to have professional qualifications,” said Duncan Pay, the GIA’s vice president and chief academic officer. “These scholarships help people follow their dreams and pursue their passion in gems and jewelry.” The scholarships range from partial to full tuition for GIA’s gemology, jewelry, and design programs, courses, and lab classes. Most are held at the Institute’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California, which is near San Diego. The money comes from individuals, jewelry companies, alumni associations and the GIA itself. For more information, click here. A sparkling future awaits.

We think that Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange is the best place to hunt for gold, because you’ll always find what you want. But if you’re more the old-fashioned type, and you have a competitive streak, join the rush to Hodruša-Hámre, Slovakia. That’s where the 2018 World Gold Panning Championships get under way on August 6 for six days of pressure, pride and prospecting. About 600 competitors from more than 20 countries are expected at the annual event, which features colorful opening ceremonies, a gold-themed festival – and serious competition. The championship dates from 1977, when panners from 10 nations gathered in Finland to transform their hobby into the inaugural shiny showdown. Last year’s WGPC was held in Scotland, and the year before that in Placerville, California, near the spot of the historic discovery that set off the California Gold Rush. Categories include men, women, juniors, seniors, two-person teams, three-person teams, five-person teams and national teams. Italy is the two-time defending champion. But no matter the classification, it comes down to a pan-off. Everybody gets a giant tub of water, sand and gravel into which officials have put between 5 and 12 bits of gold, depending on the competition. Whoever sifts all of them out the fastest wins. Jody Franklin, director of tourism for the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the 2016 WGPC, said the event may be misunderstood. “It’s just a unique sporting event,” she told the Sacramento Bee. “When you think gold panning, they picture this little old guy with a beard next to the river, you know, swishing away…No, it’s a lot quicker than that.” Have you found some extra gold bullion around your home and want to trade it in for cash? Head to your nearest DGSE location today!

The good news is that we may have found a better deal on diamonds than what you’ll get at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange. The bad news is that it’s 500 million miles away and it’s really hard to breathe. At No. 24 on the Perot Museum of Nature and Science list of “Amaze Your Brain” fun facts, the great Dallas museum points out that “On Saturn and Jupiter, it can rain diamonds.” The conclusion comes from a study presented five years ago at an American Astronomical Society meeting in Denver. Space supernerds Kevin Baines and Mona Delitsky analyzed all kinds of data we can’t begin to understand and concluded that the planets’ atmosphere are rich with methane gas. They also have lots of lightning storms, which turn the methane into carbon. As the carbon heads to the surface, the fierce atmospheric pressure forms it into clumps of graphite and then actual diamonds, giving the planets the most valuable hail in the universe. (Remember when Superman would grab a lump of coal and use his superstrength to crush it into a diamond? Sort of like that) Before you Google “Jupiter Gold & Silver Exchange,” you should know that not all scientists agree with this conclusion. And the planets are mostly big balls of gas. As the diamonds fall closer to the hot planet core, they liquify into diamond soup, which would be harder to wear on your neck or finger. So scientists agree: the best, most practical place in the solar system for all your diamond needs remains Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange.