Author Archives: Julianne Jacobs

Diamond, Gemstones, Gold, Jewelry, Silver

Tips To Distinguish Real Jewelry From Fake

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Jeweler viewing a diamond through a loupe
15
Mar

Humans have spent thousands of years entranced by gemstones and precious metals. In some ways, we’re like fish – we’re attracted to shiny things! That’s why jewelry and gemology are such fascinating subjects with rich histories. It’s also why it’s so difficult to tell the real deal from the imitation. While costume jewelry and diamond alternatives are beautiful accessories, they won’t get you the cash that a *real* piece of jewelry will. Here are our tips to distinguish the real jewelry from the fake… and how to know when to seek a professional’s opinion. Precious Metals While we see today’s Olympic champions bite their gold medals, we don’t suggest this course of action for actually testing whether or not your gold is real. The history of the “gold bite test” dates back to merchants who would trade gold coins for goods. If their bite left teeth marks, the coin was deemed a fake since forgers would alloy their gold coins with other metals, including lead. In fact, some Olympians have even chipped their tooth whilst chomping down on their hard-earned medals! So, please (please) don’t do this. There’s a much easier (and dentist-approved) way to test the validity of the precious metals in your jewelry: look for stamps. Jewelry will often have teeny-tiny marks stamped on them in order to indicate their metals and fineness. We suggest getting our your readers for this. Here are some popular marks and what they mean: Metal US Fineness Marks International Fineness Marks 9- or 10-karat gold 9K or 10K 375 (37.5% pure gold) or 417 (41.7% pure gold) 14-karat gold 14K 585 (58.5% pure gold) 18-karat gold 18K 750 (75.0% pure gold) 24-karat gold 24K 999 (99.9% pure gold) Platinum PT 950 Sterling Silver 925 or sterling 925 Some jewelry pieces are unmarked, or the mark might be damaged. In this case, you can always bring the piece into one of our locations for a free check – no appointment is needed. Diamonds vs. Diamond Alternatives While metals have markings that can help the average consumer distinguish the real from the imitation, diamonds are a little trickier. An untrained eye can typically spot a real diamond, however there are a few diamond simulants that can dupe jewelry enthusiasts: Cubic Zirconia (or CZ) If you’ve ever shopped for an engagement or wedding ring at a big box store, you might know that CZ is used to simulate a diamond to visualize what it would look like in a certain setting. There are a few key differences to distinguish CZ from a real diamond. First, the dispersion of a CZ is much higher than that of a diamond. This means that the CZ will break up the light into a larger spectrum of colors than a diamond will. Second, most CZs are completely colorless. This is rare in real diamonds – a colorless diamond falls into the D color category on the diamond color scale. Even really stunning diamonds will have a twinge of yellow, while you won’t typically see this in CZs. Synthetic Moissanite This is a relatively newer diamond alternative that has recently gained popularity. Similar to the CZ, it also has more dispersion than that of a natural diamond. Natural moissanite is so rare, that if you’re looking at moissanite in jewelry, odds are that it’s synthetic. According to Brilliant Earth, “The most effective way to tell moissanite apart from a diamond is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown, of the jewel at an angle. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicates a double refraction, an inherent quality of moissanite.” White Sapphire or White Topaz Unlike the previous alternative, white sapphire and white topaz will have less dispersion than a natural diamond. Glass Glass is more transparent than diamond. Another easy way to tell the difference is to check for inclusions Most diamonds will have inclusions that can either be seen with the naked eye or with a jeweler’s loupe. Glass will not have any inclusions as it will be hand-cut to simulate a diamond. Lab-Grown Diamonds You might be asking, “what about lab-grown diamonds?” Well, lab-grown diamonds technically are diamonds. However, since they’re man-made and manufacturing is ever-growing, they don’t fetch the same prices as natural diamonds since they are easier to come by. In fact, it’s often speculated that the value of these man-made alternatives will go down rather than up like their natural counterparts. Lab-grown diamonds can fool cheap diamond testers, so if you’re wondering whether or not yours was grown in a lab we recommend bringing it in for a closer look. Emeralds, Sapphires, and Other Gemstones There aren’t really any great DIY tests for gemstones, so the simple answer to this is just to bring it in to one of our GIA Graduate Gemologists. They’ll easily be able to distinguish real gemstones from imitations. While we don’t typically purchase pearls, there is a DIY method to check if they’re real or not. While we don’t encourage using your teeth to test gold, it is okay to use your teeth to test pearls. Simply rub the pearl against your teeth! If it feels grainy, you’ve got a genuine pearl on your hands. If it feels smooth, odds are that it’s not real. Other Tips to Distinguish Real Jewelry From The Fake We always recommend bringing in an item for our experts to take a look at, especially if you wish to sell it. Whether you sell it to us or not is up to you – and we’ll look at it for free, so there’s nothing to lose. You can visit us at any of our DFW locations in Dallas, Euless, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, and Lewisville – no appointment needed.

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Gemstones

Fancy a Color Diamond?

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
15
Dec

Are you looking for a unique twist to the traditional diamond? Then, we have just the stone for you, no matter what your favorite color is. Read on to learn more about fancy color diamonds! About The Fancy Color Diamond According to GIA, a diamond falls under the category of fancy color if it is yellow or brown beyond the GIA D-Z color grading scale or diamonds that exhibit any other color face-up. This includes colors like red, green, blue, pink, and even black. If you’ve read our post about the four C’s of diamonds, you’ll know that white diamonds typically fetch a higher price. However, the opposite is true of Fancy Color Diamonds. The stronger that color is, the more valuable the gem will be. However, if you want more bang for your buck on a fancy, go for a yellow or brown. They aren’t as “desirable” as some other colors, but they sparkle just as much! Famous Fancies The world’s most famous diamond, The Hope Diamond, is a fancy color diamond. It’s a 45.52-carat diamond, and its color has been most recently described as fancy dark grayish-blue. It has a storied history spanning back to the late 1600s. Famous owners of this gem include Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV. It is on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C today. The Black Orlov diamond is another well-known fancy, with a history as dark as the stone itself. Some say the diamond is cursed — it’s even rumored to be responsible for three suicides throughout the first half of the 20th century. Charles F. Winson purchased the gem in the 1950s and chose to break its (alleged) curse by cutting the diamond into three pieces. The 67.50-carat cushion-shaped diamond is on display in the American Museum of Natural History; however, the whereabouts of the remaining diamonds are a mystery. Fancy Origins Diamonds with fancy colors have traditionally been a small part of the jewelry business, but their popularity has grown over the past few decades. Most come from India, South Africa, and Australia, but other mines in Brazil, Venezuela, and Indonesia produce fancy color diamonds. How are fancy color diamonds made? During a natural diamond’s creation, trace elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, and boron and color diamonds in shades of yellow, green, and blue. However, you won’t find trace chemical elements in pink diamonds. Instead, “the color is caused by a distortion in the diamond’s crystal lattice, created by intense heat and great pressure from all directions after the stone’s formation,” according to the Victoria Museum in Australia. The distortion misplaces many carbon atoms from their normal positions and alters the qualities of light that allows us to observe the stone as pink. Whether you’re looking for a white diamond or a fancy color stone, we have the best selection in DFW. Come see why we’ve stood the test of time at the original Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange.

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Watches

Luxury Watch Guide: The Rolex Daytona

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
13
Oct

Luxury Watch Guide: The Rolex Daytona The Cosmograph Daytona, known by Rolex as the “ultimate tool watch for those with a passion for driving and speed,” was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. To go along with the neck-breaking speeds this watch has clocked, this legendary model even broke the record for the most expensive Rolex ever sold! Read on to learn more about this iconic racing chronograph. About the Rolex Daytona The Daytona is a “professional” watch that serves a specific purpose and community. Rolex has a pattern of making watches for niche groups — see the Submariner for divers and the Yacht-Master for yacht-racers. In the case of the Daytona, the group is racecar drivers, and the purpose is to time laps. Thanks to the chronograph feature, racers can time their laps with precision.  History of the Daytona The Daytona gets its name from the Daytona 500, the NASCAR race that takes place yearly in Florida. Back in 1935, a British driver named Malcolm Campbell broke 300 MPH speed barrier at Utah Salt Flats while wearing a Rolex Oyster. At this point, the Daytona model is a twinkle in Rolex’s eye, so to speak. In 1962, Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. A year later, Rolex introduced the Daytona model. The Daytona in Pop Culture Remember how we said this broke the record for the most expensive Rolex ever sold? Would you have guessed this Rolex model commanded an impressive $1.5 million at auction at Sotheby’s? What a purchase! The Daytona has been linked to famous celebs over its rich history, including John Mayer and Jay-Z.

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Gemstones

September Birthstone Spotlight: Sapphire

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
September Birtstone: Sapphire
29
Sep

Those born in September are lucky enough to call the sapphire their birthstone. Sapphire is also the gemstone for the 5th and 45th anniversaries. Read on to learn more fun facts about the September birthstone! About The September Birthstone The sapphire comes from the corundum family, which includes rubies. Blue sapphires have adorned crowns and regal robes for centuries. Its stunning blue hue is iconic — it’s the standard against which other blue gems are measured. According to GIA, the name “sapphire” can also apply to any corundum that’s not ruby red — those are categorized as rubies. We call any sapphire that’s not blue or red a “fancy” sapphire, which comes in various colors. Both blue and fancy sapphires come from Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Australia. Beyond (Sapphire) Blue While we typically think of sapphires as blue, fancy sapphires range in every color except ruby red. This includes pink, green, orange, and other hues. How do they get to be each color? First, trace elements of iron and titanium turn corundum blue. While chromium can cause the red shade of ruby or pink of pink sapphire. Colorless corundum also makes an excellent replacement for diamonds; however, it is a rare phenomenon and difficult to find. As if you didn’t already have enough options for sapphires, they also come in color-changing varieties. The stones change color under different lighting! History of The Sapphire The lore of sapphires has fascinated humans for centuries and has been associated with royalty and mystique. According to GIA, kings and queens believed blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm in ancient Greece and Rome. I doubt it protected their owners from envy — I’d undoubtedly be envious of a gorgeous sapphire piece! The royal history of the sapphire includes some more modern history. Princess Diana’s engagement ring, now Kate Middleton’s, is well-known as one of the most famous engagement rings ever.

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Diamond

Four Cs of Diamonds

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
17
Aug

In the jewelry world, we judge diamonds by using the four Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. Each affects the price, so read on to learn more about each C!  Four Cs: Carat Carat weight is arguably the most important of the four Cs: it’s how big that rock is!  Carat (not to be confused with karat that refers to gold purity) measures the weight of diamonds and other gemstones. One metric carat is equal to 0.2 grams.  Color Next up in our guide to the four Cs is Color. We measure a diamond’s color on a scale from D to Z, with D being the whitest and Z being brown. So, when you think about it, the color evaluation of a diamond is actually based on the absence of color. According to GIA, “a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of water, and consequently, a higher value.” Keep in mind, some people like colored diamonds, and they’re just as gorgeous! But, if you’re looking for a traditional, bright white diamond, you want to get as close to D as your budget will allow. Clarity Just as our faces get blemishes, so do diamonds. As GIA explains it, “natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. The process can result in various internal characteristics called “inclusions” and external characteristics called “blemishes.” Unlike humans, however, some diamonds really are perfect. We refer to diamonds with the best clarity as flawless. After that, the scale gets a little tricky. GIA has a standardized scale that breaks it down: Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification. Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification. Clarity should be part of your decision-making, but remember, not everyone is going to be looking at your diamond with a jeweler’s loupe. Many diamonds have imperfections, and that can be part of what makes them unique.  Cut Diamonds don’t come out of the ground shining as they do on a ring — it takes a skilled artisan to cut them and make them sparkle. A diamond’s cut (not to be confused with shape) refers to the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance. In addition, it fuels the diamond’s sparkle. 

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Bullion

All About The Type Two American Silver Eagle

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
02
Aug

Sometimes, even the classics need a makeover. That’s why the American mint decided to give the iconic Eagle line of coins a refresh. Designed by Emily Dastra, the updated obverse and reverse sides of Type Two American Eagle coins are sporting a new look featuring some familiar faces. Read on to learn more about the update! Type Two American Silver Eagle Security Changes Being America’s favorite coin comes with its challenges. Everyone wants them, so the market is ripe for counterfeiters. The newest update seeks to change that by adding an anti-counterfeit measure in the form of a notch at the six o’clock position sculpted into the die collar on the reverse side, interrupting the reading. Some may argue that this doesn’t seem like much of an anti-counterfeit measure but keep in mind this is one of many new measures. U.S. Mint officials are not disclosing other anti-counterfeiting enhancements that have been introduced to avoid tipping off counterfeiters. Type Two Design Changes Now that we’ve gotten the technical part out of the way, we can move on to the exciting design changes for the Type Two American Eagles. First, coin lovers will notice that there’s a completely new eagle design. Damstra designed an eagle with wings fully stretched, just coming out of flight. The design replaces John Mercantis’ heraldic eagle. According to Coinweek, the eagle is landing at a nest just out of frame. Damstra chose this motif because eagles are her favorite representation of the U.S. A bald eagle, which has graced countless past American coins, had never before appeared on a U.S. coin in the dynamic way it is depicted on the new design. She reviewed past eagle designs on our coins before reaching that conclusion. Type Two American Eagles are a wonderful new way to add to your coin collection. Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange has them in stock, ready for cash and carry. The Bullion Desk of Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange is available to answer any questions you may have. Call us at (469)-722-5800 or email us at [email protected].

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Bullion

All About Canadian Gold Maple Leafs

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
11
May

Buying gold is a great way to diversify your portfolio. If you’re just starting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the different options. Gold bullion coins are a great place to start. Different countries, governments, and mints worldwide create various official bullion coins. For example, the U.S. mints the American Gold Eagle. Our neighbors to the North mint Canadian Gold Maple Leafs. About the Canadian Gold Maple Introduced in 1979, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a legal tender in Canada with a face value of 50 Canadian dollars. It’s issued annually by the Canadian Government and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. The obverse design features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, and the reverse side features (you guessed it) a Maple leaf. Canadian Gold Maples are also traded based on the market value of gold. Firstly, as with other gold coins, the market value varies depending on the spot price of gold. Secondly, it’s among the purest official bullion coins in the world, with some having a .9999 (four nines) or .99999 (five nines) millesimal fineness. However, the purer the gold, the softer the coin. Keep this in mind since the Gold Maple is more prone to handling marks. Canadian Gold Maples are an appealing option for first-time buyers because the newer coins are harder to counterfeit. In 2013 and 2015, new security features, such as a laser-micro-engraved textured maple leaf, were introduced to combat fakes. History of the Canadian Gold Maple The coin was introduced in 1979, at a time when the only other official gold bullion coin on the market was the South African Krugerrand. The economy was booming for gold (thanks to the Nixon shock), which inspired other governments to take action and mint their gold coins, with the Royal Canadian Mint being the first. The Krugerrand also became harder to get when South Africa’s apartheid system resulted in economic sanctions from Western powers. Gold Maples By the Year Years Denominations Purity Obverse 1979 – 1982 1 oz. .999 39-year-old Queen November 1982 – 1985 1 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz. .9999 39-year-old Queen 1986 – 1989 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz. .9999 39-year-old Queen 1990 – 1992 1 oz., 1/2 oz. 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz. .9999 64-year-old Queen 1993 1 oz., 1/2 oz. 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/20 oz. .9999 64-year-old Queen 1994 1 oz., 1/2 oz. 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/15 oz., 1/20 oz. .9999 64-year-old Queen 1995 – 2004 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/20 oz. .9999 64-year-old Queen 2005 – 2013 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/20 oz. .9999 79-year-old Queen 2014 – present 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/20 oz., 1 gram .9999 79-year-old Queen Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Gold_Maple_Leaf The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf makes for a compelling investment if you’re looking to grow your gold collection. It’s among the most popular coins in the world — therefore, you can’t go wrong. Visit Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange for a huge selection of authentic gold coins.

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Diamond, Gemstones

April Birthstone Spotlight: Diamond

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
The April birthstone, the diamond.
09
Apr

April babies, you are lucky enough to call the diamond your birthstone! This brilliant stone embodies the glimmer of the fresh beginning of spring perfectly. It’s no surprise that this is our favorite birthstone — after all, we are diamond experts! While you may know quite a bit about girl’s best friend, keep reading to learn more about the diamond as April’s birthstone. About the April Birthstone Deemed the “King of all Birthstones,” a diamond is also the designated gift for the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. While it’s unclear exactly when the diamond was designated the April birthstone, it’s one of the few months with just one birthstone. After all, what gemstone could compete with a diamond as April’s birthstone? The diamond is a 10 on the Mohs Hardness scale, making it the strongest gemstone. Diamonds are so strong, in fact, they remain the most scratch-resistant material known to humanity according to Forbes. Experts study diamonds closely and grade them according to rigorous standards. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) remains the foremost world authority on diamonds. We always encourage customers to purchase a diamond graded by GIA. That way, you know the exact cut, color, clarity and carat weight of your stone. A diamond is a huge investment — it’s best to have as much accurate information as possible on your stone. Diamond History Diamonds have had a profound effect on our world’s history. Records show diamonds were traded as early as fourth century BCE. Of course, diamonds have always drawn the eyes of the rich and privileged. Today, diamonds are mined around the world. Many African countries such as Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are major producers of rough diamonds. For centuries, this April birthstone was believed to have healing powers and to ward off poverty. In today’s society, diamonds are the ubiquitous symbol of love and marriage and have become more accessible across all shapes and sizes. People are innovative, and our fascination with diamonds has been ingrained in us for centuries. That’s why humans have figured out how to create the gleaming April birthstone in science labs — no mining required. While lab-grown diamonds don’t hold their value like natural stones, they remain an interesting player in the jewelry world.

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Watches

Luxury Watch Guide: Rolex Datejust

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
02
Apr

The date displays on luxury watches seems as classic as the time displays. However, it wasn’t until Rolex rolled out the Datejust that this feature became commonplace. The Datejust is the best-selling Rolex of all time, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Keep reading to learn more about the Datejust and why it remains “the classic watch of reference.” About the Rolex Datejust The Datejust is a great choice for a beginner luxury watch owner or collector. As the best-selling Rolex, there are many variations of the model. Everything from the bracelet to the dial is customizable, so you’re sure to find the perfect model for you. It’s arguably the most recognizable luxury watch, and its design has remained largely unchanged since its release. While trends come and go, the Datejust stays a classic. History of the Datejust Released in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window right on the dial. It set the standard in the luxury watch industry, as the mechanics of the automatic date switch at midnight was revolutionary. The release commemorated Rolex’s 40th anniversary. Along with the Datejust’s debut came the Jubilee bracelet, which remains a popular choice for other Rolex models to this day. While the Rolex Oyster bracelet is great for watch-wearers who use their Rolex during sailing or diving, the Jubilee bracelet is the dressier option for everyday wear or even a night out. The Datejust in Pop Culture Since its release, the Datejust has been sported by many popular figures. Winston Churchill was gifted one of the first Datejusts during WWII by Rolex’s founder, Hans Wildorf. Another prominent political figure to don a Datejust is President Joe Biden. In fact, he wore his Datejust during his inauguration earlier this year. Other famous Datejust fans include Roger Federer, Michael Jordan, Jennifer Aniston, and David Beckham.

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