Category Archives: Jewelry

Diamond, Gemstones, Gold, Jewelry, Silver, Watches

Why You Should Avoid Pawning Jewelry

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Pawn shop from the old West, where pawning jewelry likely occurred
18
Ago

When you first think of pawning jewelry or pawn shops, you may think of the TV show “Pawn Stars,” or maybe even a Quentin Tarantino film. However, pawn shops aren’t just an American practice, although more than 30 million Americans use pawn shops yearly. The practice of pawning has been around for centuries, dating back to ancient China. Today, it’s a $14.5 billion industry with 11,000+ pawnbrokers across the U.S. While pawning jewelry or other valuables might seem like a great way to get quick cash, educating yourself on the industry, the process, and its setbacks is essential. Here are some reasons why avoiding pawn shops might be in your best interest and some alternative options to get cash for your jewelry. What Are Pawn Shops, And How Do They Work? A pawn shop (also called a pawnbroker) is a business that loans money to people who bring in valuable items, which they then leave with the pawn shop. The valuables left behind are known as “collateral,” meaning security for the loan provided by the pawn shop. The person can get their valuable item(s) back from the pawn shop if they pay back the money the pawn shop loaned them with interest. However, suppose the person doesn’t repay the loan and interest within an agreed-upon timeline. In that case, the pawnbroker can sell the valuable item to another customer to get back the money the pawn shop loaned. How Do Pawn Shops Make Money? Pawn shops make money in two ways: (1) making personal loans and (2) selling unclaimed collateral items. Providing Personal Loans Pawn shops give out personal loans to individuals who relinquish custody of an item, such as jewelry or electronics. The amount a pawn shop is willing to lend is based on a few different factors: the value of the item, the pawnshop’s inventory at the time of the loan, and demand for the item. Since individuals seeking a pawn loan typically can’t qualify for a traditional bank loan, the risk of default is higher. That’s why pawn shops make loans with substantially higher interest rates than banks typically charge for personal loans. State law governs the amount of interest a pawn shop is allowed to charge. In Texas, the maximum pawn shop rate is 240% APR! That’s high!  Reselling Pawn shops’ second primary income source is retail sales on unclaimed merchandise and items purchased outright from individuals. How Much Will Pawn Shops Give For Your Jewelry? If you are considering pawning jewelry, you might wonder how much pawn shops offer. Unfortunately, selling your jewelry to pawn shops guarantees the lowest amount of money in exchange for your items, thanks to the business model we outlined above. While pawn shops tend to offer more money to purchase items outright than to lend against them, it still will only get you about 50% of the value of your jewelry. Even if you need cash in a pinch, there are more lucrative ways to sell and get more out of the value of your jewelry. Alternatives to Pawning Jewelry If you want more money out of your jewelry, there are better ways! It also makes sense to outright sell jewelry you no longer want or need, rather than taking out a loan with a pawn shop. Those interest rates are no joke, especially in Texas! Here are some other, more lucrative, ways to sell your jewelry: Selling Online While this isn’t a great option if you need cash on the spot, you can sell your jewelry online to get more value out of your jewels. eBay is a great, safe option for everyday sellers. If you end up needing to do an in-person transaction, here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure your safety: DON’T agree to meet strangers alone. DON’T give out your address. DO meet in a safe, public place. DO accept cash only. Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange We’ve been around since the 1960s. We’ve stood the test of time by offering customers the most for their jewelry and being a trustworthy source of information. If you don’t believe us, shop around before you come to see us! We’ll give you the best offer and the best experience with our friendly, knowledgeable associates. You can bring your jewelry to any of our metroplex locations during our business hours at your convenience. No appointment is necessary. Want to learn more about the selling process at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange? Let Loreina walk you through the easy process by clicking the video below!

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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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Bullion, Gold, Jewelry

Selling Your Jewelry: Places to Avoid

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Person selling their gold and silver jewelry
06
Ene

Selling your jewelry is all about getting the best deal. To get the most out of your unwanted jewelry, you need to know what the jewelry is worth and where you should and should not sell it. If you’re not careful about where you choose to sell it, you may end up losing a lot of money. Here are a few places to avoid when selling your jewelry: Online Yes, that means websites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace that tend to look for rock-bottom prices. It is easy to get caught up in the promising offers and ease of selling online, but it is very difficult to know if you are getting an accurate or even fair amount for your valuables. Not to mention, placing your gold in the mail to a non-reputable seller is a move you don’t want to make. Cash for Gold Scams People rely on places like this for some quick cash, but are often disappointed with the results. Today conducted an experiment to see how accurate gold buying companies are by selling 450 dollars worth of gold to 10 different buyers. The closest offer was $393.36 (sellyourgold.com), however, the offers quickly plummeted. Cash4Gold offered a mere $76.89 for the gold, and hardgoldcash.com offered an insulting $38.25, only 8% of the gold’s real market value. They went on to shop their gold back from these places. The prices were over $300. If you mail in gold and aren’t happy with the check, immediately request your gold be returned. Pawn Shops Pawn shops are a common choice for quick cash, but it can be difficult for consumers to get the best values — especially for jewelry. Sometimes you can negotiate with shop owners to get a better deal. Even so, pawn shops are likely to pay just 30%-60% of the item’s estimated value. No matter which type of store you choose, you should get at least three estimates — and more for high-value items. At Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange, we’re public, trustworthy, and we offer a fast and easy selling process. We pay top dollar for North Texans’ gold, silver, jewelry, rare coins and have hundreds of positive reviews.

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Jewelry, Watches

How to Disinfect Your Jewelry

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
22
May

We’re all washing our hands more frequently these days — or at least, we should be. It’s one of the most important components of stopping the spread of COVID-19. But do you disinfect your jewelry? What about your watch? According to the CDC, studies have shown that skin underneath rings contains more germs than skin without rings. Yuck. If wearing jewelry is part of your daily routine, cleaning it should be a part of it, too. Here’s how to disinfect your jewelry and daily accessories: How to Disinfect Your Diamond Jewelry Diamonds are unique because they are the hardest natural substance on Earth. You should clean your diamond jewelry regularly, especially if its a wedding/engagement ring you wear every day. Diamonds and most colored gems can be cleaned with warm water, mild dish soap (no detergents) and a soft brush, according to GIA. Be sure to rinse your jewelry in a glass of water to remove cleaning solutions rather than rinsing with running water. That way, you won’t lose any loose stones. How to Disinfect Your Rolex Watches Luxury watches, like Rolex require special care and services every few years. Between visits, you can keep your Rolex clean and germ-free by following these steps: Screw down the crown. According to Rolex, “the crown of your Rolex screws down tightly to create a hermetic seal like the hatch of a submarine.” This important step will keep your watch waterproof and safe during cleaning. Fill a small bowl with water and a bit of mild soap. Soaps with harsh chemicals could damage your Rolex Scrub the watch gently with a soft toothbrush. Dip the brush in the cleaning solution and scrub the watch everywhere, including between the links and lugs. Rinse the watch under warm water. Make sure all the soap is washed away to avoid residue. Dry using a microfiber cloth. This will prevent scratching and leave your Rolex shining like new! How to Disinfect Your Silver Jewelry For polishing and disinfecting silver, we recommend using specially-made silver wipes, like these ones from Weiman. These wipes were made to remove tarnish, polish dull and discolored metal with a mild, fresh-scented formula. For those stuck at home, here’s a home remedy from The Today Show: What you’ll need: A dish or a bowl Aluminum foil Boiling water 1 tbsp of baking soda for each cup of water What you’ll do:  Line the bottom of a dish or a bowl with aluminum foil.  Bring water to a roaring boil (it should be enough to fill that bowl or dish).  Add 1 tbsp of baking soda per cup of water. Expect that the solution may bubble and froth a bit.  Place the piece of silver jewelry in the dish, making sure that it’s touching the aluminum foil. This is essential for the chemical reaction to occur.  Pour the solution of baking soda and boiling water into dish.  Let sit for two to 10 minutes, depending on the level of tarnish.  Allow it to dry. How to Disinfect Your Smart Watches and Fitness Trackers For smart watches and fitness trackers, we recommend using alcohol pads. You can purchase these online or at any drug store. This will disinfect your accessory without damaging the materials in the process. Other Cleaning Tips It’s also important to note that hand sanitizer should not be used on any organic gems like pearls, opals or turquoise. The alcohol in the sanitizer can dry out the gems leading to permanent damage. When in doubt, take off your jewelry before washing your hands. We at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange offer free jewelry cleaning services to our customers! No matter the metals or stone, we can get your jewelry squeaky-clean and shining like new. We are still practicing social distancing amid the COVID-19 crisis and disinfecting our high-traffic areas. We just ask that customers wear a protective mask when they come see us.  

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Gift, Jewelry

7 Timeless Pieces of Jewelry

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
27
Abr

There are some pieces of jewelry that every woman should own. They’ll never go out of style, so the money spent will be well worth the years of wear. Here are 7 pieces of jewelry that are totally timeless: Gold Chain A gold chain can be timeless jewelry for men and women alike. For women, owning a few chains of differing lengths can be great accessories for a wide range of outfits and necklines. Of course, a single gold chain will add a touch of elegance to any look. Whether you choose to wear them layered or alone, a gold chain is essential for a complete jewelry box.   View this post on Instagram   Gold vs White Gold, what’s your pick? A post shared by Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange (@dallasgoldandsilver) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:05am PDT Diamond Studs There’s a reason why every major jewelry designer has their own version of diamond studs — they work for everyone who has their ears pierced! Heck, there are even diamond studs for unpierced ears. That’s how essential they are to everyone’s jewelry collection. Simply add a pair of diamond studs to any outfit (even sweats, especially these days), and you’re ready to impress just about anywhere.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange (@dallasgoldandsilver) on Jan 29, 2020 at 7:15am PST Pearls Pearls, in any form, are pretty much essential to any person who wears jewelry. Don’t let anyone tell you they’re out of style. Some form of pearl jewelry is always in style — whether it’s a necklace or earrings. And, they make wonderful family heirlooms! Cocktail Ring A cocktail ring is where you can really showcase your style. They come in all shapes, sizes, gemstones, and metals. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece that is sure to turn heads, or a classic to go with every outfit, a cocktail ring will get the job done.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange (@dallasgoldandsilver) on Jun 7, 2019 at 5:01pm PDT Diamond or Gold Hoops We’ve put these in the same category because you really can’t go wrong with either. Whether you like the sparkle of diamond in and out hoops or the simplicity of gold, both will add a touch of glam to any look. Diamond Tennis Bracelet Ever wonder how this classic piece of jewelry got its name? We can thank tennis player Chris Evert for the name, who famously lost hers during a match and stopped play to find it in 1987. Tennis bracelets are a sophisticated option for those that want the timeless look. They come in all metals and diamond shapes, so you can choose the best option that matches your style. A Luxury Watch A luxury watch, like a Rolex, Tag Heuer, Breitling, or Omega, is the perfect piece that shows the world your personality. You’ll wear it everyday, with ever outfit, and you can even pass it on to your kids.   View this post on Instagram   The best thing about a Rolex? It looks great with everything!✨💛 . . . The best thing about this Rolex — like all the Rolexes we sell — is that it’s pre-owned, so you get all the luxury for a lower price. #rolex #twotoned #luxurywatches #luxurywatch #preownedrolex #preloved A post shared by Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange (@dallasgoldandsilver) on Sep 15, 2019 at 4:49pm PDT

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Diamond, Engagement, Gemstones, Jewelry

The Celebrity Engagement Rings of 2019

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
02
Ene

2019 was a big year for celebrities getting down on one knee. While we’re entertained by every aspect of celebrity engagements and weddings, we do pay attention to one aspect in particular: the celebrity engagement rings, of course! Here are our favorite celeb sparklers from this past year: Scarlett Johansson View this post on Instagram 11 cts light brown diamond, type 2A. A post shared by TAFFIN (@taffinjewelry) on Jun 29, 2019 at 12:26am PDT Black Widow and Jojo Rabbit star, Scarlett Johansson, will tie the knot with Saturday Night Live‘s Colin Jost. The engagement ring was designed by Taffin by James de Givenchy, and whether or not the ring was custom-made for Johansson remains to be seen. The details on this ring have been kept under wraps — ScarJo is a couple that values their privacy — however, the picture above is believed to be either Johansson’s ring or its döppelganger, according to Harper’s Bazzar. The diamond is estimated to be 11 carats and is a specialty cut with a unique smoky color, making this a celebrity engagement ring that is difficult to take your eyes off of! Hilary Duff View this post on Instagram Cheesy IM GETTING MARRIED As of one month ago post! A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Jun 4, 2019 at 12:31pm PDT This Disney star is all grown up and getting married! Duff is set to wed singer-songwriter Matthew Koma as of May 4, 2019. To match Duff’s style, Koma popped the question with a classic stunner. According to Brilliant Earth, Duff’s ring seems to feature a cushion-cut diamond that weighs approximately 3 to 4 carats set on a split shank white gold or platinum band. This celebrity engagement ring brings new meaning to the term “timeless!” Jennifer Lopez   View this post on Instagram   she said yes ♥️ A post shared by Alex Rodriguez (@arod) on Mar 9, 2019 at 5:34pm PST What do you get when you combine JLo and ARod? The powerhouse couple of 2019! Jenny From the Block is set to wed ex-Yankees player, Alex Rodriguez. They were engaged in March when Rodriguez popped the question with a whopping 18-carat high-quality emerald cut engagement ring, according to CNBC. This type of ring is what most people picture when they hear “celebrity engagement” — big and sparkly! While there’s never been an official disclosure of the ring’s price, it is estimated at $1.8 million. Katy Perry   View this post on Instagram   full bloom A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Feb 15, 2019 at 2:07am PST Singer Katy Perry got engaged to actor Orlando Bloom earlier this year and has a unique ring to show for it. With an estimated 2 carat ruby featured in the center and 2.5 carats worth of diamonds in a floral halo, this ring walks the line between traditional and modern beautifully. According to E!, the ring would retail at about $5 million. Bindi Irwin     View this post on Instagram   July 24th 2019 ❤️ On my birthday I said ‘yes’ and ‘forever’ to the love of my life. Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness. I’m so looking forwarding to spending our forever together as your wife. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose and unconditional love. — Now let’s get married already! A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jul 24, 2019 at 3:30am PDT Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, is engaged! Her stunning engagement ring features a lab-grown 2.01-carat oval diamond and recycled rose gold, to express her dedication to conservation. We think Bindi would approve of our practices — our focus is on recommerce, so our metals are recycled, too! Oval diamonds are very popular for today’s bride. According to Today, they are the most popular diamond option and have been for the past few years! Hoda Kotb Photo courtesy of Today. Hoda Kotb, the Today Show anchor, is engaged to her boyfriend of six years. Kotb and her now-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, share a 2-year-old daughter, Hayley Joy. He chose a beautiful bezel-set, radiant-cut diamond with a sapphire pave halo to pop the question while they were on a beach vacation!  

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Engagement, Jewelry

The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
04
Dic

We think it’s high time to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the wedding industry: the bridesmaids. Not only are they the trusted confidantes of the brides, but they sacrifice their time, and a sizable chunk of money, to ensure that a wedding day is unforgettable. We’ve come up with a few ways to help offset the cost of being a bridesmaid — but first, let’s break down everything that goes into the duty. The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid Being asked to be a bridesmaid feels like the highest honor your mid-twenties can bestow upon you. Your best friend and/or relative wants you standing beside her on her big day — it’s a big deal! However, every girl has that question looming in the back of her head as she’s popping the bubbly to celebrate her hitched BFF: how much is this going to cost me? I was thrilled when my best friend asked me to be a bridesmaid. I was 23, fresh out of college, and wide-eyed. My fellow bridesmaids and I immediately began making plans to celebrate our first engaged friend. A bachelorette party in Miami! Beautiful bridesmaid dresses, the kind you’ll actually want to wear again! Professional hair and makeup for the big day! After all was said and done, and the wedding hangover subsided, I was $1,000 deep in credit card debt. Millennials, right? It’s been over a year, and my budgeting skills have improved, so I decide to create a budget to avoid going into debt for the two weddings in which I am a bridesmaid in 2020. I break out the calculator and wrack my brain for everything that goes into being a bridesmaid. The dresses, the air fair, hotel stays, bachelorette parties, shoes, gifts… the list goes on. My heart sinks when I add it all together — I’ll spend about $5,000 in 2020 on weddings. Now, that number is by no means average. All of my betrothed friends live in different states, so extensive traveling costs factor into that figure. However, I’ll still be spending a big chunk of my salary on weddings that aren’t even my own. I’m not the only millennial woman facing this dilemma. In fact, the modern bridesmaid will spend an average of $1,500 on each wedding she’s a part of. Let’s break that number down, shall we? Events Besides the actual wedding, there are a few events that a good bridesmaid should attend: the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. We all have an image of the typical bachelorette party: it includes adult entertainment and alcohol. However, if you’ve been to a bachelorette party in recent years, you know that they’re more lavish now than ever before. They frequently require extensive travel, elaborate decorations and activities; today, it has to be “Instagrammable.” The average bridesmaid should budget $537 for today’s bachelorette party. That includes travel, accommodations and gifts. As for the bridal shower, our bridesmaid can budget just under $200 for that. Clothing If the bride is nice, the bridesmaid dresses will be flattering. If she’s a bridezilla, they may look like a taffeta explosion. Either way, bridesmaids will spend an average of $165 on their dress for the big day. Don’t forget about alterations, which vary widely for each bridesmaid. That was one expense that caught me by surprise — I had to fork over $150 for mine! So, that’s about $300 on a dress our bridesmaid will (probably) only wear once. Wedding It’s finally here — the big day! But, our average bridesmaid is not done swiping her credit card just yet. She still has to buy a gift for the happy couple, travel to the venue, and get her hair and makeup done. Since our bridesmaid is in the wedding, there’s added pressure to buy a nice gift. She can budget about anywhere from $45 to $195 for the gift. Hair and makeup costs about $81. Travel and lodging will set our bridesmaid back about $317. Then, she’s ready to walk down the aisle! How to Pay for Being a Bridesmaid So, where can today’s bridesmaid come up with the cash necessary to stand by the bride on the big day? Well, she can start with Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange. We buy gold, silver, diamonds, and luxury watches — and pay cash or check for them. If your bridesmaid duties are costing an arm and a leg and you have a pile of inherited junk, turn it into cash with us. You can even get a discount when you trade your cash for an accessory to wear on the big day.

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Jewelry

Letting Go of Inherited Jewelry

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
23
Sep

We’ve all faced the dilemma on what to do with inherited jewelry that doesn’t match our lifestyle or personal taste. While you want to honor your loved ones and keep their memories alive, it’s a simple fact that jewelry styles and design change over the years. Perhaps you love the vintage feel that your great grandmother’s watch brings to your look — or maybe you’d rather leave it in the jewelry box. Either way, there’s no need to feel guilty. In fact, there are many ways to make that piece your own, extend its good life in your family, or give it a fresh start. Here are just a few suggestions on how to honor your loved ones even if you don’t wear the jewelry they’ve passed down: Pass it down to another family member. Perhaps someone else in your family is more suited to wear your inherited jewelry. They’ll be honored with the gift, you’ll have the piece taken off your hands, and your loved one will still have their jewelry in the family — this situation could be a win-win-win! Create something else out of it. The best thing about precious metals is that they can be worked and re-worked into just about anything. Take the gold or silver in your pieces, melt it down and have something else made to suit your personal style. The same goes for diamond jewelry. Diamonds go great with everything, so turn it into something you’ll wear again and again. Sell your inherited jewelry and use the money to honor your loved one. You can donate the funds from their jewelry to a charity they were passionate about, or use the money to go back to school or even on your dream vacation. After all, it’s likely that your loved one would have enjoyed seeing you happy! We know it can be difficult to let go of heirloom jewelry. However, don’t forget: that jewelry can’t do any good while it is gathering dust in the attic. Whether you’d like to recreate your inherited pieces into something you’ll love, or you’d like to sell them to DO something you’ll love, we can help you with taking the next steps at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange. We purchase old jewelry and can create custom pieces from your heirlooms.

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Gemstones, Jewelry

July Birthstone Spotlight: Ruby

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
24
Jul

Those of you with July birthdays already know your birth month is full of fiery fun. Whether it’s the heat of summer or firecrackers on Independence Day, July has as much vibrancy as its birthstone: the ruby! What’s in a ruby? According to GIA, “chromium is the trace element that causes a ruby’s red, which ranges from an orangy red to a purplish red.” Another factor that goes into a ruby’s intensity is whether or not it was formed in marble. The GIA claims that “marble has low iron content, so the rubies that originate in marble lack iron.” It’s due to this process that many have an intense red color. Some of the most renowned rubies are from Myanmar, northern Vietnam and the Himalayas are typically formed in marble. What’s so great about the July birthstone? Besides their gorgeous, sanguine color, rubies are among the most valuable gemstones. Coming in just after colored diamonds, they command the highest cost per carat out of the colored gemstones. In fact, the most expensive ruby piece, The Sunrise Ruby, smashed world records when it sold in Geneva, Switzerland for $30.4 million. Included in the hefty price sticker is the gold ring and diamonds with which the ruby was set. On top of their high price point, rubies also carry historical significance. One of the world’s first lasers was created using the July birthstone. In 1960, scientist Theodore Maiman used the red fluorescence of the ruby to create the world’s first laser. He used a ruby rod, reflecting mirrors and a flash lamp to emit light. According to an article by Forbes, “one of the coolest applications of the ruby laser back in the day was that it was used to measure the distance to the Moon in 1969.” Along with the distinction of July birthstone, the ruby is also the gem for 15th and 40th anniversaries. Whether you have a loved one with a birthday in July or one of these milestone anniversaries is around the corner, Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange can help you find the perfect ruby piece.  

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Gemstones, Gift, Jewelry

June Birthstone Spotlight: Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
16
Jun

Lucky you, June babies! You have not one, not two, but THREE lovely gemstones to choose from as your birthstone. Most consider pearls as the primary birthstone for the month of June, while Moonstone and Alexandrite are alternatives. All of these stones are rich in their own unique beauty and history. Keep reading to find out more about your lovely birthstones and why you get more than one. Why are there three June birthstones? The Jewelers of America put together the first official list of birthstones in 1912, listing only Pearl and Moonstone for June. It wasn’t until 1952 that Alexandrite was added to the June birthstone list. We guess three was just the lucky number for June! Pearl Like other gemstones, pearls form naturally, slowly for as long as two decades. Unlike other gemstones, mollusks, such as oysters and clam create pearls. Depending on what part of the world the mollusk is from, it changes the pearl type. Due to their rarity and difficulty to find, natural pearls have remained an expensive stone since ancient times. They were revered among royalty and nobility alike and symbolized purity, integrity and love. Moonstone When we say “gemstone,” moonstone may not be the first one that comes to mind. They aren’t as popular as pearls, but we think they are a modern, beautiful alternative. Their adularescence is the first thing you’ll notice in the moonstone. According to GIA, “adularescence is the light that appears to billow across a gemstone, giving its surface a glowing appearance.” Visually, the glow has a moon-like quality, which is where the name moonstone comes from. In the picture above, you can see a moonstone both in its rough form and polished. FUN FACT: The moonstone is the Florida State Gemstone to commemorate the moon landings that took off from Kennedy Space Center. Alexandrite The Alexandrite is one of the newer gemstone discoveries. It was discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains in 1830 and wasn’t added to the birthstone list until 1952. Known as the chameleon of the gemstone family, it’s an “emerald by day, ruby by night” due to its color-changing tendencies. It’s bluish-green in daylight and reddish-purple in lower light. Due to its toughness on the Mohs scale, it makes a great option for rings or bracelets. Just be sure to clean it with warm, soapy water. If you enjoy our gemstone spotlights, follow us on this blog, Instagram and Facebook. Did you miss our May Birthstone Spotlight? Check it out here!

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