Tuesday, October 30, 2007

CALDWELL TIME COMPANY WATCHES A BIG HIT!!!

Ok, I realize this is my second post on "Caldwell Time Company Watches" but, if you've not checked this gorgeous watches out...now is the time to be "Livin' On Caldwell Time"!

Today, the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce did a large write up in the local newspaper on this new watch line and the results thus far are staggering! Its really exciting to know that people want to own a part of their county's heritage and that they are proud to own a fine timepiece only sold by a local Caldwell County merchant!

Yes, I am a little biased about our new watch line but really....I honestly don't think there is a finer timepiece in its price range ($150-800) out there! Combine this with the fact that these watches are assembled here in the good 'ole USA of the finest quality swiss parts, a 5 year limited warranty and lifetime battery replacement and over 40 different men's and ladies styles to choose from....well...you must admit its hard to beat!

I wish there was room here to show you all the different styles that we have to offer which are not limited to: diver's watches, sports models, dress styles with diamonds, leather band styles and even pocketwatches! Our golfing models sold out the 1st day we got them! (Don't worry...we're making more for you golfers!)

Thus far, local folks have purchased over a dozen of these fine watches for themselves and as Christmas gifts(yes, its coming soon and yes, you should be thinking about it!). Visit my webpage online for more info about Caldwell Time Company at:

http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/Caldwell_Time_Co.php

I invite you to stop by The Gold Mine and check these beauties out....and maybe soon you'll be "Livin' On Caldwell Time"!

Success,

Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist
The Gold Mine
http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/
goldman86@bellsouth.net
545 Main St. Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1009

P.S. - mention you saw this blog and I'll give you 10% off your first purchase of one of our Caldwell Time Co. watches!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

CITRINE - The November Birthstone


Let's suppose that someone has bought a moped, yet his friends and acquaintances keep talking about his 'wonderful racing machine'. He surely feels confused, or feels that they are taking the mickey out of him. A moped was exactly what he wanted for short trips in good weather, but even the salesman said that he was now in possession of a 'real flyer'.That's roughly how things go with the citrine, the stone for the month of November.


Many people have come to know and love this stone under the name gold topaz, or Madeira or Spanish topaz, although in actual fact it has very little in common with the higher-quality gemstone topaz - except for a few nuances of colour. Thus the history of the citrine is closely interwoven with that of the topaz, and coincides with it completely when it comes to the interpretation of alleged miraculous powers. However, the citrine is a member of the large quartz family, a family which, with its multitude of colours and very various structures, offers gemstone lovers almost everything their hearts desire in terms of adornment and decoration, from absolutely clear rock crystal to black onyx. And it does so at prices which are by no means unaffordable.The name is derived from the colour - the yellow of the lemon - , although the most sought-after stones have a clear, radiant yellowish to brownish red.


Like all crystal quartzes, the citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and is thus, to a large extent, insensitive to scratches. It won't immediately take offence at being knocked about either, since its cleavage properties are non-existent. Even if their refractive index is relatively low, the yellow stones have just that mellow, warm tone that seems to have captured the last glow of autumn. Like golden Rhine wine or sparkling Madeira, heavy and sweet, citrine jewellery shimmers and brings a hint of sunshine to those dull November days.There are not many yellow gemstones in the world of jewels. A diamond or a sapphire may be yellow - those will be expensive -, or sometimes a tourmaline or chrysoberyl, though these tend toward green somewhat, a golden beryl or eben a pure topaz, which we will mention again later on. However, the citrine fulfils everyone's colour wishes, from lemon yellow to reddish brown.


Rare though it is, yellow does in fact occur in quartz in Nature, if seldom, when there are traces of iron in the silicon dioxide. Historically, it has been found in Spain, on the Scottish island of Arran, in France, Hungary and in several mines overseas. Perhaps the citrine wouldn't have been talked about any more at all if, in the middle of the 18th century, it had not been for the discovery that amethysts and smoky quartzes can also be rendered yellow by so-called burning. This heat treatment at temperatures of between 470 and 560 degrees has to be carried out very carefully and requires a great deal of experience. However, in the course of 200 years, its application has become so much a matter of course that most of the stones available in the trade today are in fact burnt amethysts or smoky quartzes. Only a trained specialist can recognise the signs of heat treatment at all, burnt stones having subtle stripes whilst the yellow of natural ones is cloudy.


I invite you to stop by the Gold Mine today to see this spectacular November birthstone, "The Citrine". Our citrine is set in many exotic and beautiful pendants, earrings and rings sure to please in prices to suit everyone's budget!


Success,


Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist

The Gold Mine



828-726-1009

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Gold Mine Debuts "Caldwell Time Company Watches"



I am pleased to announce the debut of a new private label watch brand from The Gold Mine called, "Caldwell Time Company"!

Here in the pictures you will see three examples of how beautiful these lovely new watches are...

How did "Caldwell Time Company Watches" come into being? While thinking about my love for fine quality time pieces, it occured to me that it would be really cool if I could develop a watch line honoring Caldwell County's (our county) heritage. I also wanted a watch line that people would feel proud to wear and call their own. So, I approached a major watch manufacturer of fine quality timepieces and parts and asked if they would be interested in partnering with my store to develop a new watch line that would be available on a limited basis only at our store. Surprisingly, they said yes and "Caldwell Time Co." was born! After going through the process of picking and designing over 40 styles of watches and coming up with something that young as well as mature adults would like....we finally arrived.

This past week we were pleased to get our complete shipment of watches....and the results were breathtaking to say the least! Get this, where most watch companies only use glass watch crystals....we used an actual gemstone, white sapphire for the crystal which is second in hardness only to diamond...so you'll have a very durable crystal that is scratch resistant. The watch movements are made in Switzerland, where the finest timepieces of our day comes from. The watches are then painstakingly assembled and tested for quality assurance here in the good 'ole USA.

I personally believe in the design and workmanship of these watches so much that I'm guaranteeing them against defect of working movement parts for five years...yes, five years! And for extra added bonus, when a "Caldwell Time Company" watch is purchased, we will give you a lifetime battery replacement deal as well......so, you'll never have to worry about paying for the changing and installation of a watch battery again. These watches with proper care and cleaning every 3-5 years, will last a lifetime and are sure to become treasured family heirlooms.

I invite you to stop by The Gold Mine to take a look at this latest, exciting addition to our inventory and maybe soon you'll be "Livin' On Caldwell Time"!! Visit our website for more info on these lovely watches at:

http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/Caldwell_Time_Co.php

Success,

Bill Warren
Owner/Registered Gemologist
website: http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/
email: goldman86@bellsouth.net

Saturday, October 6, 2007

"Opal" The October Birthstone

Opals.......a beautiful gemstone that invokes all the colors of the rainbow. This lovely gem is also the official October birthstone. I must admit that opal really is one of my favorite gemstones because of their peculiar "Play of Color". Play of color in opal is the result of water being retained by silicon dioxide thereby producing a rainbow of different colors.

Opals come in many body shades, the one pictured shows a blue shade but you will also see white, black and gray body shades as well.

The more play of color or rainbow effect an opal has, the more sought after and valueable it will be. Black opals with lots of red flashes are highly sought after gemstones and fetch a nice price on the market. Opals are normally cut in what is called a cabochon or flat rounded type of cut. They may come in oval, square, round or most any shape a cutter desires but they are usually in flat cabochons. Some opals, such as the tangy orange mexican fire opal may be faceted like a diamond or other gemstones. This lovely gems are predominately found in Australia, and the US.

In caring for your opals or opal jewelry please remember to not wear them when you are being extremely physical as they are fragile & soft. Do not clean an opal in regular jewelry cleaner which could result in unrepairable damage to the stone. Opals should only be clean with soap and water and dried on a soft cloth. From time to time, it is also a good idea to rub your opal with a bit of baby or mineral oil to help it retain the moisture inside which makes it so pretty! Treat your precious opal jewelry as you would a baby, with love and care and you'll get many years of enjoyment!

I hope you have enjoyed the information provided on this gorgeous gemstone. Maybe it is or isn't your birthstone, but there is no reason you can't enjoy beautiful opal jewelry anytime!

Success,

Bill Warren, Registered Gemologist/Owner
The Gold Mine Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Inc.
828-726-1009
website: http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/
email: goldman86@bellsouth.net