Three Misconceptions About Buying Engagement Rings

Marriage is one of the beautiful things in life. Nothing rivals seeing two people in love forever joining together in holy matrimony. But nobody ever said it was easy! Working up the courage to ask is just the beginning. There’s a lot of planning, budgeting, adjusting your original plans when things change and actually managing all of the major issues in the process. Buying an engagement ring is just one of many tasks on your plate. There’s a lot of misinformation out there so we thought we’d clear up 3 misconceptions about buying engagement weddings rings to help you along.

It’s very complicated

The selection at The Gold Mine is vast. We have many different types of rings and with all types of colors and styles in our catalog – and it might be overwhelming to first-time buyers. In fact, getting an engagement ring with our store is actually easy. All you need to do is talk to your partner, and then talk to the store nearest you. They will walk you through the process and even make recommendations. Find the right size, pick your favorite color, and voila! At the end of the day, it’s hard to go wrong with any of our beautiful rings.

Custom is too expensive

There are plenty of companies out there that might overcharge for customization, but getting a custom ring is less expensive than you might think. Technology has come a long way and the craft has been honed by experts around the world. You should never go into the process blind, though. Ask us for advice. Try on some of our rings to get a feel, and search our collections for something to your liking. Who knows, you might find one here that you like and not need the customization after all.

You can’t find good rings at affordable prices

There are many persistent myths in the jewelry world: you need to spend several months’ pay on a ring, you need to buy a ring with a large stone, or that you can’t possibly find a good ring at an affordable price. That’s all false. The right ring for you is not a matter of price but of fit. You need to find the right ring for your partner and not worry about what other people say about spending money.

Buying a ring doesn’t have to be a stressful process. We deal with plenty of couples that are anxious for their big day, but want to find the right ring first. Finding the right engagement ring will help make the whole process a lot easier – feel free to contact us for more information!

See ya,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

The Gold Mine

A Jeweler's Reflections

I guess the picture of the green rock above is reason I ended up as a jeweler.  What is this green rock?  It's an emerald and I grew up in the small emerald mining town of Hiddenite, NC.  As a matter of fact, my great, great grandfather's farm is the location of the original Hiddenite emerald find and original mine.

Obviously, I grew up around emerald mining and some of my best childhood memories are from hunting rocks in our families garden where we'd often find gemstones of many varieties.  Yes, I had quite the rock collection as a child and I still do.

So what does all this have to do with The Gold Mine?  Rock hounding as a kid sparked my interest enough to not only become a collector but I also learned how to cut gemstones known as "Lapidary Work".  From there I learned the goldsmithing trade as well as watch repair.

Over the course of several years, I came to work for other jewelers including a very large jewelry chain in NC.  After thinking..."Gee, I could do this better"...my wife and I decided to open our very own jewelry store in 1993 in downtown Hudson.  Thus...the Gold Mine was born and here in 2015 is still going very strong thanks to the good Lord and our wonderful friends & clients.

So...should your son or daughter pick up the rock collecting hobby, don't discourage them!  You never know when you might have the next successful jeweler or jewelry chain originating within your own family!

Take care,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist
The Gold Mine
www.hudsongoldmine.com 
828-726-1009

Proper Maintenance On Your Jewelry Saves Money & Time

Remember the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"?  It really is true!  Everyday in my jewelry store, I notice people bringing in jewelry with loose or missing gemstones/diamonds, prongs almost worn out on rings, etc.  Why do you say this you may ask?  Because...if folks would simply have their jewelry checked & maintained just like your automobile...it would save them time and lots of money!!!


If you are reading this blog, please take time every 4-6 months and bring your jewelry by my store or any professional jeweler and have stones, checked for tightness, prongs checked for wear, clasps checked on necklaces, etc.  Most jewelers like me will also give you a complimentary cleaning for FREE!

I beg you not to neglect this!  Considering that even the smallest diamonds cost a significant amount to replace...your wallet will thank you!

'Til Next Time,

Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist
The Gold Mine
Hudson, NC
828-726-1009
goldman86@bellsouth.net

You Change The Oil In Your Car Right?

You change the oil in your car right?  Then let me urge you to have your jewelry maintenanced just like changing oil in your car.  Remember, tips on prongs do wear out, sometimes your clothing may pick it and raise a prong and cause a stone to be loose or worse yet, you may loose it altogether!!!

Here at The Gold Mine, we offer FREE jewelry cleaning and prong tightness checks daily...now if you'd take care of your automobile, why don't you put the same thought and treatment into your precious jewelry? Huh??

Perhaps you haven't been by The Gold Mine lately so let me take a moment to tell you about a few new things...

1. Southern Gates Sterling Silver Jewelry - New Styles Are In!
2. Fossil Watches - We recently added this cool line to our inventory
3. Chamilia Jewelry - the latest beads have just arrived
4. Gold & Silver price continue to soar!  Now is a great time to sell us your old, unwanted silver & gold...let us put cold hard cash in your pocket!

Stop by today or give us a call if you have any questions at 828-726-1009!

Success,

Bill Warren/Registered Gemologist/Owner
The Gold Mine
828-726-1009
http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/
goldman86@bellsouth.net

Valentine's Day is Almost Here!

Hey Guys...Valentine's Day is almost here and let me let you in on a little secret......the special lady in your life really looks forward to this particular holiday! Trust me! Don't come home on Valentine's Day without a gift...does the word "Doghouse" ring a bell? So what are some great gift ideas? Of course, jewelry is a favorite and think about this....long after the roses have wilted, the box of candy gone...the piece of jewelry she gently slides on her finger each day will remind her of you!! Talking about scoring some major points! Everytime that pendant you give her caresses her neck...it will bring back those romantic thoughts of when you placed it on her neck! (You will do that won't you?) And remember, a nice piece of jewelry really doesn't cost anymore than a dozen roses and a box of candy...so why not give her a gift that she'll enjoy for time to come? OK...there are a few ideas...I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter!

"Til Next Time,
Bill Warren, Registered Gemologist/Owner & The Doctor of Love
www.hudsongoldmine.com
goldman86@bellsouth.net

Christmas & Jewelry - A Sparkling Combination

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved everything about the Christmas season...the music, the food, family, memories made and of course the gifts! Now don't get ahead of me here...I'm not talking about receiving but the "giving of gifts". Many folks are just like me and they love to see the look on the face of the receipient of their gifts...that smile, that look of surprise, appreciation & love....that just says it all! Even after having been married for nearly 20 years and having been in the jewelry business for 25 years, Angie my wife still loves to receive the gift that sparkles....fine jewelry!!!

Of course, jewelry comes in all sizes, tastes, designs and certainly, one item doesn't fit all. Diamonds are always an appropriate gift because of the things they represent: durability (your love endures forever), fire (the excitement of your relationship), beautiful clear white color ( the perfect gem for all occasions) the cutting or faceting (representing all the facets of you and your loved one's life). Lets also not forget about gold & silver, long treasured for their intrinsic value & worth (can show the worth & value you put on your relationships). Gemstones of all colors of the rainbow in a wide array of jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces...you name it...there is a gemstone for everyone (lets not forget that everyone has a birthstone!) Each anniversary has a gemstone assigned to it as well as the tribes of israel in the Bible (each has a gemstone).

So you see, jewelry truly can represent many important facets of your life and its an enduring gift that lasts for years! I love to see families pass jewelry down through the generations as family heirlooms....what a great tradition! Let me make a suggestion...why not start a new family tradition with a new jewelry heirloom to be passed down and treasured for many generations with the gift of fine jewelry this Christmas? Above all else, lets not forget to treasure those who mean the most to us this season.......

Season's Greetings,
Bill Warren - Owner/Registered Gemologist Appraiser
The Gold Mine Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Inc.
545 Main St.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1009
website: http://www.hudsongoldmine.com/
email: goldman86@bellsouth.net