How To Keep Your Fine Jewelry Looking New

Perhaps the title of this article is one of the questions I get most!  How do you keep your fine jewelry looking new?  Of course, the answer can be different for every person but here are a few good basic guidelines to go by:

1. Have your jewelry cleaned regularly so dirt & oil doesn't build up on the metal by even more importantly, under the gemstones & diamonds which causes them to look dull & cloudy.  Most jewelry stores offer FREE professional cleaning...The Gold Mine does for sure!
2. Take your jewelry in for a "Spa Treatment" once a year.  What do I mean?  This means having your jewelry professionally buffed which removes scratches and brings it back to a high luster shine.
3. If you have white gold or silver jewelry, you'll need to have it Rhodium finished every so often.  This brings the metal back to a "High White" color instead of a yellowy white which in can turn into over time.  Rhodium finishing is routinely done at the factory to insure a fine white look and also prevents silver from tarnishing.
4. Buy a bottle of jewelry cleaner at most any jewelry store for either silver or gold jewelry to use as a good "At Home Cleaner" which is good in-between jewelry store visits.

So there you have it...a few basics step to keep your jewelry looking "Like New."  If you have any questions or maybe need jewelry maintenance or repair, feel free to call my office at 828-726-1009.

'til next time,

Bill Warren, DDJ (Doctor of Dynamic Jewelry) & Owner

The Gold Mine  

545 Main St. Hudson, NC 28638

www.hudsongoldmine.com 

email:  goldman86@bellsouth.net

The Life of A Jeweler at a Trade Show

So....here I am today in Atlanta, Georgia preparing to go to the southeast's largest jewelry show.  Surprisingly, for "Hotlanta"...its really cold here and I'll be glad to get warmed up at the show.  Some people ask me what its like for a jeweler to go to such a large jewelry show so I'm going to tell you..

First of all, when I go to a major trade show, I keep in mind what my customer's have been asking me  for in the way of jewelry and I also look for emerging trends in the jewelry industry.  Many times, I've been able to spot a hot and upcoming jewelry trend months ahead of my competition simply because I keep abreast of such things at these shows.

Going to a major jewelry show can be a bit overwhelming when you consider there is more jewelry under one roof to look at than going to 100 jewelry stores.  The security at an event like this is just like you think it would be...tight!!  With cameras, security guards, plain clothes detectives everywhere..it would be really hard for theft to happen although I'm sure it probably does.

With hundreds of jewelry vendors to see...the scope of the whole thing is quite amazing.  I simply try to look for things I think my customers will be interested in, visit my best suppliers to see what they're offering and of course we look at what everyone says is going to be hot.

Seminars are also of great importance to me as today,  I plan to go to two different ones.  One is on the four seasons of the jewelry biz and deals greatly with how to market to my customers and the other is on Estate Jewelry buying.  We are considering do even more estate jewelry biz at The Gold Mine so this seminar will help make me even better at it.

By the end of the day, we'll have walked 10 miles or more seeing everything, talking with friends both old & new..but it will all have been worth it.  Its fun but I'm always glad to get back to downtown Hudson.

Tim Call, our store's goldsmith will be trying out lots of new jewelry repair equipment and later on we plan to have some great brazilian food...so thats it..the life of a jeweler going to a major trade show.

'til next time,

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

What Is The Right Kind Of Wedding Band For Him?

What is the right kind of wedding band for a man?  I guess I'm asked this question at least a couple of times every week.  My stock in trade answer is usually in the form of a question such as, "What kind of work does he do?"  This often dictates what the best band is.  An important consideration besides the usual price & budget consideration would be...what kind of material do you want the wedding band made of and what kind of conditions will it be worn under?  Here are a few materials to consider for "Him":

1.  Yellow or White Gold - this comes in either 10k, 14k, or 18k gold.  10k is the hardest form of gold while 18k gold has the highest gold content.  14k has often been cited as the favorite mix of both with price & durability.

2.  Platinum - a very hard, rare and dense material that in the precious metals is probably the most durable and is naturally white in color.

3.  Alternative Metals - a new thing on the market would be metals made from space age technology such as tungsten carbide, titanium, cobalt, black zirconium and many others.  The benefits of each of these are that they're extremely durable and scratch resistant.  Plus, unlike the gold & platinum wedding bands, the cost is usually under $250 making them a very attractive choice for rugged men and young couples on a budget.

Personally speaking, I've enjoyed wearing a titanium and 14k gold combination band for many years giving me the precious metal that I as a jeweler enjoy plus the durability of the new space age materials.

What is right for you?  Of course, only you can make that decision.  But, we would be glad to guide and assist you...stop by the Gold Mine, take your time, have fun and get the wedding band of his dreams!

Until Next Time,

Bill Warren, DDJ (Doctor of Dynamic Jewelry)
www.hudsongoldmine.com
828-726-1009

The Karisma Collection

Once in a long while, something comes along that makes me stand up and take notice!  When we first got the Karisma Jewelry Collection in, it most definitely got my attention!  Why you might ask..simple!  Because with Karisma Sterling Silver ladies jewelry from The Gold Mine, you literally have 400 pieces of jewelry in one...read on below about info on Karisma!

Karisma has as many looks as she does.

With over 400 interchangeable jeweled inserts, one piece of Karisma sterling silver jewelry lets a woman match every mood, every outfit, every day.  It’s the best thing to happen to jewelry since the invasion of the beads.

Each piece of Karisma is beautifully designed and crafted in sterling silver and features a round jeweled center insert.  The magic of Karisma is that a woman can simply remove the center jeweled insert and replace it with a new one. And with hundreds of jeweled inserts to choose from – in a wide array of colors, patterns and gemstones – Karisma becomes a true reflection of her.

KARISMA™

IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE.™

So far, we've completely sold out of Karisma rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings 12 times.  Ladies simply love that they can change the tops out of each piece to match their outfits every day!!!

I'm personally glad to see the jewelry industry offering things that are versatile because often a certain piece of jewelry can only be worn with certain colors or dresses...but not any more!

Stop by The Gold Mine on Main Street in downtown Hudson and take a look...I think you'll be impressed!

"til next time,

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

P.S. - for more info, visit the Karisma website at:  www.karismacollection.com

Garnet - The January Birthstone

Garnet - The January Birthstone 

Giving a piece of jewelry containing a birthstone gem will bring the wearer with good luck and protection. Monthly birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian Calendar. What is the Birth stone for January? The following old poem provides the answer! And this page provides some information about the meaning of the January gem stone, the color, symbolism and significance of this lovely birth stone:
 

January Birthstone poem - the Garnet
"By her who is this month was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity."

Properties of the Garnet
 
For those who were born in the month of January the garnet is the traditional birthstone. The January birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the garnet is associated - purity, truth, faithfulness and friendship. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the January Birthstone Garnet are  awareness, commitment, regeneration, insight and removing negativity. The healing properties of the January birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the blood, heart, lungs and infection. The garnet is also used to enhance sensuality and sexuality.

Stop by The Gold Mine today to see how beautiful the January birthstone really is!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist
The Gold Mine
545 Main ST. Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1009

www.hudsongoldmine.com
goldman86@bellsouth.net

Introducing Lafonn Jewelry

Introducing the "Lafonn Jewelry Collection"

 

Ok, I must admit it...I'm a little tickled with myself today!  You see we recently added something that I believe our customers are going to love!  Of course, this is none other than the "Lafonn Jewelry Collection".

 

Lafonn jewelry features the ultimate in vintage jewelry design at a price that puts owning a fine piece of jewelry in everyone's budget.  With Canary yellow colors, sapphire blue as well as chocolate looks...these pieces of "Eye Candy" capture everyone's imagination!  Most of these rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings fall within the $100-300 price range...hard to believe, but true!!!

You may be asking yourself, "Ok Bill, just what is Lafonn anyway..is diamond, cz or what?"  Lafonn jewelry features Lassaire man made gemstones which are actually one of the closest things to real diamond you can get.  The gems are very tough & durable and are cut to very exacting standards.  The mountings are made of the finest sterling silver bonded with genuine platinum for look & durability.  In the purchase of a Lafonn item, you're getting a very well made piece of fine jewelry that looks like pieces that only royalty could wear but that are affordable for everyone!

I invite you to visit Lafonn's website to get a closer look at all of the beautiful jewelry that is offered at: http://www.lafonn.com  

Stop by the Gold Mine today to see the latest pieces in person and do some early Christmas shopping...you'll be glad you did!

'til next time,

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

Star Wars Invades Hudson

Ok, I must admit it...I'm pretty tickled with myself right now!  Why you might ask?  Simple, we've just made one of the most important purchases ever for our store, "The Gold Mine Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Inc."  The purchase was of a 7000 Series Rofin Star Weld Laser Welder, quite simply the most powerful laser welder in the jewelry industry for the repair & intricate working on of fine jewelry.

No, you won't hear the sounds of Darth Vader or light sabers rattling about, but you will have the opportunity to have your jewelry designed or repaired using the coolest, most efficient laser technology available!  So, what does all this mean to you?

Again its simple...repairs that once were near the realm of impossibility can now be done with relative ease in minutes!!!  Maybe you owned an opal ring and because of opal's delicate nature, you couldn't have prongs rebuilt or retipped for fear of shattering an expensive opal.  Now with pinpoint accuracy, the repair of jewelry containing opals, emeralds, pearls and any other delicate gemstone is as fast as the swoosh of Luke Skywalkers light saber!

What's more, we can now safely weld and repair such items as broken eyeglass frames, costume jewelry and much, much more!  You'll discover just as I have that the repair is of a much higher quality when done with this laser and by a capable goldsmith such as the one's at The Gold Mine!

I invite you to stop by...you'll see me grinning from ear to ear...let me show my new machine and you'll wonder why you would ever let anyone but the Gold Mine repair your delicate jewelry.  Hey, you might even get the feeling that you're seeing the firing of the main weapon from the "Death Star"...can you tell I'm a Star Wars fan?  Take care and stop by for a demonstration...

Success,

Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist

The Gold Mine - Hudson, NC

828-726-1009

www.hudsongoldmine.com

P.S. - yes, we now wield a very powerful tool that we promise to use for the "Good of Mankind"...LOL