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Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| stone's in ring | 2/11/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I have a 18kt hge with symbol, A in a circle and a mount of pink looking stones on top. What are the ... A: Peggy, thanks for the photo. The photo is clear and shows the ring well. You still need to look ... | ||
| stone's in ring | 2/10/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I have a 18kt hge with symbol, A in a circle and a mount of pink looking stones on top. What are the ... A: I have no way to identify the stones without an examination. However, with the mounting considered, ... | ||
| Created Emeralds | 2/9/2012 | Melinda Nolan |
| Q: I'm considering purchasing a created emerald for an engagement ring as they are cheaper and contain ... A: Chatham Created Emeralds are wonderful gems. They are actually emeralds, with all the same physical ... | ||
| Platinum Family Alloys | 2/7/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I've been looking into ring materials for a few days now, and I've decided that I quite like the ... A: Jeremy, The direct answer to your question is “no”. Colored platinum alloys including pink ... | ||
| About Gemstones | 2/6/2012 | Melinda Nolan |
| Q: I'm Naomi and I'm in college. I'm doing a research paper about gemstones. Could you help me? So ... A: Naomi, That's a fun and interesting topic on which to write a research paper. I hope you enjoy ... | ||
| discolored diamonds | 2/5/2012 | Peter Lumetta |
| Q: I have a channel set sapphire and diamond ring I got for Christmas. It is an eternity band with a ... A: More than likely when the ring was sized those stones got to hot and discolored, this happens ... | ||
| Determining if jeweler is reputable | 2/4/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: After 8years of marriage, 2 kids, and an extra 20lbs I need to have both my wedding band and ... A: Quite honestly, trying to advise on how to find a reputable jeweler is a difficult task. Most of ... | ||
| BIG diamond ring | 2/4/2012 | Jonathon Ohayon |
| Q: What does RSC925 engraved on the inside of my wedding ring mean? There is one diamond (looks at ... A: from what you have mentions I would assume that your ring is made out of silver, since the stamp 925 ... | ||
| Masonic Ring | 2/1/2012 | Bill and Sally Jarrett |
| Q: I'll attempt this again. Tried this a couple days ago and was having difficulty attaching photo. I ... A: The ring looks beautiful. Since you are going to sell the item, it would be best if your jeweler ... | ||
| 18 karat pg | 1/30/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: my wife has some older necklaces marked 18k and it is also marked separately PG. We were trying to ... A: Harry, I suspect the PG is the mark (initials?) of the manufacturer. PG does not quite fit the ... | ||
| a stamp on a ring that dont make sense | 1/27/2012 | Peter Lumetta |
| Q: i have this old ring it has been left to me from a family member that past away... the stamp on the ... A: You are right the stamp is not any help, without the quality stamps in the ring it is impossible to ... | ||
| Metal Purity of Antique French Watch | 1/26/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I found an old French pocket watch in my dads things and would like to know what the 0,900 mark ... A: the website reference shown has an image of a German hallmark for silver. The quite useful website ... | ||
| diamonds | 1/25/2012 | Lisa Brooks-Pike |
| Q: how do i tell if a diamond is real? A: A google search of your question will bring up pages and pages of information and tutorials, but ... | ||
| Siberian Amethyst Value? | 1/25/2012 | Peter Lumetta |
| Q: Lumetta, I'm a fellow expert here! This time I need some help! I was going through some old estate ... A: Unfortunately the photo did not come through. I can tell you from my experience there is amethyst of ... | ||
| resizing ring | 1/25/2012 | Melinda Nolan |
| Q: My 12-year-old son bought me a ring from a dept store for my birthday. It cost approx $20, so I know ... A: Patricia, I'm sorry your sons gift is too small to wear on your ring finger. Unfortunately, with ... | ||
| resizing ring | 1/25/2012 | Jonathon Ohayon |
| Q: My 12-year-old son bought me a ring from a dept store for my birthday. It cost approx $20, so I know ... A: that's totally possible. If it is made out of a silver alloy (some silver rings can go down to ... | ||
| resizing ring | 1/25/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: My 12-year-old son bought me a ring from a dept store for my birthday. It cost approx $20, so I know ... A: I certainly understand wanting to wear this ring from you young son. Unfortunately, the answer is no ... | ||
| selling a ruby | 1/23/2012 | Sambhav Karnawat |
| Q: I have a 1.24 ct certified ruby I would like to sell. Would you give me some direction as to ... A: Please email me the certificate copy & photo of the Ruby to WeCare@TheRubyKing.com I will take a ... | ||
| Chain for pendant | 1/23/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I'm having a hard time choosing a 14k gold chain for a jadeite pendant. The pendant is fairly round ... A: BJ, Thomas is back... What I find in gourmette chains is essentially a “rounded” curb chain, a ... | ||
| 23c | 1/22/2012 | Melinda Nolan |
| Q: I have a necklace with the marking 23c on the clasp and there are no other markings. Is this a real ... A: 23c may simply reference a stock number from the original manufacturer. It is not a standard for any ... | ||
| Is possible set 1ct to a 3/4 ct semimount setting? | 1/22/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I am interested in a diamond ring setting semimount for 3/4 ct round, I am wondering if it is ... A: see this chart of the normal size to the eye of diamonds of different weights: ... | ||
| Odd item - please have a look | 1/20/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: Good day Thomas, thank you for taking the time to have a look at this item for me. I am also an ... A: Bond, I will point a direction for you but unfortunately vintage jewelry identification is out of my ... | ||
| Chain for pendant | 1/20/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I'm having a hard time choosing a 14k gold chain for a jadeite pendant. The pendant is fairly round ... A: The names of chains do get confusing and many design overlap. The wheat chain is a more traditional ... | ||
| Porcelain Sash Cameo | 1/17/2012 | Bill and Sally Jarrett |
| Q: I have this painted Sash Cameo. It is marked "Herbst" and stamped 450. I have no idea of its ... A: Your porcelain portrait brooch is beautiful. Herbst is German for autumn and is also a German ... | ||
| VALUE OF NECKLACE | 1/16/2012 | Bill and Sally Jarrett |
| Q: I HAVE A GOLD HERRINGBONE NECKLACE THAT STAMPED 925 HAN ITALY, WHATS THE VALUE OF IT AT 26 GRAMS? A: I have listed a site below that can calculate the price of silver for you on a daily basis since the ... | ||
| Cutting Emerald | 1/15/2012 | Peter Lumetta |
| Q: As always, I choose you to provide advice on one of my gemstone pieces. Several months ago, I ... A: It is very difficult to offer an opinion on recutting without being able to hold the piece and ... | ||
| Sizing and Emerald Engagement Ring | 1/14/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I was wondering if I could get some help. My partner recently purchased a white gold and emerald ... A: I will not be able to spend time with questions for a day. Please allow me one more day and I will ... | ||
| CZ repair | 1/14/2012 | Melinda Nolan |
| Q: Is it possible to have a CZ re-polished? I have a ring with a 1 or 1.5 carat CZ that I am very fond ... A: Cubic Zirconia are so inexpensive, the cost of cutting and repolishing would be significantly more ... | ||
| Platinum ring stamp | 1/11/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I have a platinum ring stamped 900PLAT 100IRID. Is iridium the best alloy for platinum or is there ... A: Here we go with a long explanation but I believe that is needed to properly answer your question. ... | ||
| Gold pins | 1/10/2012 | Sambhav Karnawat |
| Q: how do i go about finding out how much some pins are worth that my dad had in the late 40's early ... A: For the one made in Gold, please let me know the karatage & weight. For the rest of them, the value ... | ||
| Sapphire ring worth refurbishing? | 1/10/2012 | Lisa Brooks-Pike |
| Q: I recently aquired the attached 14K ring. I've been told that it may be from the 1800s and that the ... A: Assuming the person who told you the gemstones and setting are authentic is an experienced ... | ||
| How to clean a "braided" silver bracelet? | 1/9/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: Thomas-- I have this silver bracelet that my great-aunt owned. It's a braided silver bracelet & ... A: Meagan, I am glad you have done your research before plunging the bracelet into the cleaner! ... | ||
| Yellowed white gold engagement ring | 1/8/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I was wondering if you could help me out with a puzzling predicament. I have a brand new white gold ... A: Becca. I can help with your question. Years ago I do not recall ladies being as concerned with ... | ||
| Help to remove super glue from ruby ring | 1/6/2012 | Thomas |
| Q: I have the top facet of my Natural Ruby in my ring stained by ELFI (a super glue)...have tried nail ... A: you definitely need acetone to remove super glues material. If you can purchase a small container, ... | ||
| Unknown Gold hallmark | 1/4/2012 | Jonathon Ohayon |
| Q: G'day Jonathon! I bought this ring about a month ago and have been trying to find out what on earth ... A: I haven't encountered this particular maker's mark before, but if it is, by any chance, from ... | ||
| Waltham Watch/ Hallmark Ring | 1/4/2012 | Jonathon Ohayon |
| Q: We have a Waltham Watch Company, Hallmark Jewelry Division, wedding band set, and are wondering ... A: the details regarding the Waltham Watch Co. of Roxbury, Massachusetts and their associaltion with ... | ||
| Makers mark on mens ruby ring possibly vintage | 12/29/2011 | Sambhav Karnawat |
| Q: After cruizing the yard sales this past summer, I purchase what was supposed to be a box of costume ... A: Wish you a happy new year! From the looks of it, I would say it is not a natural ruby. The color is ... | ||
| gold ring | 12/29/2011 | Thomas |
| Q: i had a gold ring (which was passed on to me from 4 generations), it's more than 70 years old, and i ... A: Brooklyn, Gold does not tarnish easily but over time environmental chemicals will cause a darker ... | ||
| silver ;ring with 925 a star and 2 downword facing arrows | 12/28/2011 | Thomas |
| Q: i have had this ring for some time now it just lingers around my house n i find it from time to time ... A: Frederick, All I can possibly tell you about the ring is the meaning of the 925, a Federally ... | ||
| Repair turquoise crack | 12/27/2011 | Thomas |
| Q: I have a men's turquoise ring with a stone that has a fine crack. The stone is stable in its ... A: John, perhaps this will help you. A good two part epoxy cement such as Hughes 330 will work on the ... | ||
Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals
Answers by Expert:
Thomas
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Have a question about jewelry repair or working with precious metal jewelry and gemstones? For many years up to December 31, 2010, I was a working professional bench jeweler, involved everyday with setting stones in mountings, designing and making jewelry, repairing and limited custom manufacture. If you work with jewelry as a hobby or as a profession, I might be able to help. I deal with the retail business, not mass production. Ask privately if you wish. See the box for that: It keeps your question between us. Please DO NOT ask MAKER'S MARKS, but metal quality marks are fine to ask. Please DO NOT ask diamond prices. See a gemologist for that.
Experience
I have extensive experience in design, service and making of jewelry. I deal mostly with precious metals and gemstones but work with many materials as needed and usable to create an artistic design. My experience also includes freelance photography and photographer of jewelry and similar items for a former employer and individuals. Design of custom items requires reading the desires of the client and being clear on what can be done within that framework...then fulfilling the transition of idea to reality. Effective communications is essential in a working designer/producer and customer relationship.
Education/Credentials
Education is English/Physics! Started in human resources, to advertising, to jewelry...wow, what a road. I have had formal training in jewelry work and many shared experiences with top grade jewelers. We just never know were we will go or be. Follow your best, your dreams, with some discretion! Don't let the work tear up your body along the way as it has mine.
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