Gold remains the popular choice of metal for jewelry due to its characteristics. Its golden hue and malleable nature make it unique but rare in its pure state to make jewelry from. Different alloys like copper and nickel are added to 24k gold strengthening it and increasing its durability. All gold is yellow in nature but can be made into white gold and rose gold.

24k     99.9% gold; Deepest Yellow

18k     75.0% gold; Deeper Yellow

14k     58.5% gold; Deep Yellow

10k    41.7% gold; Yellow

White gold is created by taking natural gold and combing it with the metal nickel or palladium. Although altered, white gold still has a slight yellowish tint so it is often plated with a rhodium finish to give it the shiny white appearance.

Rose gold is created by adding the metal alloy copper to pure gold.

Gold Vermeil refers to 925 sterling or pure silver that is bonded with a layer of gold. In order to be considered real vermeil jewelry in the US, the gold layer has to be at least 2.5 microns thick with at least 10k gold and is considered the premium jewelry over regular plated gold. Each gold layer is electroplated to the silver in most cases, a chemical process that uses electrical currents to bind metals together.

Gold plated jewelry usually uses copper, brass, nickel and other low-cost metals to bind with a gold layer. Unlike vermeil jewelry, there is no minimum karat weight or thickness required.

Like gold plated, gold filled jewelry binds gold to low-cots metals but the layer of gold is much thicker. The layer of gold could be up to 100% thicker.

Sterling silver is the standard for silver jewelry represented by 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper (and/or other alloys) to provide strength.

Color of a diamond refers to the hue or lack of it. On a scale of D-Z, D signifies colorless while Z signifies a light-yellow hue within the structure of the diamond. The letters in between indicate the severity of yellow.

The cut of a diamond is its most defining characteristic referring to the symmetry, polish, and balance of proportion. Even if diamonds are graded good in other areas, a poor cut will result in a dull and less brilliant appearance. The cut is evaluated using the attributes of scintillation, fire, and brilliance. An great cut diamond will achieve levels of high sparkle, durability, and brilliance.

Clarity refers to how clear a diamond is looking at the microscopic characteristics trapped within, on the surface of the diamond, or lack of them. Known as inclusions and blemishes, they can range from foreign crystal structures or "feathers," which are tiny cracks that appear cloudy within the diamond.

The carat is the unit of measurement used to indicate weight of a diamond and other gemstones. Total carat weight (t.c.w.) represents the total weight of all diamonds/gemstones in jewelry when more than one stone.

The 8 different diamond shapes are:

1. Round
2. Square/Princess
3. Oval
4. Emerald
5. Cushion
6. Marquise
7. Asscher
8. Pear

1. January - Garnett
2. February - Amethyst
3. March - Aquamarine, Bloodstone
4. April - Diamond
5. May - Emarald
6. June - Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
7. July - Ruby
8. August - Peridot, Spinel
9. September - Sapphire
10. October - Opal, Tourmaline
11. November - Topaz, Citrine
12. December - Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon

Garnett: Represents love, friendship, passion, loyalty, faith

Amethyst: Associated with peace, courage, and stability

Aquamarine: Embodies youth, purity, loyalty, hope and truth

Diamond: Stone of commitment, faithfulness, endless love and promise

Emerald: Signifies elegance, prosperity, hope, and health

Alexandrite: Represents growth, peace, hope, intellect and luck

Ruby: Stone of love, nobility, passion, courage and power

Spinel: Represents hope, joy, longevity, revitalization and passion

Sapphire: Symbolizes wisdom, nobility, truth, good, fortune, and royalty

Tourmaline: Stone of hope, innocence and creativity

Citrine: Often represents wellness, abundance, happiness and success

Tanzanite: Represents stability, wisdom and truth