Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
HUGE Diamond Found
The discovery of the gem, which the company said had the potential to become one of the largest round-cut diamonds in the world, was made on September 8 at the Letseng mine in Lesotho.
"Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity," the company's Chief Executive Clifford Elphick said in a statement.
The diamond, which has not yet been named, has the potential to yield a 150 carat polished stone, a company spokesman said.
That would be far bigger than the 105 carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond seized by Britain from India in the 19th century and now part of the Crown Jewels.
It would still only be a fraction of the size, however, of the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats when recovered and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats: the Great Star of Africa.
The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company that is 70 percent owned by Gem Diamonds, with the remaining 30 percent held by the Lesotho government.
Gem Diamonds's share price on the London Stock Exchange was 741.50 pence at the close of trading on Friday.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Gemstone Learning Guide
Jewelers describe the color of a gemstone in terms of three characteristics: hue, saturation, and tone. A gemstone's basic color is its hue, and those with purer hues (for emeralds, green; for sapphires, blue; and for rubies, red) are generally considered more valuable. Often, however, a hint of another color can be detected. Sapphires will range from purplish blue to greenish blue; emeralds, yellowish green to bluish green; and rubies, orangey red to purplish red. Saturation is a measure of the intensity or purity of a gem's hue and is determined by the degree to which gray or brown hues mute its defining color. Value tends to increase with saturation, so a fully saturated purplish blue sapphire may well be more expensive than a muted pure blue one. The tone of a gemstone, a measurement of its lightness or darkness, is usually given as light, medium-light, medium, medium-dark, or dark.
A flawless gemstone is rare and usually extravagantly priced. As with diamonds, most gemstones have inclusions, or tiny mineral flaws, that can be seen under magnification or by the careful eye. Sapphires tend to be moderately included, while emeralds and rubies are usually heavily to moderately included. Make sure that any inclusions in the stone do not penetrate deeply into the gem, as this may cause it to break or crack. Clarity grades range from VVS (very, very slightly included) to I3, in which inclusions are prominent and severely affect the gemstone's beauty.
A gemstone's cut refers to its proportions and symmetry. It is essential in making a gemstone look appealing--the stone should be symmetrical in all dimensions so that it will appear balanced, and so that its facets will reflect light evenly, providing good brilliance. Color should also be taken into account when cutting for optical efficiency. If a stone's color is highly saturated, a shallow cut will allow it to pass more light, while a deeper cut may increase the vividness of a less saturated gem. There is no generally accepted grading system for gemstone cut.
Though a gemstone's weight is usually given in carats, this may not give an accurate idea of its size, because different types of stone have different densities. Therefore, a 1-carat sapphire or ruby will be smaller than a 1-carat emerald, though they have the same weight, because sapphires and rubies (both a form of the mineral corundum) are more dense than emeralds.
Illustration of gemstone dimensions
Gemstones can also be measured in dimensions (diameter, length, and width). It is important to know the dimensions to ensure that the gemstone weight will be visible and well proportioned in the setting.
Gemstones are often treated to enhance color and fill cracks. Please note that, if a gemstone has been treated, this information will be provided in the specifications on the stone's product detail page. There are various accepted techniques, depending on the type of stone. For example, oils and resins are frequently used to fill surface-reaching fissures in emeralds and rubies. This process is not permanent, however; if a treated ruby or emerald is subjected to high heat from a jeweler's torch, an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, or even hot dishwater, the filler may leak out of the stone. Sapphires and rubies are often heated in a kiln or furnace to enhance their color. Such heat treatment, which is considered permanent, has been used for centuries. Lightly colored sapphires may also undergo diffusion treatment. This is done by heating a stone in the presence of coloring elements such as titanium or iron, which causes a thin layer of color to be diffused into the stone's surface. Because this color layer is so thin, a diffusion-treated sapphire should not be repolished.
Care
To clean gemstone jewelry, first wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any dirt. Emeralds require only the use of a soft cloth, as cleaners may damage these soft gems. Sapphires and rubies can be cleaned with either an ultrasonic cleaner or a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water, with a soft brush. Store your gemstone jewelry in a soft cloth pouch or jewelry case so it does not touch other pieces in your collection. As with all jewelry, normal wear and tear can loosen prongs and settings, so it is a good idea to have it checked by a professional jeweler who can make repairs as needed.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
How to Purchase Gold Jewelry
With so many choices available to you, building a gold jewelry wardrobe can be an enjoyable, lifelong adventure. It helps to begin that adventure with a bit of gold-buying know-how. We've provided the following guidelines to help you get started.
The standard measurement of gold is the Karat, which is divided into 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 Karats, meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. Because pure gold is too soft to be used for jewelry, it is combined with other metal alloys to increase its strength. For instance, 14K gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys, while 18K gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other alloys. 10K gold is more durable, with 10 parts gold to 14 parts other alloys.
In Europe, the principle is the same, but the markings are different. 999 (for 99.9% gold) is the equivalent of 24K Gold, 750 (75.0%) is 18K gold and 585 (58.5%) is 14K gold. Additionally, 9K Gold is sold in Europe but not in the U.S.
Alloys used with yellow gold include copper and silver. Pink gold is created by combining gold with copper, while green gold results from mixing gold with copper, silver and zinc. When creating white gold, pure gold is combined with copper, zinc and nickel (or palladium).
There are distinct advantages to both yellow and white gold. Placing a diamond with yellow color in a yellow gold setting can actually make the diamond appear whiter. White gold is a beautiful complement to exceptionally white and brilliant diamonds. Also, white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium, a shiny metal that increases the whiteness and strength of gold. Sometimes, white gold is confused with platinum, though they are entirely different metals. White gold and platinum vary in strength, resistance to scratches and shades of white.
Jewelers throughout the ages have selected gold as their precious metal of choice because of its softness, natural beauty, resistance to erosion or tarnish, and ease of workmanship.
Gold is so soft and malleable that it can be melted and shaped to create virtually any design. But this softness also makes pure gold less than desirable for jewelry usage - which is why it is usually alloyed with other metals such as copper or silver to make it stronger and more durable.
The gold content in a particular alloy is expressed in karats (abbreviated as K or KT). Each karat is equal to roughly 4.17% of the total alloy. Generally, the higher the percentage of gold content, the softer (and yellower) the piece. The karat weight system used for white gold is the same as that used for yellow gold (white gold is mixed with different alloys to give it a white color).
Here are some common gold karatages (karat weights) and the corresponding percentages of actual gold:
• 24K represents pure gold (100%) and is rarely used in jewelry.
• 21K is 21/24ths gold content, or 87.5% gold. Jewelry of this karatage or higher is rare in the United States, although it is far more common in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• 18K is 18/24ths gold content, or 75% gold. This is a popular karatage for higher end jewelry in the United States, Europe and other regions, and its usage is expanding in North America.
• 14K is 14/24ths gold content, or roughly 58.5% gold. This is by far the most commonly used karatage in the United States (and perhaps the world) and provides a nice balance between gold content, hardness/durability and affordability.
• 10K is 10/24ths gold content, or 41.7% gold. This is an increasingly popular karatage sold by many U.S. mall jewelry chains, department stores, discount stores and other mass market venues because it offers budget-conscious consumers precious metal jewelry at more affordable prices than the standard 14K. It is also the lowest gold content that can be legally marked or sold as gold jewelry in the United States. Often used in rings because they tend to be worn every day and experience many knocks and thus require an exceptionally strong alloy.
• 9K is 9/24ths gold content, or 37.5% gold. This is a popular karatage sold by mass marketers in England and other regions, although it cannot be marked or sold as gold jewelry in the United States.
Sometimes, gold of a lower karat weight is plated in higher-karat gold to enhance its color. This is perfectly acceptable as long as the jeweler discloses this fact and you pay a fair price. Keep in mind that gold plating will wear off over time and your jewelry may need to be re-plated.
To determine the karat weight of a particular piece of jewelry, look for the quality mark. Generally, pieces will either bear the stamp of their karatage based on the U.S. or European system. The U.S. system uses karat designations (24K, 18K, 14K, 10K, etc.) Europe uses number designations which correspond to the percentage of gold content. For instance, 10K is marked "417" for 41.7% gold; 14K is marked "585" for 58.5% gold; 18K is marked "750" for 75% gold, etc.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Valjoux History
Valjoux had it's basis in the small town of Les Bioux, near the shore of Lac de Joux, within the canton of Vaud in the northwest part of Switzerland. In his travels through Switzerland in 1779, Goethe wrote of this region:
"The great mountain range, which, running from Basel to Geneva , divides Switzerland from France , as you are aware, named the Jura. Its principal heights run by Lausanne and reach as far as Rolle and Nyon. In the midst of this summit ridge, Nature has cut out—I might almost say washed out—a rema
rkable valley; for the tops of all these limestone rocks the operation of the primal waters is manifest. It is called La Vallee de Joux, which means the Valley of the Rock, since Joux, in the local dialect, signifies a rock."
This region of Switzerland was among the richest in terms of watchmaking and the cottage-industry resources watchmakers and watch companies relied on. In August 1897, the local council passed a resolution to promote the establishment of watch and clock making in Les Bioux. It backed up the resolution with 60,000 Swiss francs for construction of a building, necessary machinery and other needs. In April 1898 the cornerstone was laid, and the building was completed and outfitted before the onset of winter. The business name was the Val de Joux Watch Co. This company began manufacturing pocket watches and clocks, but the name of the director or owner is unknown today.
In 1901, brothers John and Charles Reymond opened their watchmaking business, Reymond Freres, in Les Bioux, not far from the Val de Joux Watch Co. They had individually honed their watchmaking skills before starting their own business. Their reputation as fine watchmakers grew, spread by word of mouth, and their business prospered. However, the Val de Joux Watch Co. suffered from mismanagement, and ownership of the company changed hands several times during the early 1900s. In 1910, legend has it, the last owner made off with all the machine tools, benches and other equipment, leaving the building a shell.
This proved to be window of opportunity for John and Charles Reymond, as the Reymond Freres shops were too small to meet growing demand for their watches. They inspected the empty Val de Joux Watch Co. building and deemed it ideal for their expanding business. The Les Bioux councilmen met with the Reymond brothers and came to acceptable terms. The Reymond brothers and their employees welcomed the larger watch manufacturing facilities.
The company had manufactured various numbered calibres since its early years and its watch makers assembled wrist watches as well as pocket watches and even a limited number of stop watches. In 1914, they introduced chronograph wrist watches with the Calibre 22 movement (pictured, left). Two years later the Calibre 23 was introduced. However, the first World War raging in Europe had an impact on the sales of watches, despite Switzerland being isolated from the conflict, which ended in 1918. After the war, the Reymond manufacture continued to prosper and demand for its watches and ebauches continued to grow. The Reymond ebauches were distinguished by the letter R with a shield outline (pictured above, left). Sometime during the 1920s, John Reymond's sons, Marius and Arnold, joined the company and applied themselves to the watchmaking craft.
In 1929, Marius and Arnold Reymond assume control of the company, and chose to incorporate it and register the name of the company Valjoux S.A. The crash of the American stock market in 1929 had a disastrous economic impact on the U.S. economy that rippled around the world. This drastically effected demand for all Swiss watches, and thus ebauches, during the 1930s. Ebauches S.A., created decades earlier, worked to acquire ebauche manufacturing firms to ensure their survival, but Valjoux S.A. choose to remain independent.
The company continued to innovate and introduce new calibres in the 1930s and 1940s. As early as 1939, Valjoux introduced the Calibre 69 having 10.5 ligne, which was small enough to be worn by women. Production of more than 60,000 ebauches and movements was achieved in 1942. Nevertheless, by 1944, Valjoux S.A. was also acquired by Ebauches S.A. Valjoux movements were selected by Rolex, Audemars Piquet, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and other fine watch companies. The company became known for its fine chronograph movements, and continued this tradition with the introduction of the '7' series--the Valjoux 70, 71, 72, 72C (for calendar), 75, 76 and 77. The 72C, for example, displayed date, weekday, and Moon phase. Valjoux S.A. eventually passed from Reymond family control, and was managed by directors selected by Ebauches S.A.
These Valjoux chronograph calibres were so consistently good, they remained in production for years and served as the basis for production during the 1950s and 1960s. These movements were supplemented by the introduction of the Calbre 84, a 14 ligne movement with 30 minute register and two pushers, the Calibre 88 of 13 ligne with calendar, Moon phase, hour recorder and 30 minute register, and the Calibre 92 having 13 ligne with two functions and two pushers. All Valjoux's chronographs were manual wind, and several Swiss watch industry giants introduced automatic chronographs in the late 1960s that would motivate Valjoux to join that elite fraternity, and thus make Swiss watch movement history.
The Valjoux 7750 -- Chronograph to the World
Valjoux's manual wind chronograph movements were justifiably famous, but the introduction of Zenith's 'El Primero' automatic chronograph and Heuer's Calibre 11 automatic chronograph in 1969 created a sensation at the Basel fair that year. The small management team at Valjoux took due notice of this horological event and considered the possibility of designing an automatic chronograph. It was during this time frame that a young Edmond Capt graduated from the watchmaking school in Le Sentier with a specialty as a calibriste (one who builds prototype calibres). He then went on to study in Geneva and graduate in 1969 as a watchmaker engineer. He immediately went to work for Rolex, but stayed there only a year, no doubt feeling like a small fish in a big pond. Capt wanted to put his skills and education to work, and accepted a position with Valjoux S.A. in Les Bioux in 1970. (photo: Edmond Capt, courtesy the Swatch Group)
The technical director of Valjoux at the time discussed with Capt the desire of the company to produce an automatic chronograph. It was a matter of corporate pride that Valjoux have an automatic chronometer calibre of its own. The 17 jewel manual wind 7733 chronograph movement with subdials at 3 and 6 o'clock was a Valjoux standard of accuracy and ruggedness, and a preferred movement for Breitling, Tissot, Bulova, Fortis and other makes. Capt was directed to study the 7733 to see if it could be adapted to automatic winding. Realistically speaking, this automatic chronometer would have to be a new design, but Capt studied the 7733 to see what parts and ebauche geometry could be used.
The new calibre designation would be 7750. It was to measure 13.25 ligne, have a day and date indication with quick setting for both. It was to have three subdials; one would be a sweep second hand, the others would indicate 30 minutes elapsed time, 12 hours elapsed time with a large sweep second hand indicating seconds on the main dial. It was a tall order for the young watchmaker and ebauche designer, but Capt had the resources of the house of Valjoux behind him. Capt had been one of Le Sentier's most distinguished and perceptive students and he was asked to teach at the watchmaking school. One is his students, Gerald Gander, showed particular promise and Capt asked him to participate in the design effort for the 7750 at Valjoux. Later, Donald Rochat joined the group. Finally, another Valjoux watchmaker and a young and skilled draftswoman rounded out the team.
For years, watch movements had been designed with traditional drafting methods. Personal computers were still years away, but Valjoux did have a computer in Neuchatel in the office of the technical director. The drawings produced in Les Bioux were digitized in Neuchatel and the function of those parts checked on the computer. Capt had more to deal with than the design of the movement. He also had to work with the Valjoux manufacturing team to coordinate the tooling required to produce the parts once the designs were finalized, as well as work with outside suppliers. The 7750 had to be designed not only for the desired functions, accuracy and durability, it also had to be designed for speed and ease of manufacture. The design and development of the 7750 took two years. Strict methods of Valjoux development and testing were followed. The first complete 7750 movement to begin ticking at 28,800 beats per hour was an exciting moment for everyone at Valjoux.
Once the dedicated 7750 assembly areas were set up and the watch companies on board to purchase movements for their new watch designs, Valjoux began assembling and shipping 7750s in 1973. Interest in the 7750 began to grow and the watch companies made sure to extol the virtues of the Valjoux 7750 in its sales literature and advertisements. However, the entire Swiss industry was headed for disaster. Development of quartz movements was well-known, and certain firms in Switzerland itself had been working on electric and quartz movements since 1962. In fact, Ebauches S.A.'s Beta 21 quartz movement first appeared in Swiss watches in 1970. The Swiss watch industry, however, could not foresee the severe impact introduction of primarily Japanese quartz movement sales worldwide would have on the Swiss mechanical watch industry.
By 1975, Swiss watch companies were really starting to feel the impact on their mechanical watch sales. Valjoux, Lemania, ETA and other movement manufacturers saw their sales plummet as demand for quartz watches took off. Quartz watches were highly accurate and significantly less expensive than mechanical watches. Sales of Valjoux's movements came to a standstill, including the 7750. Small watch companies were closing their doors and the larger established watch companies were struggling to survive. Mechanical chronographs were among the most expensive Swiss watches made in the late 1970s, and demand for the 7750 dwindled. Valjoux management considered the possibility that the mechanical Swiss watch might be relegated to a curiosity and of interest only to watch collectors. Switzerland's watch industry had survived other crises, and cooler heads realized there would always be a market for the marvelous mechanical movement.
Valjoux, nevertheless, chose to stop production of the 7750 and directed the tools be scrapped since there would be no use for them. Edmond Capt was one of those cooler heads, believing scraping the tools would be a mistake and a decision Valjoux would regret later. He and the others in Les Bioux who had invested considerable effort in the 7750 quietly made the decision to simply store the tooling for the 7750 in the event of a decision to resume production at a future day. What a prophetic and wonderful decision this was! In 1978, Capt accepted a position as Technical Director at Frederic Piquet in Le Brassus to work on both quartz and mechanical movements. Valjoux continued to manufacture manual wind mechanical movements but at greatly reduced production.
In the early 1980s a curious thing happened. Demand for mechanical chronographs--both manual wind and automatic-- began to grow again. Valjoux management learned tooling for its automatic chronograph had never been scrapped and decided it should resume production of the 7750. During the 1980s and 1990s production of the 7750 continued to grow and has remained strong ever since. It became the basis of numerous variations since resumption of production and it can safely be said it is the most popular mechanical chronograph movement today with more than 200,000 units manufactured by ETA each year. However, success of the 7750 did impact demand for manual wind chronograph movements. Production of the 7733 and 7734, for example, were eventually halted.
Today, the ebauche stamp on the 7750 is that of ETA, not Valjoux. The company itself was eventually completely absorbed into the ETA S.A. corporate structure. On ETA's website, Valjoux does appear in the location of its manufactures for Les Bioux. Admirers of Valjoux movements will always equate the company's calibres with the name Valjoux.
Les Bioux Today
The town of Les Bioux and surrounding area still has a profound impact both in terms of history and actual movement manufacture and watch making. ETA chose to keep one of its chief production facilities in Les Bioux. It is quite possible that the location of the present ETA manufacturing facilities may, in fact, be in the same building where Valjoux S.A. once manufactured its movements and ebauches.
This is indeed hallowed ground for the Valjoux faithful. It can confidently be determined than Valjoux movements and ebauches and their descendents have been manufactured at this location for nearly 100 years. This is most definitely worth a train trip to see the home of Valjoux. These two photos were taken in August 2006 by Marc_WL (using his id on the WatchesYouSeek Forum from where the photos were found). Thank you Marc.
Friday, May 30, 2008
TAG Heuer
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Decide Which Type of Watch You Want
Whether you need a wristwatch or pocket watch, first decide whether you want a battery-powered quartz watch or a mechanical watch that requires winding.
Choose your quartz watch
Quartz watches, the most common type of watches, offer accuracy and stability. A small piece of quartz oscillates at more than 32,000 vibrations per second to ensure accurate timekeeping, which explains why quartz watches only lose about 10 seconds of time per month. Plus, quartz watches do not require winding and you only need to replace the battery once every one or two years. Quartz watch faces also come in several styles: analog, digital, and anidigi.
• Analog quartz watches: Analog watch faces have numbers, Roman numerals, or tick marks indicating intervals of time while digital faces provide an exact readout in hours and minutes.
• Digital quartz watches: Digital watches often have extra features such as depth sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS), altimeters, calculators, phone books, and compasses.
• Anidigi quartz watches: Anidigi watch faces include the numeric elements of an analog watch face as well as a digital display.
The faceplates of quartz watches can have a simple look, or feature cartoon characters, animals, or sports themes.
Get ready to wind mechanical watches
Mechanical watches show off traditional craftsmanship and usually cost a little more than their quartz counterparts because they demonstrate the skill and cost of labor required to build a complex and valuable timepiece. They depend on a spring (the "mainspring") to provide energy to an oscillator (often a wheel called a "balance wheel") as it unwinds. The wheel oscillates at about 28,000 vibrations per hour, which means your watch can lose several minutes in a given month. Mechanical watches come in automatic or manual form.
• Automatic mechanical watches: Automatic mechanical watches use a rotor swing which responds to motion, winding the mainspring running the watch. Automatic mechanical watches often come with a transparent or partially-transparent display so you can see the rotor in action. If you wear an automatic mechanical watch for more than 12 hours per day, your motion will keep the watch mechanism running. You'll need to wind your watch if you don't wear it for a few days.
• Manual mechanical watches: Manual mechanical watches, also called wind watches, require daily winding to tighten the spring.
Consider Watch Materials
When selecting a wristwatch, determine what type of band you want. Popular styles include:
• Precious metal wristwatches: Wristwatches made of precious metals have a classic look. If you wear a certain type of jewelry, find gold wristwatches, sterling silver wristwatches, or platinum wristwatches to match. Some fancier wristwatches even have diamond accents.
• Aluminum wristwatches: Durable aluminum wristwatches resist tarnish, rust, and corrosion.
• Stainless steel wristwatches: Many manufacturers use stainless steel, a durable metal, for watch cases and bands.
• Carbon fiber wristwatches: Tough carbon fiber wristwatches have a dark color (dark grey or black). The material is used on watch casing and dials.
• Titanium wristwatches: Sports watches that require a sturdy material often use titanium, a strong, white metal. Titanium wristwatches are lightweight, 30-percent stronger than steel, and resist corrosion. They typically have a protective coating to make them scratch resistant.
• Plastic/ rubber wristwatches: You'll frequently find sports watches and fashion watches with lightweight, colorful, and sturdy bands made of rubber or plastic.
If you find a wristwatch with a face you love, but with a leather band or plastic band you hate, know that you can always buy a replacement band and customize the watch to better fit your taste.
Evaluate Watch Features
When you look at watches, find out if they come with extra features you may want.
• Watches with calendars: Day date watches display the date and day of the week. Full calendar watches display the date, day of the week, and month.
• Chronograph watches: Chronographs act as a stopwatch or use a meter to measure elapsed time. Chronographs can also come in split seconds format to measure two time segments simultaneously or consecutively.
• Watches with a tachymeter: Tachymeter scales, located around the rim of a watch dial, measure average speed by calculating time and pre-measured distance. They are used along with a chronograph.
• Watches with moonphase indicators: Watches with moonphase indicators have a display that indicates the phase of the moon with an image on a rotating disk.
• Watches with tourbillons: Some mechanical watches have tourbillons, small but very costly mechanisms, which help eliminate potential time errors.
• Water resistant watches: Usually described on the dial or back of the case, a watch's water resistance is measured in feet, meters, or atmospheres (ATM). Watches that are water resistant up to 30 meters are splash-proof. Water resistance up to 50 meters indicates that you can wear the watch in the shower. A water resistance rating of 100 meters indicates that you can wear a watch swimming. Watches with a water resistance rating of 200 meters can be worn scuba diving.
• Watches with repeaters: Watches with a repeater announce the time through a series of chimes when you press a button.
• Telemeter scale watches: Telemeter scales measure the distance between a watch wearer and an object that generates a visible signal and a loud noise (such as a fired cannon or electrical storm). World time watches: Watches with a world time feature indicate time in all time zones around the world. You can often choose the name of a major city in a certain time zone to see the time in that time zone.
Select a Watch Warranty
Warranties generally come with new watches, but some eBay sellers will provide them for used watches as well. Once you’ve found the perfect watch, take a few moments to check out whether it comes with a warranty, and see what that warranty entails.
Good warranties ensure that if there are any defects in your watch, they will be repaired for free, subject to certain conditions. But not all warranties are created equal. Warranties cover different parts and situations, depending on the manufacturer and where you purchase the watch.
When shopping for a watch on eBay, be sure to check the listing to see who provides the warranty (or if one is provided at all). If there is no warranty information listed, contact the seller for more information. You may also have to pay additional shipping charges with some warranties.
Learn about the types of watch warranties
A watch warranty is not a guarantee, but rather a contract to repair the watch at no cost, as long as certain conditions are met. Warranties vary in terms of what they cover and under what conditions:
• Original manufacturer's warranty: The most extensive warranty is usually the original manufacturer’s warranty. Most manufacturer’s warranties only cover new watches sold to the original owners by authorized retailers, who are given permission directly by specific watch manufacturers (such as Omega, Timex, and Fossil), to sell their watches. Watches sold through other channels or used “vintage” watches usually will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Warranties on used watches: Previously-owned watches generally do not come with warranties, however some retailers have pre-certified watch programs, and may provide warranties of their own to repair merchandise they sell to customers. Every retailer’s warranty is different, so be sure to check the item listing or ask the seller for details.
Get to know watch warranty basics
Here are the major components of most watch warranties:
• Coverage: Warranties usually only cover defects in materials or workmanship, such as if the watch suddenly stops for no apparent reason. Warranties do not cover normal wear and tear or abuse. The following parts and situations also are not usually covered by most warranties: bracelet or strap, case, glass, and sometimes crystal (when excessive wear has caused damage), any damage caused by mishandling (e.g. water damage if not water-resistant), and any repairs to the watch if it has been serviced by a non-authorized repair shop.
• Duration: There are large differences between the durations of various warranties. Many manufacturers, such as Seiko and Citizen, offer warranties that provide limited coverage for two to five years, while other manufacturers, like Kenneth Cole, will provide limited warranties for the lifetime of their watches. Be sure to read the terms under which the warranty applies. Some manufacturers require you to register with them as soon as you buy the watch from an authorized dealer for the full length of the warranty to apply.
Location: Some warranties only cover the watch in the country where the watch was purchased. Also, if you need to have a watch repaired under warranty, most service warranties require you to send the watch to specific locations for repair. You may be required to pay to ship the watch in those situations.
Maintain Your Watch
Although nothing beats careful use, you can follow a few steps to make sure your watches live long and healthy lives.
• Watch the temperature: Never leave your watch in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• Stay away from magnets: Do not expose quartz watches to magnets.
• Keep your watch clean: Clean your watch regularly to remove sweat, dirt, and oil. Wipe the crystal, case, and band with a soft cloth. Leather bands benefit from skin oil, but you still want to remove excess dirt. Clean metal bands with soap, water, and a soft brush if needed.
Take your mechanical watch to the pros: Take your mechanical watch to a professional when gears need cleaning and for regular gear maintenance every three to five years.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
ROLEX WATCH
Rolex is the best known of the premier producers of fine watches in the world. Recognized as an innovator in technology and marketing, the company is credited with establishing the widespread popularity of the wristwatch in the early 20th century. Rolex watches are prized for their precision timekeeping, durability, functionality, and distinctive design. Rolex's mystique as a closely held private company and its carefully cultivated image continue to strengthen the watch's desirability as a status symbol as well as a precision instrument. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, where the company opened a new headquarters in 1995, Rolex has become closely linked with a number of major events in such sports as yachting, equestrian riding, golf, and tennis. Rolex watches&mdash…ailable in stainless steel, gold, and platinum, and with or without custom-set precious stones on the dial, crystal, or band--retail anywhere from $2,400 to over $100,000.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
When a small foreign object gets introduced into the body of an oyster or mollusk the organism produces a soft coating of calcium carbonate (nacre) around it, creating a pearl. Small foreign objects don't wander into mollusks very often so pearl cultivators insert microscopic objects into the organisms to create cultured pearls. You'll find four popular types of cultured pearls on eBay:
Freshwater cultured pearls: Affordable freshwater cultured pearls originate in the freshwater lakes and rivers of China. They often have an asymmetrical shape, medium to high luster, and measure between 3.5 mm and 7.0 mm. Freshwater cultured pearls are mostly white, but can have a pink or rose tint.
Tahitian cultured pearls: Tahitian cultured pearls have a unique black to grayish-green color. The large pearls, ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, are farmed on the volcanic atolls and reefs of Tahiti. They are mostly round in shape and have a rich, high luster. Tahitian cultured pearls tend to cost more than other types of pearls based on their scarcity and unique look.
Akoya cultured pearls: Akoya cultured pearls are a type of saltwater pearl from China and Japan. They have round, symmetrical shape with few blemishes and measure between 6 mm and 8.5 mm. Akoya cultured pearls have a higher luster than freshwater pearls, average pricing, and a light color that ranges from cream to white/pink.
South Sea cultured pearls: Large South Sea cultured pearls (up to 13 mm), farmed in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, range in color from white to black. They can have a perfectly round to slightly asymmetrical shape and medium to high luster. Price varies depending on luster
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Bracelets
In Latin America, Azabache Bracelets are worn to protect against the Mal de ojo, or evil eye. The evil eye is believed to result of excessive admiration or envious looks by others. Having newborn babies wear an azabache (a gold bracelet or necklace with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist), is believed to protect them from the evil eye.
In Bulgaria there is a tradition called Martenitsa which sometimes involves tying a red and white string around the wrist to please Baba Marta to make spring come sooner.
In some parts of India, the number and type of bangles worn by a woman denotes her marital status. Taken in the plural, bracelets is often used as slang for handcuffs.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Watch
A watch is a timepiece that is made to be worn on a person, as opposed to a clock which is not. The term now usually refers to a wristwatch, which is worn on the wrist with a strap or bracelet. In addition to the time, modern watches often display the day, date, month and year, and electronic watches may have many other functions.
Most inexpensive and medium-priced watches used mainly for timekeeping are electronic watches with quartz movements. Expensive, collectible watches valued more for their workmanship and aesthetic appeal than for simple timekeeping, often have purely mechanical movements and are powered by springs, even though mechanical movements are less accurate than more affordable quartz movements.
Before the inexpensive miniaturization that became possible in the 20th century, most watches were pocket watches, which had covers and were carried in a pocket and attached to a watch chain or watch fob. Watches evolved in the 1600s from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 1400s.
Earring
An earring is a piece of jewelry that is worn on the ear. Earrings are worn by both sexes. In western cultures, earrings have traditionally been worn primarily by females, although in recent decades, ear piercing has also become popular among males in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Earrings are attached to the ear through a piercing in the earlobe or some other external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Common locations other than the earlobe for piercings include the rook, tragus, and across the helix (see image at right). The simple term “ear piercing” usually refers to an earlobe piercing, whereas piercings in the upper part of the external ear are often referred to as “cartilage piercings.” Cartilage piercings are more complex to perform than earlobe piercings and take longer to heal.
Earring components may be made of any number of materials, including metal, plastic, glass, precious stones, and beads. Designs range from small loops and studs to large plates and dangling items. The size is ultimately limited by the physical capacity of the earlobe to hold the earring without tearing. However, heavy earrings worn over extended periods of time may lead to stretching of the earlobe and the piercing.
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Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wedding Ring
Traditionally, in India and those practicing Hinduism, a toe ring or bichiya is worn instead of a ring on a finger. Although this is only for women and increasingly worn along with a finger ring.
Such a ring symbolizes marriage: a spouse wears it to indicate a marital commitment to fidelity. The European custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond Europe.
How to choose wedding rings. Durability is important for long term wear. We suggest platinum or high-quality 18k gold. For added comfort, look for a band with rounded edges or arced surfaces, such as a comfort-fit design. Whether you choose a band to match hers or something unique, make sure your band is something you will enjoy wearing for a lifetime.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
DIAMOND
Saturday, April 26, 2008
HISTORY
Gold's natural color is further enhanced by alloying it with small amounts of other metals. Jewelers create yellow, rose, green and white golds by using different alloys. More copper results in a soft rose color; additional silver creates green gold; and palladium produces white.Properties: Gold is very durable and look no further than the nearest museum where gold jewelry, coins and artifacts from ancient civilizations attest to the metal's enduring beauty and permanence. Jewelers throughout the ages have preferred gold to all other metals for its beauty and ease of workmanship. Gold can be melted, or shaped, to create any design. It can be alloyed with a number of other metals to increase its strength and produce a variety of colors.
Colors of Gold: Gold comes in a variety of colors. Because gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength, it can also be made in a variety of colors. For example, yellow gold is created by alloying the metal with copper and silver; using copper only creates pink gold; white gold contains platinum or palladium, zinc and copper; green gold contains silver, copper and zinc.
24K Gold: Pure gold, or 24-karat, is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry, so it is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength.
18K Gold: 18K Gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked "18k" or "750," meaning 75 percent gold.
14K Gold: In the United States, 14-karat gold is used most commonly for jewelry. Fourteen-karat gold is 14/24ths, or slightly more than one-half pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked "14k" or "585," the European designation meaning 58.5 percent gold.
10K Gold: Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally marked or sold as gold jewelry in the United States. These pieces are marked "10k" or "417," the European designation meaning 41.7 percent gold.
Stamping: Look for trademarks accompanying the quality mark. When a piece of jewelry is stamped with a quality mark, law requires that it be stamped with a hallmark or trademark as well. Sometimes the jewelry is also marked with its country of origin. These designations are designed to assure you that you are buying genuine gold jewelry of the karatage marked.
Gold Pricing: Gold Pricing is based on four factors: karatage, gram weight, design and craftsmanship. The karatage and gram weight tell you how much gold is in a piece, but other crucial factors determining price are the piece's construction and design. A price based solely on gram weight does not reflect the work that has gone into the piece. It's important to remember that each piece of gold jewelry is unique and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime.
White Gold: White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as nickel, silver and palladium. White gold can be 18k, 14k, 9k or any karat. For example, 18k yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as copper and zinc. 18k white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as nickel, silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different.
Platinum: Platinum was used by the South American Indians before the fifteenth century. They could not melt it, but developed a technique for sintering it with gold on charcoal, to produce artefacts.
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