What is your birthstone color? xxx The tradition of the birthstone began early in civilization, when various gems were believed to possess magical properties. The color of the stones was first associated with zodiac signs, but later changed to the months of the calendar. This idea was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelry, which is known today as Jewelers of America. People still enjoy wearing birthstones because of the folklore and tradition it entails. Some also believe that wearing them provides protection and brings good luck.

Month Color Stone
January Dark Red Color Garnet Stone
February Purple Color Amethyst Stone
March Pale Blue Color Aquamarine Stone
April Clear Color Diamond Stone
May Bright Green Color Emerald Stone
June Cream Color Pearl or Moonstone
July Red Color Ruby Stone
August Pale Green Color Peridot Stone
September Deep Blue Color Sapphire Stone
October Variegated Color Opal or Tourmaline Stone
November
Yellow Color Topaz or Citrine Stone
Blue Color Topaz or Citrine Stone or Blue Zircom
December
Sky Blue Color Turquoise or Blue Topaz Stone
Blush-Purple Color Tanzanite
xxx Choosing A Colored Gemstone xxx When looking to buy a gemstone, make sure you select one that you find beautiful. Each colored gemstone contains variations of tone and hue. You may prefer to purchase a finished item, or you can purchase loose gemstones and create a personalized mounting.

As a buyer, you have the right to know the quality of the stone you are purchasing. The jewelry industry has set guidelines requiring that jewelers must disclose any treatment that is not permanent, that creates special care requirements, or that affects the gemstone's value. These guidelines have been set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and pertain to natural gemstones, enhanced or treated gemstones, and synthetic gemstones. It is the belief of the Jewelers of America that disclosing all such information assures that a well-informed jewelry buyer will be satisfied buyer. xxx Caring for your Colored Gemstone xxx Daily Handling - It is best to put on jewelry after you have applied makeup, perfume or cologne.

Daily Wear- Make sure to remove jewelry before cleaning, working with heavy equipment or relaxing in a pool or spa.

Night Routine- Once you have removed your jewelry, it is best to wipe it gently with a soft cloth to remove the residues from the day. So there is no potential of rings scratching one another, it is best to place them in a jewelry case or wrap in soft cloths.

Insurance- Talk to your jeweler or home insurance agent about the need to insure your jewelry in order to protect it against loss, theft or damage. xxx Platinum: Why it Might be Right for You xxx Platinum is among the finest, purest, and rarest precious metals. This understated metal is one of the strongest, enduring, and heaviest metals, and appeals to both men and women. Platinum shows little wear, which makes it great for everyday use. It also resists tarnish very well and is hypoallergenic.

It has been found that a piece of jewelry containing 90 percent pure platinum weighs 60 percent more than a 14-karat gold piece of similar size.

Platinum has a high level of purity.

A piece of jewelry marked "Platinum" contains at least 95 percent pure platinum. In the United States, platinum jewelry usually contains between 85 to 95 percent pure platinum. For comparison, 18-karat gold contains only 75 percent pure gold. Platinum is rare.

A total of 10 tons of ore must be mined to produce just a single ounce of finished platinum. In contrast, only three tons of ore are needed to produce one ounce of gold. Platinum is Strong and durable.

Since platinum is one of the strongest metals, it is very durable. However, like all precious metals, it will show signs of wear through the years. Scratches can occur, but don't worry. Scratched platinum usually shows little sign of metal loss. If a scratch develops, you can take the piece to your jeweler to be repolished. xxx What is Sterling Silver? xxx Sterling silver is a mixture of pure silver (92.5 percent) and alloy metal (7.5 percent). Sterling is primary used for jewelry. The only way jewelers can claim that a piece is silver is if at least 92.5 percent of the piece is pure silver. If the jewelry meets these requirements it can be labeled as "silver," "solid silver," "sterling silver," or "sterling."

Caring for Your Silver:

Properly caring for your precious metals can keep them looking their shining best. It is a good idea to store your silver in a cool, dry place. Like other precious metals, sterling silver can oxidize over time. If your jewelry does tarnish, you can restore it by using a paste, liquid polish, or a treated cloth to clean it.

You can also ask your jeweler for professional cleaning materials. The best way to prevent tarnish is to wear your jewelry often. Just remember not to wear it in chlorinated water or when working with household cleaners. xxx What to Look for in a Cultured Pearl xxx The better the quality of pearls you select, the greater value they will hold over time. The following are quality factors that should be evaluated while choosing a piece of cultured pearl jewelry.

Luster- The luster of a good pearl should be bright. You should be able to see your reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. If a pearl appears to be white, dull, or chalky, it is of lesser quality.

Surface- When evaluating a cultured pearl, look for spots, bumps, pits, or cracks on the surface of the pearl. It is rare to find a pearl without any blemishes, due to the nature of how they are grown. The best thing to do is look for a pearl that has the fewest blemishes. A pearl that displays fewer blemishes has greater value.

Shape- Cultured pearls usually come in oval, pear, or baroque shapes. It is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl, which holds the greatest value.

Color- The colors of cultured pearls vary from a wide range of pink to black. Though the preference of color is up to the purchaser, many believe that fair skinned people look best in slightly pink or silvery white, while darker complexions look best in cream or golden pearls.

Size- Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. Larger pearls are generally more expensive than smaller ones. Pearls can be smaller than one millimeter, or as large as 20 millimeters. The most popular size of cultured pearls is 7 millimeters.

Matching- When buying a strand of cultured pearls it is best to match pearls in terms of luster, surface, shape, color, and size. Matched necklaces are in the higher price range because pearl growers must produce 10,000 pearls for just one 16-inch strand. xxx Characteristics of Gold xxx Gold has four characteristics that make it a universal treasured possession.

Beauty.
With its ability to be enhanced with other metals, gold can be created in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, green, and pink.

Purity.
It has been estimated that only 100,000 tons of gold have been taken from the earth during recorded history. Gold can be found in many parts of the earth, including seas, rivers, and land, but it is not easy to extract. Mining is extremely expensive, and time consuming, and it takes several tons of ore to produce just one ounce of this metal.

Durability.
Ever since the time of the Egyptians, gold has been used for jewelry and hand-wrought objects. You can see today in museums the charm of these objects and their enduring beauty.

Workability.
Gold can be melted and/or shaped to create any design you are looking for. It can be alloyed with other metals to increase the strength or change the color. This beautiful metal also can be re-melted and used again to create new designs. xxx Factors for Buying Gold xxx Pricing is based on four factors: karatage, weight, design, and craftsmanship. Though the karatage and weight tell you how much gold is in the piece, it does not account for the craftsmanship of the piece. As a buyer, you should remember that each piece of gold jewelry is different and unique.

Quality of Karat Gold Jewelry

Karatage ------- Karat Mark -- % of pure gold
Ten-karat -------- 10K ---------- 41.7
Fourteen-karat --- 14K ---------- 58.5
Eighteen-karat --- 18K ---------- 75.0
Twenty-four karat- 24K ---------- 99.9

Alloys Used in Karat Gold

Color ----------- Contains These Metals

Yellow Gold ----- gold, copper, silver
White Gold ------ gold, nickel, zinc, copper
Green Gold ------ gold, silver, copper, zinc
Rose Gold ------- gold, copper, silver
Pink Gold ------- gold, copper xxx Assuring Your Jewelry Will Last a Lifetime xxx You should see your jeweler at least once a year to have your jewelry checked for loose prongs, worn mountings, and general wear and tear. You also should have your jewelry professionally cleaned every six months. When wearing gold jewelry, be vary careful of chlorine. Do not wear any jewelry while in the pool or hot tub. Chlorine at high temperatures can permanently damage or discolor your favorite gold pieces.

xxx What you Need to Know When Shopping for Jewelry xxx Being an observant and cautious buyer is key to a good purchase. Here are some tips to help you get the best value on your jewelry purchase and end up with jewelry that you love.

Beware of huge discounts offered. If an item is marked down by 40 percent or more, it's a good idea to ask some questions. Ask if the merchandise has ever been offered at the regular price, for how long it was offered at the regular price, and if the price purposely inflated and then lowered to lure you into thinking you're saving money.

Customer satisfaction is a top priority for most businesses and there is nothing wrong with a legitimate discount. However, deceptive pricing presents no bargain for you. Being able to compare quality, price, and services gives you the advantage of making the right choice. And, don't hesitate to ask questions!

Always look for the karat mark. When shopping around for gold jewelry, always check that the karat sign (14K or 18K) is clearly marked, along with the manufacture's trademark. If looking to purchase a gold necklace, check the clasp or end for the karat mark and trademark. Buyers only from reputable dealers insure that you are getting what you pay for. Also, anything 10K gold or less cannot legally be marked or sold as gold in the United States.

Be able to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit watches. Beware of people trying to sell counterfeit watches for as low as $50. The watches are most likely not genuine, hold little value, and carry no manufacture's warranty. Promoters usually stamp brand names on the dials of counterfeit watches. xxx Why Build a Relationship with a JA Jeweler xxx A JA (Jewelers of America) jewelry professional is a jeweler that is guaranteed to serve you in a most ethical and educated manner. Since 1906, JA has been providing its members with the tools they need to excel in the market place. JA jewelers actively attend training and education seminars in order to become the best professionals possible. They are willing to share their knowledge to customers so you can benefit as well.

Buying jewelry is a big investment, and it takes a committed jeweler to build a relationship with a prospect instead of just making a sale. A jeweler can be compared to finding the right doctor or lawyer. You want someone who is knowledgeable and trustworthy in his or her field. The right relationship with a jeweler is important, because many significant moments in your life maybe celebrated with a piece of jewelry.

It is a good idea to shop around and take time to explore your options when choosing a jewelry professional. xxx What You Should Ask Yourself when Choosing a Jeweler xxx -How long has the store been in business?

-Is the owner or manager in the store or easily reachable?

-Do you feel comfortable in the store?

-How are you treated when entering the jewelry store?

-Does the staff answer all your questions?

-Does the store or staff have credentials?

-What type of merchandise is offered?

-Does the staff have any formal training in jewelry? xxx How do you Know if a Jeweler is JA Certified? xxx Candidates who have gone through classes and have shown outstanding performance in product knowledge, technical skills, and customer service can be certified.

You can tell if a jeweler is officially certified by looking for a "JA" door sticker at the entrance and certification certificates in the store.