Volume 1 Issue 5
September 28, 2007

Hello Friends,

Fall is in the air. The kids are back in school, the air is beginning to cool, and we’re all getting back to normal routines. Stop in the store and say hello. This looks to be a great season with lots of beautiful things!

Cheers,

Your Friends at Lithos

Piece of the Month

Unusual black diamonds adorn this 22 karat gold vario necklace. It’s shown here with a 22 karat Etruscan design clasp. 16” long.

Did You Know?

Gold comes in many colors: yellow, white, black, pink, blue, red. How does this happen? How is it possible? When we speak of karats of gold, we refer to parts of a whole. 24K means the gold is pure – there is no alloy or solder. If solder is introduced into 24 karat gold, it is then 22K gold, 22 parts of 24. 22K was made into jewelry and has been used as a commodity. 18K is 18 parts of the 24, making it 75% gold. 14K is 58.5% gold and 10K is 41.5% gold. There is a need for other metals to make the whole; we call these alloys. Different alloys create the different colors. For example, nickel is used for white gold and copper is used for rose (or pink) gold. Titanium is added to 22K to add strength.

Since WWI, when its use was restricted, white gold as been used as a less expensive alternative. However, white gold is not a crisp white. Because 18K white gold is 75% gold, and gold in its natural state is yellow, white gold has a yellowish tinge to it. To give white gold that bright, clean white look, it must be rhodium plated. Over time, the plating will wear off and the yellowish color will return. The jewelry will need to be polished and replated. This is part of the maintenance of fine jewelry.

News from the Store…

Is your jewelry in need of repair? We can do any repair or alteration to jewelry that you need or desire. From simply polishing metal or tightening stones to converting dated pieces into modern wearable art, our expertise cannot be matched. Lornie has over 30 years of experience with repairs and custom design! Also, our laser welder gives us the capability of mastering even the tiniest and most delicate pieces of jewelry.

Remember, you should have your jewelry checked periodically. It is worth the little bit of time and effort to ensure your favorite and most valuable pieces are in good condition.