FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The carat is a unit of weight and quality. In diamonds, the carat is used to calculate the weight (mass) and corresponds to 0.2 grams. In jewelry, the carat is a unit of quality - purity. Pure gold is 24 carats or 1000 ° degrees.

The gold alloys used in goldsmithing are 8k (333 °), 9k (375 °), 12k (500 °), 14k (585 °), 18k (750 °), 22k (916 °). In our shop there are jewelry in 14 and 18 carats while in special cases we use 8k and 9k.

There is no need in the choice of carats (quality). Each category serves according to our needs. There are corresponding advantages and disadvantages.

Jewelry 8-9 carats

These are jewelry with low gold content and their main advantage is the low purchase cost due to the very low gold content. The main disadvantage is that they may oxidize (tan) in the future due to their low quality.

14 carat jewelry

Essentially, they constitute the vast majority of jewelry in the Greek and world market and not by chance. 14 carats is the golden ratio in goldsmithing due to the many positive characteristics it brings together such as: They do not oxidize - they turn black due to the high content of gold (58.5%) except for extremely rare cases that come in contact with chemicals such as mercury or repeated and direct contact with perfumes (in the latter case they do not turn black, they just blur locally). They are the ideal solution in terms of cost / quality.

18 carat jewelry

These are jewelry of exceptional quality due to the high content of pure gold (75%) with a disadvantage of course their correspondingly high purchase price due to the high price of raw material (gold). The second disadvantage of this alloy is that due to its softness compared to 14k 585 °) appears less resistant to shocks and generally to wear.

When we talk about white gold jewelry or rose gold jewelry, we are basically referring to alloys which contain a part of gold and a part of metal alloys which usually include silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), copper (Cu) etc. When we refer to a 14 carat white gold jewelry is basically a jewelry that contains 14 carats * yellow gold and a part that contains metals such as silver (Ag) or palladium (Pd) in certain proportions, which tend to "whiten" the jewelry or respectively copper and give a red, pink color. Platinum (Pt) is a precious metal, white in nature. In summary, white gold is essentially yellow gold to which elements have been added that affect its color while platinum is by nature a white precious metal.

* In a 14 carat jewelry, we have 58.5% gold and 41.5% complementary alloy, since the maximum is 24 carats.
Αντίστοιχα, σε ένα κόσμημα 18 καρατίων, έχουμε 75% χρυσό και 25% συμπληρωματικό κράμα.

As we have already mentioned (difference between platinum and platinum), essentially white gold jewelry is based on yellow gold and by adding specific alloys and proportions we manage to give them an intense whiteness that usually has the single stones or white wedding rings. However, because the color of the impurity is not white enough, all white jewelry is "dyed" through some additional processing steps (in relation to yellow jewelry) such as electrolysis and plating, thus acquiring the intense white color we see in new jewelry. Due to the fact that this "paint" is superficial and due to the special nature of the wedding ring (we wear it constantly and it comes in contact with anything we catch) as well as the "calf" of the monolith (the bottom of the ring), it wears out and discolors - the paint is removed - essentially restoring the natural color of platinum which "turns yellow".

With the exact same method that we use for the first time during the construction, we can restore the intense white color to the ring / wedding ring at any time. The cost (in the wedding rings) of the restoration of the color, is determined after consultation with our store.

Platinum jewelry never turns yellow because as already mentioned, platinum is white by nature. Combined with the fact that platinum jewelry contains 92.5% or more platinum (Pt) and only 7.5% complementary alloy, this small percentage of alloy can not affect its color. This is of course one of the main reasons that platinum jewelry is significantly more expensive than gold jewelry, ie the high content of (almost genuine) platinum.

In most cases both jewelry can be enlarged or reduced. However, especially in wedding rings that have a design, this possibility is limited, depending on the size that needs to be changed.

Unfortunately and fortunately the wedding ring is a piece of jewelry that is worn constantly. Fortunately, then, because we are always happy with it, unfortunately, because it has the most chances of being hit, especially if you think that it is worn on the finger and whatever we catch comes in contact with it and strains it.

However, we give you the opportunity to refresh it and return it to its original state (as much as possible) at no charge other than shipping.

The clearest and most honest answer is yes, it will spoil but when it depends mainly on the use you make of it. Secondly, it depends on the design and especially the texture of the wedding ring. There are textures that are more sensitive but also more durable. But we repeat that your wedding ring will keep its design as long as you pay attention to it.

In many cases yes you can. There are commercially available cleaning fluids for jewelry made of gold or silver that, following the instructions for use, give quite good results.

The simplest way to clean them is to use a brush (toothbrush) with lukewarm water and liquid detergent by gently brushing the jewelry and then rinsing it with clean water. Finally, wipe it well with a cloth.

* (excludes jewelry that has old cut diamonds, closed at the bottom with a mirror)