Whitefire Blog

Accepting His Mom’s Old Wedding Ring

I recently read an online article from a well-known “Manners Guru” about how brides to be should accept “Mom’s” old wedding ring as her own. The "Manners Guru" basically suggested that the young bride should just “grin and bear it” and accept his Mom’s old wedding ring. "You don’t want to hurt his or the family’s feeling's?"

Sure this ring represents some sentiment for the groom and his Mom. However, it could also represent a failed marriage. That’s right; didn’t I mention that the future Mom-in-law and Dad-in-law were no longer married? What kind of sentiment is that? However, the “Manners Guru” eluded to the idea that "the ring was special as it was gifted in a marriage that ultimately produced the young bride’s future fiancé." Isn’t that special? What next, his Mom’s old wedding dress? I don’t think so!

While the ring in question was previously given to Mom in-law as an engagement ring, it was NOT given as a birthing gift as a result of her newly born son. I am sure the son came years afterwards. So, I don’t really think that sentiment holds water. The bottom line is, the ring involved Mom and Dad, not the Son and his future Fiancé.

Now I know the “Manners Guru” is trying to spare the feelings of the son and his family. What about the feelings of the bride to be? She has feelings too you know! Does she have to accept a “family heirloom” that will be a potential reminder of a failed marriage? Now come on, admit it, you know that’s the way others may see it, including the bride to be.

Nevertheless, I would have chosen another course of action. Newlyweds-to-be do not need additional complications as they cultivate their new life together. Life is hard enough as it is, especially in these economic times. Life will throw them plenty of other curve balls to try and juggle.

Of course this now means her fiancé will have to go to the expense of purchasing a new ring. And that’s okay. Let him spend a few dollars, it doesn’t have to cost him a mint. After all, over the years she will surely earn it.

Well, that’s my two cents worth. What do you think girls?

Now that we have new President elect, perhaps the country can get back to near normalcy and start spending money again.

Yesterday I noticed an unusual amount of more people patronizing the local restaurants during lunchtime. "It's like someone opened the floodgates", a local restaurant owner told me.

Today was no exception. During lunch today I noticed the same thing, crowded restaurants. And not just from noon to 1pm. Restaurants are staying busy through 2 and 2:30pm, longer than usual. Restaurant owners have said they cannot believe the difference in consumer spending after the election. Well, that’s a good thing isn't it? Perhaps this is just what the country needed, a newly found confidence in a political party with a fresh, positive prospective.

Here at Whitefire we have also noticed a change. For instance, please click here to see this pre-owned Ladies diamond ROLEX watch. Several prospective buyers have called this week looking for similar luxury items. I believe this is a very positive indication that consumers are ready to start spending again.

More phone calls equals more appointments. So, bring it on! We are ready, willing and able to please. After all, Christmas is just around the corner!

We recently added a lovely designer ring to our estate section of our website. This stylish ring is from a private client and is made of platinum metal created by designer "Whitney Boin. The ring is quite spectacular. Please click here to see this spectaculr designer diamond ring.

The center stone weighs approximately 1.50 carats. The color and clarity are graded H and SI2. However, in the ring mounting the stone looks to be closer to a SI1 in clarity. The retail replacement value is described as $14,930.

Our client is asking a very fair price. At $11,500, it is truly a fantastic value. Not quite within your price range? Then make an offer. You might get lucky!

As a result of our nations current economic situation, business owners, colleagues and clients are frequently asking- "So, How is business?" I answer, "Well, thanks to the Man up-stairs, we have been quite busy". The next question is typically, "Why do you think that is?" And I say- people are still getting married, regardless of the economy. As a matter of fact, my twenty plus years of experience in the jewelry industry have taught me that more people get married during economic down-turns than not.

Consumers still need and want to purchase a diamond engagement ring. Our current economic situation only means that consumers are much more selective when shopping. They want value for their hard earned dollars, and rightly so.
In other words, instead of "Joe Consumer" opting for a bigger diamond, "Joe" is now looking for something smaller but higher quality.

Or perhaps she just has to have a one-carat sized diamond. Another alternative is to put more of the budget towards the center diamond and less towards the ring itself. For instance, a more modest or simple solitaire style. Please see the following item as an example. Notice there are no side diamonds accompanying the center stone, fewer diamonds, less cost.

As for the more affluent consumer, they too are being more selective when purchasing jewelry. Only their luxury purchases include a wider variety of jewelry. Such as the type of jewelry one might splurge on for her or him. Overall, affluent consumers may be purchasing fewer items, but they are still spending.

This is your thought for the day.
Shop wise, shop value and have a budget in mind. Expect only what you budget allows. Be honest about your budget. In other words, don’t go shopping for the "Mercedes-Benz" on a "Volkswagen" budget!

Yes. We do offer Jewelry Consignment.

Just about every other day we receive a call asking if we offer jewelry consignment. You bet we do!

We do accept a wide variety of pre-owned jewelry, including loose diamonds. We typically have more requests for 1.00 carat sizes or larger. However, depending on quality, we do accept smaller sizes. Please see the following item as an example. Notice that the diamond is only a 3/4 carat in weight. However, it is high in color, clarity and also has a GIA Diamond Grading Report. As a result, this 3/4ct is an excellent candidate for resale or consignment.

Jewelry items may be White gold, Yellow Gold or Platinum. Items may include engagement rings, anniversary rings, diamond earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces. We also handle high-end watches like ROLEX, CARTIER and other brand name watches. Please see the following watch as an example of a pre-owned item.

Perhaps you have jewelry items you have recently inherited and don't really need or want? Consignment is a perfectly safe way to sell your unwanted jewelry. It's safe because we negotiate the sale. And most importantly, we ensure that the funds from the sale are valid. In other words, we collect and verify the proceeds of the sale for you. There is no risk of bogus payment such as a bad check or credit card.

Also, as jewelry professionals, we are typically in a better position to know what the market is for your jewelry item(s). Therefore, maximizing the return for your jewelry consignment items.

Big Blue Diamond Recently Found

According to the trade publication, National Jeweler and mining company Petra Diamonds Ltd, a 39 carat Blue Diamond was recently unearthed. The 39.19-carat diamond is currently on display in South Africa.

Apparently the rare big blue diamond was unearthed from Petra's Cullinan mine in South Africa. Up until last year, the Cullinan mine was owned by De Beers and is suppose to be the most significant source for rare blue diamonds. According to sources, Petra Diamonds Ltd. is also in negotiations to purchase the Kimberly Underground mines from De Beers located in South Africa.

Petra Diamonds Ltd is projected to increase its annual production from 200,000 carats to more than 1 million carats from 2008 to 2009.

You think De Beers is regretting the sale of its former mines?

How Often Should You Up-Date Your Jewelry Appraisal?

Believe it or not, this is not a common question asked by jewelry owners, and it should be.

Just the other day I had a women in my office wanting to replace her diamond ring as a result of a recent loss. Howevwer, she subsequently found out that she was not adequately insured. As a result, her jewelry appraisal was not current and therefore under valued for the current retail replacement value. As a matter of fact, the appraisal was approximately 10 tears old.

If I recall correctly, the loss she incurred was a 2.00 carat, SI2/G or H, round brilliant diamond valued at approximately $12,000 10 years ago. At todays market, she would need to cough up and additional $8,000 to $10,000 to replace her diamond. Wow! That is approximately a 75% increase in replacement value.

Needles to say, she was not able to purchase what she originally lost and had to settle for a smaller diamond.

So, what is the lesson to be learned here?
Up-date your jewerly appraisal at least once every 2 years. Also have the jewelry items you wear most often inspected by your jeweler every 6 months. When having your items inspected, try to go back to the jeweler that sold you you the items. They will likely inspect the items for free. And everybody like FREE!

What is Rhodium Plating?

White gold jewelry is typically electroplated with a precious metal called Rhodium. Rhodium plating basically adds a bright shiny finish to white gold.

Gold by nature is yellow in color. To make yellow gold a white or bright color, nickel alloy is added to the mix of gold to make it white in color. However, even after adding the proper amount of nickel to yellow gold, the metal will still appear yellow in color. After all you can only add so much nickel and still end up with 14K (.585 pure gold) or 18K (.750 pure gold). As a result, the metal still has a yellow tint to its color.

To remedy the yellowish color, the metal is then electroplated with rhodium. Rhodium is actually a very costly and rare metal. At today’s market, rhodium sells for a whopping $4,300 an ounce, WOW! To put that into perspective, gold at today's market is only a mere $878 an ounce.

How long does rhodium plating last?

In my experience, rhodium can last anywhere from 6 months to any number of years. We have taken in estate rings in white gold for resale that were made anywhere from 10 to 15 years ago with the rhodium still in great shape. On the other hand I have seen where the rhodium has worn of within several months. This may be as a result of how the owner wears the ring. For instance, does the wearer have the jewelry item on when washing dishes, gardening, working out at the gym, showering or bathing? Even the natural acids in your skin, perfumes and hand lotions can have an adverse affect on the rhodium plating.

So, to make your rhodium plating last, take proper care of your jewelry. Otherwise you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $85 for polishing and re-rhodium plating.

Well, there you have it. Now you know what rhodium plating is.

For those of you who didn't know, jewelry replacement is a big part of our business.

We had a client come in last week and informed us that all of her jewelry had been stolen. She is insured with Jewelers Mutual and was referred to us as a "Qualified Jeweler" for replacement services.

When someone experiences a jewelry loss, it can be an emotional and stressful time. A jewelry loss truly can be an an emotional experience as most jewelry purchases are made for loved ones. Such purchases include special occasions like for an engagement, anniversary, birthday or perhaps an item that was willed to a family member.

In any case we are very sensitive to the clients needs and always do our very best to accommodate their special requirements.

Sell us your unwanted Gold or Platinum jewelry.

Need a little extra money? I bet that extra money will come in handy for college tuition, books and other related expenses.

Or perhaps extra money for a long needed vacation, the Christmas buying season, or just for extra spending money. These an many more reasons are why people have been contacting us to sell their unwanted jewelry.

WhiteFire can help you get the extra cash you need by buying your old gold and platinum jewelry. Give WhiteFire a call and we will do our very best to assist you in securing that extra cash!

One of the most common questions we get asked at WhiteFire is "How much should I spend for my diamond engagement ring?" Then the next question will be - ""Is the old standard of two months salary still the rule"?

Well, while it may be a standard for buying a diamond engagement ring, it is certainly not the rule. Here at WhiteFire we suggest that it is really about what your budget allows. What budget you say? "I don't have a budget". Well you better come up with one. Otherwise buying a diamond engagement ring can be very confusing and somewhat overwhelming.

A budget will help you stay within certain gemological parameters when purchasing your diamond engagement ring. In other words, your budget will help you narrow down your selection. In doing so, your budget will pretty much dictate important diamond characteristics like- Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight.

Believe me. Once you have established your budget, your search for that perfect diamond will be much more enjoyable!

Start Saving Your Pennies!

According to "National Jeweler", a jewelry trade publication and an independent market research firm both indicate that sales for wedding rings will increase 13.4 % overall for the next five years. It is estimated that diamond engagement ring spending will total $6.1 billion in the United States in 2008 and an additional $2 billion on gold and diamond wedding rings for brides and grooms.

According to these sources, the $8.1 billion bridal market will increase to $9.2 billion by 2013, a growth of 13.4 %. The majority of both engagement and wedding rings will contain diamonds and with more than two-thirds in white gold.

Other information in the report includes when prospective buyers are popping the question. Apparently the most popular month for getting engaged is in December and the most popular day being Saturday.

Sources also stipulate that couples typically start searching that perfect diamond engagement ring approximately 6 months or more in advance of the planned wedding date.

So, all you procrastinators get on the ball! December is just around the corner!

Fancy Colored Diamonds in High Demand

I recently attended a trade seminar about Fancy Color Diamonds. In doing so, I have learned that despite our economy; demand for fancy color diamonds is on the rise. The seminar also included information about treated color diamonds as well as natural colored diamonds. Apparently consumers are constantly looking for unique jewelry items or something others do not have, and fancy color diamonds fall into that category.

Robert L. May, Executive Director of the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA), was one of the highly anticipated speakers at the recent color diamond seminar. According to Mr. May, "recent surveys indicate that demand is up for fancy color diamonds." While the "Rich & Famous" have always had an appetite for exotic fancy yellows, pinks, purples and blues, it would seem that more and more average consumers are also expressing and interest.

However, as a result of their rarity and or availability, fancy colors are costly. Unfortunately, as demand rises, so will prices. After all, Mother Nature blessed our wonder planet with only so many carats of earth mined, natural gem quality, fancy color diamonds. As an example, see this Fancy colored Diamond

Which leads me to the other topic of the seminar, "Treated Color” and "Lab Created” diamonds. Without getting into too much detail about the specifics of treated or lab created diamonds, the bottom line is that they cost less than natural earth mined diamonds. As the demand for treated or lab created diamonds rise, developmental costs will eventually fall and so to will consumer prices. As a result, the "not so rich and famous" will be able to afford the "glitz and glamour" of fancy color diamonds.

Yes, we buy diamonds
On a daily basis we receive calls and e-mails from all over the U.S. asking if we buy diamonds. We buy and we also broker for private clientele. We are a great source for pre-owned diamonds, diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding rings and other jewelry items.

Depending on our needs, we buy all shapes of diamonds including- Round Brilliants, Princess cuts, Radiant cuts, Cushion cuts, Oval's, Emerald cuts, etc., etc.

How much should you expect to get for your diamond(s)? While there is no hard rule on the amount you should expect to get for your diamond(s), industry offers will be anywhere from 50% to as much as 75% less than the appraised value. Factors that play a role in the offers you may get are - desirability of the ring/diamond, demand and gem quality.

For us, the most desirable sizes are from 0.75 carats on up.

Despite our economy, we have noticed an increase in requests for custom made diamond engagements rings, wedding bands and other special occasion jewelry. Prospective clients are indicating that they are tired of the same old "Designer" styles offered in retail stores and want something unique.

According to consumers, it is also apparent that "Designer" style rings are no longer exclusive to just certain retail stores. It seems most retail chain and non-chain stores carry "cookie cuter" "Designer" jewelry, hence losing their exclusivity appeal.

Who wants to wear the same piece of jewelry as your next-door neighbor anyway! Designer exclusivity? I don't think so!