With hundreds, even thousands of years of stories about gemstones and metals, it’s no wonder that there are some jewelry myths that continue to pervade our general understanding. Fortunately, we’re here to help you debunk them so you too can be an expert. Along the way, we’ll share some tips that will help you better care for your existing jewelry and be better informed when you buy new pieces!
Myth #1: Diamonds Are Indestructible
Diamonds are indeed the hardest of stones measured by Mohs’ hardness scale, which ranks the hardness of gems and minerals on a scale of one to ten. However, while diamonds are one of the hardest materials found on our planet, they are still subject to wear and tear — such as chips, scratches, and cracks. So if you are wondering if diamonds are really indestructible, the answer is no!
Although diamonds are very strong, there are many ways you can help keep your diamond jewelry in pristine condition. We have a handy guide on how to take care of your engagement ring — and if you need additional support, give us a call or visit one of our showrooms!
Myth #2: The Bigger The Diamond, The Better
False! We’ll let you in on a little secret about diamonds. You can buy a massive diamond which looks nice from a distance, but up close, looks muddled, yellow-ish, and has all sorts of blemishes hiding just under the surface. That’s why jewelers rely on a grading system based on the 4 C’s of a diamond – cut, clarity, color, and carat (size) to help decide the true value of a diamond.
For many, the diamond size is less important than the diamond cut, because depending on how a diamond is cut can determine how light reflects through the diamond. Additionally, the more pristine the diamond’s clarity, the more valuable it is, because it is rare to find a diamond without blemishes or inclusions. With diamonds, bigger size doesn’t always mean better, and quality definitely beats quantity.
Myth #3: All Sapphires Are Blue
Surprise! While the most common color for sapphires are blue, there are pink sapphires, green sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange, black, brown, and even white! Basically, if you ask “What color are sapphires?” the answer is, “Just about any color you can imagine.”
Sapphires are also especially great alternatives for those who prefer vibrant color over clear brilliance — such as that of a diamond engagement ring. Their hardness and durability means sapphires are suitable for everyday wear or for special occasions to be passed down through the generations. They look stunning in both contemporary and traditional ring settings, and because of the wide variety of colors, sapphires they can be set in just about any type of metal. Basically, there’s a sapphire for everyone!
Myth #4: Gold Comes in Many Different Colors
While there are different colors of gold sold — yellow, white, and rose gold — gold in its purest form is yellow. However, because of gold’s softness, it is common to mix in other alloy metals to increase the piece’s hardness. That way, the gold jewelry piece is less prone to scratches, bending, or any other issues that could cause long-term damage.
Yellow gold is the base of both rose gold and white gold and are combined with additional metals that change the color of the gold. To create rose gold, metallurgists combine pure gold with copper. To create white gold, pure gold is combined with nickel, silver, and/or palladium.
Have additional jewelry myth questions?
What other jewelry myths can we help you debunk? With more than 100 years in the business, we’ve just about seen it all! And if you’re interested in exploring our collection of diamonds, sapphires, and golds, we’d love to welcome you into our store so you can learn more. To learn more or to set up an appointment, give us a call at (410) 837-0290 or schedule an appointment online!
