WikiAnswers - What is cats eye crystal
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Saturday 18 July 2009
Friday 17 July 2009
This Ring Is Too Big, This Ring Is Too Small but This Ring Fits Just Right!
If the Shoe Fits
Whilst our dress size may yo-yo to put a bungee jumper to shame, our shoes stay the same; that extra chocolate biscuit doesn't go anywhere near altering our shoe size. And that's why we all love buying shoes because, unlike the rest of our bodies, our feet don't grow in size. Well, are you sure? Have you never requested your shoe size with more than a hint of pride in your dainty porkers only to find that when the shop assistant brings the shoe, your dainty feet will go nowhere near? Sounds familiar? Well, that's because although our feet haven't changed in size, the size of the shoe we need changes with the style. And it's the same when we buy rings. Actually, it's even worse with rings; eat too many of those chocolate biscuits and the weight will go to our fingers! But back to the style of rings.
Basically, a wider ring will grip the finger more and you may need a larger size. On the other hand, no pun intended, you may need a smaller size if the ring is a narrow band. A smaller ring size may be better if the ring has a large head (top) in order to stop the ring spinning round on your finger hiding the stone.
In the UK we use an alphabetical system but, like shoe sizes, the US and Europe have a numerical system - although not the same numbers, just like shoes again. The table below attempts to show the differences between the UK, US and European systems and gives approximate diameter and circumference measurements, but there is no substitute for having your finger measured at a jewellers - and to have some idea of the kind of ring you want.
UK............US............EUROPE............DIAM............CIRCUMF
................................................................(mm)...............(mm)
H½..............4..............6..........................14.8.................46.5
I½...............4½......... 8..........................15.2.................48
J½...............5..............9..........................15.6.................49
L..................5½.........10.........................16.....................50.5
M.................6.............12.........................16.4..................52
N................6½...........13.........................16.8..................53
O.................7..............14..........................17.3................ 54.5
P..................7½..........15.........................17.7..................55.5
Q.................8...............17.........................18.1..................57
Q½.............8½...........18........................18.5.................58
R½.............9...............19.........................18.9.................59.5
S½..............9½...........21........................19.3.................61
T½............10..............22........................19.7.................62
U½............10½..........23........................20.1................63.5
V½............11...............24........................20.6................64.5
W½...........11½...........26........................21....................66
Y.................12...............27........................21.4.................67.5
Z.................12½...........28........................21.8................68.5
Although we might be forgiven for thinking that ring sizing is difficult, it used to be much worse. In the past, each manufacturer just made rings in sizes he thought he might be able to sell. In Victorian times jewellers used a tapered pole with markings spaced along the length of the pole. However, the markings on the ring stick were quite arbitrary and it was not until 1939-1940 that a British Standard was proposed with the diameter of each finger size increasing by 0.0155 inches. The proposal was officially accepted in 1945 and this is the standard still in use in the UK today for measuring ring sizes.
Whilst our dress size may yo-yo to put a bungee jumper to shame, our shoes stay the same; that extra chocolate biscuit doesn't go anywhere near altering our shoe size. And that's why we all love buying shoes because, unlike the rest of our bodies, our feet don't grow in size. Well, are you sure? Have you never requested your shoe size with more than a hint of pride in your dainty porkers only to find that when the shop assistant brings the shoe, your dainty feet will go nowhere near? Sounds familiar? Well, that's because although our feet haven't changed in size, the size of the shoe we need changes with the style. And it's the same when we buy rings. Actually, it's even worse with rings; eat too many of those chocolate biscuits and the weight will go to our fingers! But back to the style of rings.
Basically, a wider ring will grip the finger more and you may need a larger size. On the other hand, no pun intended, you may need a smaller size if the ring is a narrow band. A smaller ring size may be better if the ring has a large head (top) in order to stop the ring spinning round on your finger hiding the stone.
In the UK we use an alphabetical system but, like shoe sizes, the US and Europe have a numerical system - although not the same numbers, just like shoes again. The table below attempts to show the differences between the UK, US and European systems and gives approximate diameter and circumference measurements, but there is no substitute for having your finger measured at a jewellers - and to have some idea of the kind of ring you want.
UK............US............EUROPE............DIAM............CIRCUMF
................................................................(mm)...............(mm)
H½..............4..............6..........................14.8.................46.5
I½...............4½......... 8..........................15.2.................48
J½...............5..............9..........................15.6.................49
L..................5½.........10.........................16.....................50.5
M.................6.............12.........................16.4..................52
N................6½...........13.........................16.8..................53
O.................7..............14..........................17.3................ 54.5
P..................7½..........15.........................17.7..................55.5
Q.................8...............17.........................18.1..................57
Q½.............8½...........18........................18.5.................58
R½.............9...............19.........................18.9.................59.5
S½..............9½...........21........................19.3.................61
T½............10..............22........................19.7.................62
U½............10½..........23........................20.1................63.5
V½............11...............24........................20.6................64.5
W½...........11½...........26........................21....................66
Y.................12...............27........................21.4.................67.5
Z.................12½...........28........................21.8................68.5
Although we might be forgiven for thinking that ring sizing is difficult, it used to be much worse. In the past, each manufacturer just made rings in sizes he thought he might be able to sell. In Victorian times jewellers used a tapered pole with markings spaced along the length of the pole. However, the markings on the ring stick were quite arbitrary and it was not until 1939-1940 that a British Standard was proposed with the diameter of each finger size increasing by 0.0155 inches. The proposal was officially accepted in 1945 and this is the standard still in use in the UK today for measuring ring sizes.
Sunday 5 July 2009
Saturday 4 July 2009
Are You Wearing Your Jewellery?
I heard somewhere the other day that there has been an incease in the number of websites selling second hand wedding dresses and I thought "what a good idea". After all, what bride wears the same dress to her next wedding (!) and I briefly thought about selling second hand wedding dresses myself; well, we do sell second hand diamond rings as engagement rings. The rationale was: buy the engagement ring, buy the wedding dress. It would be one less thing to think about after all when planning a busy wedding. It was only the thought of running a second website and all the blogging and social networking that goes with it that brought me out in a cold sweat and stopped me dead in my tracks.
This recycling of wedding dresses did set me thinking about recycling jewellery though. We all have jewellery that doesn't see the light of day; things we've fallen out of love with or that's out of style (all that yellow gold for a start!). And that's the question: Are you wearing your jewellery? or is it stuck in a drawer somewhere? Maybe it's still on your insurance policy? Shame on you: you are paying out money to keep jewellery in a drawer that you no longer want or wear. Why! Did you know that jewellers who specialize in second hand and antique jewellery and diamonds might be interested in buying from you? Jewellers, like ourselves, who have jewellery workshops are not even bothered about the condition - it doesn't matter we can use your odd earrings and broken chains to carry out repairs or make other items (recycling see?).
If we think we can resell your jewellery we will offer a better price. Of course, you don't have to take the money. You can part-exchange your jewellery for something that appeals to you more (again, recycling).
So, dig it out, bring it in and get yourself something new to wear.
This recycling of wedding dresses did set me thinking about recycling jewellery though. We all have jewellery that doesn't see the light of day; things we've fallen out of love with or that's out of style (all that yellow gold for a start!). And that's the question: Are you wearing your jewellery? or is it stuck in a drawer somewhere? Maybe it's still on your insurance policy? Shame on you: you are paying out money to keep jewellery in a drawer that you no longer want or wear. Why! Did you know that jewellers who specialize in second hand and antique jewellery and diamonds might be interested in buying from you? Jewellers, like ourselves, who have jewellery workshops are not even bothered about the condition - it doesn't matter we can use your odd earrings and broken chains to carry out repairs or make other items (recycling see?).
If we think we can resell your jewellery we will offer a better price. Of course, you don't have to take the money. You can part-exchange your jewellery for something that appeals to you more (again, recycling).
So, dig it out, bring it in and get yourself something new to wear.
Thursday 2 July 2009
Gemstones, Star Signs & Birth Months
Jewellery is often bought to mark a special occasion such as a birthday or wedding anniversary and I'm often asked what is the stone for a particular star sign or month when someone was born. I thought I'd add some jewellery gemstone information to Nicholson's Jeweller's blog, that jewellery buyers might find helpful.
Of course, the star signs span more than one calendar month (for example, Aquarians are born in either January or February) and so there is a bit of overlap. That can be a good thing though, if you don't like the stone for your birth month you get a second chance with the gemstone for your star sign.
Star Sign Month Gemstone
Capricorn .......... January ............. Garnet
Aquarius ............ February.......... Amethyst
Pisces ................ March ............... Aquamarine
Aries .................... April .................. Diamond
Taurus .............. May ................... Emerald
Gemini ............... June ................... Pearl
Cancer ............... July ..................... Ruby
Leo ..................... August ................ Peridot
Virgo .................. September ......... Sapphire
Libra .................. October .............. Opal
Scorpio ............... November .......... Yellow Topaz
Sagittarius .......... December .......... Tanzanite
Some stones are used to commemmorate special occasions. For example, Pearl for a 30th anniversary, Ruby for a 40th and, of course Diamond for a 60th. And not just for wedding anniversaries, these gemstones can be given for milestone birthdays; a blue sapphire ring could be given to mark the birth of a son or a pink sapphire pendant for a daughter. Or a pair of diamond earrings for twins? Don't just think of buying jewellery to celebrate the birth of your children either; you might have grandchildren whose births you would like to mark with a special jewel. One lovely idea is a bangle with a stone set for each of your children and grandchildren.
Think also of ways in which you can combine important family events, perhaps if you celebrate your 60th birthday (diamond) the same year one of your children has their 30th (pearl) you could use the occasion to have a diamond and pearl pendant.
And, of course, that other lovely event - a family wedding. As "Mother-of-the-Bride" all eyes will be on your wedding outfit and wedding hat. Well, don't forget to treat yourself to some wedding jewellery to set it all off. Unlike clothes, jewellery bought for a special occasion gives many years of pleasure, recalling all your happy memories whenever you wear it. "Mother-of-the-Groom" shouldn't be left out either. A fabulous diamond ring, necklace or earrings should grab you some of the limelight too!
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