What side does my wedding band go on?
Typically, the wedding band is worn closest to the heart.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Traditionally, two month’s salary is the starting point. However, if you need to budget, just remember that this is one of the most important purchases in both of your lives, and Diamond Dee-Lite Jewelry offers an upgrade program.
What is the difference between white gold and platinum?
14k white gold is an excellent choice for jewelry. It is strong, easy to work with and easy to keep looking pretty. Its downside is that it will wear out and eventually get a tint of yellow, but a professional jeweler can rebuild the wear, and rhodium plating should take care of the yellow tint.
Platinum is also a good choice in the right jewelry. Platinum will not wear out easily and it will always stay white; however, it is not really easy to work with and it does scratch very easily, so we recommend a decorative design such as a filigreed instead of a polished band.
Why does my 14k white gold ring look slightly yellow?
Gold is yellow. 14k white gold is yellow gold that has been mixed with another metal (usually nickel) to make it appear white. The yellow color cannot be completely bleached out of gold. When a piece of white gold jewelry is finished, it is typically coated with a hard, bright white metal called Rhodium. This plating wears off after a while and you are down to your white gold. Eventually, with wear and molecule rotation, the yellow molecules in the gold start to show through. Polishing and/or re-plating will help to counter this effect.
Will real gold tarnish?
Yes. Most metals tarnish, but some, like gold are extremely tarnish resistant in their pure form. Others like copper and zinc, which are mixed with gold to lower the karat, tarnish easily. Tarnish is a discoloration, or dullness from corrosion or oxidation. Bleach, medicines or other chemicals can cause your gold to tarnish, overnight or in five years. The lower the karat of gold, the more likely it is to tarnish. The closer your karat is to 24k, the more tarnish resistant it becomes.
My diamond chipped. Does that mean it is fake?
No. Diamonds may be the hardest substance known to man, but they are also brittle. If you hit a diamond just right or with enough force, it will chip, crack or even shatter. If you are concerned about whether your diamond is real, take it to an independent jeweler for a test—there should be no charge to test a diamond.
Can you fix a chipped diamond?
Yes and no. A diamond with a chip can usually be re-polished or re-cut, thus “fixing” the chip. This will cause the diamond to be smaller, and possibly a different shape. A chip on the outside of a diamond cannot be filled, however.
What can I clean my jewelry with?
We always recommend that you take it to a professional jeweler for cleaning and inspection, occasionally. In between, you can buy a bottle of jewelry cleaner from most stores, or use water and ammonia cleaner such as Mr. Clean. DO NOT USE BLEACH!
Bleach and chlorine are the worst enemies of gold, as they eat the molecules that hold gold together.
Why do you use white-gold heads on yellow-gold rings?
White gold is slightly stronger and does not bend or wear as easily. At your request, we can use a yellow head for your ring.
My ring turned my finger green (or black, etc.). Does this mean it’s not real?
No. The marking on your finger (or neck, etc.) is the result of a chemical reaction to the ring. You may have taken a medicine or had a soda or eaten an orange. These would change the chemical composition in your body and cause metal touching your skin to react, usually leaving a mark. If you are concerned about whether your gold is real, take it to an independent jeweler for a test—There should be no charge to test gold.
My ring is giving me a rash. Am I allergic to gold?
Gold is a hypoallergenic metal. This means that you may still be allergic to it, but it is more likely that you are allergic to the alloys in the gold, such as nickel or copper. If the rash goes all the way around your finger and is also on the fingers to the side that touch it, we recommend visiting a doctor. If the rash is at the top of your finger, bring the ring to have it professionally cleaned and we also recommend a chemical bath for the ring. The cleaning should be no charge at an independent jeweler, and the chemical wash should be $10-$20. Often, without regular professional cleaning, bacteria can start to grow in the “gallery” of a ring. This happens especially when a person washes their hands often or uses a lot of lotion.
Is white gold really gold?
Yes. Pure gold is yellow but can be alloyed, usually with nickel, to look silver or white in color. You can never truly change the color of gold, however, and the yellow will eventually show a little.
Will sizing my ring up make it thinner?
No. We cut the ring and add gold, so that it stays the same thickness.
What do you do with the gold you take out of my ring when you size it down?
If you’ll notice, the prices for sizing a ring down are significantly less expensive than sizing up. This is not because sizing a ring down is less work—on the contrary, sometimes it is harder. It is because Diamond Dee-Lite figures in the value of the removed gold as partial compensation. If you so desire, Diamond Dee-Lite will return your gold; however, we must charge for the full expense of the sizing. (i.e. a $15 sizing may then become a $35 sizing.)