Are you about to get engaged or walk down the aisle in the year 2021 after waiting for years for the most special day of your life with someone special? If your answer is a big yes, it's time for you to think about engagement ring shopping or wedding ring shopping for your partner, with your partner, or just to get acquainted with a wide range of different band settings and diamond cuts.

 

Whatever your personal jewelry style, you just cannot go with a classic and timeless diamond engagement or wedding ring! Diamonds are timeless and always on-trend beyond their brilliance, beauty, and symbolism. 

 

It is interesting to note here that as much as 83 percent of people surveyed during a retrospective survey of 21,000 couples who got engaged between 2018 and 2019 by the Knot 2019 Jewelry and Engagement Study selected a round-cut white diamond for a center stone. While the classic round-cut white diamond has maintained its status over the years as the most preferred center stone choice, jewelry and signet ring designers across the world keep finding innovative and out-of-the-box ways to make engagement and wedding ring options feel totally unique.

 

Jade Trau Signet Ring

Truth be told, couples may find the symbolic value and the responsibility carried by engagement and wedding ring to be extra special than ever. A more vintage yet modern appearance like a Jade Trau Signet Ring speak to brides of today and this ring trend is likely to continue in the year 2021 and beyond. No wonder, engagement ring and wedding ring shoppers are evaluating family traditions and legacy as they look for the perfect engagement ring or wedding ring and this is where the Jade Trau Signet Ring steps in. 

 

A year following the one where families were literally forced to stay away and were kept apart, longing for loved ones is bound to make to-be-weds and couples nostalgic. This is one of the biggest reasons that the Jade Trau Signet Ring is right there on top of the top engagement ring and wedding ring trends for 2021 as couples think about their past and future generations as they start their own families.

 

Band Style Rings

If you are planning to buy stunningly gorgeous for your upcoming engagement or wedding, the Band Style Ring will be an amazing choice for you. Band Style Rings are in great demand for the last few years and rightly so and no wonder they are defined by industry experts as the "it" ring of 2021 and beyond. Beyond being a sustainable ring purchase, Band Style Rings are full of character and exquisitely designed. They hold immense sentimental value and are all the rage for detail-oriented to-be-weds.

 

Oval Sapphire & Diamond Double Halo Rings

The Oval Sapphire & Diamond Double Halo Ring may be a non-traditional pick but it does demonstrate some amazingly beautiful romantic symbolism. Oval Sapphire & Diamond Double Halo Rings are excellent options for the proposal and wedding season, especially for to-be-weds who are looking for something truly fashion-forward and unique.

 

Rose Cut Diamond Ring

If you are yet to hear about Rose Cut Diamond Rings, you are surely in for a treat. The Rose Cut Diamond Ring has a domed top and a flat bottom, which resembles a rosebud. When you choose the Rose Cut Diamond Ring, you are always assured of getting more bang for your buck with this stunning ring that has a stunning and savvy cut. The best thing about the Rose Cut Diamond Ring is that it has an antique look much like a timeless signet ring and its flat booms make the diamond appear stronger than its actual weight in carats.

 

Two-Stone Rings

This may come as a happy surprise for you but two stone engagement rings are referred to as ‘Toi et Moi’ rings, which means you and me in French. The two stone in this ring signifies the union of two hearts in love into one and there is surely nothing that can be more sentimental than that. Moreover, Two-Stone Rings offer twice the bling to the to-be-weds that makes them an excellent purchase option and one of the favorite trends for the year 2021 and beyond.

 

Blue Sapphire Ring

A Blue Sapphire Ring is the ultimate magic you want to get your hands on. This blue-stone ring has mesmerizing written all over it and is an ultimate classic. In 2021, many to-be-weds are expected to admire blue-hued gems such as tourmalines, topaz, tanzanite, aquamarines, and blue opals. All of these blue-hued gems are likely to be the trending stones in the coming months but nothing beats the magic of a Blue Sapphire Ring that looks ravishing with both platinum and yellow gold settings.

 

Emerald Engagement Rings

More and more to-be-weds are going green with Emerald Engagement Rings and the best part is that we are not yet getting started about the sustainability aspect. Emerald engagement rings are noticing a massive surge in popularity and surge and they are expected to make big inroads in the near future as well. Emeralds have always been associated with new beginnings and serenity, which make them the perfect choice for many to-be-weds. Emerald is a timeless and classic stone that offers an elegant look and a pop of color without the same price tag as that of a diamond.

 

Alexandrite Stone Ring

Do you want to demonstrate a stunning yet unique statement by staying away from tradition? If your answer is in the affirmative, it is time for you to try out Alexandrite engagement or wedding rings that are becoming increasingly popular across the globe. One of the best things about Alexandrite is that the stunning stone tends to change colors based on how it is hit by light, ranging from fuchsia to blue, purple, green, and even orange.

Many jewelry designers would want to make jewelry using different types of metals wonder on which metals would bring the best returns. Finding the perfect piece of jewelry presented with various metals can be quite tasking. Well, all jewelry designers must understand the difference between base metals and precious metals. Let us dive in to understand what base metals and precious metals are and get which of these is the best choice.

Precious Metals

What are precious metals? These metals are considered to be of high end-value in society due to their rarity and high economic value. Precious metals come in a wide range and designers have a variety of precious metals to choose from. They include Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Silver, Gold Vermeil (Gold plated over sterling silver). Some precious metals such as Gold, Silver, and Platinum are noble metals. This means that they are highly resistant to corrosion.

Gold

Gold is soft and malleable. For this reason, it is mixed with other metals like silver or zinc to make solid and wonderful jewelry pieces that can be worn for a longer period. Gold is cherished by most designers and is used for making jewelry designs in wedding rings, earrings and necklaces.

Silver

Don’t you love sterling silver? It is versatile, has a stunning look, and is cherished by a vast majority because of these. Not only that, it is the best option for people on a budget because it is affordable than gold. Jewelry designers find it great for everyday use because of its durability and it does not react with the skin.

Vermeil

Vermeil is a precious metal owing to its composition, gold, and silver. A gold layer is applied to sterling silver to make vermeil. The gold layer used in making vermeil jewelry in the United States must be of high quality. The minimum purity must be 14k with a thickness not less than 2.5 microns. Vermeil has no allergies since it is made of hypoallergenic metals. It is durable and the jewelry pieces created from vermeil look like solid gold.

Gold plated jewelry is also just like vermeil. However, the difference comes in on the base metal used in gold plating. The base metal could be brass or copper, which is low quality than silver. Unlike vermeil, there are no specific requirements set for gold plated jewelry, and the gold layer may be less than 2.5microns.

Platinum

Platinum is becoming a popular choice for jewelry designers because of its beauty and physical properties. It is silvery-white, highly durable, and can be mixed with other metals. Besides, it is resistant to tarnish, making it ideal for making rings, bracelets and everyday jewelry. However, Platinum is extremely rare and therefore pricier than other metals.

Palladium

This metal is also silvery-white in color, just like Platinum. Jewelry designers fancy it because of its color, density, hardness and tarnish-resistant nature. For designers looking to make lighter pieces of jewelry that require low maintenance, Palladium would be an excellent choice. Furthermore, its price is affordable than Platinum.

Base Metals

Base metals are an excellent choice for jewelry, though they are not precious metals. They are a mixture of few metals that are combined to form one base metal for jewelry. Metals that are durable and commonly used as base metals include copper, aluminum, tin, zinc, nickel, and lead. It is important to note that base metals can be plated. However, the plating wears out eventually, and replating may be needed. For jewelry designers who need to make desirable jewelry that is super affordable, base metal is the way to go. Let us have a look at a few of the base metals.

Aluminum

This metal is soft and does not rust. Besides, you can add custom colors to aluminum. However, when aluminum comes into contact with oxygen and water, it oxidizes. The oxidized layer then forms a layer preventing the aluminum from further corrosion, which is good news!

Copper

Copper is a soft metal and has a bright reddish-orange color. Because it is a highly reactive metal, it darkens and gains patina. It discolors the skin when worn in jewelry designs like a wedding or engagement ring and tight-fitting bracelets.

Nickel

Nickel is an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel and is usually silver in color. However, it has no sterling silver component whatsoever. Jewelers find nickel components attractive because it costs less than sterling silver. Though jewelers and jewelry designers need to be aware that it may cause allergic reactions in some people. The law provides regulations on nickel’s use in jewelry.

Lead

Lead has been used to make jewelry pieces despite being a heavy and toxic metal, being that it is a cheap base metal. It does not degenerate therefore harmful to the environment. Also, it is harmful to human beings when ingested as lead accumulates in the human body. Jewelers are advised to comply with the strict laws by maintaining a low percentage of lead weight in their designs.

Why Is Precious Metal a Better Choice Than Base Metal for Jewelry Designers?

1. Precious metal keeps its value and is a worthy investment

• Jewelry made from precious metal will keep most of its value when the plating fades or in case of damage, while base metal jewelry will become worthless.
• During difficult economic times, one can use precious metal jewelry for tender as they produce better returns. For example, families could get by the great recession of 1929 by selling their precious jewelry.

2. It’s easier to make money from precious metal jewelry

• Most customers understand and appreciate the value of precious metals. As a jeweler, you will not have to sell precious metal in large quantities to get money since customers will pay a hefty amount for a good piece of jewel made from precious metal. Meanwhile, base metal costs less because it is imported from overseas at a low cost and their prices are market-driven and will not be worth the time or effort put in.

3. Precious metal jewelry is of high quality and lasts longer compared to base metal jewelry. Moreover, when it comes to conserving the environment, precious metal is ideal because base metals have negative environmental impacts.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is gold-plated brass jewelry considered precious metal?

No. it is not a precious metal. It doesn’t matter how good the plating is done, it will eventually fade out and you will end up with a piece of worthless brass jewelry with an ugly faded gold plating.

2. How about gold-filled jewelry?

Gold-filled jewelry is 5% of the total weight of gold bonded to copper/brass core. So, 95% of the jewelry is still base metal. A gold-filled layer will last much longer than most gold plating. However, it is still not considered a precious metal. Also, gold-filled jewelry can only be made from gold-filled sheets or wires, it cannot be made from casting. It imposes relatively high restrictions on the design.

Most jewelry designers face challenges in getting their jewelry with an even gold color across all their jewelry components. They find that even the simplest jewelry design comes with a variety of gold-plated hues or shades. The question lingering in their minds is, why is this so?

 

First, let us begin by looking at the different colors of gold jewelry. There are various colors since gold jewelry is an alloy of gold mixed with other metal types. For this reason, the alloy composition determines the gold color. We have Yellow Gold that is composed of pure Gold, Silver, Copper, and Zinc. Then, there is White Gold that is composed of Gold and Platinum. In some cases, Nickel and Zinc are added. The third color is Rose Gold that is composed of gold, copper, and silver. Then, the last color is Green Gold that is composed of Gold and Silver, although copper can be added too.

 

You may have already decided on the base plate such as vermeil, jewelry made with silver, and also made a decision on the finishing gold color, let’s say, Yellow Gold 14k, 18k, or 24k. It is important to note that “k” is the percentage of gold in a piece of jewelry and has the most significant impact on Yellow Gold. This is because high gold karat brings rich yellow color to the metal. Nevertheless, you might make your jewelry order. To your surprise, when the consignment arrives, each component comes with a slightly different shade of gold despite having the same Karat gold plating.

 

Back to our first question; why does most gold-plated jewelry come in various shades of gold across the jewelry components? Here are some reasons;

1. Different Manufacturers and the alloy used.

In the jewelry design industry, there are different manufacturers specialized in few jewelry products. Therefore, your supplier is probably sourcing products from different manufacturers who use different alloys to mix their gold.  Besides, not all jewel factories or manufacturers do gold plating in-house. Some hand over to platters or use their co-operating plating company. This can change the final color and appearance of the gold. For example, some companies use more copper than others, which creates a more reddish color, while other manufacturers use more nickel. This creates different color combinations in jewelry.

2. Heat and the manufacturing processes

In the manufacturing process, different techniques are employed to manufacture jewelry. For example, ropes, herringbone or wheat, require different techniques such as flattening, twisting, or linking the gold that can make a piece of jewelry have different colors. Moreover, metal thickness also brings a big difference in quality during plating. Also, gold plating processes can be affected by factors such as the electric current, density of the plating solution, time is taken for jewelry to be soaked in the plating solution, etc.

 

How do we solve the issue of color inconsistency among gold-plated jewelry designs?

 

Some solutions that could come in handy are as follows;

1. Know the product colors and define your quality expectations

Different karats have different colors. Before making any bulk purchases from your supplier, ensure that you know the gold karat amount and color to guide your supplier so that they can comply with precise quality standards. For example, if you order 18k Yellow Gold, make sure to ask your supplier if the gold color will match and set up specifications, which they will inspect before shipping the product to you. Most likely, the order may come in an acceptable color range difference and will not affect the finished product look.

2. Order from Established Brands

Many established brands use their plating company to do another layer of gold plating right after assembling the product. By so doing, the product is given a consistent gold color that covers any imperfection that may have to arise due to soldering, bending, scratching, or assembling.

It is important to note that you will benefit from having a competitive product with an ultra-thick gold plating layer that makes it long-lasting. Stand out from the crowd!

 3. Control color by mixing gold alloys

If there is a slight color difference, the color of gold jewelry can be adjusted using alloys such as Copper, Titanium, or gemstone beads in between to separate your gold elements. This will reduce the color difference and help you avoid any issue of color inconsistency. Ensure you use the right underlayer to avoid base metal leaches or contamination of gold plating tanks.

 

Parting shot

During gold-plating, the purity of the gold used in gold plating produces different colors. The higher the purity, the richer and gold-like the jewelry piece color. However, many suppliers have a challenge in maintaining an even color on their jewelry pieces due to inconsistencies in the manufacturing processes or because supplies are sourced from different manufacturers. To avoid these inconsistencies in gold-plated color jewelry, one can order from established brands and define their quality expectations to ensure consistency in gold-plated jewelry items.

Are you in the United States and are considering using a third-party plating company? Kindly contact us for all your plating needs. We will be happy to refer you to some plating companies we have been working with.

Being in the jewelry making business is no easy feat, especially if the jewelry is hand-made and represents designs created and inspired by your thoughts. If somebody is telling you about what’s wrong in your jewelry making and what they don’t like, no matter how rude their tone is, do not interrupt them midway.

By looking at last year's top trends, we can see into the future a bit. Trends don't tend to change overnight but evolve over time. Fads develop overnight and then disappear as fast as they came. But trends, current and recently passed trends can help you develop your spring line or to know what types of materials to carry in your shop. Looking back at recent trends can help you predict what future trends might look like, and that can help your bottom line.

For a jewelry company looking out to increase customer loyalty, having a custom imprinted silver jewelry polishing cloth is the smart thing to do. You can improve your customer’s open box experience by giving them the wow experience. How can we make it happen? Easy, put in the custom imprinted silver jewelry polishing cloth inside the box with the silver jewelry in it as a handout! People love good surprises and this can be a great way of making customers happy. In turn, these satisfied customers will reward you with loyalty and authentic marketing since you will have won your brand an advocate who will passionately share their experiences. Furthermore, customers tend to keep polishing cloth for a long time because it is a high utility item, making these promotional polish cloths become a culture enhancing your brand image.

It is time to make use of your kitchen ingredients once again. However, this time, we will use them in cleaning your silver jewelry to give you that fabulous look with shiny pieces. There is a range of kitchen cleaners for your silver jewelry. We are going to see the ideal method of cleaning your silver.

A bezel setting is a way of enclosing a gemstone within a metal frame. A small ring can be soldered on the top of the frame to make it into a pendant or charm. More than one ring can also be soldered on the bezel frame to make a bezel connector or link.

Gold and silver price is on the rise, jewelry business got double hits by the COVID-19 pandemic and skyrocketing material cost. What’s the gold and silver price impact on the jewelry business? What can jewelry business and jewelry designer do to mitigate the impact and keep growing your jewelry business? This article will use data from the last gold silver price spike in 2010-2013 and analyze the impact of this price spike.

Cabochon is a gemstone element used for jewelry making. They can be used to make rings, pendants, or other creative jewelry piece. We will go through some common questions and answers of cabochons: What is Cabochon? How Cabochons can be used in jewelry making? What shape can Cabochon come in with? Why most Cabochons are not transparent? Why most Cabochons are not faceted?