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Education

Choices, choices!

BHS is here to help. If, after reading this page, you still have questions send us an email:info@beverlyhillssterling.com

Platinum or Gold

A hit record "goes gold" and a hit, hit record "goes platinum". Both platinum and gold are the rarest of precious metals -found in few locations around the world. While gold has been gaining popularity and reaching record highs on the stock market, platinum still dominates over gold due to its rarity (and cost).

An engagement ring containing 90 percent pure platinum weighs 60 percent more than a 14-karat gold ring of similar size. That same platinum ring will cost three times more than the gold one.

Impress Your Friends with This Tid-Bit:

To produce a single ounce of finished platinum, a total of 10 tons of ore must be mined whereas, three tones of ore are required to produce one ounce of gold.

Purity

In the United States, platinum jewelry contains anywhere from 85 to 95 percent pure platinum. By comparison, 18-karat gold is 75 percent pure gold and 14-karat gold is 58 percent pure gold.

Rest assured, at BHS we use 95 percent platinum.

BHS Standards

A platinum piece is marked "platinum" if it contains at least 95 percent pure platinum. Our jewelry is marked clearly. For example, an 85 percent pure platinum diamond engagement ring would be marked "850 PLAT " a 95 percent one "950 PLAT" etc.

BHS jewelry containing at least 50 percent pure platinum and at least 95 percent platinum group metals (palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and ruthenium) is marked with the platinum content followed by the other metal. For example - "600 Plat.350 Irid."

BHS jewelry containing less than 50 percent pure platinum is not marked "platinum" (or any abbreviation thereof).

Dizzy yet?

White Gold

Some people think white gold is platinum. They are wrong.

Here Comes a history lesson:

During World War II, the U.S. government prohibited platinum's use in non-military applications, including diamond jewelry. Because of strong consumer preference at that time for platinum's white look, white gold was substituted.

To create white gold, yellow gold is alloyed with other metals. To mute gold's yellowish shade, it is dipped in a rhodium liquid chamber which gives a white cast.

Good News BHS Customer:

The "18k white gold with Palladium" alloy that we use is a special in that it has 75 percent pure gold and 15 percent pure palladium. Our alloy ends up to be "white" after polishing and not light yellow as the regular "18k white gold" that is commonly used at jewelry shops. If you were wondering why this ring costs more than other 18k white gold alloys, now you know.

Jewelry Care

Just like your car, jewelry requires maintenance

Signs of wear, including scratches, will inevitably appear on all precious metals including platinum. When your beloved three-stone ring develops visible scratches, it's time for re-polishing and re-dipping (in case of white gold). No worries, dipping takes two minutes.

General Tips

• Store your diamond jewelry in a clean, dry place
• Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box with dividers. If you prefer to use an ordinary box, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.
• Don't jumble your diamond jewelry pieces in a drawer or jewelry case. Pieces will scratch each other.
• When washing your hands, do not leave your jewelry on the sink rim. One false move and that emerald cut engagement ring is up to the plumber to find.
• Check jewelry for loose prongs, worn mountings and general wear AT LEAST once a year!
• Clean hands mean clean jewelry. Avoid touching your diamonds, handle jewelry by its edge.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry before storage.
  

Diamond Care

Diamonds are durable, but they still require tender, loving care.

People love their diamond jewelry. Some pieces, such as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are worn 24 hours a day.

Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden impact. Diamonds get smudged, soiled and dusty.

Clean diamonds glow, because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance. Lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils put a film on diamonds and cut down their glimmer. It takes just a little care to keep them that way.

Diamond Care Tips:

• Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough, physical work.

• Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals.
• Remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
• Clean your diamonds regularly using Beverly Hills Sterling Cleaner or a commercial jewelry cleaner. It's usually a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting.

E-mail us info@beverlyhillssterling.com with any questions. It's vital that you love your purchase!

To find out about Gem Stones, please go here.