How to Clean Sterling Silver Flatware to Keep or Sell

If you’re lucky enough to own a set of sterling silver flatware, you either want to keep it and use it, or perhaps sell it. A quick look at eBay shows antique sterling silver flatware sets bidding for around $3,000.00!

Whether you want to keep or sell your set, it should be clean, shiny, and well organized. Here’s how to properly clean and care for a sterling silver flatware set.

Understanding tarnish

Sterling silver, and other metals, including copper, brass, and aluminum, require regular cleaning and tarnish removal. Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms over time from the metal’s exposure to hydrogen sulfide, normally present in the air. Tarnish can also develop after contact with wool, felt, or certain foods. That electrochemical process is called oxidation.

Tarnish usually forms as a dull grey or black coating over the silver. Interestingly, tarnish is self-limiting, which means it only affects the top few layers of the metal. The outer layers of tarnish actually seal and protect the underlying layers, which is why a good cleaning can restore silver to its shiny original state.

Before you begin

You want to clean your silver, not damage it. To avoid doing so, use a non-abrasive silver cleaner that requires rinsing after use. Silver cleaners that require rinsing are usually less abrasive, so look for brands that state the cleaner is "non-abrasive."

Do not use chemical dips for cleaning sterling silver flatware, as they contain corrosive acids. Also, do not put your sterling silver flatware in the dishwasher.

For supplies, you’ll need a plastic dishpan, soft cotton dish towel, cotton balls, non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free hand dishwashing liquid, white vinegar and/or non-abrasive silver cleaner, silver polishing rouge cloth, and a dry artist’s horsehair paintbrush.

1. First, place the flatware in the plastic dishpan. Add a teaspoon of non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free hand dishwashing liquid and fill the pan with warm water. Wash the flatware with a soft dish towel and remove oils, fingerprints, and debris.
2. Rinse the flatware with warm water and dry with the soft cotton towel.
3. Next, clean light tarnish by wiping the area lightly with a cotton ball moistened with white vinegar or non-abrasive cleaner. Dry the flatware with the towel.
4. To remove heavier tarnish, apply a small amount of non-abrasive silver cleaner to a soft cloth and rub the flatware gently from side to side, or up and down. Do not use circular motions, and do not apply an excess amount of cleaner to the silver—use only the amount needed to remove the tarnish.
5. Rinse the cleaner off the flatware, and wipe off any dried cleaner with the towel. To remove residual cleaner from nooks or patterns, use a dry artist's horsehair paintbrush.
6. Rinse the cleaned flatware with warm water and dry with a soft cotton towel.
7. Polish the sterling silver dinnerware with a silver polishing rouge cloth to restore the silver's shine and luster.

How to Buy Estate, Vintage, and Antique Jewelry

First, know what it’s worth.

You don’t have to know the exact value of the jewelry you are buying, but it’s a good idea to know what your pieces are generally worth. Next, evaluate jewelry of similar quality and composition. Obviously, the better condition the jewelry is in and its grade of gemstones precious metals, the higher its value. If a valuable piece looks too worn, then their still may be value in the stones and metal.

Understand how gold is valued.

The purity of gold jewelry is indicated by its karat stamp. Most gold jewelry, especially antique pieces, are 14-karat, which means they are only about 58 percent gold. A 24-karat gold piece is pure gold and will be worth approximately the current price of gold per ounce. If there is no karat stamp on the gold piece, it is usually because it’s not real gold. In some instances, the karat stamp may have worn off. A quick way to test if a gold piece is real is to place it next to a magnet; if it sticks, then it’s not real gold.

Just as you should know how gold is valued, the same goes for precious gemstones. You’ll need official certification to know exactly how much your gem is worth. If you don’t have certification, research what type it is and its general popularity and market value.

Has the piece been appraised?

Make sure you are buying from a reputable, established jeweler who has appraised the piece you’re interested in accurately. Make sure the appraiser is Gemological Institute of America (GIA) educated. The GIA is the industry standard for gem and precious metal appraisals. A GIA-educated appraiser should abide by the strictest industry ethics and methods to ensure that a seller is given the fair market price for the piece being sold.

Realize the market fluctuates.

The price of gold and silver changes daily based on various factors, including market demand, manufacturing supply, and the financial markets. It’s important to understand that the price of the metals which apply to the piece.

Enjoy your estate, vintage or antique jewelry!

Most importantly, if it is a piece for yourself, make sure it is something you would enjoy wearing, or if it is for a friend or relative, if it is their taste. Have you seen them wearing pieces like it? The most valuable piece of jewelry is one that will be enjoyed.

If you’re in the market for estate, vintage or antique jewelry, make sure to visit Adina by Empire Jeweler’s remarkable online store. You’ll find an exquisite selection of estate rings, earrings, bracelets, watches pendants and more at true wholesale prices, all appraised by Adina Jewelers by Empire’s GIA-educated appraisers.

Delicious Facts about Famous Diamonds

 Welcome to the April issue of Adina’s Blog by Empire Jewelers! This month we celebrate April’s birthstone, the diamond, one of the most beloved and desired of all the gemstones. Full of history and intrigue, here are some delicious facts about some of the world’s most famous diamonds.

The Graff Pink—the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.

The Graff Pink continues to hold the world record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.

Purchased by and named after its owner, British billionaire jeweler Laurence Graff, he paid 45.4 million francs—almost $46 million—for the diamond at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland in 2010. He quickly renamed it “The Graff Pink.”

The rare pink diamond is rectangular shaped, and weighs 24.78 carats. It is among less than two percent of the world's diamonds categorized as “potentially flawless” because it needs repolishing.

The diamond was sold by its previous owner, celebrity jeweler Harry Winston, 60 years ago and has been in a private collection until purchased by Graff. Graff’s buying price of $46 million topped a previous world record for the selling price of a jewel at auction.

The “Heart of the Ocean” diamond necklace from Titanic.

Who can forget the iconic “Heart of the Ocean” necklace in James Cameron’s loving film tribute, Titanic. While the necklace in the film was fictional, it had a lore all its own. According to the film’s storyline, the large blue diamond was originally owned by King Louis XIV, and was later cut into a heart shape, to resemble the real Hope Diamond.

Following the worldwide popularity of Titanic, jewelry company Asprey & Garrard created a real “Heart of the Ocean” made with a 170-carat, heart-shaped sapphire, surrounded by 65 30-carat diamonds. There are many replicas of the “Heart of the Ocean” on the market. Many are made with a cubic zirconia sapphire replacing the blue diamond heart, and Swarovski crystals replacing the surrounding diamonds.

Christie’s Elizabeth Taylor jewelry auction.

In December 2011, Christie’s New York held a hugely anticipated auction of the late Elizabeth Taylor’s famed jewelry collection, estimated at $150 million. Taylor’s collection fetched a record-breaking $115 million at auction, including $8.8 million for the Taylor-Burton diamond ring given to her by Richard Burton.

Taylor wore the 33.19 carat rectangular-cut diamond to many events, including Princess Grace’s 40th birthday party in Monaco. Taylor sold the diamond in 1978 following her divorce from Burton to fund her charity work. Thomas W. Burstein of Christie's said the only time the ring left Taylor's hand was when she offered it to friends to try on.

The diamond ring was bought by a private buyer from Asia for $8,818,500.

What Marilyn wore to the Gentleman Prefer Blondes movie premier.

Recall the indelible image of Marilyn Monroe singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” dressed in a pink satin evening gown with matching gloves, surrounded by well-dressed men, and diamonds dripping from her neck and wrists?

The centerpiece of her outfit was the Moon of Baroda diamond necklace, which she wore to the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes movie premier. The Moon of Baroda is a stunning pear-shaped, yellow canary diamond that weighed 25.95 carats when it was found. It was later cut into its current pear shape and weighs 24.04 carats.

For more than 500 years, it was owned by the Maharajas of Baroda, India. In 1787, it was sent to the Empress Maria Thérèse of Austria and was also was worn by Marie Antoinette in the 18th century.

It was later stolen by Afghan tribal leader Nadir Shah in 1739, and then returned to Baroda where it remained for almost 200 years. In 1943, it was purchased by Meyer Rosenbaum, who lent it to Monroe for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

In 1991, the diamond was auctioned and sold at Christie's, New York and is now in a private collection.

Princess Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

Following Prince Charles’ proposal to Lady Diana Spencer on February 24, 1981, she chose a gemstone ring from a Garrard catalog, rather than having a diamond ring custom made for her, which was the royal custom.

The decision launched her reputation as “The People’s Princess.” Affordable replicas of her ring were so popular, that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

Following her death, Prince William inherited the ring, and he famously presented it to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, when he asked her to marry him on November 16, 2010.

The ring has an 18-carat, oval sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18K white gold. The ring cost around $60,000 when it was purchased in 1981, and today has been estimated between $500,000 and $4 million.

If you’re in the market for diamond jewelry, make sure to visit Adina by Empire Jeweler’s remarkable online store. You’ll find an exquisite selection of diamond rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and more at true wholesale prices, all appraised by Adina Jewelers by Empire’s GIA-educated appraisers.

Facts about Fancy Colored Diamonds

You’ve probably seen magazine and television ads promoting fancy colored diamonds, and the advertising seems to be working. Fancy colored diamonds continue to rise in popularity into 2015. Increase your knowledge of fancy colored diamonds—and learn some interesting facts—before you buy.

1. Diamonds that have been colored naturally, without the help of people, are known as authentic fancy colored diamonds.
2. Authentic fancy colored diamonds are often worth more than clear or white diamonds. Rarecoloreddiamonds.com wrote that 20 years ago, a one carat fancy intense-pink internally flawless diamond would have sold for approximately $70,000. Today, that same diamond would be worth $500,000.
3. According to Diamonds.net, fancy color diamonds have increased in value by 167 percent on average since January 2005, outperforming other assets in that period, including the Dow Jones industrial’s average increase of 58 percent, and Standard & Poor’s 500 63 percent increase.
4. Fancy color diamonds are found in 12 different colors, with more than 90 secondary hues and nine intensity levels within the 234 color combinations.
5. Authentic fancy color diamonds get their color from the trace elements they are exposed to. Radiation can create a greenish tint, while large amounts of nitrogen causes a yellowish color.
6. Through heat treating and irradiation, gemologists are able to enhance the color of most diamonds, as well as create beautiful synthetic diamonds in labs, making fancy color diamonds more affordable and available to people.
7. Fancy colored diamonds are graded differently than white diamonds. The four main criteria for determining a fancy color diamond’s value include hue, color saturation, color purity, and availability. The diamond’s color, including intensity of color and hues, are considered the diamond’s most important qualities.
8. With fancy colored diamonds, the rarer the color, the more valuable it will be. And if the color is richly saturated, the diamond will also be worth more.
9. In fancy colored diamonds, inclusions are considered desirable. Inclusions are actually flaws, but in a colored diamond, they can create unique tones and beautiful flashes of color.
10. In December 2012,  at the final lot of Christie’s auction season, a reddish-orange fancy color diamond sold for $2,098,500, setting a new world auction record for a reddish-orange diamond and a new per-carat record price of $666,200.

If you’re in the market for fancy colored diamonds, make sure to visit Adina by Empire Jeweler’s remarkable online store. You’ll find an exquisite selection of diamond jewelry at true wholesale prices, all appraised by Empire’s GIA-educated appraisers.

What to Know Before Buying a Rolex

In this month’s blog, we examine luxury watches, specifically Rolexes. Here’s what to know and think about before buying one, according to clockmaker.com.

1. Be honest—can you afford it?

Before actually buying a Rolex, the most important thing is to be honest with yourself if you can afford it. Will the watch be an asset or a liability? Do some research: there are various versions of Rolexes out there, with an official, brand new Rolex being the most expensive.

Are you willing to buy new? Does it have to be 100% authentic? Assess you financial situation carefully and honestly, and choose your watch accordingly.

2. Make sure the dealer is legit.  

Even a pre-owned Rolex is an expensive item. It is absolutely essential that you buy your Rolex from a knowledgeable dealer, a dealer you know you can trust.

Every year, people are scammed out of millions of dollars thinking they are buying “the real thing,” when in fact it’s a cheap knock off.

That is why it is important to buy a new or used Rolex watch from a knowledgeable and reputable dealer, preferably in a brick and mortar store you can visit in person.

A new Rolex can be purchased from an authorized Rolex dealer or it can be obtained from an independent, unauthorized watch dealer selling new, near-new, pre-owned, or vintage Rolex watches.

If your objective is to purchase a new, current model Rolex and to save on the price, or if you are looking for a specific model no longer available from an authorized dealer, then buying from an independent watch dealer is probably your best option.

To find an authorized Rolex dealer in your area, visit rolex.com for dealers in your area.

3. Make sure it’s a real Rolex.

In the past, fake Rolex watches were so poorly made that it was usually easy to distinguish the fake from the genuine item.

Today, counterfeit Rolexes can be almost impossible to distinguish from the world-renowned Swiss masterpiece. Online auction houses and individual Internet sellers commonly offer very convincing copies.

If you want a genuine Rolex, make it clear to the dealer that you are interested in seeing and buying only a 100% genuine, unaltered Rolex watch—including the watch band.

Ask the dealer:

Do you offer an unconditional money back guarantee that the watch is a completely genuine, authentic, unaltered Swiss made Rolex?

Will you also off an unconditional guarantee that the bracelet does not contain any non-Rolex parts?

4. Confirm that it’s in good working order.

Before you buy, make sure the watch is working properly, and has been serviced by an authorized Rolex service center, or reputable and experienced independent watchmaker known to specialize in high-end watches.

Ask the dealer:

Do you offer a full, written, timekeeping and water resistance guarantee with your watch for one full year?

5. Get the model and serial number.

Make sure you get and check the model and serial number of the Rolex before buying. The dealer should give you the opportunity to take the bracelet off and check the numbers located between the lugs.

The serial number is usually located next to the “6 O’clock” point of the dial and can tell you the approximate age of the watch. The reference number is located next to the “12 O’clock” point of the dial and is engraved with the phrase “ORIGINAL ROLEX DESIGN” and a 4-5 digit number under it.

This number must match the model. Note that some better fakes may have serial numbers, but they are generally acid etched in and not engraved. If the watch does have a serial number but it looks poorly engraved or barely etched then do not buy it! In 2005, Rolex started engraving the case’s serial number in the inside edge of the case at the “6 O’clock” position, under the crystal and below the bezel.

6. Take your time deciding.

Whether you are buying a new or pre-owned Rolex, choose carefully and don’t allow yourself to be rushed into buying. Do your research, and if necessary, ask the dealer to hold the watch for you for a day or two while you consider buying it.

Trust your instinct: if the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Make sure you are 100% satisfied with the watch and the purchase—this is an heirloom item that should last your lifetime and be handed down to the next generation.

Finally, once you buy, insure it and enjoy it!

Understanding All About Diamonds

With the new year upon us, we thought it would be a good time to review some gemstones basics, starting with one of the most beloved of all gems, the diamond. 

Diamond Basics

Diamonds are crystals made of pure carbon, and are the only gemstone composed of just one element. Small amounts of other elements might be in diamonds as impurities, and often give diamond its color variation.

Diamonds are formed under crushing pressures and intense heat, mostly in the Earth’s mantle and delivered to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions. These eruptions produce the kimberlite and lamproite pipes that are sought after by diamond prospectors.

Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs Scale. For millennia, diamonds have been thought to be the hardest material in nature. But in 2009, a composite material containing the mineral wurtzite boron nitride (w-BN) was shown to have the same resistance to indentation as diamond. In fact, research in China and the U.S. suggests that pure w-BN is significantly harder than diamond.

About 2,500 years ago, diamonds were first discovered in India. While the U.S. is the largest consumer of diamonds, there is barely any production here. The only mine is a state park called the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas where tourists can pay a fee to look for diamonds. The park yields just a few hundred carats per year.

The Four Cs

In the ‘40s and ’50s, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an educational and research non-profit organization founded in 1931, developed the “4Cs” and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds. Today, even if you buy or sell a diamond in another part of the world, the jeweler will likely use the same GIA grading systems. The 4 Cs are:

• Color: Most diamonds run from colorless to near-colorless, with slight hints of yellow or brown. “Color” is not how much color a diamond has, but the degree to which it is colorless. The GIA set the industry standard with its D-Z scale (D is colorless while Z means the diamond has the most yellow.) The exception to this rule are fancy colored diamonds which aren’t included in the GIA’s D-Z scale. Colors beyond the Z color are considered fancy colored diamonds.

• Clarity: Most diamonds have tiny crystals, feathers, or clouds within them, called “inclusions.” Surface imperfections are called “blemishes.” The rarest diamonds are flawless and have no internal inclusions or external blemishes. The GIA uses a Clarity Scale of 11 grades that are measured using 10X magnifications.

• Carat: Signifies the weight—not the size—of the diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Since heavier diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds, the value is higher the heavier the carat weight.

• Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish. When evaluating cut, two aspects are assessed: shape (round, marquise, square cut, etc.), and how well the cutting was executed. It must be geometrically precise, since it will affect a diamond’s fire (the flash of rainbow colors from within) and brilliance (its sparkle). The cut was historically the most subjective and difficult to standardize during appraisal, but due to advances in technology, the GIA introduced its cut grading system in 2005.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

Not all diamonds fall into the typical white-yellow-brown color range. They can be pink, blue, purple, red, orange, or any color. Colored diamonds, known as authentic fancy colored diamonds, get their color from the trace elements they are exposed to. For example, radiation can create a greenish tint, while large amounts of nitrogen causes a yellowish color. Real natural fancy colored diamonds are very rare and expensive, but through irradiation and heat treating, gemologists are able to enhance the color of most natural diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are found in 12 different colors, with more than 90 secondary hues and nine intensity levels within the 234 color combinations.

Fancy colored diamonds are graded a bit differently than white diamonds. The four main criteria for determining a fancy colored diamond’s value are hue, color saturation, color purity, and availability. The more rare a diamond is in color, the more valuable it will be. If the color is richer or saturated, the diamond will also be worth more. And like a white diamond, a colored diamond’s clarity or purity of the color will also increase its value. Also, inclusions can be desirable. Inclusions are actually flaws, but in a colored diamond, they can create unique tones and beautiful flashes of color.

Synthetic Diamonds

People have been able to manufacture diamonds since the 1950s. These are known as synthetic diamonds. Today, more than 100 tons of diamonds are manufactured every year. Most of these diamonds are used to make cutting tools and abrasives. Synthetic diamonds are often undistinguishable from naturally occurring diamonds, but they can be identified by laboratory tests.

Cleaning Diamonds

For diamonds not in a metal setting, gently clean the diamond with a solution of ammonia and water. For diamonds in metal settings, soak the piece in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for two to five minutes. Gently scrub the diamond with a soft toothbrush or jewelry brush. Then, rinse the diamond in warm water to remove remaining detergent. Buff the diamond dry with your cloth.

Whether you’re getting engaged or just looking to buy beautiful, quality diamond jewelry, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a magnificent collection of estate and vintage diamond jewelry, available at true wholesale prices, as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone and gold jewelry. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Fun Facts about Festive December Birthstones

December birthdays are extra special occasions. Not only do they take place around holiday festivities, but those born in December have three birthstones with which to celebrate: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. Below are some interesting and little known facts about these three festive gemstones…

1. Turquoise is a blue-green mineral, with the chemical name of hydrated copper aluminum phosphate.
2. The word turquoise is derived from the Old French word meaning Turkish stone.
3. Some of the finest turquoise is known to come from Iran, but high-grade turquoise is also mined in Arizona and New Mexico.
4. The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry, art, ornaments, and statues because they believed it had magical powers.
5. Tanzanite is named after the East African state of Tazmania, the only place in the world where it can be found.
6. The blue variety of tanzanite is called zoisite.
7. Originally known as blue zoisite, the mineral’s name was changed to tanzanite by Henry Platt, Vice President of Tiffany & Co., because he felt zoisite sounded too much like suicide.
8. In October 2002, the American Gem Trade Association officially named tanzanite as the third December birthstone.
9. Zirconium silicate is the chemical name for zircon.
10. The name zircon is derived from the Arabic words “zar” and “gun,” which means gold and color.
11. Today, zircon is primarily mined in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
12. In the Middle Ages, many people believed zircons could relieve pain, induce hunger, protect travelers from disease and injury, ensure a warm welcome, and promote restful sleep.

If you’re looking for a gift for someone born in December, or you are looking for jewelry to give  that’s perfect for the holidays, Adina by Empire Jewelers has an extensive collection of beautiful vintage and estate jewelry at true wholesale prices. Shop today for all your gift-giving  as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.