Can I Wear My Gold Ring While Roofing?

From time-to-time we’re asked how much wear and hard use our precious metal jewelry can stand up to. Jewelers have been answering this question for ages. This question comes up most often in regards to rings which are the most “in the line of fire.”

While precious metals vary in their hardness and durability, we always advise customers to avoid wearing fine and treasured jewelry in situations where the jewelry could be exposed to chemicals or come into contact with hard and abrasive surfaces. That’s a polite way of saying “NO! Do not wear your gold ring while roofing!” (By the way, that is an actual question we received.)

Some people (hmmm …. I’d say mostly men) seem to think that because precious metal is more expensive than non-precious metal, it should be more durable. But it’s precious because it’s rare, not because it’s indestructible.  Like silk compared to denim.

Sterling Silver is the softest of the precious metals. Gold is harder, but still a relatively soft metal. The hardness of gold increases as the purity decreases. The alloy that is mixed with the gold is actually harder than the gold, so the larger the percentage of alloy, the harder the piece. This means that 10k gold is harder than 14k gold, which is harder than 18k gold.

The two hardest precious metals are platinum and palladium. Palladium, is actually harder and lighter than platinum, and makes an excellent choice for an everyday ring such as wedding rings. Platinum is a hard, but heavy metal, and at the top of the pricing pyramid as it’s more scarce. A harder ring will stand up better to dings and dents, but it will still scratch, so you still need to take care with it.

Precious metals make for the finest jewelry, but all fine things need special care. Take care of your jewelry and, please, DO NOT wear your gold ring while roofing!

 

Mazel Tov! Sorella Introduces Hebrew Jewelry

We’re very excited to announce the addition of our Hebrew Jewelry collection beginning with Hebrew Name Rings and Hebrew Message Rings.

These elegant and unique rings hold names and words in the classic Hebrew Alef Bet. We provide a selection of names and phrases to choose from or you can provide your own. Simply send us your name or message spelled out with the names of the letters of the Alef Bet and we’ll convert them into our elegant Hebrew font.

Sorella’s Hebrew Rings are available in 6mm and 8mm widths and can be created in your choice of precious metal – sterling silver, 10k yellow or white gold, 14k or 18k yellow, white or rose gold, palladium and platinum. Choose one tone or two tone metals and add diamonds or birthstones if you wish. Our wide variety of options let you create a ring that is truly special.

Sorella’s Hebrew Rings celebrate the wonderful Jewish heritage and traditions. They make a wonderful gift for bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, and graduation and well as to celebrate any special moment in life. Personalized jewelry is only limited by your own imagination.

New Personalized Double Ring Pendant

We’re very excited to introduce our new Double Ring Pendant with Double Chain.  Two interlocking rings can each carry the name or message that has special meaning for you.

A delicate double cable chain attaches to each ring and is available in 16, 18, and 20 inch lengths. The personalized pendant and chain is available in sterling silver and 14k yellow and rose gold.

We tested it out on Lynn’s 20 year old daughter, Amy … who put the pendant on, took one look in the mirror and pronounced: “I want one.”  That told us that we might be on to something.

Sterling Silver is Sizzling

White metals are definitely hot right now and sterling silver is especially sizzling. The appeal is its shiny, sparkling white color and it’s affordability.  More and more fine jewelers are creating spectacular jewelry in sterling silver.

While we offer almost all of our pieces in the range of metals from sterling silver, to 10k, 14k, and 18k gold, palladium, and platinum, we’ve been surprised at how much personalized sterling silver jewelry we  sell. Certainly affordability plays a big role, but what we hear again and again from our customers is “I just like sterling silver.” So, we’ve listened and will be adding more pieces in silver to our collection.

When you’re shopping for silver jewelry, one thing to always ensure is that you’re buying “sterling silver,” the finest of silver alloys. Not all silver jewelry is sterling. Sterling silver (also known as .925 silver) contains 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper.

The Story on Tarnish

You may be surprised to hear that all precious metals will tarnish or corrode over time.  All of them.

Tarnish on jewelry is a blackening or discoloration of the jewelry or skin. The blackening is actually made up of very small particles of the metal that have been worn off.

Most people are familiar with silver tarnishing as sterling silver can tarnish quite rapidly. Other metals take longer.

What causes tarnishing? Exposure to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands and some papers. Cosmetics, lotions, medications and even an individual’s personal body chemistry can also accelerate tarnishing.

Body chemistry? Definitely. Have you ever seen a ring turn one person’s finger black but cause no problem with someone else? This is a body chemistry issue.  Some people are unlucky to have a body chemistry that reacts to the alloys in silver and gold and causes tarnishing.

We recommend combating tarnish by storing your jewelry in an ant-tarnish storage bag. (Sorella includes one with every piece we sell.) These bags are coated with a film that neutralizes the gases that can cause tarnish.

We also recommend that you don’t wear your jewelry in the shower where it will come in contact with all manner of soaps and lotions.

Additionally, an annual cleaning by a professional jewelry will really keep your piece sparkling.