Here are a few questions and answers about shopping for and purchasing jewelry. If you have a question, email us-we will post the answer on this page!

Q. What are some tips on keeping my jewelry looking new?

A. Proper care is required to assure the lasting qualities of your jewelry. Keep your jewelry in a clean, dry place preferably in a fabric lined jewelry case or in a box with dividers. See your jeweler once a year to have your jewelry checked for loose prongs or worn mountings. It is also advised to have your jewelry professionally cleaned twice yearly. Beware of ultrasonic cleaners that clean your jewelry at home-they are known to damage jewelry. Ask your jeweler if he or she could recommend an at home model that won't harm your pieces.

If you wear your diamond engagement ring twenty-four hours a day, you will need to give it special attention. Avoid wearing your ring when doing rough work. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach in cleaners, pools and hot tubs as the chlorine can damage and discolor the mountings. You can clean your diamonds using commercial jewelry cleaner or a mixture of ammonia and water and a soft brush to dislodge dust and dirt.

Q. Should I worry about jewelry purchased at a deep discount or jewelry sold out outlet stores?

A. If you see jewelry sold at 40-60% off, check to see if the merchandise was sold at a regular price. Merchants may inflate prices to lure customers with discounts.

When buying gold jewelry, check for the karat mark, such as 14K or 18K, and make sure it appears with the manufacturer's trademark. If it is a chain, be sure the mark is located on any part besides the clasp. Sometimes the clasp will contain the mark but the chain will not truly be gold.

Extremely low priced items such as watches that would normally retail for $2,000 to $5,000 are most likely counterfeit. Be wary of mail order items also-check with the Better Business Bureau before purchasing jewelry from mail order companies.

Lastly, ask questions and take the time to shop around. Jewelry is an important purchase, so ask questions and compare quality!

Q. What do I need to know about shopping for diamonds?

A. Diamonds are graded on color, clarity and cut.

Color- D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless) K-M (faint yellow), N-R (very light yellow), S-Z (light yellow)

Clarity-Diamonds tend to have slight imperfections called "inclusions." Inclusions are rated from FL (flawless) to I1 (imperfect). A diamond with an I1 rating means inclusions are visible to the naked eye.

Cut-A well-cut diamond has that desired sparkle. The quality of the cut is the "make" and is measured in classes-Class 1-Ideal Cut to Class 4-Below Average Cut. There are six factors that determine a diamond's class-two of the most important are depth percentage and table width percentage.

Q. What's the difference between platinum and white gold?

A. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals including silver and palladium. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. White gold tends to be plated with Rhodium to make the color appear more white, but the plating will wear away.

Platinum is a white metal and is used in jewelry in almost a pure form. It is also extremely strong and does not require plating and its is long wearing. Compared to gold, platinum is dense and will feel heavier.

Q. I want to start acquiring fine jewelry-where do I start?

A. When building a jewelry wardrobe, start with the basics. Think about your lifestyle and personality. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you probably don't want dangle earrings that get in your way. Start with classic pieces-gold chain, button earrings or hoops and a link bracelet. In selecting diamonds, go with stud earrings and diamond pendants-you can then add in pieces with design flair and mix and match. Having the right jewelry can go a long way in projecting confidence and individual style. We are happy to provide consultation on building your jewelry wardrobe.