The Right Gift

How do you know if your buying the right gift? Follow these simple tips before heading out to pick up that perfect gift for him or her.

Tip#1: Look at his/her existing jewelry wardrobe. It will give you a lot of hints about their style. If they have a lot of silver or white gold, then they are a cool metal person, making a white gold, platinum, or palladium gift an ideal choice. If they have more yellow metals, then they are a warm metal person, so stick with yellow gold or rose gold.

Tip#2: Take note if they are a traditional or non-traditional type person? If they have jewelry that is bold and funky, then they are probably going to want a gift that is different from what all of their friends have.  Suggestions:  Elle, Angelique de Paris, or Diva Diamonds.

Tip#3: Pay Attention. Note his/her reaction to other peoples jewelry. Some of the best clues are found this way.

Tip#4: When in doubt, ask a friend. find a trustworthy friend who knows his/her style. They will be able to get a lot of information for you without being suspicious.

Tip#5: Shop with them. Plan a date and pick out two or three gifts or take advantage of our in store wish list so that they won't know exactly what they are getting. Then give them the gift in a memorable location.

Tip#6: Get the size right. If you are purchasing a ring, make sure you know the size. If you can sneak a ring that you know fits their finger, take it to your jeweler and have them measure it.

Tip#7: Make sure you Shop with a reputable jeweler such as Parkers' Karat Patch. At the end of the day, where you shop is the most important factor. Shop with a jeweler you can trust who will walk you through the process of choosing the perfect gift. Parkers' Karat Patch has been serving Asheville, NC for 30 years and all of our customers are family to us.

Tip#8: Make note of the exchange or return policy. If he/she is not quite happy, you need to make sure you can exchange it.

Tip#9: Get it appraised and insured. Make sure your investment is insured properly. Look into getting a rider on your homeowner's insurance or a stand alone policy. Parkers' Karat Patch jewelers does appraisals.

Tip#10: Make it personal. If you get a gift that can be engraved, have their name and date engraved on it or a short, meaningful saying.  If it is a corperate gift, have the company logo engraved on it.

The Hope Diamond's Asheville Connection

The Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52 carats, deep-blue diamond, housed in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. The Hope Diamond is blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of boron within its crystal structure and is famous for supposedly being cursed.


According to unfounded accounts, The Curse of Hope Diamond dates back to its Indian heritage. The original form of the Hope Diamond, part of an even bigger blue diamond, was said to have been stolen from the eye of a sculpted statue of the Indian goddess-idol, Sita.. The Hindu Priests were incensed and placed a curse on whoever owned the diamond. The Curse of the Hope Diamond foretells:

"Bad luck and death not only for the owner of the diamond but for all who touched it.”

However, much like the "curse of Tutankhamen", this general type of "legend" was the invention of Western authors during the Victorian era, and the specific legends about the Hope Diamond's "cursed origin" were invented in the early 20th century to add mystique to the stone and increase its sales appeal.

The legend does not state who stole the diamond but it was definitely acquired by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who first took the diamond from India to Europe.

The first known predecessor to the Hope Diamond was the Tavernier Blue diamond, a crudely cut triangular shaped diamond of 115 carats named for the French merchant-traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who brought it to Europe. He sold several large diamonds to Louis XIV in 1669; while this blue diamond is shown among these, Tavernier makes no direct statements about when and where he obtained it. What can be said with certainty is that Tavernier obtained the blue diamond during one of his five voyages to India between the years 1640 and 1667.

Early in the year 1669, Tavernier sold this blue diamond along with approximately one thousand other diamonds to King Louis XIV of France for the equivalent of 147 kilograms of pure gold (current equivalent gold price of $5,440,000)

In 1678, Louis XIV commissioned the court jeweler to recut the Tavernier Blue, resulting in a 67 carat diamond, but later English-speaking historians have simply called it the French Blue. The king then had the diamond set in a pin.

In 1749, King Louis XV had the French Blue set into a more elaborate jeweled pendant for the Order of the Golden Fleece, but this fell into disuse after his death. Marie Antoinette is commonly noted as a victim of the diamond's "curse", but she never wore the Golden Fleece pendant, which was reserved only for the use of the king. During the reign of her husband, King Louis XVI, she used many of the French Crown Jewels for her own personal adornment by having the individual gems placed into new settings and combinations, but the French Blue remained in its pendant.

In September 1792, while Louis XVI and his family were confined in the Palais des Tuileries during the early stages of the French Revolution, a group of thieves broke into the Garde-Meuble (Royal Storehouse) and stole most of the Crown Jewels. While many jewels were later recovered, including other pieces of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the French Blue was not among them and it disappeared from history.

A blue diamond with the same shape, size, and color as the Hope Diamond was recorded in the possession of the London diamond merchant Daniel Eliason in September 1812, the earliest point when the history of the Hope Diamond can be definitively fixed. It is often pointed out that this date was almost exactly 20 years after the theft of the French Blue, just as the statute of limitations for the crime had expired.

In 1839, the Hope Diamond appeared in a published catalog of the gem collection of Henry Philip Hope, of a prominent Anglo-Dutch banking family. The Parisian jewel merchant Simon Rosenau bought the Hope Diamond for 400,000 francs and resold it in 1910 to Pierre Cartier for 550,000 francs.

Pierre Cartier first offered the Hope Diamond to U.S. socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1910. Evalyn Walsh McLean (Born August 1, 1886, in Leadville, Colorado – Died April 26, 1947 in Washington, D.C.) was an American mining heiress and socialite, who was the only daughter of Thomas Walsh, an Irish immigrant miner and prospector turned multimillionaire, and his wife, Carrie Bell Reed, a former schoolteacher. In 1908, she married Edward Beale McLean, the heir to the Washington Post and Cincinnati Enquirer publishing fortune.

Evalyn initially rejected the diamond because of the Hope family's old fashion setting, but she found the diamond much more appealing when Cartier reset it in a more modern style and told elaborate stories about its supposed "cursed" origins. The new setting was the current platinum framework (displayed in the Smithsonian) surrounded by a row of sixteen alternating old mine- cut and pear-shaped diamonds. Eventually, McLean bought the new necklace and afterwards wore it at every social occasion she organized:

On January 28, 1911, in a deal made in the offices of the Washington Post, McLean purchased the Hope Diamond for US$180,000 from Pierre Cartier of Cartier Jewelers on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The bad luck the diamond was supposed to bring to any owner was not evident for eight years until the first of the four children born to the McLeans died. While crossing Wisconsin Ave. in front of the suburban Washington, D.C. home of his parents, nine-year-old Vinson Walsh McLean (born December 18, 1909) was struck by a car and killed on May 18, 1919.

Ned and Evalyn had four children: Vinson Walsh McLean, Edward Beale McLean Jr, John Roll McLean II, and Emily Washington McLean. The legend of the Hope Diamond curse grew as her first son was killed in a car accident, her husband Ned ran off with another woman and eventually died in a sanitarium, their family newspaper the Washington Post went bankrupt, and eventually her daughter, Emily Washington McLean, died young. Still, Evalyn never believed that the curse had anything to do with her misfortunes.

On October 9, 1941, their then 19-year-old daughter, Evalyn Washington McLean (November 16, 1921 - September 20, 1946), married a man 37 years older than herself and became the fifth wife of 57-year-old Senator Robert R. Reynolds of Asheville, North Carolina. This was her choice, however, as she said that she was attracted to older men.

Her husband, Robert Rice Reynolds (1884-1963) was a famous United States Senator, who had been asked to run for President of the United States in 1944, but declined. He was also the namesake of the Reynolds Mountain community north of Asheville, and the builder of the playhouse tower built for his daughter, Mamie, which is still visible on the top of Reynolds Mountain.

The one great tragedy that befell Evalyn Walsh McLean was the death of her only daughter, Emily Washington "Evie" McLean (who had changed her name to the same name as her mother). Emily had had an argument with her husband, Senator Reynolds, and after he had left the house, she locked herself in a closet with her dog and took a lethal overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills. Hours later, after a maid heard the dog barking, the door was broken down, Emily was found unconscious, and could not be revived. Emily left a daughter, less than four years old, Mamie, who was not present at the time. A coroner's inquest determined the cause of death to be an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.

Evalyn and Robert Reynolds had a daughter, Mamie Spears Reynolds, who married Italian racecar driver Luigi Chinetti, Jr. in 1963 but divorced in 1965. Mamie now lives in Florida and has a son.

Senator Reynolds was born June 18, 1884 in Asheville and Died Feb 13, 1963 in Asheville and is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

The McLeans' frivolous spending accelerated during their marriage and their inability to understand the basics of money management resulted in their virtual bankruptcy towards the end of their lives. Together, the couple wasted two family fortunes worth millions (billions in current cash value) by splurging on such exotic (some considered wasteful) things such as a million-dollar birthday party for their dog, who was allowed to wear the Hope Diamond on his day of honor.

Even then, when Evalyn Walsh McLean died on April 26, 1947, she still had more than one million dollars in jewels including the Hope Diamond on her bed, as well as valuable properties in Washington, DC, including the mansion at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, her mansion in Denver, plus many of the mining claims her father had staked in Southwestern Colorado. Evalyn Walsh McLean died at 60 of pneumonia and was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington D.C., in the Walsh family tomb.

When she died in 1947, Evalyn willed the Hope diamond to her grandchildren (including Mamie), but against her dying wishes, her jewelry was put up for sale. The trustees of her estate had gained permission to sell her jewels to settle her debts, and in 1949 they were sold to New York diamond merchant Harry Winston.

On November 10, 1958, Winston donated it to the Smithsonian Institution, where it became Specimen #217868, sending the priceless and famous diamond through the U.S. Mail in a plain brown paper bag. Winston never believed in any of the tales about the curse.

So if it hadn’t been for McLean debt at the end of Evalyn’s life, the Hope Diamond would have been handed down to Asheville’s own Mamie Reynolds. Thus ends the story behind the Asheville connection to the most famous American diamond of the Smithsonian collection.

Parkers' Karat Patch Attends Buying & Seminar Conference in National Harbor, MD.

July 24 - August 6, 2010 - Kristin and Terrence of Parkers' Karat Patch Jewelers in Asheville, NC, recently attended a series of educational seminars, workshops and courses at the Independent Jewelers Organization's Fall Buying & Seminar Conference held in National Harbor, MD. 

Kristin and Terrence also had the opportunity to preview the lines of more than 150 top manufacturers and jewelry designers who exhibited their merchandise, some of which is exclusive to Master IJO Jeweler members and is not available from any other stores in this area. 

Terrence and Kristin then carefully selected many unique and exciting items for the Fall season that are sure to delight customers.  "Attending the IJO Conference gives us a competitive edge over our competition by keeping us up to date with what is currently going on in our industry" - Terrence.

IJO(http://www.ijo.com/) is an international buying group and educational organization of independent retail jewelers with almost 900 members worldwide.  Its group buying power enables members to offer customers the finest in high-quality jewelry and loose diamonds at tremendous savings, while maintaining the reliability and integrity of an independent retail jeweler.  Parkers' Karat Patch Jewelers is Asheville's exclusive Master IJO Jeweler member.  "You're gonna want to visit us soon to see the lastest in jewelry fashions for the Fall season or for a personal consultation on the diamond of your dreams.

Fathers then & now

 Fathers of 1900 didn't have it nearly as good as fathers of today; but they did have a few advantages:


In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.


In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.
Today, it's the size of his minivan.


In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success.
Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.


In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure good batteries are in the video camera.


In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.


In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.
Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set up the Blu-Ray player.


In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.
Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.


In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lung cancer.


In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."


In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."


In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.

Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."


In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.
Today, a father spends $800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted Xbox!"


In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.
Today, it's Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.


In 1900, a Father's Day gift would be a hand tool.
Today, he'll get a digital organizer.


In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle."
Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."


In 1900, "a good day at the market" meant Father brought home feed for the horses.
Today, "a good day at the market" means Dad got in early on an IPO.


In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.
Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.


In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.
Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.

In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.
Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."


In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"


In 1900, fathers pined for the old school, which meant a one-room, red-brick building.
Today, fathers pine for the old school, which means Dr J and Mickey Mantle.


In 1900, fathers were never truly appreciated.
In 2001, fathers are never truly appreciated.

Garnets, Guns, and Grapes

Garnets have been known to Man for thousands of years. It is said that Noah used a garnet lantern to help him steer his ark through the dark night. Many an early explorer and traveler liked to carry a garnet with him, since garnet was popular as a protective stone, believed to light up the night and protect its bearer from evil and disaster.  Garnets are also found in jewelry from early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times.
        In 1892, the rebellious Hanzas battled the British in Kashmir.  The outmanned Hanzas needed every advantage they could get.  Their weapon of choice?  Garnet-tipped bullets.  Why?  Because legend had it that a garnet would inflict a more deadly wound than a simple lead bullet.

      Did it work?  Well, we all know about the British.  But when's the last time you heard of the Hanzas?  There are plenty of legends about garnet.  But here's what surprises most folks: garnet comes in every color of the rainbow except blue.  Most of us think that garnet is red, which it is.  But it's also a gorgeous green that rivals the color of emeralds, a very juicy and delicious grape, plus a rainbow of other colors to match every piece of your wardrobe.

      If you have a birthday in January, you should be wearing garnet.  Oh, another legend has it that if you wear garnet, you're protected from being wounded.  True?  Well, just remember the Hanzas.

      Born in January?  Get a garnet. We've got them.  Come see us @ Parkers' Karat Patch.

Jewelry stores can be an intimidating place to visit.

Jewelry stores can be an intimidating place to visit. We understand. I can still remember the first time I went into a fine hometown jewelry store in downtown Asheville. I was probably in my early teens at the time, and felt like a fish out of water. Since then I’ve seen grown men, even football players, begin sweating the minute they cross the threshold of our store. It doesn’t have to be that way…


Obviously the average jewelry customer knows very little about the jewelry they seek or desire. They aren’t alone. With all the different natural and manmade gemstones and all the different precious metal mountings available today, it’s no wonder people feel intimidated. Even those of us who work in the jewelry industry learn new things practically every day about the jewelry we offer for sale or repair.

When I began my jewelry career in 1973, having been offered a job in my great aunt’s fine jewelry store, I remember looking over the inventory she displayed and thinking, “I never realized how many things that ‘Sterling’ company makes!” I felt pretty foolish when I later found out that “Sterling” was a quality of silver, not a manufacturing company.

This episode always reminds me to be understanding to customers who, like me, feel out of their element in so many jewelry stores. Some stores even enjoy having that air of superiority over their customers, but you should never experience that at Parkers’. If you have questions about gemstones or jewelry, we would love for you to visit a friendly, down to earth jeweler, who understands…Steve Parker & Staff

STYLE ENDURES AS THE WORLD'S BIGGEST STARS CELEBRATE IN PLATINUM JEWELRY AT THE 82ND ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

Platinum Maintains its Precious Position as Most Desired Jewelry in Hollywood for the Past 60 Years


Los Angeles, CA (March 7, 2010) - For over eight decades, the Academy Awards has marked the greatest achievements in motion picture - and on the red carpet. With tonight's highly anticipated award show, style endured as celebrities once again showed their desire to complement their looks with platinum jewelry. Not only is platinum the highest quality metal, but its natural white color maximizes the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones, making them sparkle even brighter. It's no wonder why many of Hollywood's most notable style icons chose platinum for their red carpet (and even their bridal) jewelry - including Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O., Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly.


Following is a list of stars that celebrated tonight's achievements in platinum:

Charlize Theron: Platinum and diamond cluster earrings (17.25 carats), and a platinum and diamond bracelet by Harry Winston.

Sandra Bullock: Platinum and diamond earrings and a platinum and diamond bracelet from her personal collection by Neil Lane.

Penelope Cruz: Platinum and diamond drop earrings (18 carats), and three platinum and diamond bracelets (51 carats total) by Chopard.

Kate Winslet: Platinum and yellow diamond pendant (19 carats total), platinum and yellow diamond drop earrings (10 carats), and three platinum and yellow diamond bracelets by Tiffany & Co.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Two platinum and diamond bracelets by Fred Leighton.

Demi Moore: Platinum and diamond bracelet, platinum and diamond bracelet with crystals, platinum and diamond ring with a pearl, and a platinum and diamond hair clip by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Jennifer Lopez: Platinum and diamond clip earrings, and a platinum and diamond bracelet by Cartier.

Faith Hill: Blackened platinum and diamond bangles (180 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz, and black sapphire and black diamond earrings set in platinum by Ofira.

Gabourey Sidibe: Blackened platinum and diamond earrings with sapphires, blackened platinum and black diamond bracelets, and a blackened platinum and diamond ring (over 180 carats total for all jewelry) by Lorraine Schwartz.

Nicole Richie: Blackened platinum and diamond ring (110 carats), blackened platinum and diamond stud earrings, and a blackened platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz.

Julianne Moore: Five platinum and diamond bracelets by Bvlgari.

Maggie Gyllenhaal: Platinum and diamond bracelet with emerald and sapphire by Fred Leighton.

Vera Farmiga: Platinum and diamond ear clips with opal, and platinum and diamond hair clips by Fred Leighton.

Hilary Swank (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond earrings, platinum and diamond chain necklace, and a platinum and diamond cluster ring by Harry Winston.

Tina Fey: Platinum and diamond earrings with onyx, and a platinum and diamond ring with black jade by Stephen Russell.

Helen Mirren: Platinum and diamond necklace (125 carats), platinum and diamond earrings (9 carats), and a platinum and diamond cuff by Chopard.

Sigourney Weaver: Two platinum and diamond bracelets with rubies, platinum and diamond bracelet, and platinum and diamond earrings (8 carats each) by Neil Lane.

Meryl Streep: Platinum ring with diamonds and onyx by Fred Leighton.

Robert Downey Jr.: Platinum timepiece by Harry Winston.

Zoe Saldana: Platinum and diamond drop earrings (20 carats), and a platinum and amethyst ring (80 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz.

Miley Cyrus: Platinum and ruby ring (10 carats), and platinum and diamond earrings with rubies by Lorraine Schwartz.

Amanda Seyfried: Platinum and colored diamond bracelets (250 carats), platinum and colored diamond ring, and blackened platinum and diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz.

About Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is the ideal choice for bridal and fashion jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly. Platinum is also pure and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Charoite - A Stone for Courage.

Color: The colors in each piece of Charoite range from bright lavender, violet and lilac to dark purple with both white, gray and black veining. It forms a swirling pattern of interlocking crystals. Royal lavendar flows with chatoyant streaks of white around bits of black, peach and opalescent gray.

Description: (Ca,K,Na)3Si4O10(OH,F)H2O. Charoite is an unsual mineral and of rare occurence. It formed from alteration of limestones by the close presences of an alkali-rich nephline syenite intrusion. The heat, pressure and more importantly, the infusion of unique chemicals into the rock is responsible for the transformations into new minerals such as charoite.

The name's origin: Charoite is named after the Charo River in Russia.

From the stone history: The Russians first discovered charoite in 1947 in the Murun mountains in Yakutia, but it was not known in the West until 1978. Charoite is used as an ornamental stone and as a gemstone.

Healing ability: Put charoite beneath your pillow, especially if you are prone to disturbed sleep or fears which surface in dreams. In combination with amethyst, it will help to release these fears.

Mystical power: Mystical power: Charoite is said to be useful for the cleansing and purification of one's energy body as well as for the transmutation of negative energies within oneself.

Charoite transmutes negativity and cleanses the aura. Charoite facilitates the release of fear and dissolution of negative energies encountered in the process of aligning with your soul's purpose. Work with Charoite to foster a synthesis between the heart and crown chakra, walk your spiritual path with awareness, and manifest your soul's wisdom and light in daily life. The purple color of Charoite, among its other roles, helps to bring us closer to spirit by showing us that everything, even the thoughts we hold as true, can be dissolved and replaced with more empowering energies.

The color black in this stone grounds the purple ray, and enables us to explore the nature of our fears; while white represents the connection to spirit.

Deposits: Charoite is found in only one location - along the Chary River at Aldan in Russia. This part of Russia is known for its forbidding climate and terrain and as a traditional place of exile for political prisoners.

Why charoite has not been found in other locations is not fully understood. But it is probably due to a combination of a chemically unique limestone reacting with a chemically unique intrusion and subjected to unique physical conditions.

 Charoite has a hardness of from 5 - 6 on the MOHS scale.

Lorenzo searches the world for the liveliest, brightest and most beautiful natural stones, obtaining raw materials directly from mines in some of the most exotic places around the globe. Inspired by art and by nature, Lorenzo’s designers create jewelry that frames these stones in styles that are both current and timeless. Crafted from sterling silver and accented with artistically carved pieces of 18K gold, these styles are then set with the uniquely cut gemstones. Discover our radiant, checkerboard, and concave cuts and see how they maximize these vivid gemstones’ brilliant color.

                           Available At Parkers' Karat Patch

                           http://www.parkerskaratpatch.com/

Customers Complain of Gold-Buying Scams

As a growing number of Americans seek to trade their valuables for cash, many say they’re getting swindled. The Better Business Bureau has received hundreds of complaints about companies that ask customers to mail in their gold, then offer to pay what the company decides the gold is worth. The Federal Trade Commission is now reviewing charges of cash-for-gold scams, and the attorney general’s office in Florida—where many mail-in companies are located—is investigating. A class-action lawsuit was filed recently against the parent company of Cash4Gold, the mail-in trader that helped stoke the market with its TV ads.

Customers’ complaints range from lowball appraisals to downright theft. One man claimed he sent $200 worth of gold and received a check for 15 cents. Others claim mail-in companies melted their gold before waiting to hear if the offer prices were accepted. And some say they asked for their gold back but were told it was lost in the mail and were not reimbursed.

Mail-in companies are “getting away with what looks like fraud,” according to Rep. Anthony Weiner (D., N.Y.). Weiner has introduced legislation that would make it illegal for companies to melt down jewelry without customer authorization and would require those companies to insure jewelry for the same amount the customer did when returning it through the mail.

A Cash4Gold spokesman says his company provides a “safe, secure, and easy way for people to collect money for items that otherwise would collect dust,” and that the class-action lawsuit is “ without merit.” But he adds that national regulations could help shut down unscrupulous dealers.

Meanwhile, customers may do better selling their gold in person. When Consumer Reports shopped identical 18-karat jewelry, mail-in companies offered 11% to 29% of market value. Jewelers and pawn shops, by contrast, paid up to 70%.

— Drew Jubera

How pearls are formed and their various types

There are essentially three types of pearls: natural, cultured and imitation.
A natural pearl (often called an Oriental pearl) forms when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating is deposited on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed.

A cultured pearl undergoes the same process. The only difference is that the irritant is a surgically implanted bead or piece of shell called Mother of Pearl. Often, these shells are ground oyster shells that are worth significant amounts of money in their own right as irritant-catalysts for quality pearls. The resulting core is, therefore, much larger than in a natural pearl. Yet, as long as there are enough layers of nacre (the secreted fluid covering the irritant) to result in a beautiful, gem-quality pearl, the size of the nucleus is of no consequence to beauty or durability.

Pearls can come from either salt or freshwater sources. Typically, saltwater pearls tend to be higher quality, although there are several types of freshwater pearls that are considered high in quality as well. Freshwater pearls tend to be very irregular in shape, with a puffed rice appearance the most prevalent. Nevertheless, it is each individual pearls merits that determines value more than the source of the pearl.

Regardless of the method used to acquire a pearl, the process usually takes several years. Mussels must reach a mature age, which can take up to 3 years, and then be implanted or naturally receive an irritant. Once the irritant is in place, it can take up to another 3 years for the pearl to reach its full size. Often, the irritant may be rejected, the pearl will be terrifically misshapen, or the oyster may simply die from disease or countless other complications. By the end of a 5 to 10 year cycle, only 50% of the oysters will have survived. And of the pearls produced, only approximately 5% are of substantial quality for top jewelry makers. From the outset, a pearl farmer can figure on spending over $100 for every oyster that is farmed, of which many will produce nothing or die.

Imitation pearls are a different story altogether. In most cases, a glass bead is dipped into a solution made from fish scales. This coating is thin and may eventually wear off. One can usually tell an imitation by biting on it. Fake pearls glide across your teeth, while the layers of nacre on real pearls feel gritty. The Island of Mallorca is known for its imitation pearl industry.

Natural pearls
There is no real commercial market for natural pearls. If you have a customer looking for natural not cultured pearls contact your customer reprsentive.

The difference between cultured and natural pearls is that natural pearls begin with no intervention from man.

Natural pearls are formed when a foreign object enters the shell of a mollusk and irritates the soft mantle tissue within. This irritant can be anything from a minute snail, worm, fish or crab to a particle of shell clay or mud. This object becomes trapped in a depression in the mantle tissue. This depression deepens until a pouch or sac is formed. The sac separates from the rest of the tissue and nacre-secreting cells within the sac secrets nacre over the irritant. This nacre builds up layer by layer. All of this occurs without the intervention of man what-so-ever. Most of these natural pearls are baroque - irregular in shape, either round or symmetrical. The longer the pearl remains in the mollusk, the more layers of nacre coat it. The pearl grows and so does its chance of becoming baroque.

X-ray technology is the best way to determine a natural pearl

Natural pearls today tend to be found primarily in older jewelry from estate sales, auctions, and so forth -- in other words, existing pearls rather than new ones. However, some natural pearl beds are being increasingly

harvestedCultured Pearl
The cultured pearl forms because someone inserts both a piece of mantle from a sacrifice oyster(so named because this oyster is allowed to die after the tissue samples are taken) and a nucleus ( which is most often a mother-of-pearl bead) are inserted into the mollusk. Freshwater pearls are mostly tissue nucleated only. No bead is used.
The cultured pearl forms because someone inserts both a piece of mantle from a sacrifice oyster ( so named because this oyster is allowed to die after the tissue samples are taken ) and a nucleus ( which is most often a mother-of-pearl bead ) are inserted into the mollusk. Freshwater pearls are mostly Tissue nucleated only. No bead is used.

Source: www.imperialpearls.com

Professional Eyeglass repair.

Todays' society is definitley a throw away society. In alot of areas it's cheaper now to throw something away and purchase a new one instead of having it repaired. One of the areas that doesn't follow this rule is the area of eyeglass repair.  Eyeglass frames can cost hundreds of dollars especially if you go for the specialty ones that are made of titanium. In todays' economy we all need to save as much as possible. Titanium is a very strong metal, but because of its' strenght it is also very brittle. When a pair of stainless steel frames break any good jeweler should be able to solder them back together. Titanium on the other hand cannot be soldered in a jewelers workshop and must be repaired using a laser welder.  Here at Parkers' Karat Patch, we can laser your broken frames back together while you wait for a reasonable price, saving you hundreds of dollars in costs.  So don't throw away those broken frames, Let us help you save money.

Why Should I Have My Jewelry Soldered Using a Laser?

Not every jewelry store has a Laser machine. This Hi-tech machine is used by jewelers instead of using a torch.

A torch uses a high heat flame to join two pieces of metal together. This method has been used since Cleopatra had her ring made by an artisan. A torch is usually safe and is used in over 90% of all jewelry procedures where you need to join or attach two metals together.

A torch uses heat and heat can be harmful to fragile stones. If a fragile stone, like an emerald, is far from the area of solder, then there is virtually no chance of harm,. But many times a repair is right near the point of solder. If stones are close then they will have to be removed and there is an extra charge because of the risk of breaking prongs.

A Laser machine joins two metals together not using heat, rather a focused light beam that melts a very small area of metal. The benefit is there is very little heat generated at the melt point, allowing the jeweler to weld within 1/2 to 1millimeter of heat sensitive areas. A laser weld is much stronger than solder and maintains the purity of the metal.

On most all items using a laser welder you will not be able to tell where a piece of jewelry has been repaired. Laser welding is the only way to preserve an antique piece of jewelry and its value.

How to clean: Detailed Tips for Care and Cleaning of Your Fine Jewelry and Watches.

Fine jewelry is meant to be worn and passed down to future generations. Taking simple steps to care for and clean your jewelry today, will help ensure that it will remain looking beautiful tomorrow. Each piece of jewelry and timepiece is individual and needs to be cared for differently. Below are detailed tips, broken down by jewelry types, to care for your precious baubles:

Diamond Jewelry

    Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.

    Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

    Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, 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.

    Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.

    Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle clean jewelry by its edges.

Colored Gemstones
    Many natural gemstones are treated or enhanced from the time they are extracted from the earth by one or more traditionally accepted jewelry industry practices. These treatments and enhancements can affect how you should clean and care for your colored gemstone jewelry. Consult your jeweler for more information on caring for treated or enhanced gemstones.

    After wearing, wipe your precious gemstone jewelry thoroughly with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth. This will enhance the luster of the gemstones and ensure that your jewelry is clean before storage.
Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches. You should be able to obtain these from your jeweler.

    Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to saltwater or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.
Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes before putting on colored gemstone jewelry. Make sure to wipe your gemstones after wear to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration.

    Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.
    If you have an active lifestyle, take extra precautions with some types of gemstone jewelry. Emeralds, for example, are brittle and should not be worn when doing household chores or any other activity where the stone could be hit or damaged.

    Be extra careful with ultrasonic cleaners. Some gemstones are fragile and can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaners. Consult your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure for your particular gemstone jewelry. Your jeweler is also a good source for any information on colored gemstones.

    Almost all colored stone jewelry can be safely cleaned using a mild soap and water solution and a soft brush.

    Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.

Karat Gold Jewelry
    Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned.

    To clean your jewelry at home, you'll find many commercial cleaners available. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask your jeweler to recommend both of these items for you.

    For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again, ask your jeweler to advise you.

     Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.

    You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones, because some stones require special cleaning procedures.

    Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone pieces.

Platinum

    Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry. Your jeweler can recommend a prepackaged jewelry cleaner that works with platinum, or ask your jeweler to professionally clean your platinum pieces. A professional cleaning every six months will keep your platinum jewelry in great shape.

    Store your platinum jewelry separately and with care, not allowing pieces to touch each other, because even platinum can be scratched.

    Signs of wear, such as scratches, can eventually appear on platinum. However, due to the metal's durability there is usually little metal loss from the scratch. If visible scratches do appear, your jeweler should be able to re-polish the piece.

    If your platinum is set with diamonds or other precious stones, be especially careful, as these materials can be more susceptible to damage. Some fine jewelry pieces combine platinum with karat gold jewelry. Care for these pieces as you would your gold jewelry, or consult your jeweler.

Sterling Silver Jewelry

    Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then pat dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use. Ask your jeweler to recommend an appropriate brand.

    Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually, so that they don't knock together and scratch.

    Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Your jeweler should be able to provide these. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products.

    Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage – this can cause silver to tarnish. And don't wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals.

Cultured Pearls

    Apply cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume before putting on any pearl jewelry. When you remove the jewelry, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth to remove any traces of these substances.

    You can also wash your pearl jewelry with mild soap and water. Do not clean cultured pearls with any chemicals, abrasives or solvents. These substances can damage your pearls.

    Always lay cultured pearl strands flat to dry. Hanging a strand may stretch the threads.

    Do not toss your cultured pearl jewelry carelessly into a purse, bag or jewel box. A pearl's surface is soft and can be scratched by hard metal edges or by the harder gemstones of other jewelry pieces.

    Place cultured pearls in a chamois bag or wrap them in tissue when putting them away.

    Cosmetics, perspiration, oils and ordinary wear weaken and stretch the threads on which the pearls are strung. Bring your pearls back to your jeweler for restringing once a year. Make certain the pearls are strung with a knot between each pearl. This will prevent loss of pearls if the string should break.

Watches

    No matter how handy you are, don't attempt perform watch repairs yourself. Only an expert jeweler/watchmaker should be trusted to put your watch back into working condition.

    Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis, making sure that the strap or bracelet is securely attached to the watch face.

    A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized dealer and serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

    Wind your watch in a clockwise direction, preferably about the same time each day. Remove the watch from your wrist when winding so as not to place undue pressure on the stem.

    Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately. Even a hairline crack can let dust and moisture into the timekeeping mechanism, threatening its accuracy.

    Unless the degree of water-resistance is clearly specified when you purchase your watch, do not wear it into the shower or pool, or on a moist wrist.

    Have your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized watch dealer replace the battery in a quartz watch before it runs out. Dead batteries left in the watch can leak or corrode, ruining the timepiece. Do not attempt to change the battery in a watch yourself. If your watch is water-resistant, a water-resistance test should be performed after the battery has been replaced to ensure that water will not leak into and damage the watch.

    Battery life varies considerably according to the type of watch and its functions. Refer to your owners manual for more information.

    Oils from your skin can build up on a watch. If your watch is water-resistant, you can give it a quick cleaning with a mixture of warm water and either a mild soap or a dish detergent. Dry the watch with a soft cloth after cleaning. If your watch has a strap made out of leather or another material, you should clean only the watch face and not the strap.

    If your watch is not water-resistant, or you're not sure, do not immerse it in water. Clean the piece with a slightly damp cloth and then dry.

About Us

This is our first post on our new blog. We are new to the blogging world so we'll see how it goes.

Parkers' Karat Patch has been serving the Asheville area since 1980. The Parkers, our store manager, Kristin and staff welcome you to visit our jewelry store located at 311 Weaverville Hwy. in North Asheville. The existing rock building that now houses The Karat Patch has been a landmark since 1938. With the help of local architect, Wade Macfie, the building has had a new roofline, decking and porch added to produce an attractive and easily recognizable, destination store with plenty of on-site parking.

As exclusive members of the two largest jewelry buying groups in the U.S., IJO (Independent Jewelers Organization) and RJO (Retail Jewelers Organization), the Karat Patch offers the finest selection of diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium and Colored gemstones from Idar-Oberstein, Germany, as well as custom jewelry designs, jewelry repair and engraving using our computerized engraving machine.

Corporate Values and Management Philosophy – Parkers’ Karat Patch has dedicated our business to the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our core values and management philosophy are structured upon biblical principles – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Parkers’ Karat Patch has prospered under the philosophy of giving extraordinary personal service with honesty and dependable work ethics. We believe in treating people as more important than things.

“Voted 2001 1st runner Up Best Jewelry Store” – Asheville Citizen Times
“Western North Carolina’s Favorite Jeweler – voted by the listeners of 96.5 WOXL Radio – Hometown Favorites 2005”