Category Archives: Gold

Storing Jewelry and One Big No-No

One of the most frequent questions you will get from clients is how to store jewelry. Here are some do’s and don’ts for metals and for beaded jewelry plus I’ve allowed myself to indulge in a short rant. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Gold, Manufacturing Tips, Sales | Tagged beaded jewelry, caring for jewelry, jewelry tarnish, jewelry trees, manufacturing beaded jewelry, metal jewelry, oxidation, storing jewelry

Tests for Precious Metals can Prevent Fraud

A news item drifted into my in-box confirming what many of us already knew: the price of silver is forecast to rise in 2012 and will likely top a whopping $40 an ounce before the end of the year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Gold, Manufacturing Tips, Reference | Tagged acid tests, jeweler's loupe, metal assays, precious metals, rare earth magnet, tests for precious metals

Jewelry 2011: Hits and Misses

With the close of the year, it’s time to take a look at the major jewelry news and trends of 2011. Here are my top picks offered with the caveat that these are purely subjective, reflective of my own interests … Continue reading →

Posted in Fair Trade, Gemstones, Gold | Tagged ATM machines, DeBeers, gold, Kate Middleton, Kimberley Process, Liz Taylor, Williamson Brooch

Vintage and Antique Jewelry into the Scrap Heap

The consequences of record high prices for gold go beyond the diminishing ability of pearl and bead stringers to use gold in their work. As of this writing, gold is north of $1,600 per ounce and at least one expert … Continue reading →

Posted in Gold, Jewelry Design, Jewelry History | Tagged antique jewelry, price of gold, scrap metal, vintage jewelry

Prediction: Gold to $1900 this Fall

As pearl and bead stringers, the price of gold is an issue for us. Although most of us are routinely using less costly metal, some clients insist on gold clasps and findings for their jewelry and some of us would … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Gold | Tagged gold, gold price predictions, price of gold

Be on Alert for Gold Scams

A recent spate of stories from Australia and Hong Kong may portend a troubling development for American jewelers, including bead stringers. The Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee, a not-for-profit U.S.-based watch-dog group, is reporting that “Hong Kong goldsmiths have been sold … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Gold | Tagged Gold Anti-trust Action Committee, gold counterfeit, gold scams, Hong Kong, Jeweller Magazine, Melbourne, scams