FAQ

Your most Common questions answered

 

 

Jewellery repairs and service

Q: Are your jewellery repairs done on site?

Yes, our boutique shop has a small jewellery workshop, where you can see our jewellers at work and ask them any questions.

Q: Do you change watch batteries?

Unfortunately we do not provide this service as many watches require pressure test and in some cases you need to take your watch to a recommended repair place to ensure your warranty is not voided.

Q: How often does white gold need rhodium plating?

It depends on each piece, how often you wear it and the type of jewellery (ring will wear off faster than for example a pendant). We recommend servicing your jewellery at least once per year, while serviced, the jewellery is checked, cleaned, polished and if necessary plated. Sometimes if your jewellery looks dull, simple clean while you wait is all that is necessary (sonic and pressure steam), but our jewellers will advise you what needs to be done and the condition of your jewellery once they have a close look at it. Regular service can prevent costly replacement of your diamonds or gemstones, as jeweller can point out wearing on your claws, or other issues.

Q: Do you do rhodium plating?

Yes we do, if the jewellery needs a basic clean, we can do it while you wait. For a full service (checking of settings, clean, polish and rhodium) we need about 48 hours, but in some cases longer. If you need a faster turnaround, please give us a call to discuss.

Q: How long does it take to have my jewellery repaired?

In most cases our turnaround is 2 -7 days, but it depends on each repair. Complex repairs can take longer, but we will advise you at the time of your visit.

Q: Can I speak to the jeweller?

Yes, you can ask them as many questions as you need.

Custom design

Q: Is custom ring more expensive than chain store bought one?

Store bought rings are often made overseas with lower quality Diamonds, less gold and therefore cheaper. Having a ring custom made doesn’t mean it has to be expensive, as we will work with your budget, but the price will be relative to the global cost of gold, Diamonds and Australian wages for highly skilled jewellers. Custom design allows you to have something unique, well made which will last for generations and yearly free after care, which we provide for every custom made piece.

Q: I have no idea about what design I want, can you help?

We have a team of highly skilled jewellers and designers, which are very passionate about jewellery and would love to help you find what you will love. Over the 30 years we have crafted thousands of pieces and our FB and Instagram are regularly updated showcasing our work. 

You can also try on jewellery from our collection to see what it looks like on you and if the piece you are after is for your partner, we can help with that too.

Q: Can I bring my own stone or diamond?

Yes you can, many of our clients have existing gemstones or jewellery they would like to have made into something new and unique. We will inspect the quality first as some stones can be heavily included or very poorly cut and in those cases we may not be able to work with your stone.

Q: How long does it take to make a custom piece?

It takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time you finalize the design, but we can work with tighter deadlines. Depending on what type of gemstone or diamond you are after, it make take us longer to source the stone and because the design is based on the exact dimensions, we can only commence crafting the piece once you choose the stones.

Engagement rings

Q: Is custom engagement ring more expensive?

Custom made doesn’t mean expensive as we can work with your budget. If you are comparing prices, make sure you are comparing apples with apples, as diamonds change in price dramatically depending on their grading.
We work with your budget, trying to get you the most for your money. Our engagement rings are made to last and always substantial enough in weight to withstand everyday wear.
Custom design allows you to have something unique, well made which will last for generations. Your fiancee will appreciate your efforts and you also get free yearly after care, which we provide for every custom made engagement ring.

Q: What if the ring doesn't fit, will you resize it for free?

We offer complimentary resize on our stock pieces (2 sizes up or down) at the time of purchase, but not on custom made pieces as you supply the finger size. If the ring does not fit once you propose, we offer a discount on the first resize, to make sure you are looked after.

Q: Can I bring my own diamond or gemstone?

Yes you can, we have created many rings with family stones which were passed onto our customers, Sapphires purchased on a holiday, or even mined by our clients. Some gemstones may need a little TLC if they have been worn for many years and have scuffed or chipped. We can have them re-cut or re-polished by our local cutter.

Q: How do I find her finger size?

Getting the correct finger size can be very tricky, especially if you live in Queensland.
Our fingers fluctuate depending on weather, time of the day, exercise, food/alcohol, and the list keeps going.

Our 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝟱 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 for yourself or if you are surprising your loved one.

𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨:
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲:
Avoid getting measured after big night out or workout….

𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀:
In warmer weather, fingers can swell, while in colder weather they might shrink…

𝟯. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗷𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂:
Experienced jeweller will give you advice on the best fit…

𝟰. 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Some materials and ring designs are harder to resize than others, some can’t be resized at all.

𝟱. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲:
If you have a larger knuckle, make sure the ring can slide over it comfortably.

𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡𝗘:
When surprising your loved one, there is a big chance you may not get it right. Choose a design which can be easily resized and also it is always better to go tiny bit larger, than too small.

𝟭. 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:
If your partner already wears a ring on the right-hand ring finger, you will be fairly close….

𝟮. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆:
Sometimes, close friends or family members might know their ring size…

𝟯. 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲:
Pretend you’re buying a ring for a relative…

𝟰. 𝗘𝗻𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝘁:
If your partner has a close friend who enjoys jewellery shopping…

𝟱. 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿:
If all else fails choose a common size (average women’s ring sizes are between K-N in Australia) and ensure the ring can be resized.

For more read our blog: FINGER SIZE

Q: I have no idea on design, can you help?

We would love to help. To know you are on the right path, asking your partner’s best friend can really clear up lots of questions. Many people have saved images on their phone from Pinterest or Insta, and that can make your job lot easier. The most important decision you need to make is the metal (yellow, rose or white gold, or platinum), but we will help with explaining the pros and cons to every choice and design and guide you as much or as little you will need. By the end you will be very proud and happy that you got involved as everyone loves it.

Q: What happens if my fiancé doesn't like the ring?

Our custom made pieces are non refundable, but we will guide you through the process to ensure your fiance will love the ring. In some cases it is ideal to involve your partner in the design process only and that way you are guaranteed YES.

Wedding and Eternity rings

Q: My engagement ring will not fit a straight band, can you help?

Fitted or custom made wedding band would solve the problem. We have made many fitted or unusual wedding bands to compliment our customer’s engagement rings. Come in and speak to our jewellers and discuss all your options

Q: How can I surprise my wife with an eternity band?

If you are our existing customer, we will have your information on file and can easily recreate a matching eternity. If you are not our customer, for us to create the eternity ring, we would need to see the rings before making the eternity ring for a close match.
You could offer your wife a servicing of her rings and while we have them in store, we can measure and size the new ring for the perfect surprise. We need about 4-6 weeks for completing the ring, but if necessary we can work with your deadline.

Q: How long before our wedding should we look at wedding bands?

We recommend at least 2 months before the big day, but earlier if you want to be super organised. Wedding bands are the most important part of the ceremony and perfectly fitting bands are a must. Some people especially men have tapered fingers and due to our hot humid summer and cool winter, sizing can be difficult. 

Your finger size can change from season to season as in summer we tend to retain more fluid. Exercise can also swell your fingers where the opposite, swimming or diving is the number one reason for loss of rings as your fingers shrink in cold water. For men not used to wearing rings, we recommend getting your ring little bit earlier and wearing it to test the size, as sometimes the ring can feel fine while trying it on in air conditioned shop, but after whole day on your finger, the ring can feel too tight and causing discomfort.

Q: When should I give my wife an eternity band?

This is the most debatable subject, as eternity doesn’t mean you should wait for an eternity.
Most commonly, eternity ring is given 12 months after the wedding (1st anniversary), first baby or 10 years of marriage, but it is totally up to you and your wife.

Metals

Q: Is 9ct gold better to wear (harder) than 18ct?

The answer is no. To keep the answer as short and simple as possible, 9ct gold has 37.5% of pure gold (375 stamp) and 18ct gold 75.0% of pure gold (750 stamp ), the rest are alloys. The wear ability has a lot to do with density and 18ct gold is denser metal than 9ct gold therefore most long term jewellery items like wedding and engagement rings are made from 18ct better wearing gold.

Q: Can I use my old jewellery to create new jewellery?

Yes you can, but it depends on what you would like to have made. Combining all different metals which may have different alloys can sometimes cause issues during the handmaking process (like metal cracking) or wearing the piece down the track.
Remelting old gold to make bangles, or plain rings is not a problem, but as soon as there are fine settings, we would like to use new metal for that section to guarantee our work.

If the gold is extremely sentimental to you, we can handmake your jewellery using your metal with a disclaimer, that we cannot guarantee if there are any issues with the metal once you wear it. In most cases we trade off old gold against the item you are having created and our customers are happy with that.

Q: What is the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum is a natural white gold metal with higher density than white gold, which also reflect on the weight. Same ring in platinum will weigh more than if the ring was made from white gold. White gold is a bi-product of yellow gold and palladium, sometimes platinum.

Q: Is old gold better than new gold?

All gold is recycled as no one would throw gold away. Our scrap/old gold is refined to pure gold and then the gold is reused again, (recycled). All our new gold is supplied from responsible sources, Australian mines or reputable bullion dealers in Australia or Europe that are all accredited.

Q: I found some gold (nugget), can it be used to make a ring?

Natural gold (nuggets) have impurities and sediments like quartz and rock material. For us to use it in making your ring, we need to have it refined to its pure form first. Once refined, we can alloy the metal to 9 or 18 carat to create your ring.

Diamonds 

Q: The 4C?

Cut
The beauty of diamonds is closely related to refraction of light. The cut of a diamond is rated from excellent to poor and we are all about the cut, so excellent cut is most important when choosing your stone.
Colour
Most diamonds used in jewellery have a tinge of yellow or brown. Truly colourless diamonds are more rare. Each diamond is graded by comparing it to a master set. Colours are graded from D to Z where D,E,F are in colourless scale.
Clarity
There are eleven clarity grades from Flawless to I3. Because diamonds were formed under enormous heat and pressure, finding diamond without any internal flaws is rare. Inclusions in your diamonds help gemologists separate natural diamonds from synthetics.
When we source diamonds we aim for VVS to SI1, no lower as larger inclusions can be seen with naked eye.
Carat Weight
Each carat is divided into 100 points. One carat equals to 200 milligrams in weight.
For example quarter of a carat is 0.25ct = 25 points of diamond and half carat is 0.50ct =50 points.

Q: Where do you source your diamonds from?

Our diamonds are sourced from reputable diamond suppliers we have been dealing with for many years.
If you are after conflict free Australian mined and certified white or pink diamonds, please speak to us as we have sourced them  for you. We can source diamonds of any colour (champagne, chocolate, yellow etc.), just ask us, so we can assist you.

Q: Can you re-cut diamonds?

Diamonds can only be recut by a specialised equipment and there are very few people in Australia that specialize in this. If you diamond is chipped, you can consider repolishing, but the process maybe quite costly and in most cases with older pieces when being remodelled, we can hide a small chip under a claw to make it less obvious.

Q: What is the best diamond shape for low maintenance?

Round brilliant cut is the best as when ideally cut the diamond refracts light in and out, keeping it sparkly even when dirty. The cuts that need the most maitnance (regular cleaning) are emerald cut, asscher cut, baguettes and some fancy cut diamonds. 

Gemstones

Q: What is the best gemstone for everyday jewellery?

Sapphires are the best choice due to their hardness and colour choice. We love working with Sapphires and must say they are our favourite coloured precious gem especially in engagement rings. Rubies have the same hardness but due to their natural inclusions, many Rubies tend to be a little more fragile.
Wear ability of gemstones falls back on the wearer, as if treated with care, even more fragile gemstones can be worn daily. The biggest enemies of gemstones are gym, gardening or any heavy work which may cause scuffing or chipping. Speak to your jeweller before choosing a gemstone and think about your lifestyle as sometimes customers aren’t aware and finding out more before your purchase can spare you from a dissapointment later.

Q: My ring has chipped and scuffed gemstones, can you fix that?

Depending on the damage, most gems can be re-cut or re-polished. This is specialised and not done by jewellers, but a gem cutter. If your gem is set in claw setting, removing it is easier, than bezel setting. If the gem is bezel set, we need to cut the stone out, have it re-polished and restore the setting before re-setting the gem back.
We use a local gem cutter and our turnaround is about 14 working days, but it depends on the workload at the time. Some gems are cheaper to replace than if you have them re-cut, but if they have a sentimental value, you can decide what is better for you. Speak to us first as our jewellers will give you their honest opinion.

Q: Can you source any gemstones and if so where do they come from?

We can source pretty much any gem you may desire due to our long term relationships with many gemstone suppliers locally and overseas. We only purchase from reputable sources and some of our precious gems come with an independent laboratory certification, like most of our Ceylon Sapphires in our collection.

Q: How do I clean my jewellery at home?

The easiest cleaning solution for most gemstones is worm soapy water and extra soft toothbrush.

Some gemstones cannot withstand sudden temperature changes, like Tanzanite, oil filled Rubies, Emeralds or Opals.
If you are unsure about what type of gemstone is in your jewellery piece, take it to your jeweller and ask for advice before cleaning it at home.

Gemstones dull off as dirt, creams and dust collect on the underside and regular quick clean will keep them sparkling in between your yearly service at your jeweller.

For that fast bling, put some warm water and dishwashing detergent into a cup and leave the ring in to soak for few minutes. With a very soft toothbrush, gently dab the underside to remove any dirt. Rinse in clean water and dry with soft cloth.

Sapphires can handle heat and using hot water is safe.

Do you have more questions? Get in touch with us