Author: Hesti

  • Twisted wire

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    Hesti
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    Twisted wire is when two wires are wound around each other to form one rope-like wire. The twisted wire can be used on its own, or it can be used as an embellishment in rings or around frames.  After twisting, the wire can be pulled through a draw plate, or rolled flat or square through…

  • Ear piercing

    Ear piercing

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    Hesti
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    At Altin Jewellers we have provided an ear piercing service ever since opening our retail outlet in Parkview Shopping Centre on 24 November 2012. The idea is to provide a service to our community and hopefully, as all of us who have had our ears pierced can remember where we had it done, win the…

  • Glue

    Glue

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    Hesti
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    Glue is used in jewellery manufacture to secure design elements that cannot be held or fastened with the usual methods of setting, crimping, riveting and soldering.

  • Calibration of gems

    Calibration of gems

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    Hesti
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    Calibrated gems in the jewellery industry are when gems are made available in standard sizes to simplify the design process for jewellers. For example: a jeweller knows when designing a ring that will be set with white round brilliant cubic zirconias, that they are available in sizes 1 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.75 mm,…

  • Hallmarking

    Hallmarking

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    Hesti
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    Hallmarks are small letters, symbols or numbers that are added onto jewellery items. The symbols have various meanings. They indicate: the metal alloy the piece was made in the place of manufacture the manufacturer The metal alloy Jewellery made from precious metals have to be hallmarked to indicate the alloy they were made in. The hallmark…

  • Protecting gems while soldering

    Protecting gems while soldering

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    Hesti
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    When doing repairs that require soldering on items that have gems in them, the jeweller needs to evaluate whether the gems will be able to withstand the heat needed to solder. Gems that cannot withstand heat may burn or discolour, and it will be safer to remove them first. Unsetting gems are not always an option…

  • Moissanite

    Moissanite

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    Hesti
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    Moissanite is the name given to the mineral silicon carbide (SiC), discovered in nature by Henri Moissan in 1893. Although moissanite occurs naturally, it is too rare to be mined, and right from the start efforts were made by scientists to synthesize it in a lab. The mineral’s optical properties and hardness reminds of a diamond’s,…

  • Removing glued gems

    Removing glued gems

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    Hesti
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    Every so often jewellers need to do repairs on items that have gems in them. If the repair requires soldering, then one needs to evaluate whether the gems will be able to withstand the heat required to solder close to them, or whether it will be safer to remove the gems first. Gems that are…

  • Cleaning your jewellery at home

    Cleaning your jewellery at home

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    Hesti
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    All jewellery eventually become worn and dull with wear. For scratched, dented and damaged surfaces you would need to take your jewellery to a professional jeweller to be reconditioned, but often a good clean is all you need to make a jewel sparkle like new.

  • Morganite

    Morganite

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    Hesti
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    Morganite is definitely a very popular gem at the moment, especially in vintage-style rings and surrounded by smaller diamonds. It is not difficult to see the appeal of Morganite. Its soft peach to pink colour and attractive transparency really shows off nicely, especially in rose gold settings, a metal that has also become more popular…