Jewellery has been around since man first roamed the plains. Much like folklore, there are many myths associated with jewellery. The long and colourful history of wearing beautiful accessories has seen the emergence of local and global jewellery myths and we aim to debunk a few in this article.
Gold Comes in Many Colours
It might seem that way, yet gold is only yellow and other shades are due to alloy metals that are blended in with the gold when in molten form. White gold, for example, is a combination of nickel, palladium and gold. Rose gold, on the other hand, is made with silver and copper added to the gold.
Sapphires are Only Blue
A common misconception, while blue is the main colour, sapphires can be a range of colours. Impurities in the stone change the hue. Vanadium turns the sapphire purple, while iron will give the stone a yellow tinge. You can find unique bluey-yellows and light browns and if you deal with a custom jeweller, they can source coloured sapphires at trade prices.
Diamonds are the Rarest Precious Stones
A lot of people think that diamonds are the rarest of all precious stones, yet there are others that are harder to find. Painite, jeremejerite, serendibite and muskrovite are just a few examples. If you are planning a proposal in 2021, you can find loose Argyle pink diamonds for sale from a leading custom jeweller and having the ring made is no more costly than choosing an off-the-shelf ring. The Argyle pink diamonds are rare precious stones, especially now that the Argyle mine has stopped its operations.
Diamonds are Indestructible
While a diamond scores a maximum 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds can be scratched, which is why you should take care when wearing diamond jewellery. Certain chemicals can tarnish diamonds and other precious stones, so always remove your engagement ring when cleaning the kitchen or bathroom.
Pearls Dissolve in Vinegar
No one is quite sure where this old wives’ tale originated, but we can assure you this is not the case. It is actually possible for a pearl to be dissolved in vinegar, although the process would take days, if not weeks, but no one is going to do that. There’s a lot of information online about the composition of pearls, which will help you gain a deeper understanding of these beautiful creations of nature.
The Price of a Diamond Depends on the Size
While size is one aspect, a diamond is actually graded using the 4C method; cut, clarity, colour and carat. The GIA is the main global organisation that grades diamonds and when you purchase diamond jewellery, you should receive GIA certificates that detail the stone’s properties. Carat denotes weight with diamonds and if all the Cs line up, the stone would be very valuable.
Of course, there are many more unfounded myths connected to jewellery and with a trend for custom jewellery, should you wish to commission a special piece for your soulmate, Google can hook you up with a leading custom jeweller who can acquire loose stones at affordable prices.