Dogeared Jewelry - perpetrating the myth

[pattye]

Look who's perpetrating the myth about pearls being started by a grain of sand:

card message: (comes with a little pearl necklace)
from humble beginnings as a rough grain of sand, the pearl slowly grows into an object of beauty and simplicity. symbolic of honesty, integrity, prosperity and wisdom. pearls represent the best within us.

http://www.dogeared.com/pearls-of-friendship-sterling-silver-reminder-necklace

I emailed them, advised of this forum, and that I was with the Pearl Police--will post any reply---

Gosh, just when we feel we are making a little headway---

 

[knotty panda]

Ok, I give. Is this someone who should know better? The name doesn't ring a bell nor does the contact person's name.

 

[pattye]

Well, their stuff is in Nordstrom, and who knows what other retail stores plus they have a big website--yeah, I think they should know better-------anyone who is selling genuine pearls in any form ought to have some basic knowledge----

 

[Heidi]

Nordstrom, various online sellers and Twist plus a bunch of small boutiquey apparel and gift stores. Nice selling concept but I hope they do correct their facts. Go Pattye!

 

[GemGeek]

They also need to say that the pearl is cultured.

 

[pattye]

Thanks Blaire and Heidi,

So right about the cultured pearls, Blaire, they need a pearl expert on staff, or maybe they would just like a paid consultant! Think they are down there in CA somewhere-----------

 

[knotty panda]

Oh wow! Now I see. I went to the "as seen in" section of the site and they are everywhere!

http://www.dogeared.com/as-seen-in

 

[barbie biggs]

Does anyone know what the term 'gold dipped' means. They use it a lot.
barbie

 

[jshepherd]

I *think* that it means gold plated.

 

[BeadersSecret]

It's a cheap gilding process.

A good quality plating has a certain amount of microns of gold.
Where this type of plating has only a sniff of gold!

 

[judimcc6]

With the price of gold upwards of $1200. an ounce, there is a lot of new verbiage about plated, vermeil, and gold filled findings...

 

[pearlescence]

When I first heard the term gold filled I could not figure it - and it still makes no sense really - I thought the gold was the filling on the inside somehow...but what was the point of that?

 

[Chameleon]

I am curious as well. Thought that "the gold filled" stood for the solid gold as some items are "empty inside". Now, reading Judi's post, I figured maybe it stands for some alloy that contains gold. Does anybody here knows what does the "gold filled" exactly stands for ?

Thanks!
Maria

 

[GemGeek]

Gold-filled, also called Rolled-gold is metal with a layer of gold no less than 1/20th solid gold, or 5%. Gold-filled jewelry should last a very long time - often a lifetime, even if worn daily. Gold plate and vermeil have much lower standards for thickness. At least when vermeil wears off, there's silver underneath.

 

[judimcc6]

Yes, gold filled is a completely confusing misnomer. The core of a gold filled piece is brass and the 1/20 gold overlay is heat and pressure bonded to the brass. The value of gold filled is greater than gold plated because it has an actual layer of gold not just a microscopic film (per Rio Grande verbiage). Gold plate and vermeil wear off pretty quickly, leaving a dull mousy surface.

 

[pearlescence]

I tend to try to use the term gold laminated - seems more accurate

 

[GemGeek]

The only problem here is the US has rules about how you describe things when you are selling them. "Gold-dipped" is unclear at best and misleading at worst.

Yes Wendy, gold laminated is a more accurate description, for sure!

 

[Heidi]

I actually see that term "dipped" a lot in the fashion jewelry world and have wondered if perhaps there was a technique or quality standards I hadn't heard about.

I've had good performance in my own jewelry with GF findings on necklaces and bracelets, and vermeil in earrings.

 

[BeadersSecret]

Gold filled - and rolled gold - are actually very long standing terms 80 to 100 years +

Rolled gold - technically speaking -only has to have one surface that is gold - gold filled on the other hand has both surfaces of the sheet being gold, sandwiching the basemetal (brass) between.

Being a physical bonding - it has a number of benefits over electroplating - whilst it is possible to make electroplatings of very high micron - there are issues such as seperation of the plating from the base metal - cracking - porosity.

Rolled gold\gold filled findings would be my first choice - if not using using carat\karat gold.

Plated findings - can be variable in quality depending on the supplier.

Vermeil - its pot luck

 

[pearlescence]

Does anyone know where I could get electrum? Apart from raiding a few tombs? I have a yen for this unusual mix