Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

	How Long Have You Been In Business?
	How do I choose a jeweler?
	Is Gold a Good Investment?
	What's so special about gold anyway?
	What is fluorescence in a Diamond?
	Why are weddings bands worn on the left hand?

	How Long Have You Been In Business? We have been one of the top jewelers in central Pennsylvania since 1984. Back to Top
	How do I choose a jeweler? Purchasing a piece of jewelry requires important decisions. Just as you consult with other professionals for important advice, such as a family doctor or lawyer, you should turn to a professional jeweler to make a jewelry purchase a pleasurable event. How do you select a professional jeweler? The non-profit Gemological Institute of America (GIA) - considered the world's foremost authority on gemology - offers these valuable guidelines. First, a professional jeweler should have the knowledge and training to help you make an informed purchase. Look for credentials that indicate professional experience. For example, the initials G.G. (Graduate Gemologist) or A.J.P. (Accredited Jewelry Professional) after a jeweler's name indicate that the jeweler has had a high level of gemological training. In addition to product knowledge, a jeweler's reputation is one of his or her most valuable assets. Ask friends to recommend a jeweler, or ask a jeweler to provide references. Find out how long the jeweler has been in business, check for affiliations with industry associations and ask whether he or she is a member of GIA Alumni and Associates. If you are buying a diamond or colored gemstone, consider getting a report from an independent laboratory with your purchase. For example, professional jewelers worldwide provide independent diamond grading reports with their fine diamonds. The most widely used and respected are those issued by the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory, the inventor of the diamond grading system. A jeweler can even arrange to have a diamond's unique GIA Diamond Grading Report number, or even a personal message, laser inscribed onto its girdle (outside edge) for easy identification. Be sure to ask jewelers about the types of services they provide - such as repairs, appraisals, and inscriptions - the range of products offered and the store's return policy and credit terms. For more information, please contact us. Back to Top
	Is Gold a Good Investment? Gold can protect your assets against inflation and safeguard your long-term purchasing power. Gold's purchasing power - the quantity of goods and services that it will buy is remarkably stable over the long run, making it an excellent hedge against the inflationary cycles that afflict most modern economies. For example, the price of the average American house in 1975 was $39,000; by 1986 that same house cost $92,000. But its real value as a place to live was exactly the same; the rise in price largely reflected a declining dollar. In contrast to the dollar, gold's value held steady: the typical house could be bought with about the same amount of gold in 1986 as in 1975 - 251 versus 244 ounces. Back to Top
	What's so special about gold anyway? While a complete response to this question would encompass volumes of books, there is one thing I can tell you for certain - gold is the asset you want to hold in a crisis. After all, gold is real money. This fact was never more dramatically demonstrated than in Asia. Those who owned gold in Indonesia or Malaysia saw the price of gold explode when their local currencies collapsed. If there is a major financial downturn or an oil shock, gold will be one of the best investments you can own. Gold has intrinsic value that no other investment can offer. It can not be created out of thin air by bankers or politicians and is expensive to find. Tons of rock must be crushed to produce just a single ounce of the metal. Back to Top
	What is fluorescence in a Diamond? Fluorescence is the effect that is seen in some gem-quality diamonds when they are exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light (such as the lighting frequently seen in dance clubs). Under most lighting conditions, this fluorescence is not detectable to the eye. However, if a diamond is naturally fluorescent, it will emit a soft colored glow when held under an ultraviolet lamp. Fluorescence is not dangerous to the diamond or to the wearer; it is a unique and fascinating quality that occurs naturally in a number of gems and minerals. Blue-White is a very old term that is now carefully controlled by the FTC because of misuse and scams in the past. You may be under the impression or may be told that it is a better diamond, but actually it is just the opposite. Blue-white refers to the fluorescence that results in natural light, which contains ultraviolet wavelengths. Strong blue fluorescence actually makes a colorless diamond look a little oily or milky in sunlight. This decreases its value. However, for stones with a faint yellow color, a moderate amount of fluorescence can make it look whiter because it cancels some of the yellow. Our advice is to avoid anyone using this term because they are violating the law and should know better. Back to Top
	Why are weddings bands worn on the left hand? The ancients believed that the third finger, left hand, had a special vein vena amoris, the vein of "love" running from this finger directly to the heart. While having no basis in scientific anatomy, the romantic custom still stands. King Edward VI of England designated the third finger, left hand, as the ring finger and in 1549 the Book of Common Prayer designated the left hand as the marriage hand. In all ancient cultures the circle was considered to be the symbol of perfection; it is perfect unity, without beginning or end. It is the symbol of the sun, earth and universe, and represents holiness, perfection and peace. The caveman bound himself to his mate with a cord of woven rushes to symbolize their spirits as one. The ancient Northerns believed that a lovers knot symbolized love, faith, and friendship. The hair of the beloved was woven into such a knot, and was worn as a ring. Among the Anglo-Saxons a part of the "wed" was a ring worn on her right hand. Out of such diverse beginnings have evolved our engagement and wedding rings. The word "betrothed" derives from the Anglo-Saxon "troweth", meaning truth. Thus betrothed means giving a truth or pledge. The engagement ring indicates to all that she has pledged her love to one man. The Greek "adamant" means steadfast or invincible, and it is from this word that the diamond gets its name. Diamonds were believed to be invincible, chosen to symbolize purity and light, and as protection against the dark forces of evil. It was believed that its sparkle arose from the lovers' fires, and that it possessed great harmonizing powers. The icy fire of the true white diamond is still the symbol of love. Maximillian of Austria really wanted to marry Mary of Burgundy, but was afraid she would not accept his proposal. He was advised to buy her a diamond. He did, she accepted, and they were married on August 17, 1477. This is the first reported diamond engagement ring. The wedding ring is the concrete sealing of the marriage pact. In every ancient culture can be found rings with inscriptions and designs denoting them as marriage rings. In the 12th century Pope Innocent the Third ordained that marriages must be celebrated in the church, and that the ceremony must include a marriage ring. Consequently, the wedding ring has a religious significance that is lacking in the engagement ring. The wedding ring is placed on the ring finger first to be closest to the heart. Back to Top

The Prospector Jewelers
1514 Cove Lane Road
Martinsburg, PA 16662
814-793-4479 Fax: 814-793-4808

Monday - Friday 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday 10:00am-3:30pm

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