Have a question about a ring or piece of jewellery? Below are some sample questions we get asked. If you have a question that we haven't covered, drop us a note and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Q1: How mcuh should a person spend on an engagement ring?
A: There are no hard and fast rules.  Old guidelines suggested 2-3 months salary, but this often isn’t realistic in today’s world.  The decision of “how much” should more be governed by the tastes of the recipient and your own financial situation.  Social pressure should be the least factor to consider.  If you have a rough amount mentally set aside when you first begin looking, you are better able to focus your search, while still trying to remain somewhat flexible.  It is not usually difficult to balance ones’ taste and budget to find the ideal ring.

Q2: What's the difference between 10, 14 and 18 karat gold?
A: Gold is rated as a percentage of pure gold relative to alloy metals.  Pure gold is 24 karat, or 24 parts pure gold / 0 parts alloy metal.  In Canada, gold jewellery is most often sold as 10K, 14K, or 18K, IE: 10 parts pure gold / 14 parts alloy metals, etc.  Items made in Europe may be stamped instead with a number that expresses parts per thousand of pure gold; 10K = .417, 14K = .585 and 18K = .750.  Because pure gold is very soft and has little tensile strength, it is not very practical for use in jewellery, as it wears quickly and bends easily, as well as being much more costly.  Each quality has its own benefits; 10K is cost effective and if alloyed correctly can be slightly more durable than its higher karat counterparts, 14K is a nice balance between cost and quality and is much more readily available in fine jewellery.  18K is heavier, has a luxurious feel and is usually used in high end pieces

Q3: What is the difference between white gold and yellow gold?
A: White gold is created by alloying pure gold with all white metals to affect a permanent colour change in the metal.  The alloys used are nickel, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and others.  White gold is more durable than yellow because of these alloys, and is therefore used in diamond setting even in yellow gold jewellery.  The costs associated with white and yellow gold should be about the same.

Q4: What about Platinum?  Palladium?  Titanium?  Silver?
A: Platinum is a separate group of metals unrelated to gold.  The value of platinum is between 2 and 3 times that of 14K gold, but it has the distinct advantage of being naturally bright white and being very durable.  Palladium has some of the durability of platinum but is a greyer colour and is lower in price than platinum.  Titanium and Tungsten Carbide have enjoyed some recent success in wedding bands.  Both are durable but unfortunately must be cast in the correct size and are not sizeable in jewellery repair shops. Tungsten in particular is virtually unscratchable and unbendable, but these characteristics also make it very difficult to remove a ring that has become stuck on a finger due to injury, as it cannot be cut using conventional tools.  Silver is naturally white, very workable and very reasonably priced.  Its drawback is its strength, which is not sufficient to handle the setting of valuable stones.

Q5: Is it true that a lot of diamonds come from Canada now?  Are they more expensive?
A: Currently, Canada makes up about 15% of the world’s diamond production.  As older mines in South Africa reach the end of their production and more discoveries are made in Canada, this figure may change.  The inhospitable environment of the far north where Canadian diamonds are mined makes for high production costs, but in spite of this, the value of Canadian diamonds should be on par with their international counterparts.

Q6: The 4 –C’s of diamond buying.  I’ve been hearing about that forever.  Are they still something to consider?
A: Actually, using this formula is still very handy.  The four C;s are diamond characteristics;  cut, clarity, colour, and carat.  All these factors work together to determine the value of your diamond.  If you are working with a reputable jewellery store with knowledgeable staff you should have no trouble learning about and understanding these factors.  A diamond purchase is a major investment and you owe it to yourself to be well informed.  After all, you don’t purchase a vehicle solely because it is red!     

Q7: If I can’t find the ring I want, can you custom design a ring for me and my future wife?
A: Yes.  At Lothar Triebel Jewellers we were at the forefront of computer assisted designing when it first appeared on the market.  As well as that, we are able to accurately visualize and draw from the most abstract of ideas.  Our designers and goldsmith work closely with our casting firm to bring your dreams to life.  We have found that custom made pieces need not be out of range for the average customer as we are usually able to offer this service for only 15 to 25% greater cost than ready made pieces. 

Q8: What about the internet?  The prices look so much better there, why not just buy that way?
A: Buying diamonds and jewellery online can look attractive because of price, but you do owe it to yourself to consider all the factors when buying.  Most online “stores” do not actually carry a physical inventory.  Once you place an order they will go out and find that stone for you.  There is really no guarantee that the diamond you are buying has correct certification or that it is conflict free.  There are ways of artificially enhancing diamonds to improve their initial grading.  These enhancements reduce the value of the stone, are not necessarily permanent and often not disclosed at the time of sale.  Most reputable jewellers will not work with online purchased diamonds for this reason, so you may find yourself with a diamond that can’t be worn!  Plus, returns and warranty work can be a nightmare.  The vast majority of consumers still prefer to work with a bricks and mortar store where the after sales service is just as solid as the building itself!  However the images and styles available for viewing on the internet are limitless, which makes it a very valuable tool for deciding on designs you like.