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: "The gold price is so high right now.  Why is that and what does this mean for consumers?
A: The world price of gold is at record levels right now it's true.  Because of economic uncertainty in the world, investors turn to the commodity that has always been the most stable, and this is gold.  So of course as more money gets invested, the value per ounce continues to rise.  Ironically, if you compare the pattern of wage increases over the years to that of gold, gold is proportionally less expensive than it was 20 years ago, which makes jewellery still a good investment.  Manufacturing techniques have also been refined to allow companies to make jewellery that is proportionally lighter than its counterparts of yesteryear, without sacrificing quality (provided that the consumer is shopping with a reputable company) Gold and platinum are now represented as having a similar value per ounce on world markets, however, due to platinum's greater weight per volume, jewellery made from it still carries the greater cost.  It is also worth noting, that in the shadow of the gold price, silver has risen in price to roughly double its value in 4 years as well.  This will reflect in the price of silver jewellery.

Q2: "I have been told that my white gold ring has been "dipped" to make it whiter.  Explain this, please"
A: Virtually all 10 and 14K white gold jewellery is rhodium plated, and most 18K as well.  There is increasing pressure on manufacturers to remove nickel from the alloy mix due to its hyper allergenic properties.  Unfortunatley the addition of nickel was instrumental in making white gold brilliantly white.  True white can also be achieved using a more expensive mix of alloys, but this is problematic when trying to keep costs of white and yellow gold product the same.  So, enter Rhodium plating!  Rhodium is from the platinum family.  it is bright white, but too brittle to be used in casting jewellery.  However, using a electoplating process, it can be applied to the outside of jewellery.  The downside to it is the necessity of replating from time to time to maintain the look, and the problem of how "white" the original gold is under its plating.  Much of the jewellery made in Canada is already made from a high quality alloy mix and will still be very white underneath its plating, but no one can know for sure.  On the positive side, rhodium plating is not that expensive and can be done in a resonable time frame.  It is not quite as simple as 'dipping' (like chocolate!) but still readily available.

Q3: How much 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

Q4: 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.

Q5: 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.

Q6: 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.

Q7: 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!     

Q8: 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. 

Q9: 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.