Tag: david craig
As a jewelry expert, David Craig Rotenberg wears many similar hats: estate dispute resolution counselor, gem advisor, jewelry lecturer and appraiser, to name a few. David is also frequently called upon to speak, testify or write about jewelry and gem appraisals. On the latter subject, most people, he says, don’t realize that the valuation process itself varies since replacement value (i.e. what it would cost to replace an item) can be very different from an estate sale appraisal for instance, which might be lower—what someone would pay to purchase an item in today’s market.
Last summer, David was asked by the American Gem Society (AGS) to contribute a piece to their blog. His article, “What’s That Bracelet (Really) Worth? , provides interesting advice on insurance and settlement appraisals and shows the reader how to find a top appraiser in order to be fully confident you’re in the right hands.
The AGS is dedicated to consumer protection, which makes it a natural for David who has been an active participant in the nonprofit organization for many years. He was awarded the title of Emeritus Certified Gemologist Appraiser (ECGA) by the organization in 2017 in recognition of his commitment to the jewelry industry.
Most recently, David again wrote for the AGS on the topic of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP). Here, he explains why a jewelry appraiser should become compliant in order to be “recognized as being one of the best in appraising in the industry.” David will be lecturing on the topic of USPAP Compliance in regards to colored gemstones at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair Tucson in 2020.
If you’re looking for one of the area’s most competent and trusted jewelry appraisers, contact David Craig Jewelers at 215-968-8900 or stop in to the shop located at 10 Summit Square Shopping Center in Langhorne, PA.
According to Forbes magazine, the coveted gold medals being handed out at this month’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics only contain about 6 grams of 24-karat gold. The rest of that medal weight comes from sterling silver, with the medal’s overall value worth about $570 in today’s market. But the awards going to these elite athletes aren’t the only gold objects that aren’t “pure,” and for very good reasons that don’t necessarily include price considerations.
Your Precious Metal Mix
“Pure” gold is 24K or “karats,” a purity measurement that shouldn’t be confused with the “carat” in a diamond which actually refers to the weight of the stone. That 24K ring, at a degree of purity of 99.95+%, might sound prestigious. But the reality is that rings made of pure gold will bend and scratch much more easily because pure gold is a softer metal.
Most wedding bands and engagement rings are probably 14k (58.3% gold) or 18K (75% gold) which means that the gold is mixed with other precious metals to add strength. These rings contain a bit less than 60% gold in order to hold up better with less signs of wear. They’re a perfect compromise for appearance, price and durability.
Gold-plated jewelry means a thin layer of gold is applied (bonded) on top of a base metal such as copper. Gold-plated jewelry will show wear and tear since, over time, the thin outer layer of gold fades and tarnishes. Gold-Filled is a name that’s a bit misleading since the “fill” or core is actually brass, copper or occasionally silver. A thicker gold layer (at least 5% to be considered “gold-filled”) assures longevity of up to 30 years.
A Rainbow of Colors
Yellow Gold is combined with alloys like copper and zinc to add strength. White gold is often combine with palladium, nickel (the nickel makes it harder; palladium is a softer metal) or silver and then covered (plated) with rhodium which gives it the whiter color. Both yellow and white gold can be good for long-term and constant wear.
Silver looks like white gold, and, while less expensive, is a softer precious metal and may tarnish over the years. That’s why “white” wedding rings, which are usually worn daily, are made of white gold or platinum (a rarer metal that’s even more expensive than white gold) instead of silver. “Rose” gold contains copper – the more copper added the stronger the “red” look of the gold.
We could go on and on. If you’re interested in finding your perfect piece of gold jewelry, come on in and speak to the experts at David Craig Jewelers. There’s David himself— he’s got a HEART OF GOLD— and a whole team of certified consultants —they’re also veritable GOLD MINES of information! We’d love to answer your inquiries about gold, diamonds, gemstones, appraisals, or any other jewelry-related questions. You can also give us a buzz at 215-968- 8900.
Claire Wiley met Skyler Borgman four and a half years ago while the two were living in Philadelphia. She was attending vet school at the University of Pennsylvania and he was working towards an MBA in Finance at Temple.
When Skyler proposed to Claire last month he did so with a romantic dinner, lit candles and a special family heirloom—the Bogach Diamond. The beautiful, European-cut stone was currently residing in a necklace. It was registered in MOND, the Museum of Named Diamonds, and had been passed down through the generations from its Ellis Island entrance into the United States with Skyler’s great grandmother.
Skyler (originally from Lansdowne, PA) and Claire (originally from Connecticut) knew just where to go when they decided to re-set this heirloom stone into a unique engagement ring for Claire—David Craig Jewelers. Claire was aware of David’s reputation as one of the area’s leading experts on gemstones since her mother had previously turned to the Bucks County jeweler to re-set her own engagement ring.
The young couple were happy to obtain Claire’s mom’s recommendation. They were delighted with the final ring creation which now boasts hand-set, natural light pink diamonds surrounding the family heirloom diamond. The main diamond is slightly elevated as David says, to “not only enhance its natural beauty but to signify its special history in the family.”
Says Claire: “I wanted a solitaire but David told us he could design something even more beautiful if we let him, and he was so right. My ring is more incredible than I ever could have imagined – we basically let David use his talents to create something and he presented us with this work of art!” The couple plan an August 5, 2018 wedding in New Hope.
We wish them much happiness and lasting joy!