Alright, I’ll admit it. The jewelry industry has a TON of acronyms, but seriously – carat and karat? They mean two different things in the jewelry industry but are pronounced the same. We’ll explain the difference between these non-veggie words, plus other jewelry terms you may hear when looking for that special engagement ring or custom wedding band. So here they are from A to Z!

Alloy

An alloy is a mixture of metals and/or another element that, in the jewelry industry, are added to pure gold to make it hardy enough to actually wear. At Scott’s, we cast all of our gold and silver jewelry ourselves. So we have to carefully weigh and measure the alloys and the pure gold nuggets, then we melt them together and pour it into the jewelry mold. It’s like a bakery over here – only we’re making a very sparkly cake!

Basket

A basket is a small, wire-shaped form that holds a gemstone. It can have tons of shapes, but usually resembles … a basket!

Bezel

A bezel is a metal (we use gold, silver or platinum) band with a top edge, that is set over the stone to hold it in place. It’s like a metal “donut” and is very secure.

Carat

Ahh, the jewelry term that started it all! A carat with a “C” is a unit of weight for gemstones. It’s the readout on the scale, and, unlike when I get on the scale, the bigger the number, the better!

Channel Set

Another way to secure a gemstone. Channel set is when stones are held in place by a slight rim of metal that runs along the edges.

CAD

Computer Aided Design. That’s how we make most of our jewelry here at Scott’s. We use a special engineering type program that lets us design jewelry around your gems or your idea! Then, we can actually make pictures of the piece and send them to you before it’s even been made. It’s very cool!

Diamond

This one used to be easy, but now we have mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds. Mined diamonds are found in the earth, while lab grown diamonds are made above ground in a lab. Both are the same physically, chemically and optically, and both come in a variety of shapes, grades and colors. Typically, lab grown diamonds cost 30-50% less than mined diamonds.

Emerald vs. Emerald Cut

An emerald is a beryl gemstone that is green. It can be found in many shapes, including an emerald cut (see – I told you jewelry terms were confusing!) Emerald cut is a square or rectangular shape with edges that are faceted, or cut on angles.

Facets

Look at a gemstone up close. Do you see all of those cuts? Those are facets. They’re made to shape the stone and to enhance the shine. They act as reflectors and bounce the light around. The more facets in a diamond, the more it sparkles!

Karat

Karat with a K – this refers to the total weight of gold alloy in jewelry. 24 karats is pure gold, but because of its softness, pure gold is not suitable for making jewelry that is worn everyday. Usually a mixture of elements (these are alloys) including copper, silver, and zinc are added to pure gold to strengthen it. How much that is added determines the color and karat of gold. In the United States, jewelry is generally made with 10k, 14k and 18k gold.

Moissanite

Diamond on the left, Moissanite on the right.

This is a faux, branded diamond simulate. It does not perform the same way as a mined or lab grown diamond, and it tends to have a bluish tint to it in larger sizes.

Pave

Pronounce “pah VAY”, this is a method of setting small diamonds very close together. They look like the gold is paved with diamonds!

Prong Set

Another jewelry term and a way of setting gemstones. Small metal claws, or prongs, are shaped and bent over the stone to hold them in place.

Rhodium

White gold is naturally yellow, so we plate it with rhodium to make it whiter.

Rhodium is a non-tarnishing white platinum metal that is plated over white gold to make it whiter. Some better quality sterling silver jewelry is also plated with rhodium to keep it from turning black and tarnishing.

Shank

Not a prison weapon. The shank is the part of the ring that encircles the finger.

Zoom

Not *technically a jewelry term, but we use Zoom, and other digital media to provide virtual jewelry consultations with our customers all over the world!

The leaves are turning colors, there’s a nip in the air. This must mean it’s football season. Oh yes, and wedding season too! Which also means there will be anniversaries to remember, which then means you need a gift! No sweat – Scott’s has you covered! Here’s a roundup of the best jewelry anniversary gifts for her that will make you look like a hero!

You can’t go wrong with a diamond anniversary band

Anniversary bands in yellow, white and rose gold.

Remember when you slipped that wedding band onto her finger? So much emotion and celebration wrapped up in a symbol.

I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret: she loves that band – AND SHE WANTS ANOTHER ONE!

Some ladies want a matching ring to snug up on the other side of her engagement ring, especially if she’s the all-about-balance type. A diamond anniversary band, made exactly like her existing wedding band, would get you the same response as that original wedding ring!

But, some woman love contrast, so a diamond band, maybe in another color of gold or platinum, or even with a different shape, would be a great gift.

Diamond studs from her stud

Classic earrings with lab grown diamonds.

Here’s the thing, anniversaries (and birthdays) that end in 0 or 5 are kind of a big deal. A new vacuum cleaner just isn’t going to do it. You need the big guns – a classic pair of diamond stud earrings.

And now that lab grown diamonds are “a thing”, you won’t need to take out a second mortgage to impress her! Gorgeous lab grown diamonds, simply set in 14k white gold, are 30-50% less than mined diamonds, AND they are eco-friendly.

A bracelet with a story: The power of custom charm bracelets

There’s something special about a bracelet. Women love them because they can SEE them all.day.long. And a bracelet with a story – that’s even better!

One anniversary, Scott gave me a 14k gold charm bracelet, already filled with charms that represented our life together. Like a clarinet (because we sat next to each other in 7th grade band), and a Phantom of the Opera mask, for our first Broadway play. It’s one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry, ever.

The 14k charm bracelet tells the story of our life together.

What about a custom bracelet engraved with the coordinates of the place you first met? Super romantic!

A special pendant

Since sometimes we can all be pains in the neck, a special pendant can help balance it all out!

Hearts and crosses have always been popular, but how about something different – like a pendant with a moon and a star? Women love this – trust me! Perhaps a pendant with the gemstone of your anniversary month, or even one with all of the birthstones of your family.

A custom family necklace with birthstones of everyone would be a great anniversary gift!

Also popular are monogram necklaces. Either her own initials, or even just the initial of your last name. Something simple enough to wear everyday.

A custom initial necklace, with a diamond or even a birthstone, would make her day!

And you can’t go wrong with a diamond solitaire pendant. This will always be in style!

A wedding ring makeover

A wedding ring makeover makes a fabulous anniversary gift.

If you’ve been married for a while, it may be time to makeover that wedding ring.

Since she wears it every day, over time, it does wear out! Something as simple as a Spa Day for her ring, where the stones are tightened, the ring is deep cleaned, polished and rhodium plated (if necessary) can bring that baby back to it’s original glory!

But maybe that ring is … dated. Or maybe you want to upgrade her original center diamond with something bigger, now that you’re not 25 anymore and actually have a job A wedding ring makeover is super fun, and if you reuse those diamonds, it’s also very affordable! This may be the perfect time to add diamonds to her ring that she’s inherited from family too. Scott’s has made it very easy to restyle your wedding ring with advanced visualization technology and 3D printers.

There are so many great jewelry gifts to celebrate an anniversary. Want to see more? Call us at 614 336-4111 or stop in at Scott’s Custom Jewelers. We’ve got you covered!

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Why should you update your wedding ring?

Your wedding ring is still very important, and at Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we understand the sentiment. In fact, we embrace it!

You may consider updating your wedding ring when:

• The ring needs a major repair
• It looks out-of-style (the 80s called, they want their ring back!)
• To celebrate an anniversary or birthday
• You want to add diamonds that you’ve inherited to your wedding ring

Wedding rings are a symbol of love and commitment, but it is okay if you want to update them. In fact most people do make some changes to their rings during their marriage. It’s a very personal decision, but here are some views on this subject from TheNest.com.

5 Ways to Update Your Wedding Ring

There’s so many ways to update or restyle your wedding ring! In fact, it can be a little overwhelming. But no worries – we have thousands of ideas and can help you find the perfect new style. Plus when you restyle your wedding ring instead of buying a new one, you will save money. And that’s always a win!

There’s tons of ways to change your ring. Here’s 5 simple ways to update your wedding ring.

1. Add a custom diamond halo

Diamond halos are a great way to make you original engagement ring look bigger, without the cost of buying a new one! Plus, you get to keep your memories. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern looking halo, or a beaded, vintage-inspired one, diamond halos are magic!

A custom diamond halo with a vintage, beaded edge.

Many times, you can simply add the new diamond halo to your existing wedding ring. In fact, this is a great option if you still love your wedding band, but there’s damage or wear to the main gemstone.

2. Reset your diamonds into a new custom wedding ring

If your wedding ring is looking dated, then taking out the diamonds (or adding more!) and creating a new custom wedding ring is the answer.

Diamonds from several pieces of jewelry were rearranged into this custom diamond wedding ring.

We’ll help you find your style, then rearrange those diamonds into a new design with CAD technology. We’ll be able to send you pictures of the new ring BEFORE it’s been created, let you make as many changes as you need (without a design change fee too!), then make an actual 3D printed model of the piece, place the stones in it and let you try it on! And if you have changes, again, no worries!

One of the benefits of Scott’s is that you work directly with the designer. So there’s no “lost in translation” or misunderstandings about the look you’re trying to achieve. If you say, “move that diamond over a skosh” we can do that right before your eyes. It’s easy, affordable and fun to make a new custom wedding ring at Scott’s!

3. Add some bling to your ring!

Sometimes, all it takes to change your wedding ring is to add some more sparkle!

Adding diamond bands to an existing ring really changes the entire look!

We can frame your engagement ring with new diamond bands (adding white gold diamond bands to a yellow gold ring is a great combo!), or maybe pave set small diamonds into your wider ring. We’ve even re-purposed an unworn pair of diamond earrings into rings to create gorgeous, three-stone designs! The possibilities are endless!

4. Chose a new center stone

Maybe a new center diamond is on your wish list. No problem – we’ve got so many to chose from! Whether you want to swap out your engagement ring diamond with a mined, or even one of the new, lab grown diamond, we can help you out. We’ll bring in an assortment of diamonds, hand-picked just for you, and let you find the stone that “winks at you”, as grandpa used to say!

A new diamond center stone can change the look of any ring!

You can even use a family heirloom diamond as your new center stone. Scott’s can help you out with tons of options.

5. Add some color

Maybe you’d rather see a beautiful colored gemstone in your ring. We can help you chose a gem that will work with your lifestyle (some gems are softer than others, and not as durable for everyday wear).

A gorgeous blue sapphire in rose gold is a new trend in engagement rings.

Fun Fact: Did you know that sapphires are the second hardest gemstone, besides diamonds? AND they come in every color of the rainbow! Plus, you can choose from mined sapphires, or lab grown sapphires.

Another way to add some zest is to use different color gold against your ring. Updating a yellow gold band with an edge of white gold, or adding rose gold to a white gold wedding set is a fun, and inexpensive way to change things up!

“Your wedding ring is still important, but there’s nothing wrong with updating it after awhile!”

You’re not wearing the same clothes that you did when you first got married, so it’s okay to also change your ring style. And by reusing your diamonds, or adding gems that you’ve inherited along the way, you’re simply adding to your jewelry story. Just think of it as a new chapter!

Have additional questions about how you can update your wedding ring? Get in touch with Scott’s Custom Jewelers today!

Scott and I have six kids, ranging in age from 15 to 24.

So far, no weddings — thank goodness, because we’re not ready for that yet!

But we do have a “bonus” daughter: Sarah.

How Sarah Became Part of Scott’s Custom Jewelers

Sarah started working for us at Scott’s Custom Jewelers right out of high school.

She was toying with the idea of becoming a jeweler and wanted to test the waters.

We loved having her with us. As we grew and moved our custom jewelry store out of downtown Akron and into Fairlawn, OH, Sarah followed us.

She studied Jewelry Craft at Kent State University, and while she went to school, she continued to work for us part time.

Why Sarah Felt Like Family

Working with Sarah was a treat.

She is a feisty little Italian/Irish beauty who not only knew how to make jewelry, but was also a great sales associate.

She is engaging, sweet, and really knew how to make our customers happy.

Most people assumed she was one of ours — and we may have let them believe it, because we felt like she was!

Designing Sarah’s Custom Engagement Ring

So, when Sarah started dating Shawn, we kind of knew he was “the one.”

And when Shawn came to us to custom design her diamond engagement ring, we were both honored and, truthfully, scared.

This ring had to be perfect.

We knew what kind of diamond ring she would want. Working in a custom jewelry store, Sarah and I had seen a ton of beautiful engagement rings.

Shawn picked out a stunning oval-shaped diamond, and Scott started sketching.

Adding the Details Sarah Would Love

Sarah is a girly girl.

Flowers, butterflies, pink, and plenty of sparkle — it all needed to be in this ring.

We started with the center stone. It was a beauty, and adding a custom diamond halo made it crazy gorgeous.

The band was designed as a twisting duo of diamond ribbons. This not only added character to the ring, but also helped give it stability so it wouldn’t turn on her hand.

Under the center diamond, we cut out images of butterflies on the basket.

And of course, we added more diamonds there too.

A Rose Gold Engagement Ring Made Just for Her

Sarah had let us know years ago that a rose gold ring would be her choice.

That was a no-brainer.

The combination of pink, diamonds, and swirls made this custom engagement ring a showstopper.

We just knew she would be floored with it.

She was.

The Perfect Wedding Band

Even better?

Her wedding band.

A shadow eternity band of rose gold and diamonds was the perfect complement to the engagement ring.

Thank You, Sarah and Shawn

Thank you, Sarah and Shawn, for letting us be such an important part of your life together.

I mean, not many people can pull off wearing studded dog collars to work. Although at Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we can be a little more daring!

But at last week’s Grammy Awards, there were plenty of jewelry hits that just about everyone can wear.

The Choker Is Back

Jennifer Hudson looked stunning in a diamond choker.

Take the choker, for example. It’s back, and this delicate jewelry style looks amazing, especially with asymmetrical necklines.

Remember those thin seed pearl necklaces from the 80s? The ones sitting at the bottom of your jewelry box?

Restringing them into a simple choker is a great way to recycle your jewelry and stay in style this spring.

Try Vintage-Style Jewelry

Speaking of recycling, the Grammy Awards featured a lot of fabulous vintage-style jewelry.

Try wearing Grandma’s rings, sized to fit your index or middle finger. It’s a simple way to make a meaningful piece feel fresh, stylish, and wearable again.

Pair Big Rings With Thin Bracelets

A large citrine and diamond ring looks balanced with a thin sparkle bracelet.

Big rings and thin bracelets look especially good together. This combination can be both casual and dressy.

Scott’s Custom Jewelers’ thin sparkle bracelets are a perfect complement to any style ring.

Stack Multiple Rings

Ariana Grande wore her grandmother’s jewelry to the show.

Another trend spotted at the Grammy Awards was multiple rings on each hand, as well as stacking rings.

This year, it’s all about the fingers — not the bass.

Scott’s Custom Jewelers’ blue and pink sapphire square-shaped stacking rings, along with a diamond band, look amazing together or alone.

Go Bold With Black and White Jewelry

Colored gemstones are always popular, but black and white combinations stole the show.

Whether it was black diamonds or onyx, the bold look was very polished.

Translating that look for everyday wear is easy.

Kat Graham rocked her black and white diamond earrings, showing how stylish and wearable this trend can be.

Make Award Show Jewelry Work for Everyday Style

Sterling silver and a black-and-white crystal pendant can look dressy for dinner.

Or, change out the chain for a black cord, and you’re rocking your yoga pants at the grocery store.

No judgment.

A cubic zirconium pendant also adds a lot of bang for the buck.

Revamp Your Jewelry Box in Columbus, Ohio

This year, dressing like the stars is more of a fashion hit than ever before!

Stop into our Columbus, Ohio location and let us revamp your jewelry box.

Take wedding bands. We used to make a lot of very standard diamond wedding bands at our Dublin custom jewelry store, Scott’s Custom Jewelers. And they’re great! (I happen to have one or three!)

But recently, we’ve been designing some GORGEOUS custom wedding bands that break all of the rules.

My new favorite is the crown wedding band.

This style looks amazing on it’s own, but when it’s paired up to a diamond engagement ring – wowsa!

This particular band, like most of our jewelry, was inspired by a bunch of things – a picture, some inherited diamonds and details from T.L.’s original diamond engagement ring (which we also created using our special computer aided design/CAD technology & 3D printer).

T loved the marquise shapes in this photo, but only wanted half of this design. Plus, her engagement ring had some fabulous scroll work and a small diamond on the side of the ring that she didn’t want to cover up. So we went to work.

Oh – did I mention that now T lives out of state? Not a problem with all of the technology out there! With our computer aided design program, we were able to design the crown ring, send pictures and even a 3D printed model for T to actually try on for size.

The end result. We think it’s beautiful, unique and certainly not something you’ll see on everybody!

But the best part about making a custom ring at Scott’s is that YOU are the designer! Of course, we’ll help you find your style, but being a part of creating your own jewelry is a rush.

Want some more inspiration? Take a look here.

And about the rumor that custom jewelry is more expensive. Nope. Custom doesn’t cost more (especially if you’re recycling your own gems and gold). It just means you’re not sacrificing style and fit, which actually costs more at the end.

Stop in and let us make your jewelry dreams come true!