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!

Lab grown diamonds. They catch your eye with their sparkle, and have been a symbol of love for centuries. And now, the same diamond that was once only available mined from deep within the earth, can now be created above ground!

Lab grown diamonds, according to the Federal Trade Commission, are exactly the same optically, chemically and physically, as diamonds mined from the earth. They are literally the exact same. So why are they suddenly becoming so popular?

Well, because they cost 30-50% less than mined diamonds, to start. And add on the fact that they are sustainable, or eco-friendly, and conflict-free. Lab grown diamonds are definitely becoming a main stream choice, especially among the millennial customers.

Here’s a guide to all you need to know about these new diamonds.

How much are lab grown diamonds?

Because lab grown diamonds are made, well, in a laboratory, the cost to manufacture them verses mining them is much less, resulting in a lower cost per carat.

An active diamond mine in South Africa.

There’s no need to buy permits, set up expensive digging equipment and camps, and then, perhaps pay tariffs to import the mined diamonds into a country. Those things add up!

They also take less resources to manufacture – there’s no soil to move, and less water is used in the process (18 gallons a carat for lab grown diamonds instead of 127 gallons of water for mined diamonds). That certainly impacts the cost!

In general, lab grown diamonds are 30-50% less than mined diamonds, depending upon the shape and carat weight of the gemstone.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

As Forbes Magazine recently reported, “A diamond is a diamond no matter whether it is grown in a lab or comes out of the ground.”

A piece of lab grown diamond rough crystal.

Both types of diamonds are carbon crystalized in the isometric system with a hardness of 10 on the mohs scale, with a specific gravity of 3.52 and a refractive index of 2.42. They are exactly the same chemically.

In fact, it takes very expensive and sophisticated equipment to tell the difference between them. In general, lab grown diamonds over .25 ct are laboratory graded and laser inscribed with the certification number.

Are lab grown diamonds worth it?

Lab grown diamonds cost less than mined diamonds because of the way they are made. Since they are sustainably grown above earth and leave a significantly smaller carbon footprint, compared to mined diamonds, they are not only ethical, but use less resources, so the price is lower per carat than mined diamonds.

Both types of diamonds are 99.95% carbon – the .05% is made up of trace minerals or impurities. Because diamonds grown in a lab are made in a controlled environment, these impurities have less impact on the diamond’s appearance, so they look like the best mined diamonds, yet cost 30-50% less.

A near perfect mined diamond.

Very high quality diamonds (like the famous Elizabeth Taylor diamond known as “The Krupp Diamond” – a 33.19 carat beauty) are called Type IIa diamonds. Extremely rare in nature, Type IIa diamonds account for less than 2% of the world’s mined diamonds. They are gorgeous because they are almost or entirely devoid of impurities, making them the purest form of diamond. Most of the lab grown diamonds that Scott’s Custom Jewelers sell are these amazing Type IIa diamonds!

What are lab grown diamonds called?

First, let’s start by telling you what they are not called!

• Cubic Zirconia, a man-made white stone commonly used in fashion jewelry
• Rhinestones
• Moissanite
• Simulated diamonds

The Federal Trade Commission requires that all lab grown diamonds be advertised as such, so there is no confusion between them and mined diamonds.

How are lab grown diamonds made?

The process of making a diamond in a lab is so cool! The pods look like something out of a Sci/Fi movie.

Lab grown diamond crystals are made in pods. The rough crystals are then cut exactly the same as mined diamonds.

1. First, a high quality, lab grown diamond seed is placed in a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) chamber, or greenhouse.
2. Then, hydrogen is pumped into the chamber and ignited. Methane, which is the source of carbon for diamonds, is introduced, and the diamond is left to grow, layer by layer, for about 12 weeks.
3. After growing, the rough diamond crystal is ready to be cut. Here’s where the skill of the diamond cutter comes into play. Using techniques that have been around for generations, expert diamond cutters cut, facet and polish the gemstones.

Pretty neat!

A gorgeous lab grown diamond, cut into a marquise shape and set in a custom band.

Lab grown diamonds are definitely here to stay. They offer an affordable, sustainable option to celebrate life’s big moments like engagements, weddings, anniversaries and babies. For more information, call our Columbus store at 614 336-4111, or stop by at Scott’s Custom Jewelers 6365 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, OH 43016 and see the for yourself!

Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!

Get The Whitepaper

What to consider when buying an engagement ring

So, how do you know what to consider when buying an engagement ring? No worries – we’ve helped thousands of couples design their perfect ring. And, we’ve even got ways for you to pull off a surprise engagement!

First, we’ll ask some questions

So many choices!

• What shape of gemstone do you both like (we’ll show you examples)?
• Do you know her ring size?
• What color and kind of metal do you prefer?
• What type of gemstone do you want in the engagement ring?
• If you’re looking for a diamond, do you want a mined gemstone, or a lab grown diamond?

Buying an engagement ring is probably the only decision you’ll have/get to make, on your own, on your way to the altar! And many couples actually do come in together to design their custom engagement ring.

What should I expect when I come to Scott’s?

Scott and Beth will help you find the perfect engagement ring!

If you want to surprise your soon-to-be fiancé, this is what to expect when you come to design your perfect engagement ring at Scott’s.

First off, you don’t have to have all the answers when you come in. We don’t expect it! Mainly because you won’t even know the questions! But you WILL ace this test – promise!

We’ll ask questions like, what is she (or he) like? What does she usually wear? What does she do for a living? What kinds of jewelry does she wear now? Does she spend a lot of time on Pinterest – let’s look at her page!

We can usually get a good feel for the style of engagement ring she’ll want with a little digging.

Now for the details!

Now we’ll get to the specifics. Details like, do you have a family gemstone you want to incorporate into this design? Inherited diamonds not only save you money, but they add so much history and emotion into a custom engagement ring. Even re-purposing small diamonds from say, a diamond heart pendant that her grandmother gave to her when she turned 18, can be used in a custom design. Or maybe your own parents have jewelry that they want you to use in your new piece. All of that is possible at Scott’s.

Re-purposing diamonds add to a jewelry story, and saves you money!

Mined or lab grown diamonds?

So, what if you don’t have any diamonds to use. No problem! We’ll help guide you on your diamond choices too (we love them all – we’re not diamond snobs!)

Lab grown diamonds come in every shape and size. The only difference between a lab and a mined diamond is where they come from – and the price!

Do you want to use mined diamonds, or lab grown diamonds? Both are diamonds (the Federal Trade Commission backs this up Forbes.com), but depending upon your budget, a lab grown diamond can save you 20-50% over mined diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are also more ecologically sustainable than mined diamonds. Either way, we have them both!

Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!

Get The Whitepaper

Size matters

By using sample stones, we’ll show you the sizes and shapes of the diamonds for your engagement ring. We find that a visual is helpful. And we’ll also explain all those letters and numbers – VS, SI1, G-H – that describe diamonds. They can be confusing, but we can show you the differences.

Seeing is believing

After we figure out the center diamond, Scott’s will start searching for diamonds in your price range and with your specs, for you to see in person. We believe you need to see and compare gems to make the best decision.

Seeing is believing – you need to compare diamonds to make the best decision.

We’ll call our many diamond sources and bring in 3 to 4 gemstones. You can then see the differences and make a better determination of which stone, as Grandpa used to say, “winks at you.” And since we don’t own the stones, we aren’t trying to push a certain diamond on you, because we need to get rid of stock. That really makes a difference to your bottom line!

It’s the benefit of internet’s vast inventory, but with the guidance of a professional. Really – you won’t make a mistake this way!

Finding out her ring size

Once we have the style of the ring, and know what our main, center stone will be, we need that ring size!

Nothing is worse than dropping to your knee, romantically proposing to your beloved, then finding out the ring is too small! No matter what her size is, she’ll think she’s too big, and the moment is ruined.

So, if we don’t already know the ring size, we’ll help you be super sneaky, and get it from her. If you can’t bring in a ring that she wears on her engagement finger for us to size, we’ll have you slyly put one on your finger, and where it stops, we’ll have you take a picture, then we’ll size YOU.

We’ll take it from here

Now your work is done, and you’re on your way to a beautiful custom engagement ring that will definitely make her say, YES!

Want to learn more about buying an engagement ring at Scott’s? Call 614 336-4111 to schedule your appointment today.

Ordering custom jewelry from Amazon or other online jewelry sites can be disappointing. What you see isn’t always what you get. And, unless the customer knows a lot about gemstones and jewelry making, they could easily be a target for scams.

At Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we take the “scary” out of custom jewelry so our customer’s will always be happy and confident with their beautiful new design!

So, How Do We Get Custom Jewelry Right?

• By involving our customers in every step of the custom jewelry design process.  From first pencil sketch of that special diamond engagement ring, to a 3D, actual-sized model of the piece, our customers are an integral part of every piece of jewelry we create.
• By educating our customers. Want a thin,delicate look for that engagement ring? No problem, IF we add strength to the design.

Let’s Start With the Custom Design Process

Scott’s starts every jewelry project with lots drawings and pictures. We understand that not everyone knows exactly what they want, but we’re experts at helping our customers find their own style.

And after we come up with an idea – we’ll create realistic photos of the piece using our unique CAD (computer aided design) technology, AND make a model with our 3D printer! At Scott’s. we believe seeing an actual replica of the finished piece of custom jewelry will eliminates any “surprises”. Best of all – we can make changes to the jewelry at any stage!

Education is Power with Custom Jewelry

Not everything we see on the internet is practical, especially in jewelry design. Want the look of a big diamond on a super thin, rose gold band? Wonderful, but we want our customers to know that those on-line pieces may not last up to the first anniversary! And there are other ways to create a thin look, without sacrificing style with some jewelry engineering.

Love morganite gemstones (we do!). Awesome, but understand that they are super soft gems, and are prone to scratching. So – don’t wear them to the gym!

And then there’s all kinds of options. How high should we set the diamond? Are there any family gemstones the customer wants to include in this new jewelry story? What kind of metal should we use? This is where working WITH the custom jewelry designer, not just ordering a piece off the ‘net, is the bomb!

A Low Price May Still Be Too High

It happens everyday. You order something off of the internet because of price. But in the end, it ends up costing more, because of other factors.

Recently, a young woman brought in her “new” diamond engagement ring, ordered off a popular on-line site. She was frustrated because the small diamonds on the sides of the band kept falling out. The company had already replaced a few, but it took 2 months for the work to be completed, and she was very unhappy with the results.

When we inspected it, we saw that the original ring had been sized down to fit her small finger (she wore a size 4), and because of jewelry physics, the act of sizing had made ALL of the side diamond loose. Also, the prongs that were holding the diamonds were super tiny. Plus, in the first repair, the on-line company had replaced the missing diamonds with even smaller, lower quality diamonds. It was very noticeable.

The solution was to remake the ring in her actual size, with the correct sized prongs (and matching diamonds). We reused the gems that she had, but she still had to incur the cost to make it right.

At Scott’s we are used to working with our customer’s via technology (we make custom jewelry for people all over the world), but know that the personal touch is the key to a satisfied customer.

Looking to learn more about custom jewelry design? Contact us today at Scott’s Custom Jewelers or 614 336-4111.

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.

There’s so many things that I love about being a jeweler.

First off, playing with beautiful, sparkly gemstones is an obvious perk for a glamour-lover like me. And don’t get me started with going to big jewelry shows – tables and tables of gorgeous pendants, earrings and RINGS! It’s always the rings for me.

Actually, most women prefer buying rings and bracelets, and men love purchasing pendants and earrings. Why? Because a woman can see and enjoy rings and bracelets on herself – they’re always in her sight. Men look AT their ladies and notice the pendants (because duh – look where they hang!), and earrings (eyes up here, please).

So, when C.J. came to us with an antique diamond pendant that she inherited from her grandma – a beautiful, filigree-style, with a cushion shaped diamond – she asked about making it into a ring.

After the glitter, my second favorite part of making custom jewelry at our Dublin store, Scott’s Custom Jewelers, is the stories. And nothing makes my heart happier than a good jewelry story.

Like when you see someone at the checkout line in Target, kids crying in the cart, but they’ve got a really funky, abstract, metal necklace on over their mom uniform, and you comment on how cool it looks. And they gush, “This? Oh, I got it at this at an art festival over in Upper Arlington, like 5 years ago! My husband and I went there to walk me into labor, because I was like 5 days past my due date. It was 100 degrees out, and I almost died of heat stroke, and was whiny and weepy, and then I saw THIS! So he bought it as a ‘push present’ which made me even more weepy – but I love it!”

A story.

C.J. wanted to wear her grandma’s pendant, but she already had a beautiful diamond pendant that she worn most of the time – with it’s own, personal story. But she remembered how she played with that pretty filigree piece, around her grandma’s neck, as a little girl. Such wonderful memories.

So, we started sketching those same curly designs into a band for a ring. Because it’s all in the details. That’s what makes a great story.

We all played with the designs – Scott, C.J. and myself, adding details and even some more diamonds, re-purposed from jewelry her mother gave her, until the new ring came to life.

With a back story and a new story, just waiting to be shared. We love our jobs!

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!