Jewelry by Yvonne Custom Made Fine Jewelry

Jewelry by Yvonne

Frequently Asked Questions

(1) What is your guarantee on your jewelry?

(2) What about returns?

(3) Who is Yvonne?

(4) What is your Privacy Policy?

(5) What is gold filled wire? And other jewelry terms!
Be an informed buyer.

(6) How do I convert mm to inches?

(7) How do I care for my jewelry ?

(8) Birthstones - Birthstones listed month by month.

(9) Still more questions? Talk to Yvonne at 1-877-824-9634 (This is a toll free number)
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday - Saturday

(1) All jewelry is GUARANTEED to be free from defects in craftsmanship and materials on delivery.
Should the jewelry fail, and examination reveals it was due to negligence on my part I will repair or replace the item at no additional cost.

(2) Jewelry that is not created as a special or custom order may be returned for REFUND, CREDIT or EXCHANGE within 7 days of date received as long as the item is in its original, unused condition, with no missing, broken, or exchanged stones and the finish of both metal and stone(s) is unscratched and unmarred. E-mail before returning the item to obtain a return authorization number, otherwise the package cannot be accepted. Any scratched, altered, blemished, used/worn or broken items are not eligible for a refund or exchange unless the damage occurred during the original shipment, or unless the item(s) were flawed due to my fabrication error. Original shipping charges and credit card fees are not refundable.

(3) I'm a Jewelry Artist in Mariposa, California. I live approx. 30 miles from Yosemite National Park. I'm a active member of the Mariposa Gem & Mineral Society. I've had an eye for design and have been creating jewelry since 2000. I create jewelry with Wire Wrap, Bead Work, Silversmith, Dichroic Glass & I also make Flamework Beads. I learned how to wire wrap in 2004 and have been really enjoying the creativity it allows me. I continually love to learn new techniques, so I'm always exploring different ways to make jewelry. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I've enjoyed creating it.

(4) At Jewelry by Yvonne we respect your privacy. Any information collected is strictly for the purpose of processing your order and adding you to my subscriber list. The information gathered will not be traded, sold or compromised under any circumstances.

(5)

GLOSSARY OF WIRE JEWELRY TERMS
ALLOY: The combination of metals in set proportions to give the resulting alloy better or different characteristics. For example, pure gold (24K) is much too soft for most jewelry applications, so small amounts of harder metals such as copper, silver or nickel are added.

ALPACA: A silver substitute which is an alloy of approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel, 20% zinc and 5% tin.

ALUMINUM: An inexpensive, lightweight and very malleable metal that is silver-white in color. In the past, it was used for very inexpensive jewelry, but is now the metal of choice for everyday items, from kitchen foil to engine blocks. Aluminum is also used in many alloys to improve malleability.

ANNEAL: The process of heating glass or metal to a specific temperature for a set period of time (depending upon the substance and the intended application), then slowly cooling it to toughen the substance and reduce the brittleness that develops while working it. Small pieces can be heated with a torch; larger items are generally annealed in either a kiln or an annealing oven.

ANODIZE: To produce a controlled oxidation of a metal's surface by means of a chemical (acid) bath through which the positive end or "anode" of an electrical current is passed. A thin protective film is created on the surface by the resultant change in the molecular structure of the top layer only. Anodization can give the metal a lustrous sheen, or even change the coloring of the surface.

AQUA REGIA: A mixture of three parts hydrochloric acid and one part nitric acid used to test the purity of gold and platinum. The mixture is one of the few chemicals that can dissolve those metals.

ASSAY: A test of purity for an alloy to determine the percentage of precious metal content.

BASE METAL: Any metal other than the precious metals, such as lead, bismuth, tin, antimony, copper, etc. Alloys of non-precious metals are also referred to as base metals. Findings made of base metal (silver or gold colored) are the cheapest to buy, and are great for practice for beginning beaders and children. For better pieces, use gold filled (a layer of gold stamped - not electroplated - over a base metal core) or sterling silver findings. Base metal findings are usually made of a nickel alloy material that can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially when used in body piercings. Those people who are sensitive to nickel alloys should use only 14 K (or higher) gold found in quality gold-filled findings. Surgical grade stainless steel findings are also available (usually referred to as Hypoallergenic). Most nickel-sensitive people can also tolerate sterling silver with no problems.

BLACK HILLS GOLD: Jewelry made in the Black Hills area of South Dakota, which frequently has a distinctive three-color (yellow, pink and green gold) vine and leaf pattern. The Black Hills Jewelry Mfg. Co. produced the original designs in three colors in Deadwood, South Dakota in the early 1900s. Many jewelers still make Black Hills jewelry today (usually in 10K gold) but by law they must use Black Hills gold. You can create a nice effect by combining rose gold filled wire, yellow gold filled wire and silver.

BLUE GOLD: 18K Gold alloyed with 25% iron (75% gold), giving a bluish tint to the metal.

BRASS WIRE: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals, but usually 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc. It comes in various shapes and tempers, and is a wonderful product to practice with, although generally much stiffer and more difficult to work with in wire sculpting than sterling silver or gold-filled wire. It takes on a lovely polish, but tarnishes and becomes dull very quickly. Some jewelers work exclusively with brass wire specifically because of these properties.

BRONZE: An alloy containing at least 60% copper plus tin and sometimes other metals.

BRUSHED FINISH: Created by the use of a stiff metal brush along the surface of metallic jewelry to add texture, and to produce a slightly less reflective surface.

CASTING: A process for making metal items that has been used for thousands of years. Molten metal is poured into a mold. There are different methods of casting including centrifugal (or investment), sand casting, and the lost wax process.

CHAIN MAIL or CHAINMAILLE: A way of joining metal rings together to produce metal "fabric." Chain mail was used in medieval times for flexible armor, and is used now to make very striking jewelry.

CHROMIUM: Hard, shiny, gray-white metal that resists corrosion quite well. Sometimes used in costume jewelry as a coating over other metals.

COLD-ROLLING: (See "rolling")

COPPER WIRE Reddish gold in color, this wonderfully versatile metal was the first metal used by man for tools, implements, weapons and artwork. Copper use predates recorded history, and though it was later replaced by bronze and iron for weapons and tools, its popularity and usefulness has not waned in thousands of years. Copper is malleable and easily worked by chasing, hammering, engraving and even cold-rolling (See Rolling). Copper is very malleable, but not suited for casting in its pure form, although alloys containing a high percentage of copper may be. Copper is said to have healing properties for rheumatic or arthritic conditions. The only real drawback of copper, at least for jewelry applications, is that it oxidizes quite readily, will leave a green or black mark on the skin. To prevent that discoloration, copper jewelry is often coated with a clear protective surface, such as an acrylic, but the coating eventually wears away.

CRAFT WIRE: A permanently color-coated copper-based wire, which is soft and very malleable. Retains its shape moderately well, particularly in the larger gauges.

DRAWPLATE: In metalsmithing, particularly wire jewelry applications, a drawplate is a die plate through which wire is pulled to reduce its diameter. Making your own drawplate is quite simple, using an inch-thick block of hardwood, and drilling a series of holes at least ¼" apart, from 1.5mm to 10mm in diameter in .5 increments.

DUCTILE: A substance is "ductile" if it is easily pulled into a thin wire. The most ductile metal is gold, and it is the easiest wire to pull through a drawplate to reduce the diameter.

dwt: The abbreviation for PennyWeight in the Troy System of Weights.

ELECTROPLATE: (See Plating) Rings, ear hooks or wires, and crimp beads.

FINENESS: Usually expressed in parts per thousand, it is the proportion of silver or gold in a metal alloy. For example, Sterling Silver is .925, meaning that 925 parts per 1000 are silver, and 75/1000 is another metal. Fine Silver is 99.9% pure silver. Gold fineness is measured in Karats.

GAUGE The measurement of the thickness of an object, particularly wire and sheet metals. Wire gauges for jewelry applications will range from a very thick 4g to a very fine 34g. You must remember that the smaller the gauge, the larger the diameter of the wire. You will find a table of gauges and their corresponding diameters in both metric and standard (U.S.) units at Table 2.

GERMAN SILVER: Also known as NICKEL SILVER, this alloy is actually roughly 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc. If approximately 5% of tin is present in this alloy, it is called Alpaca. As you can see, there is no silver in German Silver. It should be noted that about 1 person in 20 has a metal allergy to nickel.

GOLD: Gold is one of the most visually attractive of all metals, and because of its unique qualities, is considered the "most precious" metal. It is one of the heaviest of all the metals, does not tarnish or corrode, and is very durable. One of the first metals to attract the attention of man, its durability has been attested to by the discovery of elaborately crafted artifacts of gold in nearly perfect condition from the ancient Egyptian, Etruscan and Assyrian cultures.

Gold occurs in nature in almost pure form, and is the most malleable and ductile of the metals. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and in its pure state is very soft. One troy ounce of gold (the size of a sugar cube and equal to about 31 grams) can be hammered into a sheet (called gold leaf) covering 108 square feet or pulled into a thread fifty miles long.

When you buy gold jewelry, it isn't pure gold. The purity or fineness of gold in the jewelry is indicated by its karat number. 24-karat (24K or 24 Kt) gold is as pure as gold for jewelry gets. 24K gold is also called fine gold and it is greater than 99.7% pure gold. Proof gold is even finer, with over 99.95% purity, but it is only used for standardization purposes and is not available for jewelry.

When alloyed with another metal to make it harder, more durable and lest costly, the amount of gold (as in parts per 24) in the alloy must be stated if it is over 10K, which is the minimum legal standard in the U.S. Anything less can not be called gold. Throughout the world, the minimum karat standard varies. In Italy and France, 18K is the minimum; in Canada and England the minimum is only 9K and in Mexico, it's only 8K. Gold articles produced in the U.S. do not have to carry a karat or other quality mark. The exception occurs when a karat mark is applied, then the manufacturer's registered trademark must be stamped near the karat mark and must be accurate in accordance to federal law.

The weight of Gold and other precious metals is measured in Troy Weight, rather than the standard metric system or American pounds and ounces. See Table 3 for conversion of troy ounces to millimeters and pounds.

The various alloys of gold exhibit different colors. See Table 4 for a list gold colors and the proportions of metals used in the alloy.

GOLD FILLED WIRE: Gold-filled wire, sometimes called rolled gold, is a wonderful choice for wire jewelry makers. It is appropriate for all types of jewelry. For most people, it will last their entire lifetime without showing signs of wear. It is made by forming a tube of gold and filling the tube with a base metal, usually jeweler's brass. The gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total wire. Gold-filled wire for jewelry offers an affordable, durable choice at a fraction of the cost of solid karat gold. It is generally available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and tempers in white, yellow (traditional) and rose gold colors.

A Few Facts About 14Kt Rolled Gold Wire (Gold-Filled Wire)

14/20 Rolled Gold wire creates high fashion jewelry at a fraction of the cost of solid gold and sells extremely well because of the fascination with gold.
There is 100 times more gold in 14 kt. Rolled Gold (gold filled) than in gold plate.
A 14/20 Rolled Gold pendant is usually considered a lifetime piece of jewelry.
14/20 Rolled Gold is usually used for pendants, pins, collars, bracelets, and small rings.
Gold filled wire is available in 10k, 12k, and 14k, being the best quality and most durable. In the symbol 14/20, the 14 stands for the karat of gold used, and the 20 means 1/20.

Care of 14kt. Rolled Gold Jewelry

It's easy. Just care for it as you would any other jewelry. It is quite durable. A simple inexpensive way to clean rolled gold jewelry (gold fill) is to soak it for a minute or two in a mild solution of ammonia and water or a commercial liquid jewelry cleaner. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with water afterwards and let dry.

Store in a cotton filled box for storing separately from their other jewelry. This will cut down on tarnish and keep it from being scratched by other jewelry. Plus it reduces the chance of a wire being pulled by being connected to another piece of jewelry. Remember this is NOT gold plate and in many cases is handed down from generation to generation. It is not unusual to find an old gold filled pendant that is nearly 75 years old!

GOLD PLATED WIRE Gold-plated metal has a very thin layer of gold on the surface of a base metal, usually applied by the process of electroplating. Plating makes the layer of gold a much thinner layer than Gold Filled, and it is most commonly plated with 10K gold.

IRON: This metal is very seldom used in jewelry because of its lack of luster and because it is so brittle.

KARAT: The fineness of gold, equal to one part of 24 in gold alloys. (See Gold)

KARATCLAD: A trademark for a very thick gold electroplating process which is approximately 14 times thicker than standard electroplating.

MEMORY WIRE: A hardened steel wire that will retain its original shape even after repeated use. Available in a standard and "Cadmium" (silver-colored and rust proof) finish, and in diameters suitable for rings, bracelets and chokers.

MILANESE MESH: Also known as Milanese work or Milanese chain), is an intricate mesh made from spiral wires braided together and used to make necklaces and bracelets. Frequently used in Italian jewelry.

MOKUME-GANE: A Japanese metalsmithing technique that results in a wood-like finish by alternating layers of thin, colored metals and laminated together. Designs or patterns are then punched, filed away or hammered into the laminate, producing unique and delicate patterns.

NICKEL SILVER: Not silver at all, except in color, for this alloy contains no silver, but is mostly copper (about 60%), with approximately equal parts of nickel and zinc added. With the addition of a small percentage of tin, the alloy is then called Alpaca. This alloy was first used in the mid-1800s by the Germans as a silver substitute.

NIOBIUM: A lightweight, tough, hypoallergenic refractory metal, usually anodized to produce vivid colors for costume jewelry. Mars easily and cannot be soldered.

NOBLE METALS: A less-frequently used term for the precious metals gold, silver and platinum.

ORMOLU: An alloy of copper, zinc and tin, ormolu is used to imitate gold. The French term for ground gold, "Ormolu" was frequently used for candlesticks, furniture embellishments and picture frames during the Georgian and early Victorian eras. Today, the term is most often applied to any gold-like finish used for intricate decorations.

OXIDATION: The naturally occurring chemical process in which oxygen atoms bond to atoms of another material (such as metal) producing a different chemical compound. We are most familiar with oxidized iron ("rust") and oxidized silver, which is called "tarnish." Copper turns green when oxidized, adding an aesthetically pleasing, aged look to roofs, weathervanes and other outdoor decorations.

PALLADIUM: A durable metal related to platinum, palladium has recently been added to the short list of "precious" metals. It is less dense and more malleable than platinum, but has a lower melting point and reacts more readily to acids. Palladium will also develop tarnish when heat is applied. Palladium was first used in jewelry in 1939 as a substitute for platinum, which was being used for the war effort. After the war, it was used rarely because there were difficulties working it. When white gold is alloyed with palladium instead of nickel, a gray-white gold is produced. Because palladium has become very useful in catalytic converters, its price has risen dramatically (per ounce, more than gold or silver), making it an impractical alternative to platinum.

PATINA: A film formed naturally on metals through exposure to the elements for an extended period. Oxidation will turn copper and bronze green, silver black and gold reddish. Patina is generally thought to enrich the value of antiques, but can be artificially produced by the controlled application of acids or electrolytes to newer objects.

PEWTER: A soft metal alloy composed mostly of tin, with lead, antimony, bismuth, copper and/or silver added. Polished pewter has a silvery luster. Pewter can be easily worked by several different methods, the most popular being casting of charms, hammering of larger items, and turning on a lathe to produce candlesticks or goblet stems.

PLATING: The process by which one metal is coated with another using electricity. Also known by the terms electroplating and Galvanotechnics - the latter named after the inventor of the process. To produce less costly jewelry components, inexpensive or base metals are coated with a thin layer of precious metal, usually gold or silver. Chromium, copper and rhodium are also electroplated, although rhodium is sometimes used as plate.

PLATINUM: Very strong, very dense, and 60% heavier than gold, Platinum was discovered in Russia in the 18th century. Platinum used in jewelry is usually alloyed with a small percentage of another metal of the platinum group (iridium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium or palladium) and/or cobalt to increase its malleability. All of the platinum group of metals are rare, with platinum and palladium only slightly more common, and of course they are all expensive.

PINCHBECK: Also known as "false gold," this is an alloy of copper that looks like gold. Pinchbeck was invented by British watchmaker Christopher Pinchbeck (1672-1732) in the early 18th century. Pinchbeck consists of 83% copper and 17% zinc. Ironically, there have been many imitations of Pinchbeck (which itself is an imitation).

PMC®: The registered abbreviation for Precious Metal Clay®. PMC® is just what its name implies, precious metal in the form of clay. It is available in pure silver mixed with water and an organic binder (80% fine silver powder, 20% water and organic binder) and in 24K gold in a similarly compounded base. It can be rolled, cut, shaped and even extruded from a pastry tube, in other words, just like sculpting clay. Once the shape is made, it is fired in a kiln or special oven at temperatures from 1,650ºF for silver and to about 1,830ºF for gold.

POT METAL: An inexpensive metal alloy commonly used for costume jewelry. Not used as frequently as in the past, as it nearly always contains a significant amount of lead.

PRECIOUS METAL: The precious metals are gold, silver and most of the metals from the platinum family. They are all rare, with gold present in only 3.5 parts per billion of the Earth's crust, platinum about 45 parts per billion and silver in 73 parts per billion. All of these metals are strong and heavy because metallic bonding and their closely packed atomic structures.

REFLECTIVITY: This term is used to describe the degree of sheen on a metal.

RHODIUM: One white metal of the platinum family of precious metals. Rhodium is quite expensive, and is often used to plate both precious and base metals giving them a hard, platinum-like sheen.

ROULZ: A metal alloy consisting of copper, nickel and silver, named for the French chemist who invented it in the 1800s.

ROLLED GOLD: A very thin sheet of gold is laminated to a lesser metal, such as brass, then heated under pressure to fuse them together. The fused metal is then rolled into a much thinner sheet and used to make jewelry or other objects, and is marked RGP for Rolled Gold Plate. Rolled gold jewelry wears very well over time.

ROLLING: In metallurgy, this is the most-used method of taking metal from a cast ingot to a sheet or bar, with sheet metal being the most common product. Rolling is done by using either the hot or method. The metal produced by the cold-rolled process will have a much smoother surface and be stronger.

RUSSIAN GOLD FINISH: A finishing technique for jewelry that produces a matte, antique look.

RUTHENIUM: Another of the platinum group of precious metals, it is usually abbreviated Ru or Ruth. Ruthenium in small amounts is added to platinum alloys to strengthen and harden them.

SATIN FINISH: This method of finishing metal produces a semi-gloss finish that is between a matte finish and a brilliant one. It is done by making minute, extremely shallow parallel lines on the surface of the metal, reducing its reflectivity.

SETTING: The base or section of a piece of jewelry that holds the stone or gem. If a setting has metal behind the stone, it is referred to as a closed setting. Where there is no metal behind the stone, the setting is considered "open." There are many different styles and types of settings, including:

SILVER WIRE: A fine, naturally-occurring precious metal with an almost white sheen that is used for many purposes, including jewelry. Pure silver is usually alloyed with other metals, such as copper, for use in jewelry and hollowware. Silver tarnishes after exposure to air, which forms a thin layer of silver-oxide on the surface. Silver often occurs near copper lodes.

SILVER 800: Silver alloy which contains 800 parts per 1000 (80%) silver and 200 parts per thousand (20%) copper, and is used primarily for casting.

SOLDER: A metal alloy used to join other metals by applying heat that melts the solder but not the metals being soldered. Available in gold and silver as well as base metal, solder also comes in different grades and required temps. Not all solder melts at the same temperature, and it is crucial that solder be of a grade that melts at lower temperature than the metals to be joined.

STEEL: An alloy of iron and carbon where the content of the carbon ranges up to 2%. When the alloy contains more than 2% carbon, it's defined as cast iron. Steel is very seldom used for jewelry:

STERLING: Silver with a fineness of 925 parts per 1000 (92.5%) silver and 75 parts per thousand (7.5%) copper, which increases the silver's hardness. Sterling is quite malleable and ductile.

SURGICAL or SURGICAL STAINLESS STEEL: Any one of a family of low carbon alloy steels usually containing 10-30% chromium. The chromium provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and heat. Other elements may be added to increase corrosion resistance to specific environments, enhance oxidation resistance and impart special characteristics. In jewelry, which is sometimes labeled "hypoallergenic," we see it in a few findings, such as ear wires or posts.

TORSADE: A necklace made of several strands that have been twisted together.

TROY WEIGHT: The system of units of mass customarily used for weighing precious metals and gemstones. It derives from the troy system of mass, which dates back to before the time o William the Conqueror. Its name comes from the city of Troyes, in France, an important trading city in the Middle Ages. The system is based on the troy pound of 5760 grains. The pound was divided into 12 ounces (480 grains) each containing 20 pennyweight (24 grains). (See Table 3)

VERMEIL: Gold-plated silver; or occasionally, gold-plated bronze. Vermeil has a very rich gold color, usually darker than high-karat gold.

WELD: A process that joins two pieces of metal using very high heat. Rolled gold is formed in this method.

WHITE GOLD Gold that has been alloyed with a mixture of copper, manganese, nickel, tin and zinc, and sometimes palladium), giving it the look of platinum. White gold was originally developed during WW II to imitate platinum, which was at the time considered a strategic material for military applications.

YELLOW GOLD: An alloy of gold with a mixture containing 50/50 copper and silver.

TABLES AND CHARTS
Table 1
Fineness of Gold in Karats

United States Markings	Parts Gold	Gold %	European Markings
24K	24/24	100%	1000 or 999
22K	22/24	91.7%	916 or 917
18K	18/24	75.0%	750
14K	14/24	58.3%	583 or 585
10K	10/24	41.7%	417

Table 2
Conversion Table - Gauge to Inches and Millimeters

Gauge Size	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30
Diameter in inches	.1019	.0808	.0641	.0403	.0508	.0320	.0253	.0201	.0159	.0125	.0100
Diameter in mm	2.588	2.05	1.63	1.29	1.02	.813	.643	.511	.404	.320	.254

Table 3
Conversion From Troy Weight To Avoirdupois (U.S.) To Metric Weight

	TROY (t)	AVOIRDUPOIS (Av)	METRIC
Pound (lb t)	1 lb t	0.8229 lb	0.3732 kg
Ounce (oz t)	12 oz t	13.1657 oz	373.2422 gm
Pennyweight (dwt)	240 dwt	210.6514 dr	373241.7216 mg
Grains	5760 grains	5760 gr

Table 4
Alloy Composition of Gold Colors

Color	Alloy %	Color	Alloy %
Yellow Gold (22K)	Gold 91.67% Silver 5% Copper 2% Zinc 1.33%	Deep Green Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Silver 15% Copper 6% Cadmium 4%
White Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Palladium 10% Nickel 10% Zinc 5%	Pink Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Copper 20% Silver 5%
Green Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Silver 20% Copper 5%	Light Green Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Copper 23% Cadmium 2%
Gray-White Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Iron 17% Copper 8%	Rose Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Copper 22.25% >Silver 2.75%
Soft Green Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Silver 25%	Red Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Copper 25%
White Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Platinum 25% or Palladium 25%	Blue-White or Blue Gold (18K)	Gold 75% Iron 25%
Purple Gold	Gold 80% Aluminum 20%

Table 5
Suggested Necklace, Bracelet and Anklet Lengths

Type of Jewelry	Average Adult	Length How to Measure for Extra Large or Small Sizes
Bib Multi-Stranded	12-13 up to 20"-23"	The first strand is usually choker length, and each strand below it longer by approx. 1"-2"
Collar Multi stranded (all strands same length)	12"-13"	Neck Circumference + 1"
Choker	14" to 16"	Neck Circumference + 1.5" to 2.5"
Princess Length	17" to 19"	Adjust to fit customer; usually worn with higher necklines
Graduated strand	17" to 19"	Largest bead in center of necklace, gradually decreasing in size toward clasp.
Matinee	20" to 23	Adjust to fit customer; usually worn for casual daytime wear
Eyeglass necklace	27"	Adjust to fit customer preference
Opera	30" to 35"	Adjust to fit customer; sometimes doubled to be worn as a choker
Rope	40" -45"	Adjust to fit customer preference
Lariat Both ends left unattached, or one end with a dangle and the other with a loop	At least 48"	Customer preference - no set standard
Bracelet, Closed Bangle	Standard: Approx. 6.5 mm ID Approx. 21mm circumference	Designed to slip over a slender adult hand; adjust for size by measuring the circumference of the hand at the widest point when hand is held in the position for putting the bangle on, add 10mm.
Cuff Bracelet, Hinged Bangle	Standard: Approx. 6 mm ID	Measure the wrist at the widest point where the cuff will rest, add about 5mm for comfort, unless the wearer wants it snug.
Strung Bracelet	7.5"	Designed for a slender adult hand. Measure circumference of wrist where bracelet will be worn, add 5-10mm for comfort
Anklet	Sm.: 6.5" Med.: 8" Lg. 9.5"	Measure circumference of ankle and add approx. ½ inch.

(6) How do convert mm to inches
MM to inch
conversion table

1mm = 1/32"
2mm = 1/16"
3mm = 3/32"
4mm = 1/8"
5mm = 3/16"
6mm = Just under a 1/4"
7mm = Just over a 1/4"
8mm = 5/16"
9mm = Just under 3/8"
10mm = Just over 3/8"
11mm = 7/16"
12mm = Just under a 1/2"
13mm = Just over a 1/2"
14mm = 9/16"
15mm = Just under 5/8"
16mm = 5/8"
17mm = Just under 11/16"
18mm = Just under 3/4"
19mm = Just over 3/4"
20mm = Just under 13/16"
21mm = Just over 13/16"
22mm = Just under 7/8"
23mm = Just over 7/8"
24mm = 15/16
25mm = 1"

(7) Please remember that you have purchased fine jewelry that should be treated with care. PRECIOUS gemstones and PRECIOUS metals are named precious for a reason. Here are some useful handling and care tips for your jewelry:

The two most common causes for repair to jewelry:

Sleeping - Never sleep while wearing your fine jewelry. Sleeping with your jewelry on is the number one cause of loosing stones, as you tend to not notice when "prongs" get snagged on sheets and clothing. Then you tug and tug on the sheet, which bends the prong(s) allowing movement of the stone(s). It doesn’t take much to bend prongs enough to allow a stone to fall out of the setting.
Chemicals - Do not wear your jewelry while cleaning anything. Most cleaning products containing chlorine / bleach and will dissolve some of the metals used to create the very prongs that hold your stone(s) in their setting(s). It is also not recommended that you not spend in a chlorinated pool while you are wearing your jewelry. This deterioration can occur fast or slowly over time making it virtually undetectable until it is to late!

General Cleaning and Care

Colored Gemstones:

Wipe with a clean soft cloth after wearing.
Store in a soft pouch when not wearing.
Do not expose to salt water, chemicals, bleach, perfumes, hairspray, perspiration, detergents or sudden temperature changes. These may slowly erode the finish and polish of the gemstones and cause the jewelry to dull.

Opals, Emeralds and Tanzanite:

These stones require more care than other gemstones because of their specific traits.
Clean only with a clean soft cloth and lukewarm water. Never use hot water or detergents.
Store individually in cotton when not wearing, never in plastic or together with other jewelry.
Never wear opals in extremely cold weather, while cleaning, washing or handling cold or frozen items. Extreme temperature changes may cause opals to crack.
Emeralds contain certain oils that provide them with their beautiful deep green luster. Particular must be taken with Emeralds to ensure that you do NOT remove these oils by bringing them in contact with ANY chemicals or cleaning agents.

Gold:

The best method for cleaning gold is a jeweler's polishing cloth. Available at most retail stores including K Mart and WalMart, for less than $10.00. Also, warm water and dish soap is good when used with a SOFT bristle toothbrush! Let the item soak for about 15 minutes in lukewarm water, and then GENTLY scrub. You can also have your gold polished and your stones steam cleaned at most jewelers for a nominal fee. With proper care fine jewelry will last a lifetime.

(8)
January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October - Opal
November - Topaz
December - Turquoise

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