What is the difference between gold and platinum?

How should I clean my jewelry?

What is the difference between a quartz watch movement and a mechanical watch movement?

Where do you do your repair work?

What is the difference between gold and platinum?

Both are considered to be noble metals. (Noble metals are platinum, gold and silver. They got their name from ancient days when only nobles could afford fine jewelry) White gold and platinum are very similar in appearance and both are highly desirable. The platinum we use at Marlen Jewelers is 95% pure. Because of its density, platinum weighs one and half times as much as 18 karat gold. While platinum is basically a soft metal, it is very resistant to wear. For that reason it is prized for making jewelry.

Platinum has a slight gray tint. To give it the desired silver color a thin layer of rhodium is applied to the metal. Rhodium is a highly refined platinum derivative. Over time it is necessary to reapply the rhodium.

When gold comes out of the ground it is always yellow in color. White gold is created by adding alloys, usually nickel. In addition to making the gold white in color, it also makes the gold hard and rigid. For this reason, white gold holds its shape and finish better than platinum. However, white gold does not wear as well as platinum. Since white gold is predominately yellow gold, it is not unusual to detect a slight yellow tint at times. For this reason, a thin layer of rhodium is often electronically added as a finish. Rhodium is a highly refined platinum derivative. Over time it is necessary to reapply the rhodium.

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How should I clean my jewelry?

All jewelry with gemstones should be cleaned professionally at least four times a year. Marlen Fine Jewelers cleans and inspects your jewelry at no charge.

When you can't get in to the store here are some guidelines:

Make a cleaning solution of 1 part liquid dishwashing soap, 1 part ammonia and 20 parts lukewarm water (for opals, pearls, jade, emeralds, lapis and turquoise omit the ammonia and allow the gems to air dry). An old toothbrush is a good tool for cleaning the underside of a ring - but forget the toothpaste! While it does clean the diamond, toothpaste may scratch the mounting.

The most important step in cleaning your jewelry is a good rinse in lukewarm water.

If you are in a hurry, a good spritz of Windex (My Big, Fat Greek Wedding was right about the myriad uses of the product) and a good rinse will make your diamond ring shine.

Use a soft treated jewelry cloth for your gold and silver jewelry.

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What is the difference between a quartz watch movement and a mechanical watch movement?

A quartz movement uses a small piece of vibrating quartz powered by a battery. A small computer chip converts the vibrations into time. Quartz watches are more durable and more accurate because they have very few moving parts.

Mechanical watches are divided into two categories: manual wind and automatic wind.

Both use a rotating wheel powered by a spring to measure time. The manual wind watch must be wound by hand. The automatic watch is wound by the movement of your arm and wrist. These watches are for those who appreciate old world craftsmanship and the attention to detail.

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Where do you do your repair work?

On the second floor of our building. Marlen’s has an on-site workshop where we manufacture and repair jewelry and watches. You can watch a video of our staff in action on the service page.

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