Spring is in the air and many couples are planning the final wedding details for their big day. The engagement ring may have been purchased long ago but what about the wedding rings? In the United States a wedding ring is considered a must for most married couples. The wedding ring is an outward symbol of the eternal love and devotion a couple share. Many people choose a traditional metal such as gold or platinum when selecting a wedding band. But there are also some great alternative metals like tungsten carbide that may be worth considering. At Amoskeag Jewelers we have an extensive collection of wedding rings in stock for you to browse. We also offer an in house engraving service. We can engrave your rings with your wedding date, initials or a secret message of love. Stop by today and let us help you find the perfect wedding rings.
Jeweler's Corner
Have your rings lost their sparkle?
Have you noticed that your jewelry is starting to look dull? If so it may be time for a jewelry cleaning. Diamonds and other gemstones are natural magnets for grease and grime. Over time the microscopic dirt and debris that cling to your stones will cause your items to look dull and lifeless. A quick professional cleaning will restore the sparkle to your items.
Another benefit to a regular jewelry cleaning is a thorough inspection. When your jeweler cleans your jewelry they will inspect all of your items for any wear or damage. If a problem is spotted early it can prevent a more expensive repair from being needed down the road. At Amoskeag Jewelers we are always happy to provide complementary cleanings and thorough inspections of your jewelry. Stop by today to make your rings sparkle like new.
The Birthstone for January – Garnet
Garnets have been prized for centuries. The early Egyptians used garnet inlays in their jewelry. In ancient times it was believed that garnets held the power to ensure good health and protect a traveler. In modern times garnet is often used to symbolize eternal friendship and trust. Most commonly people think of garnet as the birth stone for January.
Garnets can come in a almost every color, from reds and oranges, to greens and yellows, there is a garnet available to suit almost any preference. However, the most commonly used color for a January birthstone is the dark red variety. Typically garnets of the red variety don’t have any eye visible inclusions and are readily available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. If you are considering purchasing a piece of garnet jewelry as a birthstone or just because you love the color, stop into Amoskeag Jewelers today and we will help you find the perfect piece of garnet jewelry.
Topaz – The Birthstone of November
Gem quality Topaz can be found a very large variety of colors – purple, yellow, blue, pink, green, orange, red… These colors include various tones and saturations making the variety of colors available in the topaz family seemingly endless. The color displayed by a topaz can even be determined by the direction the crystal is viewed from, this optical phenomenon is known as pleochroism.
The topaz variety designated as the birthstone for November is – orange topaz, also known as precious topaz. Orange topaz has always been treasured for its distinctive fiery orange color. According to some scholars the origin of the name topaz can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit, with an original meaning of “fire”. If you are considering purchasing some topaz jewelry in any color, come and see the professionals at Amoskeag Jewelers and we will be happy to help you select the topaz that is perfect for you.
Sapphire – The Birthstone of September
The sapphire is one of the gem varieties of corundum. When titanium and iron impurities are present in corundum the result is a beautiful blue color. Having been prized for centuries impart due to this beautiful vivid blue hue. Typically the more vivid and saturated the blue the more valuable the sapphire. When someone refers to a sapphire they are very often referring to this blue variety, although sapphires can come in a range of colors. There are even several phenomenal varieties of sapphires, such as the star sapphire and the color change sapphire.
Many of the sapphires available on the market today have been treated to improve the clarity and color. Methods for heat treating sapphires and other gemstones can be traced as far back Roman times. When sapphires are heat treated the stone becomes bluer in color and it loses some of the rutile inclusions, commonly referred to as silk.
Sapphires are a stone with a rich tradition as well. In some countries they are the traditional engagement stone of nobility. If you are considering purchasing a sapphire let the jewelry professionals at Amoskeag Jewelers help you pick the sapphire that is sure to become a family heirloom to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Give new sparkle to your old rings
Have your rings started to look a little worn? Over time even the highest quality rings can start to show the years. Quite often all that is needed to revive that sparkle is a little buffing or a new rhodium finish. Overtime the rhodium coating on white gold and platinum jewelry will wear off. This results in a slightly yellow or gray hue showing in the areas of most significant wear. Thankfully you don’t need to replace your worn jewelry, with a little help your jewelry can look new again. At Amoskeag Jewelers we are proud to offer rhodium restoration services done in house. Stop by today and let us help restore the shine to your worn rings.