Category: Gems of Wisdom

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Jade

Jade has long been fashioned into statues, weapons, utensils and other ornaments.

The Chinese have cherished this green, fine-textured gem for many centuries. In Chinese culture it represents the five cardinal virtues namely; Charity, Modesty, Courage, Justice and Wisdom.

You might have seen a Buddha carved from Jade, or heard of Jade daggers. The reason that these objects are formed from this stone is due to its many properties. It is most valued for its metaphysical properties, and is the ultimate “Dream Stone.” It is believed to bring luck to its wearer in all games of luck and chance, to cure kidney stones and bladder problems, and also promotes a long and prosperous life, among a list of many.

Jade gemstone
Jade, an ornamental stone. White and green. By Simon A. Eugster [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

There are in actual fact two gems that are referred to as Jade, which was only recognised in 1863.

The first is a gem called Jadeite, or Imperial Jade. Jadeite is found In Burma, Japan, Guatemala and California. Jadeite occurs in a whole variety of colours from white to pink, blue and even black.

The other variety is Nephrite. This gem only occurs in green, but what a large variety of shades, from pale washed out green, to deep dark green.  This is the stone that the whole of the eastern world cherishes. Nephrite is found in central Asia, Siberia (Dark green with black spots) Russia (spinach coloured), New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Zimbabwe, Italy, Poland, Germany, and Switzerland. This is the variety that is carved into the most delicate and finely worked ornaments and pieces.

Due to the demand for this gem in the East, Jade is very scarce and extremely expensive in South Africa.

— Zak

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Lapis Lazuli / Lazurite

Known to the ancient Egyptians as the ‘Sky Stone’, Lapis Lazuli (or Lazurite) is one of the oldest gemstones – a blue stone mottled with white calcite and brassy pyrite.

Lapis Lazuli has been mined in the Kokcha valley in Afghanistan for roughly 7000 years. This gem was considered sacred and thus the mines were guarded intensely. Unauthorised approach to a mine was punished with death and the miners were secured to the shafts by chains, to avoid sticky fingered workers running away! Not that you would have wanted to be a refugee in the narrow desolate Kokcha defile with its steep and jagged sides, riddled with wolves, and wild hogs.

Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan in its natural state. By Hannes Grobe [CC BY-SA 2.5], from Wikimedia Commons
Lazurite has been used throughout the centuries as a protective stone and was also used by the Pharaohs to ward of the ill effects of incest, as they traditionally married their eldest sister.

Not only was it a favourite jewellery stone, but is also a historical pigment having been found in Egyptian tomb paintings as far back as the Fourth Dynasty (6th Century BC ). The statue of pharaoh TutmosIII is covered with Lazurite, and Egyptian ladies loved to wear the pigment as cosmetic eye shadow.

Later, painters like Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci, used Lazurite in their oil paintings.

The Europeans called it Ultramarine, which means ‘over the water’.

Lazurite is associated with the 6th chakra or third eye, and is thought to enhance wisdom, inner vision and mental clarity. It can also help to overcome depression, and enhances feeling of self acceptance.

Even though smaller deposits of Lazurite have been found in Chile, Siberia and Burma, the Afghanistan stones are by far the better quality. Thus with the political turmoil in Afghanistan, the future of this noble gem hangs in clouds of uncertainty.

–Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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White Gold

white gold - goldfish jewellery design studio

This post aims to clear up any confusion you may have concerning White Gold and Platinum.

All gold is “alloyed” (as is iron in order to make steel), which means that the metal is mixed with other metals in order to change its properties. Examples of alloys are steel, solder, brass, pewter, duralumin, bronze and amalgams.

Pure gold in its purest form is unsuitable to be worked as it does not have the strength and rigidness of an alloyed metal. In order for you to be protected and confident in exactly what you are purchasing, several standards of gold are available.

All measures of gold are expressed in “carats”.
The most common and cost-effective form is 9ct – this is a measure of 9 carat out of 24 – which is expressed in a percentage as 37,5 % Gold – the balance is copper and silver. The most desirable form of gold is 18ct. This is a 75% gold alloy, tends to work better, and have a richer yellow colour. It is also 40% heavier per volume.

Image Source: Precious Metals Comparison - coreyegan.com
Image Source: Precious Metals Comparison – coreyegan.com

Now to get down to the nitty gritty.

White gold is an alloy of gold which will have the same percentage of pure gold as is expressed in the carat system – the only difference is that an average of 10% palladium has been added. This precious metal belongings to the same family as platinum and “bleaches” the yellow colour out of the alloyed metal, which gives it a white colour.

In the past platinum itself was used to alloy the gold down and give it its white colour, however, this mixture tends to be rather expensive thus its sister metal, palladium, is used.

So now we have a metal that is white in colour, but is still gold in a measured form of: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct. This is still not platinum. Platinum is most commonly used in a 95% pure form which is about twice the weight of 9ct gold per volume.

A precious metal is a metal that does not react to other elements in our environment and is therefore known as being stable. However, the metals which have been alloyed with the gold tend to be reactive, meaning they are going to break down and react with other elements. Therefore, the finer the metal – the less reaction it would have with other elements in our surroundings and is also less likely to have an allergic reaction on sensitive skin.

This is the true value of platinum and what makes a purer gold so much more desirable than a lesser alloy.

— Zak

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Emerald

emerald - goldfish jewellery design studio

You have all heard of Emeralds. This simply sparkling-green precious stone is sometimes even more valued than diamonds. It truly gives its owner the gift of eloquence.

The name comes from the Greek word Smaragdos, which means “green stone”. Many ancient races thought of the Emerald as the stone of the Gods. The Greeks associated this stone with the goddess Venus, and for many people it is a symbol of constancy and true affection reflecting the security of love. Legend has it that if an Emerald is given to a lover the stone will pale and grow dull as the love fades (don’t go into a panic, your stone might just be dirty!).

In the book of Revelations, Emerald is said to compose the throne of God. The Holy Grail is speculated to be carved from a huge Emerald… which fell from Satan’s crown when he was banished from heaven. And somewhere someone suggested that Jesus used an Emerald bowl at the last supper.

The first Emeralds came from the Egyptian desert. Not surprising then that Cleopatra made gifts of them to give her favourite ambassadors.

The Incas and Aztecs worshiped it as a sacred stone. Julius Caesar collected them for their healing properties, which are vast. Nero, while watching the gladiators in the arena, used it to lengthen his vision.

Emerald is the zodiac stone for Cancer and birthstone for May.

An excellent general healer. It acts as a blood detoxifier and encourage abundance, growth, peace, harmony, love and fidelity. It also lifts depression and helps those in need of inspiration. Emerald is said to give inner clarity and wisdom, and has been used for healing asthma, heart problems, indigestion, jaundice and poor eyesight.

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Silver

silver jewellery - goldfish jewellery design studio

The word silver is from the Anglo Saxon name, “seolfor”, and from the Latin name Argentum, we obtain the periodic table symbol for silver, Ag.

This precious metal was only discovered 2000 years after gold in 4000bc. Ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians used Silver before they knew what exactly it was; but what they were actually using was a metal alloy called Electrum, which is an alloy of Silver and Gold. They didn’t even have a name in their vocabulary for what they were using, and referred to it as “white metal”. Once the discovery has been made, it was deemed even more precious than Gold!

Silver does not react with air, even at red heat, and was thus considered by alchemists as a noble metal along with Gold. Comprehensive overview on Silver.

I  am sure that the medicinal properties of silver, which have recently become very popular with colloidal silver and silver nanotechnology, and the history of their discovery would interest all our avid readers.

The ancient Greeks and Romans divided time into ages of man, with the first being the Golden Age. The second Age was Silver and was associated with Apollo, the god of truth & light and teacher of medicine; why do you think he carried a silver bow? I  also find it quite interesting that his twin sister, Artemis, who lost her hand, was given a silver replacement. Although there is no way that we can substantiate any “scientific “knowledge that these ancients discovered, maybe they did know a lot more than we give them gratitude for?

During the 1800s, several physicians discovered the antibacterial properties of silver and started to use silver nitrate to treat skin ulcers, compound fractures and draining pussy wounds. Silver as an ion is very clean and no bacteria or fungus is able to grow on it, and a small amount is released when the metal comes into contact with liquids. In medicine, silver is incorporated into wound dressings and used as an antibiotic coating in medical devices. Prior to the use of antibiotics we were using silver foil as a dressing!

Recently scientists have developed the method of coating plastics and other material with a thin layer of silver, and dissolving fine silver into water in the form of ions which has become a very popular form of medication… now we all know what the hype is about and that there is a lot of truth in the healing properties of silver.

— Zak

PS: To make our little creations environmentally friendly we only use reclaimed silver which is skillfully handcrafted by our team of craftsmen into that special piece for you to treasure! Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Amethyst

amethyst

According to the Greeks the Amethyst was formed when Bacchus, the ancient god of wine, was insulted by a mere mortal. For revenge he vowed to have a tiger eat the next mortal he came across, however, it happened to be a beautiful young lady named Amethyst. She cried out to the goddess Diana to save her and turned into a brilliant white crystal.

When Bacchus saw what he had done he felt really bad, so he poured wine all over her. This didn’t turn her back but rather turned the crystal a violet colour. He didn’t colour her feet or head though and this is why the Amethyst is usually unevenly coloured and tends to have pale ends.

This lovely gem varies in colour from a deep violet (the most sought after) to a pale Lavender (just as stunning), and has been used by the Chinese for about 8000 years. It is possibly the most popular semi-precious gem not only for jewellery, but also for healing purposes. It provides peace of mind and understanding when a loved one is lost, and relieves stress, grief and depression.

The Amethyst derives its name from the Greek word “Amethustos” which means “not drunken”. Apparently wearing this stone or drinking from an Amethyst cup prevents you from getting drunk (I haven’t tried that one yet, but I get drunk just staring into any beautiful Gem).

It is the stone of Bishops, so all bishops of the Catholic church wear an amethyst ring to symbolise their moral victory over all worldly indulgence. Sacred to Buddha as well, prayer beads are often fashioned from Amethyst. It is also symbolic of royalty and features quite prominently in the British Crown Jewels.

Amethyst is the February birthstone.

The Amethyst is also recommended for men when they wish to attract attention from the fairer sex. Promoting pleasant dreams, providing immunity to poison, improving memory, providing security and peace of mind  and freeing ones self from those addictive personalities (oneself or others) are just a few of the many uses of our featured gem.  Give it a try, or you may never know.

— Zak

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Amber

amber

Amber… that wonderful soft, warm-feeling gem that we all know so well to be fossilised tree resin, but did anyone stop and contemplate that it is actually 30 to 60 million old?

Not only ancient, Amber is also very interesting.

The name Amber is derived from the Greek word for electricity “Elektron”. Amber carries a negative electric charge and will attract dust when rubbed against a piece of silk.

Due to the presence of small insects, pieces of plants and other animals, it has long been considered to contain the essence of life and has been cherished by humans, and was one of the first materials used for amulets and medicinal uses. In ancient times it was carried from the Alps to the Baltic coast, (a truly vast distance in those days).

Its history with man has been documented from 4000 years ago and has been found in graves from two thousand years before the birth of Christ.

Sacred to the Greek god Apollo… thought to be congealed sunlight, and to be tears over the death of Phaeton… apparently the tears of Freya shed for Svipdag… or the solidified urine of the lynx, or even tears from the birds when they first heard of the death of Christ. With all of these ancient beliefs attached to Amber, no wonder we still treasure and cherish this lovely gem.

For obvious historic reasons the most renown source of amber is the Baltic region. It is also found in Burma, Sicily, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Romania, Canada, Czechoslovakia, USA, and Africa. African Amber is considerably younger dating to about 10 million years old and is called Copal.

Medicinally, Amber is used for sore throats, swollen glands, goiters and cure depression. Another theory is that sitting over the smoke from Amber will cure hemorrhoids (but I wouldn’t recommend that).

— Zak

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Quartz: Rock Crystal

Primarily made up of silicon dioxide, Quarts encompasses a vast family of stones. The crystals are generally six-sided and occur in all shades and colours, depending on the temperature at the time of their formation.

Rock Crystal is formed from clear lustrous Quartz and was first discovered in the Alps, it was then believed to be a kind of ice or ‘krystallos’. It has been valued since ancient times as a magical stone or “Stone of Power”, hence the art of crystal gazing.

Crystal and Sterling Silver Dragon Pendant made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio. - rock crystal -
Crystal and Sterling Silver Dragon Pendant made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio

In Medieval Europe, the alchemists believed that if the stone was cut in a certain way and then placed in the sun, it would have the power to make any solid thing invisible.

The Japanese thought it to be the perfect jewel symbolising purity, patience and perseverance.

Noble women in ancient Rome carried Crystal balls in their hands on hot summer days, believing that it was formed from ice and thus had cooling properties.

American Indians believed it to have life, and treated it as sacred. They would even feed their crystals with the blood from slain Deer or Caribou, to show respect.

It was even said that the Druids made themselves invisible using Crystal, to travel undetected.

Crystal is a multipurpose healer, as it stimulates natural crystals in body tissues and fluids to resonate at a new healing frequency.

— Reinette

 

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Mohs Scale of Hardness

So why do we see the diamond as eternal? And why do we consider some gems as precious and some as semi-precious? It doesn’t only have to do with beauty or rarity, for the most part, it has to do with durability.

Mohs Scale of Hardness

Created in 1812 by the German geoligist and mineroligist, Friederich Mohs, the Mohs Scale of Hardness is a scale of 1 to 10; with 10 being the hardest. Each material will visibly scratch those with a lower hardness, and be scratched by those with a higher hardness. This article covers a lot of ground on hardness testing.

The hardness of a gemstone contributes greatly to the degree to which a gem will show wear, which is often referred to as “wearability”. A 7 or higher on the Mohs scale usually indicates a gem is hard enough for normal jewelry use. This article provides more information about gemstone hardness, wearability factors and jewellery.

mohs scale of hardness - goldfish jewellery design studio

 

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Garnet

Rhodolite Garnet with a total of 0,22ct Diamonds and eight little Rubies set in 9ct White Gold. Made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio.

The gemstone for the month of January, the Garnet has a long and interesting history dating back to 3000BC.

This popular and affordable gem is found all over the world in all colours from red (Pyrope) and green (Tzavorite), to pink (Rhodolite), yellow (Andradite), and everything in between. The colour blue was absent until blue pyrope–spessartine garnets were discovered in 1990 in Madagascar. It changes colour from blue-green to purple depending on the colour temperature of viewing light.

Due to its color-changing quality, this kind of garnet resembles Alexandrite – which should be noted, is a totally different mineral. Though it has been found in a few other places as well, it is still very rare and highly expensive.

History & Legends

The name is believed to have been derived from the Greek word “granatum”, meaning “pomegranate seed”.

Some Asiatic tribes used red garnets as bullets for sling bows because they pierced the victims quickly, and could not be seen well in the body when they mingled with the blood.

There is some speculation whether garnets were buried with dead in order to offer protection during the death experience or offering of payment for safe passage to the underworld. Garnets are also used for protection during any other travel.

Garnet jewellery has been found that date back as far as the Bronze Age (3500 to 1200 BC).

During the 13th Century, the gemstone was commonly worn to repel insects, evil spirits and ward off the evil eye.

In the Koran, the garnet illuminates the fourth heaven of Islam.

Legend has it that Noah kept a garnet on the bow of his ark to help him navigate at night.

Garnets have been valued as a sacred stone by South and North American Indians, Aztecs, African tribes and the Mayans.

The use of red garnet was used by Egyptian pharaohs for both decorative and ceremonial purposes. On statues of the Egyptian nature goddess Isis, garnets are often found on her ceremonial belt to represent her blood and power.

Ancient Romans also wore garnet rings and traded garnet gemstones.

Garnet is a power stone that has long been associated with passion, love and sensuality. This is also a good stone to help you through emotional trauma; set in silver it has a wonderfully soothing effect.

—

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Moonstone

Moonstone is an opalescent and transparent gem that falls in the Feldspar family – a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up about 41% of the Earth’s continental crust by weight.

The best way to describe it: a raindrop in the moonlight.

Moonstone occurs in fine shades of white, grey, blue, and peach or yellow. Some stones even have a rainbow-sheen which are called Rainbow-Moonstones.

moonstone
Image by جواهربازار  [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
Moonstone has been worn since ancient times as a lucky charm and some miraculous cures have even been attributed to this gem.

The Druids hung moonstones from fruit trees to ensure a good crop and they believed that it changed colour according to the waxing and waning of the moon.

In India, this gem is regarded as a sacred stone, and when it is displayed it is always on yellow; which is a holy colour to the Hindus.

The Ancient Romans believed that locked inside the gems were the image of the Moon Goddess, Diana. It was believed to bring wisdom, victory and wealth if worn.

A very feminine stone, it is associated with calmness, sensitivity and grace. Traditionally when given as a gift to a lover, it is believed to awaken tender passions.

This wonderfully calm gem is great for restoring the balance in your emotions and truly is an essential part of any collection.

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

“Moonstone is foremost a talisman of the inward journey, taking one deep into the self to retrieve what is missing, the parts of the soul left behind or forgotten, then brought to light.

Since earliest times, Moonstone has been a tangible connection to the magic of the moon – an amulet of protection for travelers, a gift of lovers for passion, a channel for prophecy, and a path to wisdom… also the stone of love and eroticism, stimulating the kundalini energy and carnal desires, it is the ultimate fertility crystal.” – The Crystal Vaults

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Labradorite

Labradorite/Spectrolite

Even though Labradorite is not the most precious of gemstones it is in my humble opinion, the most beautiful!

If you can imagine the wings of a tropical butterfly, that is the magnificence of this marvellous stone! Labradorite is sodium-rich Feldspar that when light strikes the stone from a particular angle, displays striking rainbow-coloured reflections known as “shiller”.

Labradorite
By Lech Darski (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Labradorite is the sacred stone for the Inuit Indians in Labrador, Canada. Indian wise-men used it as a compass for spiritual direction.

Labradorite was used extensively in jewellery in the 18th century as the “L” in Good Luck.

The bluer and more intense stone is the Spectrolite, which was discovered in 1940 during the 2nd World War in Finnland. The Finns built a defense line on the eastern border and found the crystals in stones raised as anti-tank barriers.

Spectrolite and Madagascar Spectrolite is renowned as the most spectacular, although anyone who has seen a Labradorite will agree that even the “plainer” ones are amazing.

As for the metaphysical properties, Labradorite is said to elevate consciousness and protects the aura; keeping it clear, balanced and protected from energy leaks. It assists one to progress from old ways, encouraging unconventional and exiting new methods to attain one`s goals. It can help you cope with difficult, stressful situations and also gives strength to handle changes.

Referred to as Magic Stone or Merlin Stone, it has also been called the “Stone of the Stars” and symbolises the moon and the sun. But above all, it is such a pleasure to look at!

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Gold

The cause of wars, famine and murder, the source of many conflicts stemming from greed; yet Gold has always been desired and cherished by humans.

This highly malleable metal has been the foundation of many ancient and modern cultures, from the ancient Aztecs and the ruins at Greater Zimbabwe through to North America, Johannesburg and the Spanish.

Traded for, and with, and being able to be formed into any conceivable shape and form, as well as it’s lovely colour and lustre, has made Gold the ideal form of currency and has thus been used throughout the ages. Still today it forms the basis of all economies and determines the strength of all currencies.

Not only is Gold viewed as a symbol of wealth and a showcase of power, it also has many other uses.

Healing Power of Gold

Being an excellent conductor of electricity and amplifier of gems, Gold can enhance the powers of all gem stones. It helps with digestion, circulation and regeneration of the nerves which makes it invaluable to people suffering from arthritis and heart disease.

The way in which to use Gold is to have gems with the healing powers most suitable to your condition, then to wear the ring on the finger that relates to the required chakra. For example, someone with constipation would use a pearl (for digestion), and wear it on their ring finger to correspond with the chakra relating to the stomach. Set in Gold, this would activate the digestive system.

Proportions and Colours

Palladium engagement ring, Red Gold band with matching Men`s band. Made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio.
Palladium engagement ring, Red Gold band with matching Men`s band. Made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio.

Gold is too soft to be used as a pure metal and is thus mixed with other non-ferrous metals to create different carats of Gold, like 18ct or 9ct. These proportions are out of a total amount of 24. The carat (ct) is a seed that was used to weigh metals and stone since ancient times due to the fact that they are all the same size and weight.

Different colour Gold’s are created by alloying the fine gold with different metals to tint the raw materia. The most common is to use a metal called Palladium to form White Gold, or Copper to obtain Red Gold. The balance of the weight would be either silver or copper.

A Gift to celebrate the passing years

“In medieval Germany, where the tradition of giving anniversary gifts seems to have started, if a couple made it to 25 years of marriage, the wife was given a silver garland to mark the occasion. In the unlikely event they made it to 50 years (most people didn’t even live to 50 back then, much less stay married that long), she’d get a Gold garland.” – source

— Zak

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

 

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Tanzanite

Tanzanite Ring - Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio

This beautiful blue-purple stone has a short but rich history.

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills of Mount Kilimanjaro by Massai cattle herders. After a fire caused by lighting, they noticed that brown Zoisite crystals turned a deep blue-purple colour. When the New York jeweller, Louis Tiffany, was presented with the first stones, he recommended the name be changed from blue Zoisite to Tanzanite. He thought the word Zoisite reminded too much of the word “suicide”!  Soon Tanzanite was up there with the other most desirable stones like Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby.

Tanzanite looks its best set in white metal and is complimented wonderfully by diamonds. Be sure to buy your Tanzanite certified, and from a respectable dealer as there are many fraudsters out there.

As this stone is only found in one place in the world,  and also not in big quantities, it is now said that it is 1000 times rarer than the Diamond!This makes Tanzanite very sought after.

Not without a price as the success of the stone brought it some media controversy. It was alleged that the profits of Tanzanite sales funded Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist group, Al Queda, but this was as unfounded as the alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Tanzanite has been called the “Stone of Magic” as it is said to facilitate spiritual awareness and stimulate insight. It also opens the Third Eye, and is known to relieve depression and turn negative energy into positive.

Tanzanite has been added to the official birthstone list as the birthstone for December, and is the suggested gemstone for the 24th wedding anniversary.

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio carry a large selection of top quality certified tanzanites in a range of cuts and sizes, and are able to supply you with the perfect stone to suit not only your every desire, but your budget aswell. For further information, please contact us.

9ct White Gold Diamond Tanzanite Halo Ring

9ct Rose Gold Large Protea Tanzanite Ring

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Jewellery Scams: Why You Should Not Buy Jewellery Sold On The Street

After a recent encounter with an honest gentleman who got taken for an expensive ride, I feel it necessary to share with you ‘what not to do’ should you be approached on the street, in a shopping center or other random place to purchase jewellery or stones of any form or type. Decline the offer, walk away and consider yourself lucky.

Jewellery Scams in South Africa

The Gold Scam

Jewellery that is sold on the street (except street hawkers who trade specifically in jewellery) as genuine gold – are generally gold plated. I`m sure many of you have been caught by the guy trying to sell you a chain whilst walking to your car. He acts suspicious so as to give the impression that the goods are stolen and he is giving it away at a bargain price. Or he is trying to sell a watch or sunglasses with a well-known international brand name – just refuse and walk away. This was the first and most common jewellery scam in our country.

The Stones Scam

This is where uncut diamonds, tanzanite or other gems are sold and the fraudsters rope you in using invoices or valuations from jewellers, showing large sums of money changing hands for rough stones.

The first and foremost rule of any reputable jeweler is that business is not done on the street, or in coffee shops or any other public places. Business is done in the shop or office. The other thing that you should know is that jewelers don’t deal in rough uncut stones. All jewelers have suppliers who they trust implicitly and they will only purchase stock through these suppliers.

Jewellery Scams
Tanzanite. Image by Smallru (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tanzanite is the latest greatest craze in the jewellery industry and as usual, those involved in the illegal side of commerce are all too willing to jump on the Tanzanite-bandwagon to make money.

Maybe you`ve read about people getting taken for a ride in Port Elizabeth buying fake tanzanite from shady dealers; don’t think that they are not going to come here and try to tap into the market here, they are here. What they are trying to sell is a roughly ball shaped object about 5cm in diameter. It has a Grey tar coloured matrix with a similar texture to tar. Embedded in this is a blue stone the colour of tanzanite. The crystal appear large and inclusion free.

The most important thing to remember is this; there is no easy way to get rich. Don’t take chances. And don’t get involved in goods that you don’t know about, no matter how easy and sure it seems or how ever great the financial gains may be.

— Zak

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.