How long have you been in business ?
Siegel Jewelers was established in 1889, and we are currently making plans to Celebrate our 116th anniversary.

Where can I get a catalog of your merchandise?
We currently do not have a catalog, because it is our belief that purchasing jewelry is the forming of a relationship between the jeweler and the customer, and a catalog would reduce the personal contact involved in the relationship. We will be putting a limited number of items for sale on this website, So stop back again.

Is 18kt gold softer and less durable than 14 karat ?
18 karat is more pure gold and less alloy so it might seem that, as gold is softer than alloy, it would be softer. However, todays alloys produce 18 karat jewelry that is every bit as hard and durable as 14 karat. And as it is 75% pure gold, it is less likely to tarnish or break.

What is "Estate Jewelry" ?
Todays usage of the term is equivalent to "pre-owned". It can include "Antique", "Period" as well as modern pieces but all have had a previous owner. Antique, Period and signed pieces often command a premium over their intrinsic value, while modern pieces most often sell for less than it would cost to duplicate them.

How often should jewelry be appraised ?
You should consider having your jewelry appraised every 3 to 5 years. If you tell the appraiser when your jewelry was last appraised, the appraiser can tell you if there have been variances significant enough to justify the re-appraisal. Appraising techniques have improved over the last few years and if your appraisal is more than 5 years old, it should probably be reappraised.

What qualifications should an appraiser have ?
Experience in the marketplace to enable the appraiser tp properly value the jewelry. Gemological knowledge to properly identify gemstones and the equipment necessary for the task. Integrity and a reputation as an ethical and knowledgable appraiser. Membership in the American Gem Society is your assurance that the appraiser is qualified, and a store with a CGA (Certified, Gemologist Appraiser) on its staff is especially qualified.

Why does my finger turn black, or smudges appear on my skin or clothing from jewelry ?
There are two main reasons for this to happen, but in any case it is not the gold that causes the problem. One cause is the reaction between the alloy in the gold and some other substance. It could be soap or any of a number of other things. A second cause, and more of a problem, is when your body gives off something that interacts with the alloy. When this is the case, it might require that you use a higher karat gold or platinum. Never get soap under your rings. Your rings and jewelry should be cleaned regularly.

Why did I not see much platinum jewelry until recently?
The main reason is that during world war II, platinum was declared a "strategic metal" and its use in jewelry was banned because the government needed it for the war effort. Jewelers were forced to use white gold in place of platinum. Platinum never really quite recovered its popularity after the war until its recent resurgence in the 1990's. Before the war, though, platinum was very popular. It came into widespread jewelry use during the late 19th century and was the predominant jewelry metal from the victorian age through the art deco era. Platinum became the jewelers' metal of choice when famous jewelry houses like Faberge', Cartier and Tiffany created jewelry collections from it.

Will platinum tarnish?
Because of its high purity, platinum will not oxidize (or discolor), which can cause dark smudges to appear on your skin. Platinum will keep its deep white luster forever. If your skin is sensitive to metal, platinum is an ideal choice because it is hypoallergenic.

I'm familiar with white gold. Is it similar to platinum?
White gold was actually invented as a substitute for platinum during World War II. Since white-metal looks were the preferred fashion at the time, metallurgists developed a way to turn yellow gold white by adding nickel, zinc and other metals to it. When the war ended, white gold remained popular. Although white gold mimics platinum in color, the similarity ends there. Platinum is truly a superior metal for fine jewelry.