2010_04_15
Jewelry: Keep It Organized!
Have you ever left the house with an incomplete outfit because you couldn't find the earrings you wanted to wear? Or the neck chain you had in mind was tangled - and you didn't have the time to deal with it? Make the time to organize. Spread your jewelry out on a clear surface, like your kitchen table. Check to make certain that all clasps are secure and that no stones are loose. Consider a classic jewelry box. Or plastic storage units or organizers. Take care to store items separately, with no stones scratching other stones or metal. Once you've put everything in order, you'll always be able to reach for what you want when you need it. And you'll be able to truly enjoy your fine jewelry!
For more information about jewelry, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#9 Q3-2008 Week of August 31, 2008
Jewelry: Keeping It Clean!
Remember to bring your favorite jewelry pieces in for a professional checkup and cleaning - before you start to clean them at home. That way, we can be on the lookout for loose stones, worn mountings and other signs of wear. To keep your jewels sparkly between periodic professional cleanings, your tools are simple. You need a jar of jewelry cleaner or some diluted dish wash detergent (a squirt in a half or quarter cup of warm water will do). Soak your jewelry briefly and brush clean with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Wipe dry with a lint-free towel. For pearls, simply wipe clean with a soft towel and avoid all detergents. For any jewelry, when in doubt, it's best to bring it in or call if you have any questions.
For more information about jewelry cleaning, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#10 Q3-2008 Week of September 7, 2008
September's Sapphire: All Colors but Red
September's sapphire is an ancient symbol of the blue heavens. While its name is derived from the Greek word for blue, sapphire comes in virtually all colors but red. Both sapphire and ruby are of the mineral group, corundum. Blue corundum is sapphire, and red corundum is ruby. All other colors are called "fancy sapphires," and each is named by its color - yellow sapphire, green sapphire, and so on. King Solomon used a sapphire for his seal, making it a symbol of wisdom and clear thinking. Second only to diamond in hardness, sapphire is a beautiful alternative engagement gem, such as the sapphire ring Prince Charles gave Diana. It makes a perfect gift for September birthdays and anniversaries and is the official gem for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversary celebrations.
For more information about sapphire jewelry, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#11 Q3-2008 Week of September 14, 2008
A Slightly Thick Girdle
When we're talking diamonds, the term "girdle" takes on a whole new meaning. The girdle of a cut diamond is the outer edge, or perimeter, of the stone. If you look at a diamond sideways, particularly under magnification, you will see that the girdle is not just an edge, but actually a polished (or unpolished) area of the stone. The ideal girdle is "medium" to "slightly thick" in size. The thickness of the girdle is important. It affects both the value and the durability of a given stone. An extremely thin girdle poses the real risk of chipping with normal wear. An extremely thick girdle will make a like-weight diamond appear smaller than a well-cut stone. Girdles may be thicker in non-round shaped diamonds to protect the stone at its points.
For more information about diamond jewelry, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#12 Q3-2008 Week of September 21, 2008
What Is a Carat?
Although we think of carat as a size, carat is actually a measure of weight - two hundred milligrams to be exact. Most jewelers refer to one carat as 100 "points." This means that a 75-point diamond would be three-quarter carat or .75ct. The reason we think of carat as a size, rather than a weight, is that two diamonds of the same weight and cut will generally look to be about the same size. This is not the case, however, when comparing carat weight between diamonds and other gems. For example, emerald is less dense than diamond. So if you were to compare a 1.0-carat round emerald with a 1.0-carat brilliant-cut diamond, the emerald would be larger - just as a pound of feathers would be much larger than a pound of lead.
For more information about loose gemstones, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#13 Q3-2008 Week of September 28, 2008
Over a Pound of Diamond
In January of 1905, the superintendent of the Premier Mine in South Africa came across what he thought was a large piece of glass glinting in the sunlight. The "glass" was tested and proved to be the largest gem-quality diamond ever found. It weighed 3,106-carats, or about one and one-third pounds! Named for Sir Thomas Cullinan, the man who opened the mine, this amazing gem was presented as a sixty-sixth birthday gift to King Edward VII, of England, in 1907. King Edward shipped the gem out to Amsterdam to be cut. The cutter yielded nine major gems, which all remain in the British Crown Jewels (or are owned personally by the royal family), as well as ninety-six smaller - but still sizeable! - gems, and nine diamonds of a half-carat or less.
For more information about major diamonds, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .

Column#7 Q4 (week of November 16, 2008)
Shop Early - and Enjoy the Rest of Your Holiday Season
It's time to take a deep breath and jump into the holiday season. Most people have pretty much the same deadline, and it's only human nature to put off your gift selections as if it were yet another nasty task to get out of the way. Why not make a change this year, and choose your gifts ahead of the last-minute rush, when the selection is greatest, and when your mind is most clear? We have a lot of exciting new gift ideas in our showcases, possibly one for everyone on your list. So instead of fighting the traffic at the end of December, why not take the time this year to stop by early. And after your visit, you can exhale and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!
For great gift ideas, visit Sossi Jewelry Collection at 837 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada or call 818-952-2332 .