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Custom Creatation with our Lost Wax Casting Process

Knox Jewelers specializes in one-of-a-kind custom created engagement rings and wedding bands. Every ring commissioned through Knox is built from the ground up, starting first with a hand sketch or CAD image. Once a design is finalize in 2D, the ring will be brought to life on our 3D printer. This technology allows us to grow a 1:1 wax prototype of your design layer by layer. Once this wax model is completed, the ring will enter its final transformation into precious metal. This step in the process is called lost-wax casting, since the wax prototype is lost in the process. The model will melt away and metal will take its place.

Lost wax casting is an age-old process that dates back many thousands of years. Artists and craftsmen of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and Africa used the lost wax method of casting to produce their intricately detailed jewelry and trinkets. The oldest lost-wax cast sculpture was found in the Cave of Treasure near Israel, and has been dated back to 3700 BC.

Below is a closer look at the crucial steps in Knox Jewelers’ perfected modern lost wax casting process.

The casting process begins by measuring the proper amount of water and investment. The jeweler carefully measures each element, making sure the perfect amounts are used. If the mixture is not exact, the investment will not harden and set correctly. Once the investment powder and water have been added to a mixer it is very important both are mixed for a specific amount of time. This process is done under a vacuum to ensure few air bubbles enter the mixture and cause weak spots within the mold, which could further lead to breakage or inconsistencies during the casting process.

The wax prototype of your ring is placed within the flask first, then the flask is filled with the investment mixture. Once the plaster-like investment hardens overnight, the container will be placed upside-down in a kiln oven to melt the wax.

Once the wax prototype has melted away it will leaves an empty mold of your ring design. The jeweler removes the hot flask from the kiln and positions it into the casting machine.

The jeweler will measured out the exact amount of metal casting grain need to create your piece and pours it into the crucible. A crucible is a metal container used for heating substances at high temperatures. The metal is heated to a molten state under a vacuum sealed chamber within the casting machine.

The casting machine is rotated allowing the metal will pour into the flask and fill the empty mold. The flask is then removed from the casting machine and submerged in water to cool. The cooling process breaks up the investment surrounding your ring, making it easier to retrieve the cast metal piece.

At Knox Jewelers we believe that there is no shortcut to quality. Every step in our creation process is a necessary step towards obtaining an heirloom quality ring. The lost wax casting method may be time consuming, but it ensures every ring we create is one-of-a-kind, and custom tailored for her. Contact us today to get started on your custom created engagement ring or wedding band!

Citrine – November’s Golden Gem

Citrine, along with golden topaz, is the official birthstone for the month of November. In recent decades citrine has gained popularity in the jewelry industry and has become a yellow gemstone staple in the marketplace. Its name is derived for the Latin word citrina which means “yellow”. Citrine’s durability, affordability and attractive color make it one of the most sought after varieties of quartz. Its color also makes its an affordable alternative to golden topaz and yellow sapphire. Everything you have ever wanted to know about this golden gem and how Knox Jewelers can help you to create the perfect birthstone jewelry will be revealed below.

1. Citrine is a gemstone variety of the mineral quartz.

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth. Its physical form can range anywhere from sand grains on a beach to large gemstone crystals of amethyst or citrine. Though they look very different, all quartz varieties are composed of the same chemical elements, silicon and oxygen. The size and color of their crystal formation is the largest difference between quartz species. Citrine is the pale yellow to brownish orange, transparent variety of this mineral. Other popular quartz gemstones include amethyst, smokey quartz and rock crystal. Gem varieties of quartz usually form in large crystals with exceptional clarity.

2. Citrine’s most popular colors are a deep yellow and a reddish orange.

Citrine is available in varying hues ranging from pale yellows to deep orange browns. Though the most sought after hues of citrine in the marketplace are vibrant and free of brown tints.

3. Citrine crystals found in nature are extremely rare.

The exact elements and environment needed for citrine quartz crystals to form is rare. Some natural citrine is mined in Bolivia, but the supply is incredibly scarce. Most citrine gems on the market today are produced by heat treating amethyst, which is also a quartz variety. Most of amethyst heated to become golden is found in huge geodes mined in Brazil.

4. Citrine owes its yellow and orange colors to trace amounts of iron in its crystal structure.

All varieties of quartz are mixtures of silicon and oxygen. Iron is the trace element that give citrine its golden color.

5. Fine quality and large citrine gemstones remain affordable.

Citrine is one of the most popular and frequently purchased yellow gemstones because of its availability and fair cost. Even fine graded citrine has an economical price. Sizable citrines remain modestly priced, as price per carat does not rise dramatically for larger sizes.

6. Quartz varieties, like citrine, have been used in jewelry for centuries.

Quartz in any form was commonly used in Europe and the Middle East as gemstones for carving. Citrine exclusively has been found as an ornament going back thousands of years. It was a popular decorative gem in Ancient Greece, and adorned weaponry in 17th century Scotland. More recently, citrine was a go-to gem in the Art Deco era where the gemstones large sizes lead to over-sized and elaborate pieces.

7. Before modern technology, citrine was often mistake for topaz.

It is nearly impossible to visually tell the difference between a faceted citrine gemstone and another of yellow topaz. The largest difference between the two is their hardness. A citrine has a Mohs Hardness rating of 7, well topaz is slightly harder with a rating of 8.

8. Gemstone quality quartz can be found all over the world.

Natural citrine, though rare, can be found in Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico and Uruguay. Most of the amethyst that is suitable for heat treatment to become citrine is mined in Brazil.

Create the Perfect Jewelry with Citrine

If you are looking for a special piece of jewelry that will be cherished for a lifetime, we are here to help. Knox Jewelers specializes in unique custom jewelry designs and engagement rings. Citrine in any shape or size can add color to one of our custom created jewelry designs for a one-of-a-kind look!

Contact Knox Jewelers to find out more about our products or services, including our custom jewelry design service. We look forward to hearing from you.

Knox Jewelers Temporary Solitaire

Selecting jewelry for another person is a daunting endeavor. That undertaking is tenfold when choosing the most important piece of jewelry she will ever wear, an engagement ring. Knox Jewelers can help to educate you in every aspect of investing in an engagement ring, but we can not offer advice in one area, personal taste. That is where the challenge lies. If an element of surprise is important to you, but you have concerns about designing the ring of her dreams, then we have devised the perfect solution.

Knox Jewelers offers a temporary solitaire option that allows you to propose with the gemstone of your choosing without committing to a custom design. Once you have selected your perfect diamond or sapphire , it would be set into our white gold Classic Solitaire ring design for presentation. This ring setting offers an elegant four prong look with a streamlined high-polished band. If she would like to re-set the diamond after your proposal, you can come in together to custom create her forever engagement ring. The center stone would be moved into your new ring design and your temporary setting would be returned for a full credit towards your purchase.

Step 1 – Choose your perfect diamond.

Step 2 – Propose with your diamond solitaire and take her breathe away.

Step 3 – Custom create your one-of-a-kind engagement ring together.

A temporary solitaire can ease many obstacles one faces when selecting an engagement ring.

Making it a Surprise

Our temporary ring option gives you a way to veil your intentions. She will be completely unaware because you haven’t needed to hint around her taste in rings or asked her for ideas. There will be no quizzing of friends or family members, just so one can accidentally spill the big news. You can present your engagement ring exactly the way you would like to, and create a proposal story to remember for a lifetime.

Choosing the Perfect Ring

If you have already started to search for engagement rings, you are well aware just how many styles are actually available. Engagement rings today are amazingly varied. Every Knox Jewelers ring is custom created from the ground up and hand finished to ensure its heirloom quality. This can be a fairly large commitment in jewelry if you are unaware what she would like to be wearing for the rest of your lives together. A temporary solitaire can alleviate the pressure of choosing exactly the right ring and allow you to focus on other important parts of the equation, like choosing exactly the right diamond for you.

Working with a Budget

The center stone of an engagement ring accounts for a large percentage of its final cost. By first selecting a diamond or sapphire and proposing with a temporary solitaire, you are setting the tone of your budget while still allowing her to choose her ring style. Purchasing your final ring in two separate fragments, center stone and custom setting, would also allow you to spread out the cost of your investment.

A temporary solitaire is the perfect engagement ring option that solves the stress of choosing her ideal setting without ruining any surprises. Stop into or contact Knox Jewelers today and let us help you search for your perfect center stone to feature in our Classic Solitaire.

On Trend for 2016

If you are currently on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring to propose in the upcoming year, then Knox Jewelers has a few suggests of current designs being sought after in our showrooms. With our custom created rings, the possibilities are endless, but there are a few styles that are gaining trend status. We are always ready to help you create the ring of her dreams, maybe one of these listed styles was made just for her.

Nature Inspired

Floral and foliage themes have a long history of symbolizing romantic love when stylized into a piece of jewelry. This tradition has now emerged as a popular motif among engagement rings. Selecting a nature inspired engagement ring can show her how your love has grown into something beautiful.

Vibrant Centers

A bright, white, scintillating diamond has taken center stage in many dream rings, and we are sure it will continue to. However, those who dream in color have recently been selecting vibrant hues of diamond and sapphire to complete their perfect engagement ring. Both sapphire and diamond naturally occur in every shade of the rainbow, and with a little searching, we are sure we can unite you with your perfect gemstone.

Stack-able

Flip through any fashion magazine and you are sure to spot a hand or two piled high with slim, stacked rings. This style has now found its way into bridal jewelry. We have seen customers opting for solitaire engagement rings and mixing them with several of our custom wedding bands to create their own unique grouping. This trend is ideal for the bride who likes to mix and match.

Antique Inspired

Engagement rings are currently taking a cue from past decades. Vintage inspired details add something of the extraordinary to any custom created piece. All of Knox Jewelers antique detailing like engraving, milgrain and filigree is hand fashioned by our talented goldsmiths. Micro details like these can make all the difference in an heirloom quality ring.

Split Shanks

What is better than one diamond band? Two, of course. Split band engagement rings have been the recent selection of many Knox Jewelers’ patrons. The style mixes well with a variety of center stone shapes and setting styles. Allowing it to be the final touch to any custom engagement ring.

Oval Cut Center

More and more women are stopping in-store and asking if we have oval shaped diamonds to see in person. A close runner up to the round brilliant, oval shapes are definitely on trend. The shape flatters the finger and has an overall elegant vibe. Any of our custom created engagement rings can be crafted around an oval shape center.

Mixed Metal

Several Knox customers have recently undertaken a bold endeavor by creating their custom engagement rings in two or three tone metals. The warmth of yellow gold and skin flattering rose gold are being paired with the ever popular white metals. These daring combination can highlight the fine details included into your ring and give you a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Now that you’ve been inspired by our current trends, stop in-store or livechat and let us answer any questions you may have on starting your very own custom engagement ring. The ring of her dreams is waiting to be created!

Peridot – August’s Gem of Legend

Peridot, the August birthstone, is one of the most sought after green gems, and is said to bring the wearer luck and a sense of tranquility. It is known for its glistening yellowish-green hue. Ranging from a lime green to olive color, and sometimes a deeper brown shade, it is without a doubt that peridot is a gorgeous gemstone. This article takes a close look at this August birthstone, including its history and how you can land yourself astonishing custom made jewels.

About peridot

Peridot is the gemstone form of olivine, a common mineral that is found in lava rocks. The gemstone forms deep inside the earth, and is brought to the surface by volcanic action. It is mainly found inside lava flows in countries like China, the U.S and Vietnam. It can also be found inside solidified molten rock in some regions – Pakistan, Mynmar and Zabargad. In some rare occasions, it can be as a result of extraterrestrial activity, being found inside fallen meteorites.

Peridot is chemically composed of Iron and Magnesium. It is one of the Idiochromatic gems, meaning it derives its color from the chemical composition rather than its impurities. It thus exhibits a narrow range of colors. It is found in shades of olive green, lime green and a brown-green to yellowish green hue. The yellowish-green color is the most common shade found in august birthstone jewelry, and it is a result of the iron content.

Significance and Symbology

Peridot produces a soft, light green glow under artificial light, which has earned the name “the evening emeralds.” The gemstone is associated with peace, prosperity and goodness. In Hawaii, the stone is believed to represent the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.

History

Peridot is among the oldest known gemstones. References of the august birthstone go all the way back to the Bible, where it is referred to by its Hebrew name “Pitdah”. It is believed that “topaz”, which was on the breast plate of the High Priest Aaron in the Old Testament, was actually a peridot.

Historically, the gemstone was used to create beads during the Ancient Egyptians era around 1580 B.C to 1350 B.C. The Egyptians associated it with light, and it was even referred to as the “gem of the sun.” On top of being used to create beads, it was believed to protect the wearer from evil. The Egyptians mined the stone from a Red Sea island called Topazios, the current day Island of Zabargad.

Peridot was also popular gemstone in other early civilizations. In Greece, it was believed to bring dignity to the wearer. It was also a prized gemstone in the Ottoman Empire, as well as among the Turkish Sultans, who are believed to have owned the largest collection of peridots in the world.

Throughout history, peridot gemstones have been confused with other gems. It is one of the many gems that have been referred to as “topaz.” It is also believed that the famous gemstones worn by Queen Cleopatra were in fact peridots, and not emeralds as many people believed.

Today, peridot is one of the most prized gemstones, mainly due to its soothing hues and its long, colorful history.

Custom Made Peridot Jewelry

If you are in search of custom created august birthstone jewelry, Knox Jewelers is the place to be. We specialize in crafting custom designed jewelry, ranging from engagement rings to pendants and earrings. Peridot gems are a perfect birthday gift for people born in August. You can consult with Knox Jewelers to create an original design for the perfect birthstone jewelry.

Here at Knox, we have a wealth of experience in creating custom masterpiece jewelry from gemstones, having been designing engagement rings and other jewelry for decades. We employ skilled artisans who are always at hand, ready to make your dream come true. Our jewelry is of the highest quality, and it is guaranteed to stand the test of time.

To own a custom design of peridot jewelry, contact one of our knowledgeable consultants today.