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Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of the pieces you see on this site will have been customer commissions.
I pride myself on my “Bespoke” work and client commissions, having created many pieces for discerning clients Worldwide.

The process should be exciting, fun and downright easy!

However, due to the massive amount of enquiries I receive, I tend to be VERY DIRECT so please do not take offence at all if I ask straight-out questions.

Occasionally my directness gets misinterpreted as ‘rudeness”. If you are the type of person who is hyper-sensitive, then I am definitely not the jeweller for you!

So here are a few simple ways that you as the customer can make my life a little bit easier 🙂

1: Have some idea – of WHAT you like and what you don’t like.

It’s pointless emailing me saying “I really want you to design and make me a ring”…

Try to reference styles of mine you like, colours you like, widths you like, surfaces-shiny, brushed, organic, rose gold, yellow gold, white gold…

Be a little flexible with the design, I will be creating a ONE OFF for you, hence it will not be EXACTLY the same as the one you saw on my Facebook, Instagram or this website.

Custom work is ALL about communication!

2: Be REALISTIC regarding the design – I do not create anything that is not within my design style and my online images. For example, i won’t make a 3-claw sapphire ring like something you would see at Michael Hill, BlueNile, or anything mass produced.

I will not reproduce copies or styles of jewellery that is not mine. You can send pictures of styles you like, but please do need expect a direct copy of them.

Chances are if you do that, I won’t respond.

3: BUDGET – I need to know how much you want to spend-once again be realistic. Whilst I can often “tweak” things to reduce costs do not expect me to perform miracles.

4: Tell me a bit ABOUT YOU – or the person it is being created for.

Are they sporty, funky, romantic, ethical, or boho – do they like green, blue, or violet?

That kind of thing really helps me out!

5: FINGER SIZE – if it’s a ring this helps so much!!

– Not sure how to establish the finger size?

I address that on another FAQ

Once we establish some basic ideas I will run up some quick sketches – and yes, they will be quick and very simple, I do not charge “custom fees” as many jewellers do, so please do not expect detailed rendered drawings or plans.

Once both are comfortably on the same page a deposit is taken *(deposits depend on the final cost of the work but on gold rings average $500.00 -$1000). These are NON-REFUNDABLE once work has commenced.

All custom work is non-returnable or refundable.

Then the magic begins…

My turnaround can vary from 3-8 weeks – if you need something urgently just ask.

By far the safest way of finding out your finger size or anyone else’s for that matter is to head into a jewellery store or any local jewellers. They should use special sizing rings that are universal worldwide. Remember if the ring is wider than 3mm you are having made use of a WIDE sizer.

Want to gift as a surprise??

Gifting a handmade ring without knowing someone’s finger size is somewhat tricky, whilst we can guess ,you need to check with me first if the style you want is resizable or not.

If it’s for your girlfriend a sneaky way to enlist help is to ask one of her friends to go shopping with her and “accidentally” come across a jewellers or jewellery store. Then they can go in and try a few rings on and hence get the finger size.

Tying string around your finger or even measuring the diameter of an old ring is rather inaccurate (as is those online charts) and could lead to costly resizing later down the track.

Here is a link to a ring size conversion – please just use this as a guide – not gospel!

http://www.ringsizes.co/

What forms of shipping/freight do you use?
In Australia, I use express post. which is fully tracked and traceable at a flat $20 max using a box without any branding.

This does not include insurance.

Insurance is available at an extra cost, it differs depending on the item’s value so if you would like added cover please enquire before posting.

I send WORLDWIDE and normally use Australia post express, which is $40 to NZ, $50.00 the rest of the world, and is fully tracked, traceable, and signed for, on average it takes 5-7 days to NZ, 2 weeks rest of the World.
This does not include insurance, insurance is available at an extra cost, but it differs depending on the item’s value so if you would like added cover please enquire before I post.
Express Australia-wide normally takes 2-5 days, however, Covid and holidays can create major delays.

PACKAGING

Your precious will arrive in a custom DFJ box, and be sent in a large box without any branding on it.

I am all about recycling and reducing waste, so often I will reuse packaging materials from other products I have received in the past.

It changes due to my workload – but on average 3-8 weeks.

Yes, it’s not a problem for us to do this virtually. We do need you to send us some images of the pieces prior to the meeting. If possible, any information you might have regarding stone sizes and measurements helps too.

We can give you preliminary ideas about making a remodeled ring or other items. Prices can be indicated with this information but will have to reconfirm once we have the pieces in store for an in person inspection. You can send us your pieces to do this. Information regarding postage can be sent to you

Of course. Custom made wedding and engagement rings are my main form of business!

Just be aware I only take on work that is within my DESIGN AESTHETIC.

Yes I have a review section on my facebook page

Click here to see my reviews

Moissonite is an amazing new gem out on the market-with diamond like qualities it is ethically produced ,hard wearing and perfect for engagement and wedding rings

there are two kinds currently available normal and FOREVER BRILLIANT moissonite-the new forever brilliant moissonite is incredible and shines brighter and whiter than a diamond

Fire and Brilliance

Moissanite has created an entirely new and unique category of gemstone for jewellery……exceptionally brilliant and amazingly unique. Moissanite produces the most fire and sparkle you’ve ever seen and to give you comfort, is sold with a limited lifetime warranty assuring that its brilliance will never fade. Moissanite is not a diamond simulant, but an entirely unique gemstone with highly desirable qualities and an affordable alternative. Moissanite was first discovered in minute quantities from particles carried to earth by a meteorite 50,000 years ago.

What makes moissanite sparkle?

The fire, brilliance and sparkle that are so characteristic of moissanite is due to its high refractive index of 2.42. The higher the refractive index of a gemstone, the more fire it emits. Measuring moissanite’s fire of 0.104, it is more than twice that of a diamond, which measures 0.044. Simply, when comparing them side by side, moissanite emits more fire, or flashes of rainbow coloured light, than a diamond

Dispersion and fire

As light passes through an object, the light is spread out according to its wavelengths (colour). This dispersion of light can be scientifically measured. A gemstones fire is caused by its dispersion. The exceptional sparkle of moissanite is due to moissanite’s high RI. The higher the Refractive Index of a gemstone is, the more sparkle and brilliance it will display. Moissanite has a higher RI and displays more brilliance when compared to a diamond or any other popular gemstone, such as rubies and sapphires.

Will moissanite’s brilliance ever fade?

No. Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty with all moissanite which guarantees that every Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite gemstone will maintain its brilliance and fire for its lifetime.

Moissanite vs. CZ

Compared to moissanite, cubic zirconia is substantially softer. Cubic zirconia scratches and abrades easily. This is why it loses its lustre after a relatively short time. Frankly, there simply is no comparison between cubic zirconia and moissanite. Moissanite’s properties are far superior to cubic zirconia. Moissanite is one of the hardest and toughest known elements on earth, making it extremely resistant to scratching, chipping and breaking.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is also known as silicon carbide (SiC) which is created in a laboratory using a patented thermal process. Only recently, following years of scientists trying to recreate moissanite, through advances in technology, Charles and Colvard developed a process where moissanite could be grown in a laboratory to produce large gem like quality crystals. Finally, these gems could be faceted into unique jewels and made available for sale.
Charles and Colvard created moissanite is truly a unique and beautiful blend of art and science.

Where does moissanite come from – is it a natural stone or is it man made?

Natural moissanite does occur, but found in in tiny, limited quantities or as minute particles in the earth and rare crystals. The amount of naturally occurring gem quality moissanite is so rare that there would not be enough material to create one pair of solitaire earrings.

Where did the name moissanite come from?

Discovered in 1893 by French Nobel Prize-winner, Dr. Henri Moissan, the jewel was later named in his honour.

How is moissanite made?

Charles and Colvard have patented and developed a proprietary and patented thermal growth process which is very involved, technology intense and expensive process which prevents mass production of moissanite. Charles & Colvard is the sole source and global distributor of Charles & Colvard created moissanite.

Can the colour of moissanite change?

No. There are no known situations in which the colour of moissanite has been permanently changed. A temporary colour change will occur when moissanite is exposed to torch heat during jewellery repair techniques. However, with proper bench techniques, there is no resulting damage and moissanite returns to its normal colour after the gemstone cools to room temperature.

Does moissanite have inclusions?

All moissanite sold have no eye visible inclusions. When using magnification, one can see characteristic needle like inclusions which are typical and inherent to crystal growth process.

How is moissanite cut and polished?

All gemstones are precisely hand-cut by a master gem cutter. This allows the gem to display the beautiful fire and brilliance and creates the maximum sparkle which intensifies its ultimate fire.

Is moissanite graded for clarity?

Each gemstone is examined individually for inclusions that may affect moissanite’s optical performance, using a 10 x magnification loupe.

What colours are available?

Most moissanite sold today is near-colourless.

Does moissanite scratch easily?

No. Moissanite is extremely scratch and abrasion resistant. Moissanite is 9 ¼ on the Mohs scale and is the second hardest gemstone used in jewellery, after a diamond.

Can moissanite break easily?

No. Moissanite is one of the toughest jewels known and is harder than all other gemstones (excluding diamond) including ruby and sapphire. Based on measurable scientific studies in high pressure research, moissanite is extremely resistant to breaking and chipping.

Can moissanite tolerate high heat?

Yes. Moissanite has been tested to temperatures higher than 1000 degrees centigrade. At this temperature, moissanite remains intact and remains as brilliant as the day it was created. Moissanite’s heat resistant properties are excellent.

How do I clean my moissanite?

Moissanite can be cleaned the same way as you would clean your diamond and other fine jewellery. Normal ultrasonic cleaning is perfectly safe and advisable. Do not place more than one piece of jewellery in the ultrasonic cleaner as this can damage or chip any jewellery due the high frequency and vibrations. You can also clean moissanite with a commercial (non-acid based) jewellery cleaner or mild soap and water using a soft toothbrush.

Moissanite ( displays more than twice the dispersion of fire compared to a diamond.In common terms this means it is MORE SPARKLY!

Moissanite is named after Dr. Henri Moissan.

Charles and Colvard is the exclusive global supplier of moissanite, a patented jewel with unrivalled brilliance and fire.
Charles and Colvard Created Moissanite® offers more beauty for less investment.

Introducing FOREVER BRILLIANT™

A personal invitation extended to you….….to sparkle…….beyond brilliant!

In addition to the beautiful Charles and Colvard created moissanite, FOREVER BRILLIANT™ gems are now also available to you in a higher standard of the Gemological Institute of America’s near-colourless spectrum, up to four colour grades whiter.

Only the world’s finest moissanite are hand selected and expertly polished.

Using cutting edge 21st Century technology, a radically different proprietary process of whitening moissanite has been developed by Serenity Technologies, Inc., that improves the colour and brilliance of moissanite.

This enhancement of course comes at a higher price and is brought to you directly from and guaranteed by the sole manufacturer of moissanite gems, Charles and Colvard.

Experience the astonishing effect of light reflecting the sparkling brilliance from every facet of FOREVER BRILLIANT™ gems, even in a candle lit room!

FOREVER BRILLIANT™ gemstones carry the same Limited Lifetime Warranty as all other Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® gemstones for maintaining their optical property of brilliance.

Yes totally secure!

The gems are “set” in either by my husband or a qualified diamond setter.

To learn more about setting techniques that we use, read my blog.https://www.debrafallowfield.com/news/gem-setting-explained-types-and-process/

This is a tricky question to answer without all the information needed. As its truely dependent on a number of factors such as
– How simplistic or decorative is the new design?
– How many of your stones can be used?
– Do you want to add more stones?
– Are we designing one piece or many?
– How long will it take for us to dismantle your existing jewellery?

The minimum fee for a gold remodel is around $3000. However, if you wanted to credit the old gold towards a remodel in silver, expect to pay from $990.

The amount of work in a remodel can often be 5 times longer than a piece started from scratch. Whilst every job is completely different I find most gold remodels sit in the $3900 – $7000 bracket (when crafting in a 9ct gold).

It can take between 5 hours up to four days to craft a ring – it really depends on the complexity of the design.

Your gems will need to be of a decent quality to reuse. Often their size and quality determine how they can be set into a new piece. Debra will outline options and risks before commencing with you.

I am often asked if I can say take a large gem and cut it into smaller stones, I am not a cutter so this is not possible.

Please note working with your gems is entirely at your own risk (you will be asked to sign a contract before work commences).

Most definitely.

I can mix different alloys with your refined gold granules before casting your new ring.

We do our best to make our pieces as close to the requested item as possible. However, because all of our jewelry is hand-crafted, there will be some natural variation between pieces and that is part of our magic. No two pieces are ever exactly alike so precise replication should not be expected.

We pride ourselves in satisfying our customers and want you to love wearing your pieces as much as we love making them. So please be sure to communicate clearly with us.

If you are truly unhappy contact us as soon as possible.

Moissanite is one of the most durable gems on the Planet. Surpassed only by diamond on the hardness scale, it’s designed for every day wear & will handle life’s little knocks.

However it must be noted it is NOT indestructible, so we do suggest a “Common sense” approach when wearing your ring.

Please be aware that even the World’s best diamonds will chip with a direct blow at certain angles & Moissanite is no exception.

Please take care of your handcrafted Moissanite ring, by removing it during certain exercise & tasks such as showering *( especially in bathrooms with hard tile floors).

On the very rare occasion you chip your stone contact us immediately.

Often when gemstones are talked about their “hardness” is also mentioned,this is in basic terms how “scratch able” a stone is,and is something you should really consider when purchasing jewellery(especially things like wedding and engagement rings that may be subject to heavy wear).

This is deemed as the MOHS scale..No,no..Nothing at all to do with Homers drunken buddy in the Simpsons.

At the top is diamonds,followed by sapphires,two gems I thoroughly recommend for everyday”never take off” rings..But if your a little careful(unlike me!) a garnet or tourmaline will give you so many options at a cost effective price,or think moissonite ,the fabulous diamond replacement.

Diamonds are known for being one of the hardest substances on earth. A diamond is so hard it ranks as a 10 on the Mohs scale–the highest level of hardness. But what is the Mohs scale?

The Mohs scale (pronounced MOZE) rates the hardness of gems and minerals. The hardness of a stone indicates the stone’s resistance to scratching or how the surface of the gem will respond to contact with a sharp point. This differs from a gem’s toughness, which is defined by how well a gem can survive an impact or resist breaking, chipping or cracking.
Introduced in 1822, the scale originated when Friedrich Mohs chose ten minerals and assigned numbers to them based on the relative ease or difficulty with which one can be scratched by another. His studies resulted in the scale below, which is still used today.

When looking at the Mohs scale, it is important to remember that the difference in hardness between minerals, or the hardness numbers, is not actually equal, even though the minerals look to be equally spaced. The diamond is only one number away from the Corundum mineral (which includes rubies and sapphires), however it is many times harder then the gems in the Corundum family.
The Mohs scale helps to identify what makes a gem durable. The more durable a gem is, the more suitable it is for use in frequently worn jewelry.

My  top picks for everyday wear for handmade engagement rings or wedding rings are :

1: Diamonds

2: Moissanite and sapphires

3: Spinel, Chrysoberyl

Before you throw your arms up in the air,send me a nasty email or question the quality of my work -you need to read this.

Whilst this mainly occurs with sterling silver rings,very occasionally it can happen with gold ones as well.

Changes in body chemistry can affect the tarnish rate on sterling silver jewelry. Amino Acids in the perspiration contain sulfur or sulfides and the presence of sulfur or sulfides accelerates the rate of tarnish. Changes in hormone balance during adolescence or change of life in women has been known to change the bodies chemistry. Medications or chemotherapy can also affect the body chemistry.

This can show up as a black mark on your finger or worse-a rash.

Some cosmetics and skin lotions can also accelerate tarnishing in silver or lower carat gold jewelry. Try cleaning your silver jewelry in dish washing detergent and water after wearing it, be sure to completely dry it.

This will help remove skin oils or perspiration and may help keep silver jewelry clean and bright longer.

A quick fix is to paint clear nail polish on the inside of the band.

 

All Debra Fallowfield Jewellery comes with a 12-month warranty that covers any manufacturing fault that is not the result of everyday wear and tear.

We do not cover

  • Chipped, cracked or broken gemstones.
  • Broken chains.
  • General wear and tear including rings that have bent out of shape or oxidised.
  • We can generally tell exactly how a piece has been treated by examining it under a microscope, which will show any major impacts.

As a general rule please treat your piece with respect – although diamonds and sapphire set jewellery can handle most knocks other gems are not so hard-wearing, often a chipped gem cannot be replaced without a complete remake of the item so it is wise to be aware of your jewellery at all times.

It is best not to swim, garden or expose rings to chemicals (eg: household bleach, strong cleaners etc). Moisturisers and tanning creams can tarnish sterling silver and dull gold – I suggest for longevity you remove jewellery BEFORE any activity that may damage it. Store in the box supplied. Clean with very hot water, a squirt of ammonia in a jar, soak for a few minutes then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.

Take extra care with stones such as mystic topaz as although the coating is baked on, it will be marked if exposed to harsh cleaners and chemicals.

Try to keep oxidised pieces out of the water as this can fade the dip over time.

Brushed work will shine up with constant wear -but can be self-managed by gently scrubbing a damp green scotchbrite sponge over the work and drying off with a soft towel.

Debra offers free cleaning, re-brushing, and texturing, on your piece at any time –

return to: Debra Fallowfield

14 Firewheel Road

Ringtail Creek 4565

Queensland

Australia

ph : 0473072745

Please include a SELF ADDRESSED return courier post courier bag

Remodelling work carried out and created or (hereafter referred to as item/s) ordered through Debra Fallowfield Jewellery LTD

(hereafter referred to as the Seller) are subject to the following conditions:

1: All removal,resetting and reusing of the customers previous gems is entirely at the customers own risk .in the event of any damage during any of these processes Debra Fallowfield Jewellery LTD will not be held responsible on any counts.

2: In the event damage does occur the customer will still be required to pay for any work that has already been completed on the item.

3: Whilst workmanship is covered for 12 months after completion on the item ,setting of any previous customers gems are not*(In the regard of breakages, fall outs,chips or general wear and tear ).

4: Only invoices of work involved can be given upon completion.Should a valuation be needed an independent valuation through an accredited agent can be supplied on request. .An independent valuation takes approximately two weeks and currently costs $120.00 over and above any given quotes.

5: Debra Fallowfield Jewellery LTD will not be held responsible for any loss or theft of the customers items whilst held in their possession during remodelling.

6: Should the customer decide not to commence with the job , the customer has 6 months to retrieve their old jewellery ,after 6 months Debra Fallowfield LTD has the right to dispose of the items  however they deem fit.

Date: ______________________

Signed: ______________________________

Is a valuation needed?: yes no (please

circle one)

© Debra Fallowfield Jeweller 2019

Our home studio and showroom is in the Noosa Hinterland, 20 minutes from Noosa.

Visits via appointment are more than welcome, please contact us to arrange a suitable time.

+61473072745

The minimum I charge for a gold remodel is $2900.00.

However if you wanted to credit the old gold towards a remodel in SILVER, expect to pay from $900.00

The amount of work in a remodel can often take 5 times longer, than a piece started from scratch.

Whilst every job is completely different I find most gold remodels sit in the $2900.00 – $5,900 bracket, when crafting in a 9ct gold.

It helps if you can send a photo of what old materials you would like to use, plus a reference photo of one or more of my designs you would like made, your finger size and what colour gold you prefer.

From this I should be able to give you a “ballpark” figure – however sketches and a final quote cannot be ascertained until I have the old jewellery/gems in my possession.

Once we have agreed upon a design I will send a remodelling contract through and ask you sign and return to me before work commences.

Usually I am happy to take your old gold as a deposit towards the new work, however if we need to purchase extra gems I may ask for a small deposit.

Due to the high demand for my remodelling work – please allow up to 3 MONTHS for completion.

THE PROCESS

Reusing precious metal isn’t quite so straightforward as it possibly sounds.

You may think all your various carat gold just gets melted together, but it does not quite work like that.

In fact melting together old gold of various carats from different manufacturers can create a whole lot of problems, including discolourations in the metal, pitting, and cracking.

This is because all gold has some form of alloy or various alloys mixed into it, and without expensive metal analysis I have no idea what they are.

There are two main reasons to remodel – if the jewellery holds SENTIMENTAL value, for example from a grandparent’s ring, or for ETHICAL reasons, so no new mining has to take place.

First off your old gold will need to be refined to bring it back to a material I can work with.

This is quite a long, expensive process which involves the jewellery being assessed, weighed, cleaned and any gemstones removed then sent to a refinery.

During this process the metal has all the impurities and any other alloys removed and is then returned to me as granules, sheet or wire.

Most of the old gold I view is VERY lightweight in comparison to my work eg: my rings can weigh up to 10 times more than a commercially made mass produced ring and more often than not I must add a considerable amount of new gold into the mix.

Fancy a different gold colour?

This can be arranged – I can mix different alloys with your refined gold granules before casting your new ring.

I CANNOT reuse sterling silver – as it is not economically viable, but if you want I can buy your old gold at scrap price and deduct that from a silver piece you are having crafted.

REUSING THE GEMS

Your gems will need to be a decent quality to reuse – and often their size determines how they can be reused.

Commonly the commercially made jewellery I see  will have badly cut, very low grade gems in them – which often makes setting and reusing them near impossible.

I cannot re cut them ,or change their shape.

Obviously I will let you know whether they are reusable or not, before we start.

Working with your gems is entirely at your own risk *( you will be asked to sign a contract before work commences)

Should you decide to leave your old jewellery with me and NOT get a remodel done, you have 6 months to pick up your old jewellery – after that I will dispose of it.

Unfortunately, Afterpay and similar agencies only do a maximum spend of $1000.00.

However, I am happy to arrange a layaway payment plan on work held in stock – unfortunately not for custom work.
However a maximum of 3 months and a 50% deposit upfront

Because so much of my work is custom made to order not everything is “BUY NOW”.

Please just contact me then I’ll let you know if a piece is available or the possibility of remaking it.

Once that is sorted we can work out appropriate payment and or shipping options.
home phone 03 472 7221

cell 0272014835

email – [email protected]

Because I work at home currently – please respect my family and try not call my home out of normal retail hours.

What is 9 carat Gold?
Nine carat yellow gold is a metal alloy that contains 37.5% gold, 52.1% copper zinc and 10.4% silver. 9ct Gold contains a smaller percentage of Gold metal than 18ct Gold, is slightly harder wearing than 18ct Gold, and has a more mellow, less yellow, colour. Gold in 9ct will be stamped with the ‘375’ marking.

A diamond is a naturally occurring mineral, which is formed under intense heat and pressure over a period of millions or billions of years deep within the earth’s core.

The value of a diamond is determined by the four “C’s”, which are carat, clarity, cut and colour. Determining the quality of a diamond is carried out by diamond grading laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Carat
Carat is a unit of weight given to all gemstones, and is not a measurement of size/diameter. One carat weighs 0.2 grams. One carat is divided into 100 ‘points’, therefore a 25 point diamond is equal to a quarter of a carat or 0.25cts.

Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is determined by assessing the number and size of internal inclusions and also the presence of any external marks known as blemishes, under 10x magnification. Almost all diamonds contain some inclusions which occur naturally during the long formation of the diamond.

Diamonds with fewer internal inclusions and external blemishes are higher in value than those diamonds which are heavily included.

The clarity grading scale determines the visibility of inclusions and blemishes under 10x magnification. The scale ranges from ‘Flawless’ (FL), ‘Very Very Slight Included’ (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), Slightly Included (SI), down to ‘Included’ (I1-I3) which can be seen by the naked eye.

Colour
A diamonds colour is a reference to how colourless or white the stone is, most diamonds appear to be colourless but may actually have subtle tinges of yellow and brown. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses an alphabetic grading scale to differentiate between the colour differences.

A diamonds colour is graded against stones of known colour called the ‘master set’. The colour grading scale starts at ‘D’ which is the highest colour rating and is considered to be colourless right through to Z which is considered the lowest colour grade and is yellow in colour.

Cut
The cut of a diamond greatly affects its overall appearance. The cut of a diamond does not refer to the shape of the stone but to the proportions, polish and symmetry of the diamond.

Diamonds that have been masterfully cut will have facets that have been proportioned and angled to allow the maximum amount of light to enter and be reflected out through the top of the stone, therefore giving maximum brilliance, fire and scintillation. If a diamond has been cut too shallow then light will escape through the bottom of the stone, if the cut is too deep then light will escape out through the sides of the stone.

Brilliance – refers to the brightness of a diamond, and is the amount of light reflected back from the surface and interior of the diamond.
Fire – refers to the dispersion of white light entering the diamond into colours of the rainbow.
Scintillation – is the white and coloured flashes of light seen when a diamond is being moved, commonly referred to as sparkle.

A diamonds cut grade which is assigned by GIA uses the following scale: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

​Please contact Debra Fallowfield Jeweller for further advice on how to choose the right diamond for you. 🙂

Birthstones are something a clever jeweller designed years ago… However if you believe in them here is the list.

January – Garnet
February – Amythest
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – pearl and Moonstone
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Opal and Tourmaline
November – Topaz and Citrine
December – Turquiose and Tanzanite

*what I don’t understand is why do some months have 2?????

Depending on the carat white gold has other alloys added to it to produce its characteristic “white colour”. The actual “mix” may differ from supplier to supplier… but the most normal additives are palladium, platinum and silver – the higher the carat the higher proportion of platinum in the metal – hence the higher cost.

I do not Rhodium plate at all, preferring the natural tone of the white gold

9ct = yellowish tone
14ct = warm white
18ct= steel metallic grey

It is a very hard wearing metal and fantastic for male wedding rings and those who need a good material for everyday wear

Rose gold

Yellow gold has a tiny percentage of copper added to it to give a warm pale pink or a more coppery tone
9ct rose comes in 2 tonals – pale pink (most preferred by woman and a beautiful soft shade) Dark red (more like copper and a strong shade, great in fused rings with silver)
14ct is a warm pink and 18ct (my preferred choice a gorgeous warm Rosy pink)

The purity of the metal used in each piece of jewellery is shown by a stamp or hallmark.
Platinum is 95% pure (PT950)
Palladium in 95% pure (PD950)

Gold

18ct is 75% pure (750)
14ct is 58.4% pure (584)
10ct is 41.7% pure (417) (10ct is the minimum for some countries to be classed as gold, eg. USA & parts of Europe)
9ct is 37.5% pure (375)
Fine silver is 99.9% pure (stamped with a half moon shape)
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure (925)

Yes – I work in both… Palladium is very hard, stays white and prices similarly in price to 18ct gold. It is too difficult to use in the fused rings due to its incredibly high melting point.

Platinum has become RIDICULOUSLY expensive – I can prepare a quote for you but warn you should be seated first.

I only use reputable dealers who source gems and diamonds by ethical means. However if mining still bothers you then can I suggest some of the fabulous new man made gems and diamonds now available?

Most of the gold in New Zealand comes from small West Coast operations that adhere to strict environmental guidelines… I consider myself an “Ethical JEWELLER” I recycle everything and live a very organic sustainable lifestyle – however I refuse to use the “Ethical” tag with my work as feel it is abused by so many in the industry.

Yes… there are some fabulous man made gems available now. Although they do not have the same value as natural gems they are great on so many levels…

A: Sustainably produced (grown in labs)
B: Normally a lesser cost
C: Easier to obtain
D: very hard
E: flawless

Today’s new synthetics are superior in all ways to the “old school Cubic Zirconias”
A favorite of mine is Moissonite a fantastic diamond replacement (see below for more info)

www.charlesandcolvard.com

Apart from the huge price difference between gold and sterling silver ( the only silver I use). Gold is harder and more suitable for everyday wear – I would recommend engagement and wedding rings be always constructed from gold and not silver. Should you still prefer silver for a wedding or engagement ring, please consider it will not wear or last anywhere as well as gold, so the initial cheaper cost may be not worthwhile in the long term. I always recommend purchasing the highest carat gold – gold is a secure investment and unlike that new car will only increase its value over time.

Yes – I am only too happy to run up a gift voucher for any amount and either send physically or electronically

Total happiness! 🙂 … Seriously All work is guaranteed for 12 months after purchase for all workmanship, as long as reasonable care is taken. I always endeavor to inform customers on correct care for jewellery at the time – as certain pieces may have different requirements. Detailed invoices and photos are supplied for insurance purposes on all work over $1000.00

No. But a vast majority and it shows the diversity of what I can make… Just ask once again only too happy to help with enquiries.

If you follow us on facebook or instagram you will see much of our lasted work posted up!

I am not a registered valuer, but most insurance companies gladly accept the detailed invoices And photos I supply with all work over $1,000 in value.

Cash, cheque, credit card. Direct credit for New Zealand orders out of town is by far the easiest method

The metals I work with are precious-gold, silver and platinum (no titanium, steel, brass or copper) with a variety of precious and semi precious gems ranging from diamonds of all colours, sapphires of every hue to the latest man made ethical gems, please do not hesitate to ask any further questions about this as I have a wide knowledge of the most unusual gems.

 

Are all the designs by Debra ?

Yes, Debra is the sole designer of her jewellery – every Debra Fallowfield design has been created by Debra in her studio.

How is each piece of jewellery made? 

Every design is first handmade by Debra in wax.

Each wax is then sent to be cast. Lost-wax casting requires specialist equipment so this happens out of the studio. Debra works closely with the small team who cast her waxes – a small boutique foundry in Auckland that specialises in RECYCLED gold.

Once the waxes have been cast they are returned to Debra’s studio where Debra and her husband Dean meticulously finish the pieces and carefully select quality diamonds and fabulous gemstones which are securely set in by hand.

What do the following terms mean?

  • One-of-a-kind:  a one-off, unique piece of jewellery, of which only one will ever be made.
  • Bespoke: a custom-made piece of jewellery that has been specially commissioned ( more often than not ” One of a kind” )
  • Remodelled: when a client’s heirloom jewellery is re-designed and Debra creates a new piece in her distinctive style to be worn and loved again.

What is lost – wax casting – and how does it make Debra’s jewellery different?

Lost-wax or investment casting is a method where molten metal is poured into the space left as the wax form melts away.

Imagine it as a way of creating a metal duplicate of a wax form – the molten metal replaces the wax that Debra has moulded. Debra has adopted the lost-wax process to make her jewellery as it gives her the freedom to sculpt in miniature. Wax is malleable so Debra can shape her designs by hand, intuitively, using the unique, bespoke tools she has developed in the studio. The artful, organic forms of textures that she creates in her jewellery are replicated in metal thanks to the lost-wax process picking up on every intricate detail she has handmade in wax.

Casting gives Debra’s work a beautiful solidness and an inherent weight compared to mass-produced commercially made jewellery.

Because each wax model melts away on impact with the hot metal there is often only one casting off the majority of Debra’s jewellery making it ” One of a Kind “.

Once the castings are returned to Debra she and her husband spend many hours cleaning, filing and sandpapering each item till its final polishing. After polishing gems ( if any are needed ) are carefully set in by Debra’s husband into a piece *( This can take many, many hours!). Very occasionally Debra will outsource a “Diamond Setter ” for an intricate gem setting that is above her and her husband’s skill base.

Debra only uses moulds for small runs of time-consuming lower cost items such as bangles and earrings which to form entirely by hand every time is financial uneconomical.