Silver is a beautiful, lustrous, metallic-white metal. Pure Silver is quite soft and malleable and most fine silver Jewellery is either crafted from Fine Silver .999 or Sterling Silver .925.

Fine .999 Silver is the closest metal to pure elemental silver. Fine silver is 99.9% silver, with the remaining 0.1% consisting of trace elements of insignificant quantity. Fine Silver is softer than Sterling Silver and is therefore used less frequently in Jewellery prone to dents and scratching such as rings or bangles and likely instead to be used in jewellery less prone to scratching such as earrings and necklaces.

Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal (usually copper). Silver jewellery marked with a "925" is Sterling Silver jewellery that has been certified to contain 92.5% silver content. Due to Sterling silver being harder than fine .999 silver, it is more suitable for most fine jewellery making.

Throughout history, gold has been treasured for its natural bright metallic-yellow beauty. Gold is available in a diverse palette of alloying, the most common used in fine jewellery being 9 Carat (9k) 14 Carat (14k) and 18 Carat (18k). Gold in its most pure form, 24 Carat (24k) is most often too soft for fine jewellery intended to be worn daily.

White Gold is created by alloying, that is blending, gold with white metals like palladium.
Rose Gold is created by blending gold with red and pink metals such as copper.

18k (75% gold 25% alloyed metals)
18k pieces have the brightest yellow tone. Because of the higher gold content in 18k pieces, they offer less resistance to wear, scratches and denting than 14k or 9k gold pieces, but more resistance to wear than a pure 24k piece of fine jewellery.

14k (58.5% gold and 41.5% alloyed metals)
14k gold offers more resistance to wear than either 18k or 24k pieces of fine jewellery. 14k has a brighter yellow tone than 9k but it is not as brightly toned as either 18k or 24k.

9k (37.5% gold and 62.5% alloyed metals)
9k jewellery pieces have a bright yellow tone and offer the most resistance to wear, scratches and denting than 14k, 18k or 24k. 9k is not as brightly toned as 14k, 18k or 24k gold.

Platinum is one of four precious metals, along with silver, palladium and gold. Of the four precious metals, platinum is the most expensive and the strongest of all precious metals used in fine jewellery. Platinum is a naturally white metal, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum jewellery contains 95% pure platinum and is hallmarked with a "950" stamp. Platinum is much denser than and heavier than gold. Platinum is more rare than other precious metals with platinum production occurring in only a limited number of locations across the globe. Platinum is extremely long wearing and often the precious metal of choice for engagement rings and wedding bands due to its strength and naturally silvery white colour.

Titanium is a naturally silver-grey coloured metal that is hypoallergenic, lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Titanium possesses immense tensile strength – it is stronger than steel, but far lighter. Due to titanium being extremely strong, more scratch, bend and dent resistant than gold, silver or platinum and due to its lightweight properties, titanium can be an ideal metal choice for jewellery rings. Titanium is also a great choice for allergy prone skin as it will not produce skin irritation due to its naturally hypoallergenic nature. Titanium jewellery can be polished to a bright grey lustre and can also be tinted in a wide array of colours making it a unique choice for jewellery metal.

Zirconium is a very light weight metal which is grey-white in colour and found naturally in minerals such as zircon. It can be given a black colour by extreme heat treatment creating an extremely durable and beautiful black coating. Black zirconium is hypoallergenic and has incredible corrosion resistance.

Diamonds are the birthstone for the month of April and are the hardest natural substance on earth. The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are made of a single element – they are nearly 100% carbon and are formed under high amounts of heat and pressure. Diamonds are famous for their unmatched beauty and value of all gemstones.

A diamond’s value is dependent on its 4C’s:

Cut - refers to a diamond’s facets and reflective qualities. The cut of a diamond is directly related to the way in which a diamond will reflect light and sparkle.

Colour - refers to the natural colour or lack of colour of a diamond. The closer a diamond is to being colourless, the rarer and higher value a diamond will be.

Clarity - refers to the visibility of inclusions or imperfections of a diamond. Diamonds with no inclusions or very minimal inclusions are higher valued.

Carat - is the measurement unit used to determine the weight of a diamond. Diamonds are the classic stone of choice when it comes to choosing a centrepiece for an engagement ring due to their stunning beauty and sparkle.

Our profound knowledge and passion for exceptional diamonds has lead to the creation of our highly esteemed range of diamonds – SC Diamonds (Simon Curwood Diamonds). All diamonds in the Simon Curwood Diamond range are guaranteed to be non-recirculated, ethically mined diamonds. All SC Diamonds are hand selected by our international diamond buyer, undergoing rigorous quality control and are individually graded by an independent diamond valuer; ensuring consistency and brilliance with each SC Diamond.

Read more about the Simon Curwood Diamond Range.

Lab grown diamonds are grown in a laboratory under controlled conditions that stimulate the growth process of a natural diamond deep beneath the earth’s crust. Lab grown diamonds have the exact same structure of carbon atoms as present in natural diamond, making them chemically and visually on par with a natural diamond. Lab grown diamonds are graded using the same colour grading scale as other diamonds. All SC (Simon Curwood) Lab Grown Diamonds are grown using the most advanced technology available.

Read more about the Simon Curwood Eco Laboratory Range

Moissanite is a near colourless diamond simulant stone that has a very similar appearance to a diamond and is closer to a diamond in overall appearance than any other imitation diamond. Moissanite is a silicone carbide gemstone with a very high refractive index which causes it to disperse a high amount of light and this is what gives Moissanite its signature fire and brilliance. Moissanite is graded using a colour grading scale similar to the way in which diamonds are graded. All SC (Simon Curwood) Moissanite gemstones are carefully selected to ensure consistency and brilliance.

Read more about the Simon Curwood Eco Laboratory Range

Ruby is the birthstone of July. Rubies are a beautiful red gemstone which are nearly as hard as diamonds, rating 9 on the Mohs scale. This makes them resistant to scratching and suitable for long lasting jewellery. They are a naturally hexagonal shaped crystal of the corundum family, which also includes sapphires. Their red colour is due to traces of chromium.

Sapphires are the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphires are most known for their incredible blue hues and are among the most durable naturally occurring elements in the world. Due to the beauty, hardness and wearability of sapphires, they make ideal stones for fine jewellery. Sapphires are available in a wide variety of colours.

Both sapphires and Created Sapphires are made from corundum, both in nature (where they are mined) and in laboratories (where they are grown). Created Sapphires are made using only corundum and due to the fact no synthetic material is used to replace the corundum, real and Created Sapphires are indistinguishable from one another by visual characteristics alone. Created Sapphires are a more affordable alternative to naturally formed sapphires while still possessing the same colour and beauty.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a very rare crystalline form of zirconium oxide, which can be man-made to create a gemstone with similarities to that of a true diamond. Cubic Zirconia is frequently purchased as a more affordable alternative to a diamond due to its possession of similar qualities to that of a diamond, most notably its lack of colour.

Aquamarine, the birthstone of March, comes in beautiful shades of blue, from pale pastel blues to a greenish deep blues. Aquamarine acquires its colour from iron impurities within colourless beryl and it is known for its excellent transparency and clarity. Aquamarine fine jewellery requires relatively easy care and can be cleaned with lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth. When not being worn, aquamarine is best stored in a dark place, as extended sun exposure can cause this gorgeous stone’s colour to pale.

Topaz is the traditional November birthstone and is one of the many gemstones that can be found in a broad range of colours including reds, pinks, purples, oranges, yellows and browns and blues. Though the stone can be a wide range of colours, the most prized Topaz are blue, pink or yellow. Ranked an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, Topaz is suitable for everyday wear. Like aquamarine, when not being worn, Topaz is best stored in a dark place as extended sun exposure may cause this brilliant stone’s colour to pale.

Emerald is the birthstone of May. Emeralds radiate a stunning vivid green colour and are amongst the rarest of gemstones. Emeralds are formed from the mineral beryl and their green colour is due to trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. Emeralds are rarer than diamonds and often command a higher price. Unlike diamonds, inclusions are common in emeralds which does make them more susceptible to cracking if knocked or exposed to extreme temperature changes. An emerald is a rare beauty and often an heirloom stone passed down through generations. An emerald requires special cleaning care and should never be cleaned with chemicals or ultrasonically. To clean, emeralds should instead be rinsed with lukewarm water, allowed to dry and rubbed gently with a soft cloth.

Tanzanite has a brilliant, deep blue-purple colour hue which is unique to Tanzanite only. The reason Tanzanite is so incredibly unique is that it is the only gemstone which is trichroic, that is, it has three colour appearances depending on what angle and lighting conditions it is viewed. Under alternating conditions, Tanzanite will appear blue, purple and reddish brown. The name “Tanzanite” was given to this stone because the world’s only known significant tanzanite source is located in northern Tanzania. Tanzanite is often regarded as a relatively delicate gemstone as it is soft compared with diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to dry is the best way to keep Tanzanite clean.

Not actually a stone, pearls are created by molluscs like oysters layer by layer as a way of protecting themselves from foreign objects.

Use our SCJ Ring Sizing Guide, download and print (at 100%). Place the ring over the circles on the guide to find the closest match. If its in between two measurements, choose the larger size. Print the SCJ Ring Sizing Guide.

FIND OUT YOUR PARTNER'S RING SIZE (WITHOUT SPOILING YOUR PROPOSAL)

Download and print the SCJ Ring Sizing Guide above and follow the steps. If you can’t get a measurement of your partner’s ring size, simply contact your local store where a member of our team will be able to guide you further.
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Ring Sizing Product information
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- You can find the available ring size of a product listed on the product page under ‘size’.

- If the size shown is not the correct size, click on the ‘customise’ button on the cart page. This will send a customised order through to our store with your desired size. Once we receive your custom order we will be in contact with you to advise on an estimated delivery date.

- If you have any questions relating to ring sizing, please contact your local store.

- If you purchase a SCJ ring and the size is incorrect, we do offer ring resizing through our master jeweller. Please contact your local store to book a resizing appointment.

The product information listed under product description on the Simon Curwood Jewellers website, catalogue and other promotional materials is for your guidance only. While we Simon Curwood Jewellers take great care in ensuring the details describing a product, and its appearance and price are written to the best of our knowledge. Measurements may vary from Measurements in mm may vary by +/- 10% due to hand-finishing and carat weights may vary within a range of +/- 5%. Simon Curwood Jewellers cannot guarantee that colours of jewellery and stones will display accurately on all monitors and devices. All images are representative and colours may vary slightly depending on lighting conditions and screen/device settings. All diamond and gemstone are unique; possessing slight variations in colour from one to the next. Colour tone variation is natural and to be expected across all diamonds and gemstones. Simon Curwood Jewellers endeavour to replicate products as close a possible products description and colouring but do not warrant that the products delivered will be identical to those displayed on our website, all other marketing material including social media unless otherwise stated.

FINE JEWELLERY

Fine jewellery is made from precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver. The pure precious metal is typically alloyed with other metals for strength, and sometimes to modify the colour, as in white and rose gold. Fine jewellery is often set with diamonds and other precious gemstones such as ruby, sapphire and emerald; and with semi-precious gemstone such as morganite, amethyst and aquamarine. All fine jewellery should be considered precious, therefore it should be worn and treated with care. A piece of fine jewellery that is well cared for and properly maintained can last beyond your lifetime and become an heirloom for future generations. Quality white gold fine jewellery is finished with rhodium plating to produce a hard, shiny white surface appearance. The rhodium makes white gold look ‘whiter’ and helps protect against wear and discolouration. The rhodium will wear off over time and can require re-plating to restore the brightness of the metal if desired.

GENERAL CARE

All fine jewellery, and especially rings with delicate stone settings and bands, should be worn mindfully to protect them from damage such as knocks, scrapes, and catches on clothing and edges. Even relatively small knocks can cause metal to bend and distort, potentially dislodging your gemstones from their settings; and create scratches and scrapes on the metal or gemstones. To prevent damage and loss of gemstones, we recommend that you take care otherwise do not wear your fine jewellery whilst doing housework, manual labour such as gardening and DIY projects, or while exercising with weights, swimming, or playing sport. All precious metals and even non-precious metals such as titanium, zirconium and stainless steel can be easily scratched, and it is common for rings, bracelets, and bangles to get scuff marks, dents, and surface scratches through everyday wear. Common dirt and dust can easily scratch precious metals, and even rubbing with paper can cause scuffs and scratches. Fortunately, all precious metals can be polished and re-finished by a jeweller to restore their lustre. We also recommend avoiding contact with chemicals such as make-up, bath soap, body lotions, hair products, perfumes, and harsher chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, and general cleaning products. These can cause your jewellery to become dull; they can erode gemstones and sometimes tarnish the metal. Gemstones should be protected from prolonged exposure to direct heat and light, as this can cause them to fade or lose their intensity of colour. Brittle gemstones such as emerald, tanzanite, topaz and opal should only be cleaned using gentle methods, and never in an ultrasonic cleaner. We recommend that finer link chains and bracelets be removed before sleeping, to avoid catches and pulls which can cause the links and fittings to stretch or break. To help protect your jewellery and gemstones from scratches and scuffs, we recommend that each piece be stored separately in its original box, or in a soft fabric-lined jewellery box that has a dedicated compartment for each piece. Metals can scratch other metals, gemstones can scratch metal and other gemstones, and diamonds can scratch almost everything – so it is best to store them all separately from each other.

GENERAL CLEANING

We recommend that all fine jewellery be regularly cleaned to maintain the lustre of the metal and brilliance of the gemstones. Fine jewellery and gemstones are natural attractors of oils, dirt, and dust. This means that your natural body oils and acids can ‘coat’ your gemstones and metal, which causes dirt and dust to build up and make the jewellery look lifeless and dull. For most jewellery, a simple 5-minute soak in lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent can brighten the metal and gemstones; and may help loosen debris caught in the gemstone settings and the undercarriage of rings. A soft baby’s toothbrush can be used to gently dislodge stubborn oils and debris trapped within the harder-to-reach areas. Rinse the jewellery with clean lukewarm water and allow to air-dry if possible, before polishing with a soft dry cloth. An interesting point to note is that common dirt and dust can scratch some gemstones that are lower on Moh’s Scale of Hardness, so gemstones should be washed before gently polishing with a cloth. An exclusion to the water-washing method is any jewellery set with opals, pearls, and other porous gemstones – these should be gently wiped clean with a soft cloth only. We recommend having your jewellery buffed and/or cleaned ultrasonically in-store at least every 3 months to keep it looking its best. This is a complimentary service for our clients at SCJ.

MAINTENANCE

It is recommended that you have your jewellery inspected every 6 months for signs of wear, damage, or loose gemstones; this applies especially to fine stone settings or filigree details, chain links and clasps. Stone settings like claws can easily become bent or worn down over time so regular inspection is necessary to prevent further damage or loss of gemstones. Clasps and fittings on chains and bracelets can also become worn or bent with normal wear, and should also be checked often. Our master jeweller can also inspect, perform maintenance repairs, and professionally polish your jewellery in our workshop to restore its original shine and sparkle.