Jewelry Expert: Overgaard Jewellers

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Tip of the month

Peridot is a yellow green gemstone that has been mined for an estimated four thousand years or more. Peridote is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of pitdah. Peridot is perhaps derived from the French word peritot which means unclear, probably due to the inclusions and cloudy nature of large stones. It could also be named from the Arabic word faridat which means gem. Ancient Egyptians called them the "gem of the sun," because of their dazzling brilliance when seen in the desert sun. It was believed that the Peridot glowed with light even as darkness fell, which is why miners were said to have scouted for these gems during the night, marking their location, and returning in the light of day to retrieve them. Perhaps this legendary mining method is the reason that the Peridot is sometimes called "evening emerald." If fire appears to leap from the vibrant green surface of the Peridot, this may be because this gem is formed as a result of volcanic activity. Many years ago, natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii, explaining their presence as tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess. Throughout history, August's birthstone has been used as a means to connect with nature. Early Egyptian priests drank a stimulating beverage called Soma from cups made of Peridot, believing this practice to draw them closer to Isis, the goddess of nature. Historical legend has it that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.

Most recently answered questions

I have a lot of old jewelry in my jewelry box, is it possible to re design it to something I would actually wear?

Yes, we can. We have had great success in helping clients find joy and pleasure from old jewelry. Whether you want to just have a new setting, or bring us in a picture and change the piece completely. We have talented goldsmiths that will help you create something unique just for you. This is also helpful if you have a bracelet and just need it to be a bit longer, or if you want to design a piece of jewelry to remind you of a person or experience.

Can you actually see the difference between a fine quality diamond or one of lesser quality?

Yes, we welcome you to come visit us and we can show you the difference. As a starting point, one characteristic that reflects the quality of a diamond is the colour. The whiter the diamond, the better quality it is. The more flaws there are in a diamond, the lesser the quality. These characteristics impact the quality of the diamond because a better quality stone will appear brighter, clearer and sparkle more.

When I buy a fine quality watch am I just paying for the name?

This is an understandable question, but the answer is actually no. There are several features of high quality watches that do deliver strong benefits and long term value. Just to give you some examples, if the watch has a sapphire crystal it will be scratch resistant. If the watch has a screw down crown that will make the watch water proof. This is also true if the watch has a screw on back. Another feature that will greatly impact the quality of a watch is whether or not it is made of stainless steel as it will ensure the watch lasts much longer.

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