Rings which feature a center stone bordered by two smaller stones are nothing new, but the gemstones in this new selection of three stone gemstone rings take this style up a notch. These rings may be new, but their style is timeless. They offer perpetual glamour and will continue to do so for years to come.

A number of Apples of Gold’s new three stone gemstone rings feature a stone that offers a richness of color that few others can match: blue topaz. This unique gem is featured both on its own and in combination with the beauty of a diamond, creating rings that offer an unmistakable allure. Choose a style with a center diamond and blue topaz accents or one that puts blue topaz on center stage, depending on which stone you’d like to be the star. If you prefer the vibrant color of blue topaz to stand on its own, consider the Three Stone Blue Topaz Ring in 14k white gold, which lets three blue topaz stones make their own stunning statement.

Aquamarine is also featured in this new collection, offering a slightly more subtle blue than that of blue topaz. The cool sparkling hue of this stone gives a light touch of pastel beauty to three stone gemstone rings, whether it’s used on its own or in tandem with a classic diamond.

For a modern twist on a classic, try the 1/2 Carat Three Stone Black Diamond Ring in 14K white gold. Instead of white diamonds, this ring sets three cool black diamonds on a shining band, creating a look that’s minimalistic and irresistibly chic. This ring does basic black with sleek style that will truly compliment nearly any outfit.

For a rich splash of purple, consider one of Apples of Gold’s three stone gemstone rings that feature amethyst. In white gold or yellow gold, these styles give a regal look to a classic style.

Three stone gemstone rings are a classic for a good reason: they never fail to look fantastic, no matter what fashions are favored at the time. These new rings from Apples of Gold give this timeless style a colorful twist that will never fail to turn heads.

Related: Gemstone Rings, Gemstone Jewelry

Of the styles that we added, we’ve received an immediate response in the way of sales from our customers on certain cross pendants that have really stood out. Included among the best sellers are Apples of Gold’s Plain Polished Cross Pendant in 14K Yellow Gold (shown above / left) and the Beveled Latin Cross Pendant in 14K Gold (shown below / right).

Other new cross styles that stand out are the Bottonnee Cross Pendant in 14K White Gold and the Flower Cross Pendant in 14k Gold.

Cross pendants have always been an Apples of Gold favorite, since we are a Christian-based company. The Apples of Gold name is taken from the Book of Proverbs: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in settings of silver” (25:11).

While Apples of Gold’s jewelry collection is not limited to only gold crosses, we take special care and pride in selecting crosses that will be glorify our LORD and be a blessing to our customers.

At Apples of Gold, we also make sure to price everything with value in mind. All of our prices are well below retail (at an average of 40% savings). Each order also comes with free shipping and our extended 45 day return policy.

Be sure to view our mens crosses and womens cross pendants for a wide selection of beautiful gold crosses at affordable prices!

As of the close of the last business day (April 6, 2012), gold closed at $1,634.10 per ounce and platinum closed at $1,602 per ounce. A year ago, the same date, gold closed at $1,461.50 per ounce and platinum closed at $1,808 per ounce. The gap between the metals was narrow enough back then for us to take notice, but gold remained in its placed as 2nd place to platinum (as it has historically, since platinum is rarer than gold). The gap has now closed (as it has a few times in the past), as gold prices have increased beyond what many of us in the jewelry industry are comfortable with.

Does this mean that platinum jewelry will now be cheaper than gold jewelry? Hardly. See: Why is Platinum More Expensive Than Gold Jewelry to find out why platinum persists as the more expensive metal as far as “finished jewelry” is concerned.

How Does This Effect Jewelry Prices?

As a retail jeweler, Apples of Gold, unlike investors and gold-hounds, wants all precious metals prices to come down. Why? Wouldn’t that help our inventory to become more valuable? Hardly, since most online jewelers stock very little to no inventory. As precious metals prices increase, costs also increase from suppliers and manufacturers, and thus the retail price of jewelry also goes up. This has little advantage for online jewelry retailers, like Apples of Gold, since increased prices means a harder sale.

That is why Apples of Gold has remained true to its value-based jewelry pricing methodology. Our intended mission as a jewelry company, has been and and continues to be to offer quality jewelry at affordable prices. We started Apples of Gold with the intention of charging about 40% below standard retail, once we evaluated how much margin we need to make to be profitable as a company, while providing the best possible value to our customers.

Where is gold and platinum prices headed? No one knows (and we hope you don’t believe all those radio & tv ads about how high the price of gold is bound to go!) All we can guesstimate is that as the U.S. and world economy improve, precious commodities such as gold and platinum should decrease in price. Not only are precious metals investments a type of hedge funds to protect an investor’s portfolio from downswings in the stock market, but as the price of gold and other precious metals stop looking as attractive to investors as they do now, gold funds start to become less popular in the minds of not only professional investors and day traders, but also in the minds of the average mom and pop investors, and metals prices start to stabilize and come down again to a more reasonable rate.

With the gap closing between platinum and gold jewelry, Apples of Gold remains steadfast in our stated mission to provide value. We hope you will think so too. Compare us to both offline and online jewelers and you will see that the difference in our jewelry is not the quality, but the price.

Related Post: Understanding the Price of Platinum Jewelry

Related Categories: Platinum Wedding Bands, Design Platinum Wedding Bands, Gold Wedding Bands

There are several factors involved in pricing platinum jewelry vs. gold jewelry, from the obvious to the less obvious.

The Metals Price of Platinum vs. Gold

Platinum, as a precious metal, is normally valued much higher in the precious metals commodity market than gold. Whereas historically gold has been valued at considerably less than platinum, for one of the first times in history, platinum is priced lower than gold on the market. As of the date of this post, gold is priced at $1,634.10 per ounce and platinum is priced at $1,602.00 per ounce. This is not usual for the market. Many years ago, the disparity was much more pronounced. Gold was often in the $1,000 range per ounce and platinum was in the $2,000 range. What we are seeing the market today is out-of-the-ordaniry.

Whit this in mind, you would think that gold and platinum jewelry would cost the same. Try to purchase platinum wedding bands vs. white gold wedding bands at any jeweler–online or offline, and you will quickly find that a Platinum ring still cost 2-3 times more than a gold one.

Why the Price Disparity? 

As mentioned above, traditionally just the raw precious metals would have had a significant difference in price when it comes to purchasing platinum vs. gold–and that would have accounted for a portion of the price difference. In the past, platinum jewelry cost as an average of 4-5 times the price of the same jewelry piece in gold. Today, the cost difference for platinum is down to about 3.5 times the price of gold. An example: This hammered wedding band in 14k white gold ($575 as of the date of this post) compared with the same hammered wedding band in platinum ($1,925). That is just under 3.5x the cost difference.

But the question must be asked: if the price of gold and the price of platinum are about the same, then why is there still such a difference in cost?

There are several reasons: 

1. Platinum is approx. 60% heavier than 14k gold. So the same ring that weighs 10.0 grams in gold weight will weigh approx. 16.0 grams in platinum. Therefore, you are paying more money per weight for the same ring design. Since jewelry (on the wholesale side) is valued based on metal content per item, you are already looking at about a 60% difference in wholesale cost–even when the precious metals prices are equal (which is usually not the case with platinum, except on the day that I chose to write this post!)

2. Whereas platinum jewelry is 95% pure platinum, 14k gold jewelry is 58.3% pure gold. Another way to think of this is to think of it in terms of parts per karats. For example: We know that 24k gold is pure. But in the United States we are mostly purchasing 14k gold, which means that the jewelry you purchase is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys (14/24), making it 14k. Likewise, 18K Gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other alloys. Platinum, on the other hand, is 95 parts pure platinum and 5 parts other alloys. So platinum jewelry is a much purer and denser metal-type than gold. As such, platinum jewelry costs more than gold,  not only because it is 60% heavier (a 10 gram ring vs. a 16 gram ring noted in #1 above), but those grams of precious metal are more pure, and therefore, more valuable and costly in platinum compared to gold. To explain this in one other way: 10 grams of 14k gold is going to still be more valuable than 10 grams of platinum, because in those 10 grams of metal, one is 58.8% pure and the other is 95% pure.

3. Labor & Demand. It generally costs a manufacturer more time and money to create platinum jewelry than gold jewelry. Platinum is more difficult to work with and is more labor intensive compared to gold. So even if the two above factors were not in play, platinum properties, such as the hardness level and pliability of the metal, are still in force, and therefore the labor costs of making platinum jewelry are higher than gold jewelry. Another reason for increased labor costs has to do with supply and demand. Since platinum is not in as high a demand compared to gold jewelry, not as much volume of platinum is produced and therefore some manufacturers must charge more to work on an item of jewelry takes longer to make and is not as often sold.

When you combine the three above factors, you see that even when the commodities price of both metals are at an equilibrium, platinum still retains its luxury status as the metal of choice for high-end jewelry.

So the next time you are in the market for that platinum or gold wedding band, which will it be?

Related Post: White Gold vs. Platinum

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

Is there any stone more captivating than the diamond? This stone encompasses the highest wonders of creation: beauty, strength, resilience, purity, and a whole lot of sparkle. Read on to learn more about April’s marvelous birthstone.

A Symbol Of Innocence…Though diamonds are revered among minerals for their superior strength and durability, they also are associated with innocence. The diamond’s super-hard structure makes it virtually incorruptible. Its dual strength and purity make it the perfect adornment for the woman of faith.

More Than Wedding Jewelry…In the United States, the diamond is typically associated with the engagement ring. It symbolizes the commitment of matrimony. But the diamond is also a key player in the most stunning jewelry in the world. It’s unique structure paired with skilled cutting techniques allow it to refract light in a way that is truly mesmerizing. The April girl is lucky to have the diamond as her signature gem!

Religious Significance. The use of diamonds in jewelry and engagement rings is relatively recent compared to its use in religious rituals and customs.  In India, diamonds have been regarded as religious icons for over 3,000 years. In the Bible the diamond represented one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and according to the book of Exodus, was used to adorn the garments of the priests serving in the temple. In the book of Jeremiah the diamond was used as a tool and as an instrument of judgment: “The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus; With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart And on the horns of their altars…”

The World of Colored Diamonds. And remember, not all diamonds are white! While diamond hues are often paler than a colored gemstone, their rarity gives them a sought-after status among jewelry buyers. At Apples of Gold we are proud to offer both blue diamond rings and black diamond rings of the highest quality. These pieces are perfect for the woman who loves the quality of a diamond as well as the unique appeal and boldness of a colored gemstone.

Delightful Diamonds For An April Birthday…

Diamond Cross Pendant, 14K White Gold. This unique cross pendant with its gentle, rounded shape is made of 14K white gold. Both attractive and affordable, the pendant makes not only a perfect birthday gift, but also a precious commemoration of a baptism, confirmation, or graduation. The center diamond adds sparkle, shine, and a note of femininity.

1.00 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold. Luxurious and dazzling, the princess cut diamond earrings give center stage to two ½ carat diamonds. These diamonds have a G-H color grading and SI1-SI2 clarity. Shown here in white gold, the earrings are fully customizable—choose your perfect size and metal (14K yellow gold, 18K gold, or platinum).

0.62 Carat Blue and White Diamond Flower Ring. Ideal for a woman of any age, the Blue and White Diamond Flower Ring is both elegant and whimsical. Set in 10K white gold, the ring holds twenty-six white diamonds that encircle the finger and outline the four blue diamond petals of the center flower.

Browse more diamond jewelry!

Such terms are sort of jewelers’ code words for their various pricing structures. So without getting too wordy, what simply is keystone pricing?

Keystone pricing = the wholesale cost of an item x 2

In other words, we are talking about a 100% markup on an item. If a jewelry retailer buys a gold ring for $100, then he or she will sell it for $200. This is the standard default method of many traditional jewelers.

Some higher-end or name-brand jewelers will go as far as charging was is called triple-keystone pricing. This is the wholesale cost of an item x 3 (hence triple markup).

Apples of Gold Pricing Model

When I first started Apples of Gold, I was very well acquainted with these terms and the exorbitant markup that goes into jewelry retail markup. I vowed to create an honest company whose prices were fair. With such in mind, our goal was to be an average of 30-40% below retail markup. As I researched more and more, many retail jewelers were actually selling above keystone pricing and their models were usually somewhere in between keystone and triple-keystone. Somewhere in the 200% markup range. This seemed so high and continues to appear that way to me today.

As a result, Apples of Gold prices are always below keystone pricing. Many of our wedding bands, for example, are priced well below retail. We still often get calls from customers who have found the same wedding band that we sell for $575-$625 advertised elsewhere for well over a $1,000.

One recent customer called about a ring that we have listed on our website for $875 and they wanted to know why another jeweler was selling the same thing for over $2,500! And if our ring was any different? At first our thought was whether they were selling it in platinum instead of gold? (platinum being much more expensive). But as it turns out, no, it was just 14k gold. The only difference we could tell was that it was made by a semi-known brand and they were charging for the name. Otherwise, it was the same item.

Same Style, Less Weight? 

As competition increased online, we also noticed that many online jewelers were selling similar rings to us but for less money and we wondered how this could be, as we knew that based on our direct manufacturer’s prices that we have obtained, it would be almost impossible for many online jewelers to beat our prices, especially since we had longer and deeper relationships with those same manufacturers who were producing the rings for both us and the other online jewelers.

As we looked closer and inspected the details, it quickly became apparent that many were taking the same rings and creating them in a lighter-weight version. As gold prices increased in the global market, many manufacturers and jewelry retailers responded by creating lower quality, lighter weight wedding rings. Therefore their prices had become slightly lower than ours. But the quality was not the same.

In response, we have adjusted our weights on select wedding rings that were unnecessarily too heavy and costing our consumers more than they needed to pay (for a while, we made them as heavy as could be, simply because gold was so cheap compared to its valuation today). But for the most part, our rings weights have stayed the same and thus the value and quality has not decreased. All of our rings are still substantial and made with an enduring quality that will last a lifetime. It’s just not worth skimping on the precious metals in order to turn a quick buck. Our goal, at Apples of Gold, is to stay around for the long-term and build a trustworthy brand that our customers will come to know, love, and appreciate!

Is Keystone pricing right?

As noted above, Apples of Gold does not use a keystone pricing model on most of its jewelry, but we maintain a discounted, value-based pricing model for the same quality jewelry that you would purchase in a retail jewelry store. However, if you are a jeweler or retailer reading this, you may wonder if keystone pricing is right for you.

Only you will know what is right for you business, but things to consider are overhead, slow moving items that will hold up your cash flow, advertising costs, availability or difficulty in dealing with a product, labor costs involved in a product, and whether that item is completely unique or is available through your competitors.

Having lower prices, as in the case of our company, has made it more difficult to offer many sales or steeply discounted prices. As we like to tell our customers, our prices are low year round and you don’t need to wait for sales and coupons. You are already getting a discount just by shopping with us, rather than our competitors. But if your business model is going to depend on heavy discounts and coupons, then you may want to consider keystone pricing or higher. This was not the model we went with at Apples of Gold.

I also grieves us to see jewelers who advertise their big 50% OFF sale or 70% off–you’ve seen the ads. We know that if any retailer can give you 40%, 50% or more off their regular prices that they have an exorbitant markup in place that allows them such luxuries. Imagine what their regular prices are normally and ask yourself if you should be shopping there!

At Apples of Gold, our normal sales (when we have them a few times a year) are usually in the 10% range, because we’re already priced well below what many of our competitors are and it simply would not be justified. We also offer free shipping on every order. So imagine if that is the case that we have little room in our margins for big sales, it stands to reason that our prices are already at a value-basis. Our customers understand that once they see our existing prices, quality, and compare us with our competitors.

For more information about the Apples of Gold pricing model, see our articles on: value.

The highlights include the Carved Celtic Wedding Bands in white gold, two-tone, and yellow gold (above/left in two-tone gold). Each ring consists of a deeply engraved / etched celtic knot design set in a 7mm gold band.

Another favorite: the Celtic Heart Wedding band features a continuous heart-shaped Celtic knot pattern etched out of a 7mm wide band. The Celtic heart ring is also available in two-tone gold, sterling silver, and platinum.

Among some of Apples of Gold’s classic celtic wedding bands that have topped the charts over the years include: the Caedmon Celtic wedding band and the Bowen Celtic wedding band in 14k white gold.

For a very unique celtic wedding band in an alternative metal, the Celtic Blue titanium wedding band from Apples of Gold has been our best selling wedding band overall for the past three straight years.

View Apples of Gold’s celtic wedding bands for a quality selection at an affordable price! All Apples of Gold jewelry items also include a 45 Day return policy & free shipping!

The price of silver rose throughout the 1970s, due to a high demand. It saw a huge spike late in the decade, rising to over $50 per ounce. Two brothers, Nelson and William Hunt, played a major role in this. Born into one of the wealthiest families in the country, they bought huge amounts of this precious metal, cornering the market. However, that price wouldn’t last long: within two months it had fallen back to $11 per ounce.

Several world political events, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran, kept the price of silver fairly high through 1980, however it dropped throughout the decade to follow.

Like the price of gold, the price of silver is affected by several factors. When demand is high the price climbs and, conversely, when the demand is low the price drops.  For example, in the 1990s the price of silver followed an upward trend as demand increased by a much higher percentage than supply.

Inflation is also a major factor in the price of silver for two reasons. First, when the value of a dollar decreases, prices of everything from postage stamps to groceries to precious metals adjust to the dollar’s new value. Second, when a dollar doesn’t go as far, many consumers lose faith in stocks and tend to invest more heavily in precious metals instead. Thus, when the economy is hurting, the price of silver often rises.

This principle has been seen clearly in the first decade of the new millennium. Since 2001, the price of silver has been rising, from under $5 an ounce at the beginning of that year to over $30 per ounce by the end of 2010—at the time, the highest it had ever been apart from its spike in the late 1970s.

Between the beginning of 2009 and the end of 2011, silver actually performed better than gold, increasing its value at nearly twice the rate as gold. While the price of gold rose about 78 percent, the price of silver jumped a whopping 142 percent. As of March 2012, the price of silver remains above $30 an ounce, leaving many to speculate just how high it will go.

Related:  Sterling Silver Jewelry

Things to Check When Buying Jewelry Online 

Shopping for jewelry online can be one of the safest and most worthwhile experiences, if you take a few simple precautions prior to finalizing your purchase. Not only can you compare jewelry items from various jewelers side by side, by you can comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best possible price from a trusted jeweler. Not only will your selection be exponentially vast, since you have the global market at your fingertips, but you can shop from the comfort and ease of your own home, without a salesman influencing your decision (sometimes in a way that you may later regret).

Here are 5 simple guidelines that will ensure a safe, happy experience when buying jewelry online:

1. Be Sure to Read The Return Policy

Shopping online requires a little more responsibility on the part of the shopper. The first thing to check is the prospective store’s return policy. Do they offer a 100% Return Guarantee? What are the exceptions? How long do you have to return an item? Any serious contender should offer at least a 30 day return policy. Some online jewelers, like Apples of Gold, offer an extended 45 day standard return policy, a few others may even offer longer periods. Be sure to check policies on customized or personalized items, such as rings that you plan to engrave. If in doubt, call the customer service phone number and/or email customer service during off-hours.

2. Transparency 

How transparent is the company’s information? Is the “contact” page easily found? Or is the customer service number obscurely hidden? Is there an “about us” page that clearly explains the company’s ways of conducting business? Is there sufficient information on the detail page of each product? Most professional sites will also now have a jewelry blog and facebook page. All of these things communicate the idea that a company wants to be transparent about its brand values, its products, and its service.  Do not trust a site with little to no information that was quickly thrown up onto a web page with a few products. Professionalism and attention to detail can make all the difference.

3. Company Credentials

Does the jewelry company you plan to make your purchase from belong to any trade organizations or objective, third-party outfits that evaluate the efficiency of that business? Any reputable jeweler should belong, at the very least, to the Better Business Bureau and maintain a high rating. Customer reviews should also be present. What have past customers said about the jeweler?

4. Website Security

 Most websites are secure in terms of handling your credit card when they use Secure Check Out. But online jewelry companies, especially, should take extra steps when it comes to credit card security. Make sure there are added layers of security, such as Hacker Proof daily monitoring. This is just another indicator that a website is operating on an above par professional level, which means that it is more likely you can trust them as a whole. Websites must now also be PCI compliant, which means that the website’s servers and internal networks are scanned for vulnerabilities regularly.

5. Protection from Your Credit Card Company

This is sort of the consumer’s final trump card. If any jeweler fails to deliver on its promise, you can always seek the protection of your credit card company to dispute a charge that you deem unfair. You should always first try to resolve any issues with the business directly first; but in the case that a company becomes unresponsive to your legitimate requests, you can always call in your credit card company that you used to make the purchase (or Paypal if the merchant accepts Paypal) and dispute the charges. You are 100% protected in the case of non-delivery or if a jewelry store fails to uphold its own return policies.

There really is nothing to fear when deciding to shop online for jewelry. Just take the above steps and do a little research about the site before clicking the final Check Out button! Another quick tip: search the company’s name in Google followed by the words “reviews” or “scam” to see if any dissatisfied customers have written about their experiences with the jewelry company. But remember, even the best of businesses is bound to have a dissatisfied customer or two; so be sure to review the company’s overall rating and see if there are any repetitive patterns or negative trends that really stand out from customer to customer.

Then relax, sit back, and enjoy browsing through the many thousands of options that will open up to you when deciding to buy your jewelry online!

18K gold wedding bands are popular both in the U.S., but especially with our international customers, such as our faithful visitors in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, where 18k gold is the norm.

The highlights of the new 18k gold bands that we added today include:

The 18K Gold Sculpted Celtic Wedding Band (above/left) – This ring is among our favorites: it features uniform, endless Celtic knot-work etched deeply into an 18k gold 7mm band with a contrasting polished and satin-finished surface. Celtic wedding bands are among another of Apples of Gold’s top wedding ring categories.

The 18k white gold carved paisley wedding band, featuring an intricate carved paisley design on a 7.5mm wide band. Paisley wedding bands, in general, have proved to be a popular Apples of Gold wedding band category.

Another favorite: The Circle Motif Wedding Band in 18K Gold. Concentric circles form the etched-out design in this 8mm wide 18k yellow gold band. Circular lines radiate from the edge of this band towards the center creating a unique, contemporary design. Although Apples of Gold specializes in a lot of vintage rings designs, we also offer a unique collection of modern wedding bands, like this one.

All of the above wedding rings are also available in 14k gold, as well as a selection in sterling silver as well as 950 grade platinum.