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Dahlkempers Jewelry Connection Erie, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Dive into some of our most asked questions to learn more about our website and our jewelry!

General Questions

You can sign up for our Newsletter through our website. Enter your Email Address in the Newsletter Sign Up panel and click on the > button. The Newsletter - Sign Up page will appear to you. Enter the required information and click on the Sign Me Up button. You will be signed up for our Newsletter and a confirmation screen will be displayed to you. Also you will receive a sign up confirmation email for our Newsletter. To subscribe our Newsletter, click on Newsletter Sign Up.

To Refer our website to your friends enter your Friend's Email Address in the Refer a Friend panel and click on the > button. The Refer a Friend page will appear to you. Fill in the required information and Friends Email Addresses along with your optional Message and then click on the 'Refer Friend(s)' button. The Thank You for Referring will appear to you and your friends will receive an email, containing your message and website's link, inviting them to visit our website. You will also get a confirmation email for your reference. To Refer our Website to your Friend(s), click on Refer a Friend.

To Refer our products to your friends, you need to click 'Email to Friend' link available on Product Detail page. On clicking this link, another page will appear where you can fill in your Name, Email Address, your Friends Email Address along with email Subject and your optional Message. After entering all the required information, click on the 'Email' button and a confirmation page will appear. Your friend will receive an email, containing your message and product's link, inviting them to see a product of their interest. You will also get a confirmation email for your reference.

To search your desired products, click on the 'SEARCH' link at the top of the page. On clicking this link, a small search component will appear which will accept your Keyword(s). You need to enter minimum 4 characters to search your choice of products and then click on 'Submit' button. This action will fetch your search results based on your Keyword(s). On that small search component, you can also find a link for 'Advance Search'. On clicking this 'Advance Search' link, you will get Advance Search page containing multiple Search Criteria to filter your search results. You can enter your Keyword(s) and / or select the attributes from available Search Criteria dropdowns and click on the Search button. All the products that meet these specifications will be displayed to you in search result page.

Our website provides various means of instant communication to our customers. You can click the 'CONTACT US' link available at the top of our website and the Contact Us page will appear. The right side of the Contact Us page provides a simple form to you for sending us your comments & feedback. Simply enter your First Name, Last Name, Email Address and Subject along with your Message and click the 'Submit' button. Your Message will be emailed to us and you will also receive a confirmation email for the same. You will receive a reply within 1-2 business days. The Contact Us page also displays our Mail Address and our Phone Numbers for further communication.

Creating an account on our website is a simple procedure and essentially requires your Email Address as it will be considered as your User Name. You can Create New Account by clicking 'Login' link available at the top of our website and Sign In page will appear. On this page, you need to click 'Create New Account' button to get Registration Form. You need to enter all the required information in respective fields and click 'Create New Account' button to submit your account information. On successful creation of your account, a confirmation page will appear and you will get a confirmation email. After creation of your account, you will be able to access this account by entering your Email Address and Password information at Sign In page.

To change your Account Password, you need to Sign In into your Account. On signing in, you will get Update My Account page and you need to click 'Change Password' button at the bottom of this page. On Change Password page, you need to enter your Existing Password and your desired New Password. Once you will confirm your New Password by re-entering it and then click on the 'Change Password' button, your Account Password will be changed and a confirmation page will appear. You will also receive a Password Change Confirmation email from our end.

The 'Recently Viewed' page will display a list of your most recently viewed products on our website. This page facilitates you an easy way to navigate back to product pages you are interested in. To get your most recently viewed products, you can click 'Recently Viewed' link available at the top of our website or 'Recently Viewed' tab on Product Detail page. If you are signed in into your account and viewing our product pages then your Recently Viewed Product list will be maintained in your account and you will be able to view this list from any other computer also after signing in into your account. On the contrary, if you are not in signed in situation then your Recently Viewed Product list will be maintained by your computer's system cookies and you will no longer be able to view this list from any other computer.

While browsing the products on our website, you may come across many products that you would like to purchase from us sometimes in future. Our website offers you the facility to store all these favorite products in your own Wish List for future reference. To create your own Wish List, you need to have an online account on our website. You have to sign in into your account to add products to your Wish List. After that, on browsing, you can just click 'Add to Wish List' link on the Product Display or Product Detail pages to add your favorite products to your Wish List.

To share your Wish List with your friends, you have to first access your Wish List. In your Wish List, simply click on the 'Email Wish List' link to email your entire Wish List, containing details of all your favorite products, to your friends. But if you wish to send details of only one product of your Wish List to your friends then you need to click on the 'Email' link available against that particular product in the grid. Clicking on these links will display a simple form where you need to enter your Friend(s) Email Address along with email Subject and your optional Message. Just enter the required information and click on the 'Email This Page' button to email your entire Wish List or a particular product details to your friends.

Please send us an email from our Contact Us page, with details about the diamond you are looking for. We will respond either the same day or by the next business day. Our global reach allows us to locate rare and unusual diamonds in fancy shapes and fancy colors and we will be happy to find the perfect diamond for you.

The use of our website is governed by specific terms and conditions which are mentioned in our Terms of Use page. It is advisable to read these Terms of Use carefully before using our website. By using our website, you signify your agreement to these terms and conditions. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify or otherwise alter these terms and conditions at any time. Such changes and/or modifications shall become effective immediately upon the posting thereof. You are advised to review the terms and conditions periodically. Your continued use of the website following any posting of changes and/or modifications will constitute your acceptance of the revised terms and conditions.

A website's privacy policy is a legal statement providing information about the use of personal information, related to its customers and visitors, collected via the website - by the website owner. We respect your privacy and our aim is to provide you a safe and secure surfing experience whenever you visit our website. Our Privacy Policy is created in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy. This privacy notice describes our online information practices to inform you about what information we collect, why we collect such information and how we use the information that we collect from our customers and visitors.

Please note that US sales tax requirements may be subject to change due to the recent Supreme Court ruling on sales tax. SVS Fine Jewelry collects sales tax on orders shipped to addresses in New York.

Jewelry Specific Questions

When you are in the market for a diamond, you must consider the 4Cs of diamonds - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight, as a basis for your buying decision. These 4Cs will help you choose the best diamond using the same criteria as expert jewelers. To learn more, click on Diamond Buying Tips.

Diamond Cut is the most important property that increases a diamond's beauty because a well-cut diamond reflects light to maximize the stone's brilliance. A diamond with perfect color and clarity could nevertheless have poor brilliance if it is not well cut. To learn more, click on Diamond Cut.

Diamonds are found in all colors of the rainbow from colorless and transparent stones to ink black ones. Varying degrees of yellow or brown color is common in most diamonds and a slight difference in color can make a substantial difference in value. A truly colorless diamond is extremely rare and considered the most valuable. It allows most light to pass through the stone and create the most brilliance. The color scale goes from D to Z, with D being colorless and Z being the most yellow. To learn more, click on Diamond Color.

Clarity is a term used to describe the absence or presence of flaws inside or on the surface of a diamond. In other words, the clarity of a diamond refers to a diamonds clearness or purity. When these flaws / marks occur internally, they are called inclusions and when these flaws / marks occur on the surface, they are known as blemishes. These slight flaws make every diamond quite unique but they also affect the appearance and value of the diamond. The Diamond Clarity Grading Scale has the following grades: F (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless), VVS1 - VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included - 1 & 2), VS1 - VS2 (Very Slightly Included - 1 & 2), SI1 - SI2 (Slightly Included - 1 & 2), I1 - I2 - I3 (Included - 1, 2 & 3). To learn more, click on Diamond Clarity.

The term "Carat" refers to the weight of a diamond. Each carat is divided into 100 points. Therefore, 1/4 carat diamond is considered as 25 points and 1/2 carat diamond is considered as 50 points and so on. When diamonds are mined, large diamonds are rarely discovered in comparison to small ones, which make large diamonds much more valuable. For that reason, the price of a diamond rises exponentially with its size. For example, a 2 carat diamond of a given quality is always worth much more than two 1 carat diamonds of the equal quality. To learn more, click on Diamond Carat.

Diamonds are always appreciated for their beauty and rarity and considered as a symbol of wealth and power. The largest and most rare stones have been noted throughout history. Some of the World?s Most Famous Diamonds of all time includes: The Cullinan, The Cullinan I / Great Star of Africa, The Cullinan II, The Centenary Diamond, The Orloff, The Regent, Koh-i-Noor (Mountain of Light), The Great Chrysanthemum, The Idols Eye, The Taylor-Burton, The Sancy, The Blue Hope, The Tiffany and Hortensia.

A Gemstone is a mineral or rock, which can be used in jewelry after cutting or faceting and polishing. Gemstones are diverse in their beauty and many gems are available in a stunning variety of colors. After a skilled cutting and polishing of a gem, full color and luster can be seen.

When shopping for jewelry, it's not unusual to start wondering what the difference is between a Carat and a Karat. Both the terms are used for the purpose of measurement. The term 'Carat' refers to the weight of a diamond. It is derived from the carob seeds, which are remarkably consistent in weight and shape and so were the favored scale balances in ancient times. This was standardized in 1907 and after that 1 carat became 0.2 grams or 1/142 of an ounce. Furthermore, each carat is divided into 100 points. Therefore, 1/4 carat diamond is considered as 25 points and 1/2 carat diamond is considered as 50 points and so on. Carat is also used in its abbreviated 'Ct' form. On the other hand, a 'Karat' is a measurement used to measure the purity of gold, with 24 karat being the purest. The measurement gauges how much gold vs. how much alloy is of the piece of jewelry. If a jewelry item contains 18 Karat Gold that means it has Eighteen Parts Pure Gold and Six Parts Other Metal Alloys. Karat is also used in its abbreviated 'kt' form.

Jewelry requires proper care and treatment for its longevity so that it can even be handed down as heirlooms to future generations without losing its shine and sparkle. Regular cleaning of Jewelry is essential to maintain the shine and brilliance of the jewelry's gemstones and metal. While wearing jewelry, it gets dirty as you use various skin and body care products such as soaps, lotions, and your skin's natural oils. Even when you are not wearing them, they can collect dust. You can clean your jewelry at home by using a soft toothbrush, water, and clear dish soap or using readymade jewelry cleaners. You can also use the services of a professional jeweler to keep your jewelry clean as well as evaluate the safety and condition of your settings. Jewelry should be stored individually in a soft cloth pouch or plastic zip-lock bag to ensure that it does not scratch other jewelry or gemstones. You should not wear jewelry while doing heavy work, housework or gardening as it can be damaged. Your jewelry should never be exposed to chlorine bleach, hair spray or other chemicals because they can severely discolor and damage your jewelry as well as their settings.

When purchasing jewelry from a local jeweler, you can be sure that you are getting the best value for your money. Local jewelers provide you with a more personalized service because they intend to build a legacy of integrity & trust with their customers. They intend to build personal relations with their customers while offering them the highest quality jewelry. A local jeweler can better understand your indiviudal taste and style. You can expect an honest professional advice and excellent attention combined with before and after sale services only from a local jeweler.

Gemstones are classified into two categories, Precious and Semi-Precious, on the basis of their characteristics.

Precious Stones: Gemstones which are highly valuable for their hardness and rarity, are known as Precious Stones. Precious Stones are generally expensive in comparison of Semi-Precious Stones.Precious stones include Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires.

Semi-Precious Stones: Gemstones those are valued for their beauty and not covered under any one of the four ‘Precious Stones’, are known as Semi-Precious Stones. Semi-Precious Stones are available in all price ranges from low priced to high priced. Semi-Precious stones are Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Iolite, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Tanzanite, Topaz, Tourmaline etc.

A birthstone is nothing but a gemstone only, which is associated with the date of one’s birth and the wearing of such birthstone is considered to bring good luck and health. Certain gemstones are believed to have Supernatural powers and their relationship with planets.Birthstones, on the basis of calendar months, are described as under:

January’s Birthstone – Garnet
February’s Birthstone - Amethyst
March’s Birthstone - Aquamarine
April’s Birthstone - Diamond
May’s Birthstone - Emerald
June’s Birthstone - Pearl / Alexandrite / Moonstone
July’s Birthstone - Ruby
August’s Birthstone - Peridot / Sardonyx
September’s Birthstone - Sapphire
October’s Birthstone - Opal / Pink Tourmaline
November’s Birthstone - Citrine / Yellow Topaz
December’s Birthstone - Turquoise / Tanzanite / Zircon / Blue Topaz

A Precious Metal is a metal with rare metallic chemical element and due to that is of high economic value. Precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high luster, and have higher melting points than other metals. Gold, Platinum and Silver are considered as p recious metals and used extensively in jewelry.

Gold: Gold is an extraordinary and rare precious metal, with an unmatched combination of chemical and physical properties. Gold is the most non-reactive of all metals and it does not oxidize under ordinary conditions. No other metal is as malleable as gold. Pure gold is very soft and pliable, and alloys of different other metals are combined with pure gold to enhance its durability and strength, as well as creating a blush in the gold’s appearance with different color tones. 24 karat is 100 % pure gold, and it is more expensive and less durable than gold that is alloyed with other metals.

Platinum: Platinum, an extremely rare and expensive metal, is a silvery gray precious metal often used for setting or mounting high quality diamonds and gemstones. Platinum is a strong, durable and dense metal which is valued for its white color and purity.

Silver: Pure silver is very soft metal with its lustrous white color. Silver is used as jewelry metal well before the development of white gold alloys, and before platinum could be isolated. It is normally stable in pure air and water but tarnishes when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide or sulfur.

Buying a perfect jewelry requires knowledge about Diamonds, Gemstone, Precious Metals and Settings & Finishing. Keep below points in mind while selecting jewelry for yourself or for your loved ones:

- Whenever you buy jewelry for your loved ones, always keep their personality and preferences in mind.
- When you decide to buy diamond or gemstone jewelry then you should always evaluate stones on 4Cs criteria.
- You should ensure that stones of your jewelry are properly polished and with perfect symmetry.
- You must ensure that there are no visible blemishes or imperfections on the diamonds, gemstones and on the metal.
- You should also check to make certain that fasteners, clasps and catches work properly and are secure.
- Beware of jewelry store lighting which usually consists of quartz or halogen bulbs.
- When buying gold jewelry, it is advisable to go for either 14 karat or 18 karat gold jewelry. You should never buy 24 karat gold jewelry because it is too soft, less durable and more expensive. You should also avoid buying less than 10 karat gold jewelry, as it appears dull.

While buying jewelry, you should not be in hurry or in pressure. You should buy it at your convenience and at your own pace. To learn more, click on Jewelry Buying Tips.

Wearing a ring on a particular finger represents some of the attributes of your personality. Here you can find what does wearing a ring on particular finger means:

- Thumb Ring is Poseiden (Individuality, Independence)
- Index finger Ring is zeus (Dominance, Power, Energy)
- Middle Finger Ring is Dionysus (Irreverence, Rebellion, Decadence)
- Ring finger is Aphrodite (Love, Romance, Connection)
- Pinky Ring is Ares (Conflict, Assertiveness, Competitiveness)
- No Rings is Hermes (Friendliness, Helpfulness, Adventure)

You can find everything you want to know about Diamonds, Color Stones, Precious Metals, Settings & Finishing and Jewelry in our comprehensive Education Center. Click on below links to learn more:

- Diamond Guide
- Gemstone Guide
- Precious Metal Guide
- Settings & Finishing Guide
- Jewelry Guide
- Jewelry Web Links

Have Questions?

Our talented team at Dahlkemper's is more than happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

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