FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

If there's something you do not know or you are not sure about,
related to jewelry and it's terminology, you can consult our Frequently Asked Questions section...

01) What is Carat?
The Carat is a unit of weight and quality. In diamonds, Carat is used to calculate the weight (mass) and corresponds to 0.2 grams. In jewelry, the Carat is a measure of Quality - Purity. Gold, ( VALAURO Small Logo ) is divided into 24 Carats.
02) How many Carats are usually in jewelry?
The gold alloys used in jewelery are usually 8, 9, 14, 18 and 22 Carats with most common those of 14 Carats. In VALAURO Small Logo we use 8, 14 and 18 Carats for the manufacture of our rings.
03) Are there 24 Carat gold jewelry;
We can not manufacture 24 Carats jewelry, due to the increased softness that the particular metal has and makes it extremely difficult to process. The maximum that can be used is 22 Carats and only in handmade jewelry, usually of archaic type.
04) How many Carats should I choose and why?
There is no "must" in choosing Carats. Each category serves a purpose. Currently on the Greek market there are available jewelery in 8, 9, 14 and 18 Carats. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages respectively. In VALAURO Small Logo we use 8, 14 and 18 Carats.

Jewelry 8-9 Carats
These are small gold amount jewelery (1/3 of 24 which is pure gold) and the main advantage is the very low cost, result of the very small gold content. The main drawback is that because the added metal alloy is greater in ratio than gold itself (2/3) while being vulnerable to oxidation (blackening), may in the future be oxidized (turned black) and in turn the jewelry surface, which is significantly enhanced by the constant use and exposure to specific environmental conditions (sweating, and brimstone derivatives) of jewelry. In VALAURO Small Logo we use special alloys of international standards, which aim to slow down and removal of this phenomenon.

Jewelry 14 Carats
Substantially constitute the vast majority of jewelery in Greek and global market and not accidental. The 14K are the golden section in goldsmiths due to the many positive features that gather such as for example do not oxidize - blacken because of the high gold content (58.5%) except in extremely rare cases that come into contact with chemicals such as mercury or repeated, direct contact with perfumes(in the latter case is simply dazzle become black locally). They are the ideal solution in terms of cost/quality. They give goldsmiths many possibilities in colors (pink gold, white gold) and at hardness (soft alloy wedding rings in order to be able to increase or decrease in size, hard at crosses for strength) according to the proportions and alloys selected by each manufacturer.

Jewelry 18 Carats or more
This is jewelery of exceptional quality because of high gold content (over 75%) in jewels. The main advantage of course is the high gold content which implies to a correspondingly higher price. The second disadvantage of this alloy, especially in wedding rings which constantly coming into contact with anything we touch, is that due to the softness which characterizes the metal like gold by nature, are less resistant to shocks and therefore wears faster than a corresponding 14 Carats. We point out that this specificity appears to a greater extent in rings and wedding rings and much less in other types of jewelry such as crosses or earrings, since the latter rarely come in contact with another object when you wear them.
05) How can I tell/check how many Carats is a jewel?
Every manufacturer is obligated by law to indicate in some point of the jewelry which he produces, the number of Carats, which usually appears as a percentage per thousand. Based on this rule therefore we have:

  •   8 Carats: 333
  •   9 Carats: 375
  • 14 Carats: 585 (Substantially 14,04)
  • 18 Carats: 750
  • 22 Carats: 916
06) What is the difference between White Gold and Platinum?
When talking about White Gold jewelry or pink gold jewelry, essentially we refer to alloys containing some gold and some alloy which usually includes silver (Ag), Paladio (Pd), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), etc. So when we refer to a 14 karat white gold jewel we actually refer to a jewel containing 14K * Yellow Gold ( VALAURO Small Logo ) and a part which contains metals such as silver (Ag) or Paladio (Pd) in specific ratios , which tend to " whiten " the jewel or the copper respectively and impart red, rosé color. Platinum (Pt) is a precious metal, white by nature . Summarizing therefore, White Gold is essentially yellow gold to which they have added elements which affect the color, while Platinum is by nature a white precious metal.

* In a 14 Carat jewel, we have 58.5% gold and 41.5% additional alloy, since the maximum is 24 Carats. Respectively, in a 18-Carat jewel, we have 75% gold and 25% additional alloy.
07) Why is that my Diamond / Wedding Ring turns yellow?
As we already mentioned (differences between White Gold and Platinum), essentially white jewels are based on yellow gold and with the addition of specific alloys and proportions we manage to impart an intense whiteness that usually have Diamond Rings or White Rings. But because the color brought by the mix is not white enough, all white jewels through some additional processing steps (relatively to the yellow jewels) such as electrolysis and metallisation, "are stained", obtaining thereby the bright white color that we see in the new jewelery. Since the "staining" but this is on surface only and due to the specific nature of the wedding ring (wearing them constantly and comes into contact with anything you touch) and the "legs" of Solitaire Rings (the lower part of the ring), wears and discolors - the paint is removed - actually restoring the natural color of White Gold which is "yellowing".
08) Can we restore the original intense white color in case of wear and if yes, what will the cost be?
By the same method we use for the first time during manufacturing, we can restore the bright white color of the ring / wedding ring at anytime. The cost ( in VALAURO Logo rings) of the restoration of the color is determined after agreement with the shop where you bought the wedding rings from.
09) Does Platinum "yellows"?
The platinum jewelery don't turn yellow ever, since as has already been mentioned, platinum is by nature white. In combination with the fact that the platinum jewelery contain 92.5% or more of platinum (Pt) and only 7.5% additional alloy, this small proportion of the alloy can't affect its color. This of course is one of the main reasons that platinum jewelery are significantly more expensive than gold jewelery, meaning the large amount (almost pure) of Platinum.
10) Can I enlarge or reduce the size of my wedding ring?
DrawingVALAURO Small Logo Wedding Rings are made of tube from which they are cut into slices and then through specific procedures and processes end up to the desired size. This method, combined with soft alloys we use, gives us a very important advantage, easy (relatively) resizing of rings without cutting or welding. However, despite this fact, there are still some limitations.

So generally the following rules apply:

  • Α) If there's no gemstone attached, we can enlarge them, up to 4 sizes.
  • Β) If there's no gemstone attached, we can reduce their size, from 2 to 3 sizes, depending on it's design (A consultation with the store is required).
  • Γ) If there is a gemstone attached, it cannot be reduced or enlarged at all..

All the above applies exclusively toVALAURO Logo Wedding Rings.
11) What is the cost for size change?
For the first two cases, no cost is charged, except the dispatch expenses, as they are mentioned on the previous question's answer. In the third case the cost is calculated after a consultation with the store, from which you purchased your rings. In every case, however, a retouching (freshening up) is provided, free of charge.
12) Why is, rings with a gemstone on them, cannot be enlarged or diminished?
Break Drawing In order to attach a gemstone on a ring, we are opening a hole into which will "nest" the stone. But at that point as a result, the wedding ring becomes weaker to the exact spot on which we made the tiny hole, and the slightest force will be exerted in order to grow or diminish the ring, will be concentrated at that point and the break is inevitable.
If there is no hole, the necessary force is distributed evenly across the ring and because it's structure is seamless (without joints) and soft (said alloy), the ring does not break.
Therefore when there is even a single stone on the ring, the wedding ring is replaced with a new one at the desired size, the cost of which is determined after consultation with the store. Given however that the original ring will be returned, the replacement cost is very small.
13) My wedding ring has scratches and marks on it, what can I do?
Unfortunately and fortunately the ring is a jewelry that is worn continuously. Fortunately because we rejoice it all the time, then unfortunately because it will most likely being hit, especially when you consider that is worn on the finger and whatever we grab, comes in contact with it and strains it.
As VALAURO Small Logo Wedding Rings manufacturers, we give you the option to refresh it and bring it back to its original state (as possible) without any charge other than dispatch fees. This procedure is recommended not to be done more than two times and only if it's permitted by the state of your wedding ring.
14) Will, the decoration of my wedding ring, be spoiled, and if so, when this will ocure?
The most clear and honest answer is yes, it will be spoiled, but when, it depends mainly on the way you make use of it. Secondary, depends on the design and especially the texture of the wedding ring. There are textures more sensitive, but also more durable. However we repeat that your wedding ring will maintain its draft as more careful as you are with it.