Ben Sorkin Jewelers

Cleaning is always free at the store. I will do it while you wait, so sparkle it up before your next occasion.

Check your insurance policys in case you need an updated appraisal. With the price of precious metals changing rapidly, it is important to stay on top of this. Let me know if I can be of assistance in this matter. Stay warm, and have a Happy and Healthy New Year, Ben

The weather outside is freezing. My dog wants to move to Florida. We are open 7 days until Christmas with extended hours. Hope to see you. Have a Great Holiday Season Ben

Is there any reason why we still live in Philadelphia? Oh yes, the change of seasons. I remember now. Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Ben Sorkin Jewelers

The diamond is virtually synonymous with the American wedding ring. In addition to the wedding band, three out of every four brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

To care for sterling silver jewelry pieces, regularly polish and buff them with a soft cotton cloth. To avoid tarnish, store the silver in individual plastic bags with an interlocking seal to keep the air out.

Jewelers measure the hardness of gemstones using a standard called the Mohs scale. The higher the Mohs scale number, the harder the stone. Generally, any gemstone with a rating of less than 7 is easily scratched.

Diamonds have always been among the most coveted gemstones, in large part because they are among the most expensive. In ancient Greece, royalty believed that diamonds were splinters from stars.

One of the best ways to minimize damage and the need for extensive jewelry repairs is to inspect your jewelry on a regular basis. Taking the time now could help you find major problems before they start.

Talk about a treasure hunt - it is estimated that mining companies have to dig through 100 tons of the earth's crust just to find a single one carat diamond.

Virtually all gold jewelery uses an alloy of gold, which ranges in purity from 10K, or karats, up to 18K. Gold that is 10K is nearly 42 percent pure, while 18K gold is 75 percent pure. Higher purity levels tend to be too soft to use.

Always be specific with the instructions of what you want done during jewelry repairs. For example, resizing a ring with an inscription on the inside doesn't usually include retouching or replacing the inscription.

Certain soft gemstones are extremely vulnerable to scratching. Take extra precautions with any jewelry containing lapis, malachite, turquoise, amber, or opal, and protect these pieces by storing them separately.