January 2010

"THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT YOUR FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT"
-- Anonymous

As we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome the New Year, let's look forward with hope and determination. Hope that this year will be better than last, and determination to do our best to make that happen. As a local independent jeweler, we appreciate your patronage. We will continue to offer beautiful jewelry at affordable prices and provide the very best in customer service. Please tell your friends and family about us. At J. Thomas Jewelers we look forward to serving you and wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year!

Gem of the Month - Garnet

The January birthstone, Garnet, occurs in every color except blue and most varieties are named for the color. Rhodolite is a purplish red, Hessanite is the name for an orange, cinnamon, or pinkish variety. Tsavorite is the name given to dark green grossularite. Uvarovite and Demantoid are also green varieties. Pyrope garnets are purplish red, orange red, crimson, or dark red. Spessartite garnets range from yellow and orange through red to reddish brown to dark black brown. Color change garnets exhibit an "alexandrite-like" effect when viewed in natural light or artificial lighting.

Garnets range from a 7.0 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It was believed that the powers of Garnet included healing, strength, and protection and it was often worn to relieve inflammations of the skin. It was also believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression!

Alternative Metals

There are many alternative metals in the marketplace. Below are some of the characteristics of each one.

Stainless Steel - Stainless has an attractive grey color, is strong and durable with relatively low cost. Stainless steel cannot be sized. It resists tarnish and is hypo-allergenic.

Titanium and Tungsten Carbide - These are industrial metals and are strong as steel, and once again these rings cannot be sized. Titanium rings are lighter weight and grey in color, although they are very durable and hypo-allergenic. Tungsten Carbide is denser, resists scratching and is whiter than Titanium. It is extremely hard, but can crack if struck at high impact.

Palladium - Palladium is a precious metal that is a member of the platinum group of metals. It has a silvery white color that retains its luster. It is bright in color, durable in nature, and less costly than platinum. Palladium is hypo-allergenic and may be sized.

Cobalt Chromium - This metal is composed of 63% Cobalt and 27% Chromium. It retains its white color, will show wear, but can be polished and/or engraved.


January Quiz
How much do you know about the month of January? Take this fun quiz and find out.

1. Who added the month of January to the calendar?
a. Greeks b. Phoenicians c. Egyptians d. Romans

2. January is named after Janus. What was he the god of?
a. winter b. doors and gates c. weather d. cleanliness

3. What flower is the symbol of January?
a. rose b. chrysanthemum c. carnation d. orchid

4. Who said the "blast of January would blow you through and through"?
a. Milton b. Tennyson c. Chaucer d. Shakespeare

Answers: 1. d 2. b 3. c 4. d

Save On Repairs and Ring Sizing
Didn't receive any new jewelry for Christmas this year? Now is the time to repair and refinish the jewelry you do have! For the month of January we are offering: $11.00 OFF 4 or more prong retips 
$5.00 OFF any ring sizing

Print and present this coupon for your savings.