FAQ

Your Blue Salt Jeweller grew up in Broome, home of the world's best and most beautiful pearls. Over the years, he has also had the rare opportunity to work as a pearl diver and in all other areas of the pearling industry, including the role of pearl grading for the world's biggest pearling companies. Needless to say, your Blue Salt Jeweller is quite the pearl connoisseur! The Australian South Sea pearl oyster is the largest and rarest of all pearl oysters, and it produces the largest and most valuable of all pearls.

Furthermore, the Australian pearling industry has been certified as the most sustainable and environmentally responsible use of wild marine resources. As such, the vast majority of the pearls we use at Blue Salt Jewellers are Australian South Sea pearls (we may occasionally utilise other pearls as long as they fulfil our highly discerning quality criteria). We welcome all your questions about the origin of the pearls on our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations. See the section below on 'How is pearl quality measured?' to learn more about our different types of pearls and quality standards.

Pearl quality is typically assessed based on a set of key characteristics that determine its overall value and desirability. Here at Blue Salt Jewellers, pearls are our speciality, and we use only the highest quality pearls. We love creating magic with these incredible sea treasures and hence only use the very best. To learn more about how pearl quality is assessed, here are the characteristics that we look for:

1. Lustre: Lustre refers to the shine or brilliance of a pearl's surface. High-quality pearls have a bright, reflective lustre, often described as a mirror-like or deep, glowing shine.

2. Complexion: The surface of a pearl should be as free from blemishes and imperfections as possible. Flawless pearls with minimal surface irregularities are considered more valuable.

3. Size: Pearl size is measured in millimetres and plays a significant role in determining their value. Larger pearls are generally more valuable, but other factors like lustre and surface quality also come into play.

4. Shape: Pearls come in various shapes, including round, near-round, oval, button, drop, baroque, and free-form natural (keshi). Round pearls are the most highly valued, but the rarity of certain shapes can also make them desirable.

5. Colour: Pearl colour can vary widely, and it's often a matter of personal preference. Common pearl colours include white, cream, pink, silver, gold, and black. The colour should be even and consistent throughout the pearl.

6. Nacre Thickness: Nacre is the organic substance that makes up the layers of a pearl. Thicker nacre generally indicates a higher-quality pearl, as it results in better lustre and durability.

7. Orient: Orient refers to the iridescent colours that can appear on a pearl's surface. Pearls with a vibrant and colourful orientation are often considered more valuable.

8. Matching (for Multiple Pearls): When selecting pearls for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or earrings, their size, shape, colour, lustre, and surface quality should match well to create a cohesive and attractive look.

9. Origin: The geographic origin of a pearl can also influence its value. Some regions are known for producing pearls with specific characteristics, and these pearls may be more sought-after.

10. Type of Pearl: The type of pearl, whether natural or cultured, freshwater or saltwater, can affect its value. Natural pearls, especially those of high quality, are exceedingly rare and valuable.

It's important to note that different types of pearls (e.g., Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater) may have slightly different valuing criteria, and the relative importance of each characteristic can vary. For example, roundness is of utmost importance for Akoya pearls, while Tahitian pearls are prized for their unique colours. For these reasons, while we prioritise the use of the famous Australian South Sea Pearl, we may also use pearls from other regions to enjoy their unique properties. We welcome all your questions about the origin of the pearls on our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations.

See the section above ‘Where do you get your pearls from?’ to find out more about the pearls we use for our jewellery.

We use only organic, ethically mined diamonds that are certified by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) and other legitimate governing bodies.

All our diamonds have been purchased through authorised industry suppliers, not involved in the funding of conflicts or illegal trade of any kind, in compliance with UN resolutions and corresponding federal laws. We favour using diamonds that derive from Australia's famous Argyle diamond mine and other amazing Australian diamond deposits, though we have multiple sources for any diamond you desire.

We welcome all your questions about the origin of the diamond used in our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations. See the section below on 'How diamonds are graded?' to learn more about diamond quality standards.

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At Blue Salt Jewellers, we only use beautiful natural diamonds. When selecting diamonds for our jewellery range, we use a world-wide recognised standardised grading criteria known as the "Four Cs" set out by the Gemmological Institute of America (The GIA). These criteria are:

1. Carat Weight: Carat weight measures the size of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are generally rarer and more valuable. Smaller diamonds are measured in points, with 100 points equalling one carat.

2. Colour: Diamond colour refers to the absence of colour in the stone. The GIA grades diamond colour on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Diamonds with less colour (D, E, and F grades) are more valuable, as they allow more light to pass through and create greater brilliance. Fancy-coloured diamonds, however, have their own colour grading scales particular to their colour.

3. Clarity: Clarity assesses the presence of internal and external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. The GIA Clarity Scale ranges from flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to included (inclusions and/or blemishes visible to the naked eye). Diamonds with higher clarity grades are more valuable.

4. Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which affect how well the diamond reflects and refracts light. The quality of the cut is critical to a diamond's overall appearance and brilliance. A diamond cut is graded on a scale from 'excellent' to 'poor'.

- Cut Grade: A diamond's cut grade takes into account factors like brightness, fire (dispersion of light into colours), and scintillation (sparkle). A well-cut diamond will maximise its interaction with light and display excellent sparkle and brilliance.

Additionally, there are some other factors that can influence the appearance and value of a diamond, although they are not part of the official Four Cs:

5. Shape: While not an official grading factor, the shape of a diamond is a matter of personal preference. Common shapes include round, princess, emerald, pear, and marquise, among others.

6. Fluorescence: Some diamonds exhibit fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The presence and intensity of fluorescence can affect a diamond's appearance. While faint to medium fluorescence is usually not a significant issue, very strong fluorescence can sometimes lead to a hazy or milky appearance in certain lighting conditions.

We welcome all your questions about the origin of the diamonds used in our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations.

You may also wish to read the above section, ‘Where do you get your diamonds from?' to find out more about our diamond selection at Blue Salt Jewellers.

The vast majority of our opals come directly from the world-renowned Lightning Ridge mines in NSW. Lightning ridge opals can be found in a variety of colours, including red, orange, yellow, green, and blue, as well as the rare, precious, and highly prized black opal.

We welcome all your questions about the origin of the opals on our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations. See the section below on 'How is opal quality measured?' to learn more about our opal quality standards.

We, at Blue Salt Jewellers, are proud of our access to a stunning opal range from the world's most renowed opal mines in Lightning Ridge. Learn more about Lightning Ridge opals in the 'Where do your opals come from?' section above. When evaluating opal quality, we consider the following criteria:

1. Play of Colour: The most important characteristic of opal quality is its "play of colour." This term refers to the unique and vibrant flashes of colour that opals exhibit when they are moved or viewed from different angles. Opals with a strong, vivid, and diverse play of colour are considered to be of higher quality.

2. Colour: Apart from the play of colour, the base colour of the opal is also important. Opals come in various colours, and different colours have different values. For example, black opals with a dark body tone are highly prized, as they provide a striking contrast to the play of colour.

3. Transparency: Opals can range from transparent to translucent to opaque. Transparent or translucent opals are often considered more valuable because they allow the play of colour to shine through clearly.

4. Pattern: The pattern of the play of colour can also affect opal quality. Some desirable patterns include harlequin (distinctive squares or diamond-shaped patches of colour), pinfire (tiny, pinpoint flashes of colour), and broadflash (larger, sweeping flashes of colour).

5. Brightness: Opal brightness is a measure of how well the play of colour stands out. Bright opals are more valuable, as they exhibit a vibrant and dynamic play of colour.

6. Body Tone: The body tone of the opal refers to the underlying colour of the stone, which can range from black to white, with various shades in between. Black opals are highly sought-after, but opals with a play of colour on a light background can also be attractive.

7. Size and Carat Weight: The size of the opal and its carat weight can influence its value. Larger opals with a high-quality play of colour are generally more valuable.

8. Origin: Opals from certain regions, such as Lightning Ridge in Australia, are known for their exceptional quality and may command higher prices.

9. Inclusions: Inclusions, such as cracks or impurities, can affect opal quality and clarity. Opals with fewer inclusions are considered to be of higher quality.

10. Shape and Cut: The shape and cut of the opal can also impact its appearance and value. Well-shaped and polished opals are generally more desirable.

When assessing opal quality, it's important to consider these factors in combination to determine the overall value and beauty of the gemstone. High-quality opals with strong play of colour and desirable characteristics are often more valuable and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

We welcome all your questions about the origin of the opals used in our in-stock pieces and will endeavour to fulfil any special request that you may have for your custom-makes or alterations.

Yes, we at Blue Salt Jewellers uphold the highest standards by using only the highest-grade materials, all sourced in strict compliance with the guidelines set out by the JAA Code of Conduct and State and Federal Retail and Manufacturing Codes of Conduct and Laws. We source all gemstones, pearls, diamonds, and precious metals from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflicts, in compliance with UN resolutions, corresponding federal laws, and adhering rigorously to the WDC SOW Guidelines.

Our mission is to craft not only beautiful but also responsibly sourced jewellery, ensuring that every piece we create reflects our dedication to ethical and sustainable practices.