Silver Uses in Sport

The reverse side of the medals of the 2008 Sum...

The reverse side of the medals of the 2008 Summer Olympics: silver (left), gold (center), bronze (right). Each medal has a ring of jade. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EzyCash wants to buy your silver. It could be broken silver, scrap silver or unwanted silver from jewellery.

It could even be silver from an Olympic silver medal.

The silver medal is traditionally given to the second place finisher at the Olympic Games. At the first Olympics in 1896, the first and second place medals were made of actual gold and silver. The last gold medals to be made entirely out of gold were handed out at the 1912 Olympic Games.

Nowadays, the gold medal is covered in 6 grams of gold, while the silver medals have to be made of at least 92.5% silver.

If you happen to have a silver medal lying around at home, or silver coins or any other type of silver, bring it into EzyCash shop in Panmure, Auckland for a top cash price.

Silver Metal – History and Uses

Sell Silver Jewellery at EzyCash Gold Buyers

Sell Silver Jewellery at EzyCash Gold Buyers

Why is silver seen as such a precious metal?

Silver is just above gold in the periodic table, so has a very similar make-up to gold.

Silver is a good weight, silver is beautiful to look at and silver does not corrode.

Silver is also very easy to work with – silver has been worked into shapes and used since the times of early man. Silver was first mined in 3000BC but it wasn’t until around 500BC that it was recognised as official coinage.

What is silver used for?

We know that silver is used to make silverware and jewellery but silver is also used extensively in industry. Silver is commonly used within appliances switches. Within the switches, contacts made of silver make switching the appliance on and off, safe.

Silver has had many other uses. Water, milk, wine and vinegar remain purer for longer within silver vessels. Thousands of years ago King Cyrus of Persia would store his water, drawn from a specific stream, in silver containers to be carried around in carts wherever he went.

In 1813, Nicholas Niepce created the first photographic image with the help of silver nitrate.

In 1884, Dr Carl Crede used silver to help halt a disease that was causing generations of children to be blind at birth.

Emerging uses of silver

Silver paste is used in the most common type of solar panel for creating electricity.

Silver can aid water purification. Silver prevents bacteria and algae build-up and is safer than chemicals used for the same purpose (such as chlorine and bromine). And specifically, silver ions can destroy Legionnaire’s Disease.

In the medical world, silver infused bandages are helping burn and wound victims by preventing infection and speeding healing.

Spring Engagement Rings – Love is in the air!

In 1835, Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote his “Locksley Hall” poem and the much quoted line “In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”  Spring is still the traditional time when most people become engaged.

Along with the romance and excitement of “popping the question” comes the responsibility of choosing the right engagement ring.  Here are some tips!

Once you’ve decided on your budget, think about your partner’s style – is it traditional, classic, contemporary or avant garde?

Think about the band.  White gold and platinum are very popular engagement ring metals. White gold is usually plated with rhodium for a bright silvery appearance, and platinum is hard, strong and naturally silvery colour that dulls over time.  Or does your partner like natural yellow-orange gold, or a lighter yellow colour?

Choose your partner’s correct ring band size by (secretly!) borrowing, drawing or measuring another of your partner’s rings.  Rings can be resized, but it’s easier and cheaper to resize a ring that’s too large, rather than too small.

Most engagement ring gemstones are diamonds – and it’s a brave partner who chooses anything else!  Diamonds are very durable and work well with other jewellery.

At EzyCash, you can choose from a range of very desirable diamond solitaire engagement rings in 18ct white gold from 0.50ct (half carat) to 1.00ct. These new, stunning rings are absolutely beautiful.  They are also excellent value and very affordable.

The team at EzyCash Gold Buyers are diamond engagement ring and wedding jewellery experts, as well as high-end vintage and second-hand jewellery appraisers. They sell new and vintage diamond engagement rings, gemstones, white gold, platinum and goldrings and jewellery, and they also buy new and vintage diamond engagement rings, gemstones white gold, platinum and gold rings and jewellery, broken jewellery and quality watches (including broken watches) for cash, giving the best price, in cash, instantly.

Distinctive Art Deco

English: Gold Jewelry / Gold Jewellery

English: Gold Jewelry / Gold Jewellery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chain store fashion doesn’t tend to be high quality or unique.  People today have larger wardrobes, but many pieces are mass produced and made from inferior fabrics.

As a result, there’s a growing demand for quality and individuality, leading to a higher demand for quality vintage fashion – and jewellery.  Carla Caruso of Jeweller Magazine says “There is something magical about a jewellery piece with a past; wearing one is almost like being able to travel back in time to a bygone era.”

Art Deco jewellery is thought to have originated in Paris in 1925, after an art exhibition featuring futurism and cubism.  Egypt was also an influence – the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1923 captured people’s imaginations.

Art Deco style is comprised of curved pieces, angular lines, bold colours and geometric shapes.  Long earrings and necklaces, cocktail rings, intricate filigree and tassels are also typical.

Jewellery pieces were often made from diamonds, white gold and new metals like platinum, by major fashion houses including Tiffany & Co, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier.

Though Art Deco style is celebrated in modern movies like The Great Gatsby (directed by Baz Luhrmann, 2013) and Grace of Monaco (directed by Olivier Dahan, 2014), distinctive Art Deco jewellery does not necessarily appeal to everybody.

Perhaps you have been given or inherited Art Deco jewellery that is not your style?  Then right now is a good time to have it valued by EzyCash Gold Buyers.

The team at EzyCash Gold Buyers are knowledgeable high-end vintage and second-hand jewellery appraisers, so you can be sure that you’ll receive a fair appraisal and the best price for your unwanted diamond, white gold and platinum Art Deco jewellery.

Broken jewellery can also be valuable.  You might not want to repair Art Deco jewellery pieces you don’t love or want to wear  – instead, see EzyCash Gold Buyers.

EzyCash buys your broken and dated diamond, white gold, platinum and Art Deco jewellery for cash, giving you the best price, in cash, instantly.

Bored of your old gold rings?

Old Gold Ring

Old Gold Ring

Hugely successful NZ fantasy films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, and television series like Game of Thrones, have entertained millions.

The fantasy genre is very popular right now – and having a huge effect on fashion.  Jewellery is no exception.

India Nicholson of Jeweller Magazine writes that “a recent collaboration between London-based Crow’s Nest Jewels and Walt Disney is one of the many jewellery collections that have emerged from a fantasy juggernaut.”

NZ suppliers Worth & Douglas hold the licensing rights for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings jewellery, including the famed gold “One Ring”.

As any Lord of the Rings fan knows, a gold ring is always valuable.

Since ancient times, gold rings have symbolised engagement or marriage, status or been used as a seal for personal or business use.

But sometimes, a gold ring is not something you want to keep.

EzyCash Gold Buyers, Auckland’s favourite gold and diamond jewellery and luxury watch buyers, give instant cash for your unwanted gold wedding and gold engagement rings and gold jewellery.

If you have inherited or been given a gold ring you don’t want to wear, you can easily get your gold ring and jewellery instantly valued by EzyCash Gold Buyers.

Broken gold rings are also valuable.  EzyCash Gold Buyers buy your broken and dated gold rings and gold jewellery for cash, giving you the best price, in cash, instantly.

Auckland’s EzyCash Gold Buyers are knowledgeable high-end vintage and second-hand gold and diamond jewellery, and luxury watch, appraisers.  They use only the latest technology to value your gold. You can be certain you’ll receive a fair appraisal and the very best price for when they buy your unwanted gold jewellery.

How Diamonds are Valued

Sell Diamonds for Cash

Sell Diamonds for Cash

“The 4 c’s” are the criteria jewellers use to grade diamonds.  They are:

  • Cut
  • Clarity
  • Colour
  • Carat Weight

Cut

A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance.

When a diamond is well-cut, light enters the stone and reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond to the observer’s eye. This light, and its flashing, fiery effect is what makes diamonds so mesmerizing.

In a poorly cut diamond, the light ‘leaks’ out from the sides or bottom of the diamond rather than reflecting back to the eye. Less reflected light means less brilliance.

Clarity

Natural diamonds are created under an incredible amount of pressure and most diamonds have flaws.

A diamond’s “clarity” is all about the flaws. There are two types:

  • Blemishes: found on the surface of the diamond
  • Inclusions: found within the diamond

“Inclusions” are flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found within the diamond.

“Blemishes” are scratches, pits, and chips (some blemishes occur during the cutting process, most often at the girdle).

Because they are less common, diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued and priced.

Colour

When jewellers speak of a diamond’s colour, they are usually referring to the presence or absence of colour in white diamonds. Colour is a result of the composition of the diamond, and it never changes over time.

Colourless diamonds allow more light to pass through so have more sparkle. Very few diamonds are truly colourless and they are more valuable.

Coloured diamonds do not follow this rule. These diamonds are very rare and expensive. They can be any colour, from blue to green to bright yellow. They are actually more valuable for their colour.

Fluorescence is a glowing effect seen in some gem-quality diamonds when they are exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light (such as nightclub black lights). Most gemmologists prefer diamonds without this effect, but it’s a matter of personal taste.

Carat

A carat is a unit of measurement used to weigh a diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams.

The word “carat” is taken from the carob seeds that people once used to balance scales. The seeds are so uniform in shape and weight that even today’s sophisticated instruments cannot detect more than three one-thousandths of a difference between them.

Large diamonds have a greater cost per carat and the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size (e.g., a 2-carat diamond will cost more per carat than a 1-carat diamond of equal grade).

Perhaps you have been given or inherited a diamond ring that is just not your style?  Right now is a good time to have your diamond rings valued by EzyCash Gold Buyers.

The team at EzyCash Gold Buyers are knowledgeable high-end vintage and second-hand diamond ring appraisers, so you can be sure that you’ll receive a fair appraisal and the best price in Auckland for your unwanted diamond rings.

EzyCash buys your dated diamond rings, luxury watches, gold and precious metal jewellery. You’ll get cash, instantly.

EzyCash’s diamond ring buying service is straightforward, discreet, fair and fast.  To sell your unwanted diamond rings in any condition – from antique to broken to brand new – call EzyCash gold buyers today, and get Auckland’s best price!

I have a real Rolex watch, so why would I use this Apple thing?

Sell or Buy Rolex WatchesNew Apple Watches send messages, play music, have health monitoring functions and can make payments. Swatch Group’s new line of watches, to be released next year, will include fitness-related features, as well as additional functionality that would use Bluetooth technology.

But smart watches are not expected to overtake the luxury watch market any time soon. Swatch CEO Nick Hayek acknowledges that “technology alone doesn’t sell, not in watches.” Luxury watches are widely respected and easily recognized by people who appreciate details and luxuryLuxury watches also hold their value over time, because they are composed of valuable substances like gold, precious metals and jewels. Another factor in a luxury watch’s long-term investment value is its prestigious brand name.  Luxury watches like those by Rolex, Tag Heuer and Omega – new and antique – are always in demand. Perhaps you have been given or inherited a luxury watch that is just not your style?  Right now is a good time to have your luxury watch valued by EzyCash Gold Buyers.

Sell or Buy Rolex WatchesThe team at EzyCash Gold Buyers are knowledgeable high-end vintage and second-hand luxury watch appraisers, so you can be sure that you’ll receive a fair appraisal and the best price for your unwanted luxury watches.

Broken luxury watches can also be valuable.  You might not want to repair a luxury watch you don’t love or want to wear  – instead, see EzyCash Gold Buyers.  EzyCash buys your broken and dated luxury watches, gold and precious metal jewellery for cash, giving you the best price, in cash, instantly.

EzyCash’s luxury watch buying service is straightforward, discreet and fast.  To sell your luxury watches in any condition – from antique to broken to brand new – call EzyCash gold buyers today!

Sell Old / Broken Jewellery for New Spring Jewellery

Sell Old or Broken Jewellery for New Spring Jewellery

Sell Old or Broken Jewellery for New Spring Jewellery

Spring brings that longed for sun and warmer weather.  In the Domain, colourful, fragrant daffodils are starting to pop up …and in shops, you’ll see the latest new Spring inspired gold jewellery.

This year, gold jewellery is combined with serene colours ranging from neutrals and soft pastels, especially blues and pinks, as well as orange and red brights.

Spring 2014 gold jewellery is inspired by nature.  You’ll see delicate gold blossoms, gold birds and even gold butterflies. Real diamonds are placed in the centre and petals of flowers, and on the wings of the birds and butterflies, to highlight  their delicate beauty.

These motifs feature in ranges by Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co and in local gold jewellery ranges by designers Karen Walker and Boh Runga.

Of course, gold and diamond jewellery is always highly prized because of its value and rarity.  But sometimes your gold jewellery can look dated and unfashionable.  If you don’t love your gold jewellery – perhaps you have been given or inherited a piece that is just not your style, or is very unfashionable – right now is a good time to have your gold and diamond jewellery valued by EzyCash Gold Buyers .

The team at EzyCash Gold Buyers are knowledgeable high-end vintage and second-hand gold and diamond jewellery appraisers, so you can be sure that you’ll receive a fair appraisal and the best price for your unwanted jewellery.

Broken gold jewellery can also be valuable.  You might not want to repair gold jewellery pieces you don’t love or want to wear  – instead, see EzyCash Gold Buyers.

EzyCash buys your broken and dated gold jewellery for cash, giving you the best price, in cash, instantly.

EzyCash’s gold jewellery buying service is straightforward, discreet and fast.  EzyCash considers gold jewellery in any condition – so call now to arrange for a no obligation valuation.

Accurate Price of Gold NZ

Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer

Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer

With the high overall value of gold and market fluctuations affecting the price on a day to day basis – getting an accurate value for your gold, be it gold jewellery, bullion, coins or broken gold jewellery is absolutely essential to ensure you get a fair deal when you want to buy gold or sell your gold.

Most gold buyers use a range of valuation methods including displacement and acid tests, but these are not always accurate and can even damage the items being tested. Ezycash Goldbuyers use the latest technology to provide you with the best price when you are looking to buy gold or sell your gold.

Ezycash Goldbuyers have their very own gold analyzer x-ray machine, called the Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer.

The GoldXpert gives accurate chemistry and karat results within seconds and provides non-destructive testing. As it does use x-rays to perform the analysis, the operators at Ezycash Goldbuyers are certified – but you need not worry if your gold is being tested as the amount of x-rays being used are very low. The test provides a quick, on the spot value and enables the best possible price to be offered.

Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer Results

Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer Results

Likewise if you are looking to increase your gold bullion assets, you are more than welcome to make use of the analyzer to check the purity of the gold you are purchasing from Ezycash Goldbuyers, so that you can complete the transaction with confidence.

The gold x-ray analyzer can also provide an on the spot analysis of silver and other precious metals and enables you to see for yourself that you are getting the best possible price on your gold, silver and other items of jewellery and bullion as the testing chamber has a window so you know the results provided are on your items – so no magic tricks at play here, just good honest technology providing you with the best possible price for your gold.

As you can see from the photos – your gold is placed into the testing chamber, which is then closed but you can still see your item via the viewing window.

Once the test is completed, the LCD window provides a clear analysis result which you can read and all within seconds.

For anyone looking to buy or sell gold, it is worth a visit to see Joe and his team at Ezycash Goldbuyers. They are the gold smart people and have the technology to prove it!

Get your gold jewellery accurately analysed

Olympus GoldXpert XRF Analyzer

When we think of gold – many of us think of bullion bars, gold coins or gold jewellery. Globally world consumption of mined gold is about half for use in jewellery, 40 percent for investment purposes and the rest is used in industry.

Gold is a popular symbol for power, richness and royalty – and these representations are what make gold popular for jewellery as well as the softness of pure gold and its ability to be crafted to an almost limitless number of shapes and styles. Gold is often mixed with other alloys for use in the manufacture of jewellery to provide a variety of colour and hardness to gold jewellery with copper being the most popular base metal.

It is because of these “mixed” alloys found in most gold jewellery that the first thing to do when looking for a valuation on your gold jewellery is to identify what the percentage – or carats (k) of gold is present. The basic, and still quite common test is the “acid” test – where literally acid is applied to a scratching of the jewellery. A soft sandpaper is rubbed against the piece to be valued, and the fine dust produced has a few drops of acid applied. The reaction from this turns the acid a particular colour – depending on the purity of the gold, and from this “acid test” a piece of gold or gold jewellery can then be valued.

There is also a more “primitive” displacement method, where your gold item is placed in water and the amount of water displaced can provide an indication as to the purity of the item.

But to get real certainty as to the value of your precious gold jewellery at Ezycash Goldbuyers they have a proper X-Ray machine that accurately identifies the purity of gold in any gold piece, providing you the best valuation for your gold bullion, coin or jewellery.

This clever machine, called the Gold Xpert is manufactured by Olympus and as you can see from the images it provides the most accurate analysis of your gold – enabling you to get the best possible price.

So if you want to see the Gold Xpert in action – take your gold jewellery, gold bullion piece or even gold nugget to the team and Ezycash Goldbuyers and ask for a complimentary X-Ray!

EzyCash Gold Buyers
Phone: (09) 570 1511
Fax: (09) 570 1527
[email protected]

30B Jellicoe Road
Panmure, Auckland East