MALABAR GOLD & DIAMONDS

Yes. All our products are hallmarked.

• BIS Hallmark Logo
• Purity of Gold '916' -22ct, '875' - 21ct etc.
• The Hallmarking centre's logo
• The jewelers' identification mark
• Year of Hallmarking 'A' -year 2000, 'B' -year 2001.... 'H' - year 2007.

White Gold achieves its whiteness when other metals are added to yellow Gold. Platinum, on the other hand, is white to begin with and maintains its luster permanently. Since white Gold is actually yellow gold with alloys added to it, the alloys tend to wear away with usage. To keep your white Gold jewellery looking its best, you can have it polished and rhodium plated on a regular basis. Platinum is hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant and extremely durable. Unlike white Gold, Platinum does not turn yellow over time and will always maintain its beautiful white brightness.

Platinum is a dense metal that is 95% pure. It is the safest security for Diamond as it provides the needed strength.

Precious stones are diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire, while all others are semi-precious. This distinction reflects the rarity of the respective stones as well as their quality: all precious stones are translucent with fine color in their purest forms, except for diamonds, and are very hard (8-10 on the Mohs scale).

Other stones are classified by their color, translucency and hardness. The traditional distinction does not necessarily reflect modern values, for example, while garnets are relatively inexpensive, a green garnet called Tsavorite, can be far more valuable than a mid-quality emerald.

• January – Garnet
• February – Amethyst
• March – Aquamarine
• April – Diamond
• May – Emerald
• June – Pearl, Alexandrite
• July – Ruby
• August – Peridot
• September – Sapphire
• October – Opal
• November – Topaz
• December – Turquoise

The most important factor to consider when buying a gemstone is its color, which comes in a variety of shades. The finest gemstones are intensely saturated, pure natural color with no overtones. Color is divided into three aspects: hue (the basic color of the stone); tone (the "depth" of color, ranging from "light" to "dark"); and saturation (the purity of the color and the level of other hues, if present).

After color, the factors that influence value are clarity, cut and size. Gemstones that are clear with no visible inclusions are more valuable than those with visible internal flaws. Perfection in natural, untreated gems is exceptionally rare and very expensive.

Beauty — the colorless beauty and inner fire of the diamond has made this precious gem prized for centuries. Each stone's complex characteristics cannot be duplicated, and no two diamonds can ever be the same. Each stone, like its owner, is endowed with a personality and character uniquely its own.

Durability — a diamond is the hardest substance known to man, making it resistant to deterioration. When cared for properly, diamond jewellery can be worn every day and passed on as an heirloom to the next generation.

Rarity — although new resources for diamonds are being explored and discovered, the supply of these gems remains limited. This is understandable once you learn that more than 250 tons of ore need to be blasted, crushed and processed to yield just one carat of rough diamond. Further, only 20 percent of all rough diamonds are suitable for gem cutting.

Enduring Value — like many precious products, diamond prices fluctuate. But it is important to know that these sparkling gemstones still retain value after years of being worn and enjoyed.

Jewellery is all about trust and we tell our customers the truth about diamond jewellery. For that, endorsement by a respected certification company is necessary. Malabar Gold and Diamonds takes the C's of diamonds to the next level moving from the four Cs to six Cs, also incorporating "certified" and "conflict free". This allows buyers to confidently compare Malabar Gold offerings with the best in the market. The IGI certificate we provide with each diamond is essentially a statement attesting to the authenticity of a diamond and provides a reliable and accurate report of its identity and grade through internationally recognized methods.

The grade or quality of a diamond is based on four characteristics commonly referred to as the 4Cs: the Carat weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut. These are analyzed and the results are recorded in the IGI Diamond Report.

Appraisers here are highly qualified gemologists who have years of experience in appraising, which allow IGI to maintain a high degree of professionalism and ethics, along with technical excellence.

Buying a diamond does not have to be an uncomfortable experience. Every diamond is unique, and there are a variety of factors, which affect the price of a diamond. Focus on those factors most important to you, and choose a diamond that satisfies your individual standards for beauty and value. Every Malabar Gold and Diamonds diamond is certified by the IGI after a thorough, independent evaluation. Choose the color, cut, carat weight and clarity that best fit your needs.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds sells only diamonds, which have been certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), is one of the world's largest and respected independent laboratories. Unlike some other labs, GIA is not owned or is partially owned by diamond wholesalers or retailers, and is a non-profit organization. GIA actually developed the "4 C's" diamond grading system (used almost universally today) to provide truly objective standards in the evaluation of a diamond.

Every Malabar Gold and Diamonds diamond is accompanied by its GIA Grading Report or Dossier. These diamond grading certificates may be viewed prior to purchase.

When buying loose diamonds, the diamond certificate is the most important document you'll come across. Just as you wouldn't want to buy a diamond without looking at it first, you wouldn't want to make a purchase without going over the certificate. The information displayed on the certificate, in particular the cut, clarity, and color grades as well as the carat weight of the diamond, is directly tied to the diamond's market value.

By learning more about what the individual grades mean and how they're assessed, you can learn to determine for yourself whether the price being quoted by a diamond retailer is really in line with the diamond's value. This, in turn, is what will give you the ability to get the best possible value when purchasing diamonds. Without diamond certification, diamond buyers would essentially be in the dark and would be completely unable in making informed decisions.

A diamond certified by respectable certification companies like IGI is recognized internationally and can be traded anywhere in the world. This empowers jewellery buyers to focus on finding precisely what they want, with full assurance in the integrity and quality of the IGI certification.

• Authenticity of the certifying authority
• The 4 C's that determine the price of the product
• Photograph of the particular jewellery

In many respects, carat weight is the easiest of the "four Cs" to understand and measure. It's also the variable that has the greatest direct effect on the price of a diamond. Diamond carat weight refers to the actual mass of a diamond. A carat is actually a unit of measurement applied specifically to diamonds. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams.

The higher the diamond carat weight is, the more expensive it will be. But two diamonds of equal carat weights can have very different prices, depending on their quality. Larger diamonds are much rare and in more demand than smaller diamonds of the same quality, so they can be sold for a higher price. A one carat diamond solitaire ring is nearly always more expensive than a diamond ring made up of multiple diamonds that are similar, but smaller, even though they total one carat or more. Diamond carat weight is, along with color, cut, and clarity, one of the "four C" diamond rating criteria.

We sell diamonds with VVS-EF and VVS-VS-GH clarity and color.

• Do not wear gold jewellery when using chlorine bleach or cleaners. Chlorine reacts with gold, particularly at high temperatures. Exposure to chlorine can permanently damage and discolor your gold jewellery.
• Make sure to clean your jewellery regularly. You can use a cleaning solution in lukewarm water. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish jewellery with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.
• Avoid storing or otherwise exposing gold jewellery to hard, abrasive materials.
• When you do take off your gold pieces, store them in a velvet-lined jewellery box or case that contains compartments for each item. Or, separately wrap each piece in tissue paper and keep in small bags or pouches.
• Finally, always inspect your gold jewellery for weakness or damage and take it to the jeweler you trust for immediate repair.
• There are different agents that will cause jewellery to dull. Examples include hair spray, soap and perfume. Be sure to remove jewellery before showering or cleaning or even when applying makeup or facial powder. Ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly after applying makeup before putting the jewellery back on. When you prevent the formation of film, you will cut down on the need for cleaning.

• Despite their hard exterior, pearls are porous and you should take great care while wearing them. Pearls are susceptible to scratching and they can discolor when they come in prolonged contact with perspiration, oil secretion from skin, and soapy water.
• When wearing your pearl necklace or bracelet, be careful not to put too much cologne or perfume in areas of the skin they will come in contact with.
• Remember that pearls are delicate pieces of jewellery and an encounter with a sharp or rough textured object can scratch them. Do not sleep with your pearl earrings on because oil secretions from your skin might discolor their precious hue. Always gently wipe your pearl jewellery after wearing them.
• It is permissible to occasionally clean your pearls by wiping them with a soft cloth or brush dipped in mild soapy water. In cleaning your pearls, make sure to clean between each pearl if you have a pearl necklace or bracelet. Use a toothpick to take out dirt that has become embedded in between the knots of your pearl necklace. Never clean your pearls with chemicals because ammonia and/or bleach can destroy the luster of your pearls. Dry your pearls carefully with a lint-free cloth and store them in a safe place wrapped around a soft cloth.
• Do not go swimming with your pearl jewellery on. Make sure that your pearls do not come in contact with food especially acidic food items.
• Have your pearl necklace re-strung by a professional jeweler every couple of years especially if you wear them often.

• Stones that have a Mohs hardness of less than 8 are highly subject to scratching; harder stones are less likely to be scratched but are still subject to chipping and fracture.
• When removing dust from soft stones, it's usually best to rinse them with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Store jewellery and loose gems in separate padded compartments or wrapped in soft lint-free cloth to prevent scratching, chipping, and entanglement.
• When cleaning non-porous gemstones, washing gently with a weak solution of ammonia, rinsing with clean lukewarm water, and drying with a soft lint-free cloth is quite effective and safe.
• On stones harder than quartz (Moh's hardness of 7), it's safe to do a little gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush, but if you're cleaning jewellery, be careful not to scrub highly polished metal surfaces, as the slight abrasive action of the brush will produce slightly hazy effects on the metal. A little soaking may be necessary to remove heavier deposits.
• Pearls, coral, and porous stones such as opal, turquoise, or malachite should be kept away from dirty water and oils to avoid discoloration. Wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth. Do not wear rings containing these stones while washing dishes or similar activities.
• Most stones should never be exposed to extreme heat or sudden changes in temperature. Opal, pearls, coral, amber, turquoise, and many collector gems are quite heat sensitive (both to extremes and to sudden changes in temperature).
• Brittle and soft stones should not be used in jewellery subject to worn constantly. They are much safer in earrings, pins, pendants, or perhaps bracelets. They can be used in rings that are worn occasionally, but the setting should be designed to protect the stone as much as possible.

• Tarnish is the reaction of silver to compounds of Sulphur in the air, which create Silver Sulphide, and causes the silver to go grey/black. If the silver is left in this condition for years, it may need to be professionally cleaned.
• If jewellery is stored in jewellery box it often tarnishes as most boxes are not completely air-tight.
• Once the jewellery is clean it is stored in a cool, dry place and most importantly in an air-tight grip-seal plastic bag preventing it from reacting with the Sulphur in the air.
• Each piece of jewellery is best kept in its own bag to prevent the stones from scratching.
• Perfume, hairspray, deodorant and some soaps and cleaning products will irreparably damage your semi-precious stone set jewellery. Jewellery should not be worn when cleaning, swimming or showering.
• Silver can be ruined if perfume is sprayed directly onto it and perfume shall be applied before jewellery is put on.
• The tarnish must be removed regularly to keep the silver items bright and sparkling. Silver jewellery is best kept away from direct exposure to sunlight or artificial light for long periods.
• Do not expose silver jewellery to chlorinated water or bleach.
• Be careful while using sterling silver dips. They may clean off the tarnish but they might rub off the color too.
• A diluted solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water can be a quick and effective cleaner for your silver jewellery.
• Ensure that you remove all traces of moisture from the jewellery pieces by drying them thoroughly.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds believes in a long standing relationship with each one of their customers, which does not end with buying a product from their store. We strive to give the customers enough reasons to keep coming back to their store.

Old jewellery purchased from Malabar Gold and Diamonds can be exchanged for new ones at Malabar Gold and Diamonds by paying only the making charges, without any deduction in gold rate. Ornaments bought from Malabar Gold and Diamonds outlets can be exchanged in any of their outlets within 15 days without any loss in gold price and making charges. Malabar Gold and Diamonds also offers lifetime free repair and maintenance service for all products.

During times where it can be impossible to predict what the economy will do, gold is a safe choice of investment. There are several factors which contribute to the image of gold as a 'safer' investment than stocks. This is largely because it has proven itself in the past to hold its value throughout large-scale economic crises. Even at the time of the Great Depression and the Second World War, gold continued to consistently hold value while stocks and bonds plunged. This proven consistency is a huge factor in the decision of many investors to choose gold to avoid large losses.

Another important factor is that gold can be used as both ornaments and investment and its value increases over time. Gold is both easy to store and trade and most newspapers report the daily price and change in price of gold. This allows investors to easily track their portfolio's value and performance. Gold is also valuable for reasons beyond investments, and this is demonstrated by the ever growing demand for gold. In fact, over the past decade, consumption of gold has actually exceeded production.

One major reason that investors choose gold is that it is a hedge for inflation. This means that while stocks or bonds are declining, assets such as gold can in fact increase in value and therefore, pose less of a risk to an investor wishing to make a safe choice.