DIAMONDS
Few things in nature can surpass the beauty of a diamond. Once worn only by kings and queens, diamonds are now available for anyone fascinated by their scintillation thanks to large deposits found in Africa and worldwide. Besides their beauty and association with love and romance, diamonds are durable, rare and valuable. The "Four C's" of cut, color, clarity and carat weight determine the value of a diamond. The staff of Paul's is fully trained in this area and will happily explain the finer points of purchasing an exceptional quality stone. Allow us to customize your choice of cut with our extensive collection of mountings from such prestigious manufactures as Scott Kay, Martin Flyer and Tacori.

GOLD AND PLATINUM
Desired for its enduring beauty, gold has been used in jewelry for centuries. Gold does not rust, tarnish or corrode and is also malleable enough to fashion into jewelry. Twenty-four karat, generally too soft for daily wear, is the purest gold. To increase its durability 24 Karat gold is alloyed with other special metals. Be sure to always look for a karat mark such as l8K, 14K or 1OK in jewelry you are purchasing which legally indicates you are buying real gold. Paul's offers a wide array of gold jewelry including chains, rings, earrings, bracelets, crosses, charms and baby jewelry.

WHY PLATINUM?
Platinum is among the purest, rarest and most durable metals on earth. Weighing 60% more than karat gold, its strength is ideal for use in jewelry since it shows little wear and stones are securely set. Because of its neutral color, platinum enhances a stones brilliance and is particularly well suited to use with diamonds of exceptional color.

CULTURED PEARLS
Paul's Jewelry offers an extensive selection of exceptional quality pearls from such lines as Mastaloni, Honora and Mikimoto. When choosing a cultured pearl strand there are several factors to consider. Examine the NACRE of the pearl; the crystalline substance secreted by an oyster to coat an irritant placed inside its shell. Nacre has the ability to absorb and reflect light thus creating the special luster and iridescence characteristic of pearls. The surface of a pearl should be satiny smooth. The presence of blemishes and irregularities lessen their value. A strand of pearls should be consistent in luster, size and color. Generally, roseate tones are quite flattering on fair skinned women and darker skin tones are enhanced by creamier hues. Another consideration is the lenth of the strand. A variety of lengths are available such as choker at 14" to16", Princess at 18", Matinee at 24", and Opera at 30" to 36".

Be careful with your pearls. Their delicate nacre should be protected from harsh chemicals, hair sprays, cosmetics and perfumes. Gently wipe your pearls with mild soap and water after taking them off.
Various types of pearls are available at Paul's Jewelry; Akoya being the most popular and familiar. The South Sea cultured pearls are known for their size (1Omm and larger) and unusual silver and black tones. A variety of unique jewelry features South Sea pearls. Some of the most beautiful styles blend Black South Sea pearls with diamonds and white gold or platinum. Paul's Jewelry invites you to come in and experience the natural beauty of these intriguing gems.