Established since 1974.

For over a quarter of a century, Certified Master Bench Jeweler™, Barry Golden, owner and founder of Golden's Designer Jewelry, has been designing and hand-making exquisite, fine jewelry. For almost three decades, Golden's Designer Jewelry has specialized in creating some of the finest one of a kind pieces of jewelry available. Barry Golden has extensive experience working with gold, silver and platinum, and for almost three decades, Golden's Designer Jewelry is located in historic downtown Rogers, Arkansas.

The Certified Master Bench Jeweler™ is the fourth and highest level of the JA® Bench Jeweler Certification™ program. In November 2000, Jewelers of America (JA) awarded Barry Golden the designation of JA® Certified Master Bench Jeweler™. Barry was the 2nd jeweler in the state of Arkansas, and the 68th nationwide, to have received this prestigious distinction.

All of our Signature Pieces are completely hand made, hand carved, fabricated or utilize a combination of techniques and are truly, a one-of-a kind treasure you will be proud to own and wear. Once a client has selected a precious metal, approved the design, and accepted the estimate, Golden's will determine the best technique, or combination of techniques to be used in order to create the highest quality product possible. All hand made pieces are then signed and dated by Barry Golden himself.

Our showroom displays many exquisite pieces. We invite you to visit our showroom in person or online view several of our one-of-a-kind designs Barry Golden has made for other clients. Please go to Signature Pieces. Our showroom also has a large selection of high quality loose diamonds and colored gemstones available. We also specialize in locating gemstones. Therefore, if you do not see the cut, size, or quality of gemstone you are looking for, ask us to find it for you. We can usually have it in our store within 24-48 hours.

In addition to the creation of high quality jewelry, Golden's offers a wide range of services:

• We do all types of jewelry restoration and repairs. Barry Golden uses state-of-the art, laser welding technology plus with his vast knowledge and experience allows him to restore many pieces others would not attempt.
• Watch repairs, restoration and battery installation onsite, making Golden's one of the few stores in the country to offer services for both jewelry and time pieces.
• Golden's Designer Jewelry understands how important and valuable your investment in jewelry is. As a result, Golden's has the distinguished honor of being an official replacement center for several insurance companies.
• Special request: we are able to locate jewelry, gemstones, and watches. Our customers may be interested in purchasing in a timely manner.

If we can be of any assistance please let us know.

Sincerely,

Golden's Designer Jewelry

Definitions:

For more information on finding our store, please refer to our directions page.

Q:  What is a JA® Certified Master Jeweler?
A:  The Bench Jeweler Certification™ program sets uniform standards for testing and evaluating a bench jeweler's talent, ability and proficiency at four levels: JA® Certified Bench jeweler Technician™, JA® Certified Bench Jeweler™, JA® Certified Senior Bench Jeweler™, and JA® Certified Bench Jeweler™. The program tests a broad range of professional knowledge and technical bench skills (e.g., stone setting, soldering, polishing, wax carving, fabrication, etc.), and to be certified, the candidate must demonstrate proficiency in each skill area to an acceptable national standard.

Q:  What does it cost to have a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry made.
A:  Price is determined by how complicated the design is, how many stones are involved, and what techniques are used to complete the project. Once this is determined an estimate is worked up for you.

Q:  Can we use my gold?
A:  We do not advise it on signature pieces, due to the quality of finish we strive for. We will allow a scrap value of your gold towards any job on any old 14K or 18K jewelry.

Q:  Can we use my stones?
A:  Yes, as long as the stones are in good condition.

Q:  Can Golden's Designer Jewelry provide the stones? And what quality and certifications are on them?
A:  Yes, we can provide any gem you might need.
Certified diamonds are available at your request. We prefer certificates from AGS, GIA and EGL. Colored gems cab be certified as well.

Q: How long does it take to have a custom piece made:
A:  Usually between 6 to 8 weeks.
If you request a deadline date and we commit to it, it will be done.

Q:  Can I see other photo's of pieces that you have made?
A:  In our show room there are two photo albums filled with photos that Barry Golden has made. These albums are always open to the public for viewing and ideas.
For our customers privacy and protection from copying the design, we do not send a hard copy photograph.

Q:  What do I need to do to get started?
A:  If you are here locally,..visit Golden's Designer Jewelry. If not, visit with Barry Golden over the phone, send any drawings, magazine clippings of ideas you like via mail or fax and we will work up a design plan and an estimate. Once agreed upon, a 25% deposit is required with the balance due upon completion.

GOLD AND PLATINUM:

Q:  What is the gold content in 14K versus 18K?
A:  18K = 75% pure gold , 14K = 58.3% pure gold, 10K = 41.7% pure gold.
The karat mark on a piece of jewelry will tell you the percentage of pure gold it contains.
Pure gold, or 24K, is rarely used for jewelry due to it is soft and easily damaged.
Pure gold is alloyed with other metals, such as copper, silver, nickel, and zinc, to give it durability and strength.
To give gold its rose, green, or white coloration, different proportions of these alloys are used.
The higher the gold content the richer the color will be.
In the United States jewelry must be at least 10K to be legally sold as real gold. In Canada and Mexico, the minimum legal standard of karatage is 9K and 8K.
Imported gold jewelry may be stamped with different numbers.

Q: What is Platinum and why is it so expensive?
A:The content of pure platinum in the metal is at least 90% pure platinum. The other 5-10% of platinum group metals used is usually either iridium, palladium or cobalt.

One of the most important factors that makes platinum more expensive is that platinum is 60% heavier than gold and more rare. Also, the caliber of jeweler that works with platinum is usually much more experienced. The time involved in working with platinum is much longer. All of these factors makes platinum more expensive.

Q: What is a trademark?
A:  A trademark is a manufacturer's hallmark, it means the manufacturer will stand behind the accuracy of the karat mark.

Pearls:

Q: What is a cultured pearl?
A:  A cultured pearl is created when a nucleus (usually a sphere of calcareous mollusk shell) is planted by humans inside the shell or in the mantle of a mollusk.
A natural pearl is created entirely by nature without human interference.

Polygon:

Q: What is a Polygon member?
A:  Polygon is an on-line trading network for the jewelry industry. It has been in operation since 1983 and reaches to six continents, and connects to thousands or independent retail jewelers, wholesalers and manufactures around the word.
It is 100% closed to the public. Polygon is only accessible to retail and wholesale jewelry - industry firms.

DIAMONDS:

CUT:
CUT in the 4C's refers to shape i.e. round, princess, marquise, radiant pear, etc.

Cut at Golden's Designer Jewelry also refers to proportions; for example, the IDEAL CUT diamond describes a round brilliant diamond that has been cut to exact and mathematically proven proportions. Its symmetry, with 58 exactly placed facets, produces the ultimate in luster and beauty.

When a stone is cut to the ideal proportions, all the light entering from any direction is totally reflected through the top and is dispersed into a display of sparkling flashes and rainbow colors.

TOO DEEP OF A CUT:
When a diamond is cut too deep, light leaks out of the bottom, brilliance is lost and the center of the diamond will appear to be dark.

TOO SHALLOW:
When a diamond is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom, brilliance is lost and the diamond appears watery, glassy and dark.

COLOR:
Most diamonds, although appearing colorless, actually have slight tones of yellow or brown. As these tones become more easily apparent, the rarity and the cost decrease.

CLARITY:
Practically all diamonds contain natural occurring internal characteristics called inclusions. The size, nature, location and amount of inclusions determine a diamond's clarity grade and affect its cost.

CARAT WEIGHT:
The weight if a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 parts called "points", i.e.: 1.00 ct. = 1.00 , 1/2 ct. = .50 1/4 ct. = .25 ct. , etc.