ask the expert

Ask the Expert : Jewelry in Other Countries

capty99 — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:24:43 -0500

Question :

I read recently that you can acquire jewlery at a really good bargain in other countries. My husband and I will be going to Cancun this Summer on vacation and I’m considering on updating my wedding band. I’m nervous, however, about quality. Is it really possible to find authentic stones at bargain prices?
- Kristin L., Hyde Park

Answer :

On more than one occasion I have been asked to do an appraisal for a purchase made while a client was on vacation. I have seen many different styles of jewelry and many different price ranges purchased on a cruise or in a resort area. Some have been beautiful and well made pieces but the vast majority were misrepresented. The hardest part of my profession is telling someone that a piece that they have purchased, been given or inherited is not what they believed.

Many years ago, prior to the internet and the ever expanding global economy, it was possible to find truly good prices on many fine jewelry items including fine watches. But times have changed. Manufacturers now balance the pricing of the products they manufacture and you will find that one item in Europe, for example, costs the same at home. Moreover, the jewelry stores that have sprouted up in resort areas are there for a reason. They have a captive audience on holiday with money to burn and people are usually celebrating an event that they would like to commemorate with a beautiful piece of jewelry. The temptation is GREAT, I know, I have been there myself. I was actually offered the management position for several stores in Alaska that opened when the cruise ships arrived. I simply could not take the position. It not only required me to be away from my family for 6 months at a time but the pricing policies and types of merchandise I was required to carry I deemed below my standards.

Please remember one simple rule when purchasing ANY piece of fine jewelry. It is always a good idea to purchase from someone you can get your hands on. This is not to say that if you find a modest piece that you like, it will remind you of your trip and it is something you will wear for a while and enjoy you shouldn’t purchase it. But be smart about a major purchase. The idea of spending over $300-$400 in another country from someone you do not know and will never see again should cause you to think twice.

Remember!!!! You should know your Jeweler as well as you do your doctor, lawyer and accountant.

Thank you to our experts at Austin Diamond District Matt O’Desky and Sheldon Millsap, 512-458-4367 www.austindiamonddistrict.com

Choosing Your Next Television : Size & Resolution

capty99 — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:17:25 -0500

Question :

I am going to purchase a flat screen television for my media room, but I don’t know how large it should be. I also don’t know whether to get one of the 1080P TVs that the guys at the electronics stores are pushing or a much less expensive 720P version. – Lisa J., Rollingwood

Answer :

Lisa, those are two of the most common questions I get asked. The answer depends on a few factors, including how big the TV is, how far away you sit when you watch, your eyesight, and, of course, the amount of money you spend. But first, a little background on resolutions.

Have you ever been to an art museum? If you have, then you’ve probably seen paintings done using the pointillism technique. Instead of using broad brushstrokes, the artist dabs small dots of primary colors around the canvas and creates an image. To be “immersed” in the painting, don’t stand too close – you won’t be able to take in the whole picture. But don’t stand too far away, either – if you do, you’ll be distracted by the other paintings and the museum guard.

A television is very much like a moving, electronic painting done using the pointillism technique. A 1080P TV provides just over 2 million dots, whereas a 720P TV has just under 1 million dots. Whether the picture on the television looks like a painting or a bunch of dots strung together depends – just as it does at the art museum – on viewing distance, the size of the dots, the size of the canvas, and your eyesight.

Studies have shown that in order to be engrossed in a viewing experience, the angle made by the left side of the screen, the person’s eyes, and the right side of the screen should be around 36 degrees. For an immersive experience, a 26 degree viewing angle should be used. Just remember this simple formula: take your viewing distance in feet and multiply by nine to give the recommended screen size in inches. Or multiply by 6.4 to give the minimum screen size. For example, if you sit 10 feet away, you should get between a 64-inch TV and a 90-inch projector screen. Of course, money and wall space usually conspire to make us go smaller, especially for casual, family room viewing.

Assuming that you have 20-20 vision, you’ll notice the difference between 720 lines of resolution and 1080 lines of resolution with a TV that, in inches, is five times the number of feet from your main seating area. For instance, if you sit 10 feet away, you’ll see an improvement using a 1080P TV if it’s over 50 inches diagonal. In this example, if you’re getting a 60-inch TV, make sure it’s 1080P. If only a 46-incher will fit, save the money and buy a 720P set.

Tom Wilkinson is a home theater enthusiast, and is owner of Xpress Home Theaters. You can reach him at Tom@XpressHomeTheaters. com

Ask the Diamond Expert

capty99 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:23:08 -0500

Question:

I am thinking about buying a diamond. Where should I start? Online, in a store, or somewhere else?

Answer

First of all, I would never suggest buying a diamond online. Would you ever buy a house based on pictures and floor plans? Would you buy a car without test driving it? Would you ever go to a college without visiting the campus first? Most likely, almost everyone would have answered most or all of those questions, no. If you answered no to any of these, then why would you ever buy a diamond online?

Knowing the color, clarity, carat and cut of the diamond is never enough to tell you how beautiful a diamond may or may not be. The only way to truly determine the beauty, and scintillation of a diamond, is by seeing it with your own two eyes. Would you really want to risk hundreds or thousands of dollars on such a meaningful gift for your loved one? Sure, some websites offer 30 day guarantees. However shipping and insuring a diamond back to the website, is not inexpensive.

This is why you need to know your jeweler. This person should be as well known to you as your banker, accountant, lawyer or physician. This is a person that has your best interest in mind as well as a reputation to uphold within your community. If you do not know such an individual ask people you know or associate with for recommendations.

While no one can please everyone all of the time you will find that one or two names will continue to ‘pop up’. After you narrow your choices arrange to meet with these individuals. First impressions will tell you a great deal. How knowledgeable is this person? Do you feel secure with this person’s recommendations? Do you feel safe leaving your jewelry with this individual? If not keep looking until you find someone with whom you feel comfortable.

A friend once told me that he ”always felt better if he could put his hands around the person he purchased a diamond from”. I’m not certain that I would carry it that far but his message rings true. When making a major jewelry purchase I always recommend purchasing from someone with a good reputation. Remember KNOW YOUR JEWELER!!!!!!

Matthew O’Desky – DCA Diamontologist and Guild Gemologist
Sheldon Millsap – Diamond Graduate GIA

Austin Diamond District,
3301 Northland Drive, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78731
Cell - 512-940-1646 Office - 512-458-GEMS
Matt@AustinDiamondDistrict.com

Ask the Expert -- Truly Texan Issue

capty99 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:57:13 -0500

Question :

I read recently that A/C units should be maintained twice a year. I purchased my home two years ago and have yet to schedule maintenance. It seems to be in working order, so is what I read true?

Admit it:

You probably don’t think about your indoor comfort system until it stops working and you become either too cold or too hot. It’s human nature to put something off until there is a problem and you are no longer comfortable.

You might tend to think of your heating and cooling system as just a “box” that can be turned on or off in order to control your temperature. But your system is a lot more than that. It doesn’t just control temperature. It has an impact on the air that you breathe, on moisture and mold growth, the amount of energy that you use and money that you spend, and most importantly, on you and your family’s health.

Don’t ignore your heating and cooling system. Your HVACR system is a great big (and expensive) mechanical system, just like your automobile. You know that you need to keep your car tuned up and get your oil changed regularly. Your comfort system also requires regular maintenance from qualified specialists.

Ignoring your comfort system means it will break down more, need replacement sooner, cost you more throughout its shortened lifespan, and most importantly, it might impact your health. Visit www.accaaustin.org or call 512-507-4826 to schedule a maintenance check up for your HVACR system and ensure your continued comfort this winter!

Susan Rockport
ACCA Austin
512.507.4826
www.accaaustin.org

capty99 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:12:06 -0600

Whether you are buying, selling or updating your home, countertops are a hot topic these days. Keeping in mind that the kitchen is the heart and soul of so many homes, a countertop has a lot to live up to. Of course it must withstand the wear and tear of daily use, and, perhaps more importantly, it should reflect and enhance the style of your home.

Current kitchen trends are pointing to soapstone to meet the challenge, and savvy, sophisticated buyers are turning to this unique material to finish more than just countertops. Martha Stewart is paving the way, installing this unique and exotic material in her own kitchen. This may be why soapstone is rapidly becoming more and more desirable for homeowners who are looking for material to make a statement in their kitchens.

Soapstone is offered in a variety of colors and lends itself beautifully to any design motif, from casually rustic to ultra modern. Brilliantly forged by nature, each piece of soapstone is a one-of-a-kind with unique veining and marbling, adding style and character to your home. It is also luxurious to the touch and is a real treat for the senses.

Thanks to its style, durability and versatility, artists and designers are creating chic soapstone applications that go well beyond the kitchen. For avant-garde tile, sills, island tops and other accessories and fixtures, top designers are looking to Dorado Soapstone, an importer and wholesaler of authentic, natural Brazilian soapstone.

More than an exclusive dealer of high-quality soapstone, Dorado Soapstone is a leader in social responsibility. The company is making a significant in impact in Goias, Brazil, one of the few places that the rare stone is quarried. Working alongside Mosaico of Brazil, Dorado Soapstone provides jobs for the staggering number of unemployed citizens of the region. These workers delicately handcraft soapstone sinks, fountains and even chessboards. The company is also working to encourage and support education in technology fields by helping to sponsor computers in after school programs.

Why choose Soapstone?

• Comfortable in any décor – the warm matte finish is a great design element in all rooms of the home
• Stain resistant – the non-porous surface repels anything from red wine to grease
• Heat resistant – hot casseroles from the oven are no match for this naturally inert material
• Easy to maintain and repair – a mild sanding and a touch of mineral oil will easily remove minor scratches
• Durable for generations – Soapstone holds its value for years, so there is no need to worry when it comes time to sell your home
For more information, visit the experts at the Dorado Soapstone Showroom at 2157 Woodward Drive in Austin, TX, or call 512.444.8600.

capty99 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:09:33 -0600

Question:

We live in town yet my home accumulates a lot of dust. I don’t know where it all comes from. We have recently had all our windows and doors sealed, and we still have dust everywhere. It seems that as soon as I’m finished it needs it again. Do you have any suggestions on how I can cut down on the amount of dust we get in our home?

Answer:

Absolutely! I understand how you feel. It’s as if the dust is growing and multiplying on its own. Even though sealing your doors and windows may help cut down on your dust, in reality, it probably did very little good for that purpose. The good news though is that you helped the energy efficiency of your home. The answer you are looking for will address your dust problem as well as increase your home’s efficiency. As a matter of fact, it could cut your utility bills by as much as 40% depending on the age and construction type of your home.

The dust you are seeing is most likely coming from your attic. That’s right, I said your attic! Let me explain. When your heating and cooling system comes on, the air in your home begins to move around. It is looking for somewhere to go. It goes into your attic and outside if there are tiny openings through the exterior of your home. You’ve most likely taken care of the outside problem by sealing your doors and windows. The air goes through every opening in the sheetrock of your home such as electrical outlets, light switches, holes in the ceiling where lights are, around vents and under your baseboards. It then travels up through the walls behind the sheetrock and into your attic. If you have light carpet, have you ever noticed that the carpet about an inch out from the wall is darker than the rest of the carpet? Why is that? It is because this is working just like an air filter sifting dust out of the air that is getting sucked under the wall and up to the ceiling.

Now the air in your attic, which is full of dust, has to be displaced. What can’t get out of the attic fast enough through your roof ventilation goes, guess where? You got it, into your home. It comes in through all of the places in your ceiling where a hole has been cut in the sheetrock. The dust comes in through all of the lights, heating and air vents, bathroom vents and such.

So what’s the solution? It is really very simple. Most hardware stores carry foam gaskets that are already cut to fit behind your switch and outlet cover plates. They cost only a few cents each. All you have to do is remove the cover plates and place the precut gasket behind the plate and put it back on. It takes only a couple of minutes. As for your lights, you can also find precut insulation to put under the base of the light to seal it. Be sure to ask your hardware representative if the insulation they are giving you is fire resistant. Glass wool insulation works best. As for your vents, you simply take off the cover plates and seal around where the vent meets the sheetrock and install the cover plate. You’re done!

I’m sure you will see the dust in your home diminish greatly. If any of you would like additional information please feel free to email me and I will be glad to call all that I can and explain it further. I can also suggest someone to you that can do all of this for you. Most importantly, be sure the electricity is off first for safety reasons before attempting any of these repairs yourself.

Kirk Minter is an Austin real estate expert and has more than 30 years experience as a high-end custom home builder and remodeler.

The Green Movement , Where to Start? -- From our Spring 07 Issue

capty99 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:43:32 -0600

You can’t look anywhere without seeing evidence of the “green movement.”
I’m ready to make a change, but I don’t know where to start. Any advice?