Cory Schifter
Jeweler & Certified Jewelry Appraiser
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Co-authored Articles (86)
How to
Tie Friendship Bracelets
Making friendship bracelets can be really fun, but it’s hard to know the best way to tie them onto your wrist. Start your bracelet with a loop on one side or braid the frayed ends on each side. Then, choose from a numb...
How to
Tell if a Diamond is Real
Finding out whether or not your diamond is real is a tantalizing proposition — do you want to know without a doubt? Most curious citizens turn to a professional jeweler in order to suss it out. But you don't have to be...
Simple Ways to Crop and Print a Picture for a Locket
Add a meaningful photo to your locket with these easy steps Do you want to personalize a locket with a picture of that special someone but aren’t sure how to get a picture to fit inside? Lockets are perfect for keepin...
4 Easy Ways to Safely Open a Pandora Bracelet
Most Pandora bracelets feature a specific type of snap clasp called a barrel clasp. It's firm but it's easy to pry open with your fingers or a clasp opener. The stopper beads protecting the ends of these bracelets open t...
How to Remove a Stuck Ring: 5 Effective Strategies
Learn how to get a ring off a swollen finger with this guideHas it been a while since you took off a ring? Did you try on a ring that seemed big enough going on but won't readily come off? Don't panic—there are some si...
How to Create a Macrame or Sliding Knot Adjustable Bracelet
Learn to make fashionable bracelets at home in just 5 minutesTo make a simple adjustable bracelet, all you need is 1 meter (37.4 in) of paracord or satin nylon cord and whatever beads you’d like to decorate it with. Wh...
How to
Remove Chrome Plating
Chrome plating is process by which a thin layer of chromium is applied to a metal surface through electroplating (usually on top of a layer of nickel). The ultra-shiny results are decorative, corrosion and tarnish resist...
How to
Identify Baccarat Crystal
Finding a piece of Baccarat crystal is a rare treasure, but it’s important to verify that it’s authentic before you spend a lot of money on an item. Baccarat is a French company which has been producing high-quality ...
How to
Connect Metal Without Soldering
Soldering is especially useful for delicate projects such as making jewelry or connecting electronic components, but it forms a weak bond that can easily be broken. Fortunately, you have plenty of other options to choose...
How to
Use Crimp Beads
Crimp beads help secure a loop on a piece of jewelry so that the finished piece can be attached to other components of jewelry. If you’re making your own beaded jewelry, you’ll probably need to crimp the wire on bot...
How to
Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner to Clean Your Jewelry
You may have taken your jewelry to the jewelers to get cleaned. They offer this service free and then they tell you what problems the piece has. *If your jewelry was not bought from them, you may have to pay extra money ...
How to
Chrome Plate
The best options for DIY chrome plating Authentic chrome plating involves layering chromium over the surface of a metal or plastic object. Since this process can be extremely dangerous due to the fumes and chemicals used...
How to
Refine Gold
You may want to make some extra money by refining your own gold at home, or you may be a jeweler who wants to refine gold in-house. There are multiple ways to refine gold on a small scale as long as you take appropriate ...
How to
Get a Certificate of Authenticity
A certificate of authenticity is important for things like jewelry, artwork, and autographs. This is a slip of paper certifying your object is authentic, and not a forgery or fake. You will need to contact a professional...
How to
Identify Pearls in Vintage Jewelry
Pearls are beautiful and timeless on their own or added to a piece of jewelry. In vintage jewelry, it may be difficult to tell if the pearls are real or fake due to age and the fact they were not bought new with certific...
How to Identify a Black Diamond: Tests, Characteristics & More
Determine if your “carbonado” is real or fake with this guide Natural black diamonds are fairly rare and have unique qualities to look for—namely a large number of inclusions, an opaque black or very dark brown col...
Making a Fishtail Bracelet With & Without a Rainbow Loom
Rainbow Loom bracelets are all the rage. If you've already mastered the basic technique, you might want to try something a bit more intricate, like the fishtail design! This design looks complex but is actually quite sim...
How to
Wire Wrap Stones
Wire wrapping is a technique that involves bending wire around stone, sea glass, shells, amber, or other ornamental centerpieces to create a piece of jewelry. Wire wrapping can create beautiful rings, pendants, necklaces...
A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Friendship Bracelet Patterns
The best tutorial for understanding patterns, knots, and symbolsSo, you’ve been making friendship bracelets for a while now. You’ve mastered the candy stripe, chevron, and ladder patterns, and now you want more of a ...
How to
Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
Silicone bracelets are a fun way to support a cause, show off your favorite logos, or just add a pop of color to your look. They’re often mass-produced and come in only a few sizes. If you have a smaller wrist but stil...
