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Put your Ask the Local Expert:- 'Alfie Patel from The Kings Plaice Southport'

....Please note that the item below is a sponsored feature....

Ask the Local Expert:- 'Michael Bakerman from Diamonds Direct Wholesalers'

....Please note that the item below is a sponsored feature....

A few editions back we started a new feature called ask the local expert... We have taken a few weeks to work out a way to run it better, as we have had a fantastic response so far that has resulted in lots more questions than we have expected to receive. Our latest Expert is Michael Bakerman, who owns Diamonds Direct Wholesalers, located on Southport's historic Lord Street. Michael is the 4th generation, within his family, to run jewellers in the Town. In fact his family have been constantly running jewellers in Southport for over 100 years now! Michael is an extremely well-known and trusted businessman and jeweller, so when we put up a social media announcement that he was going to be our next expert we received a tidal wave of questions. So many in fact we opted not to post in the last edition asking for people to send in questions as we had already had so many sent in. Sadly, we could not use them all, so we have again selected the best of them…

These are the questions we selected and asked Michael to reply to:-

1. Samuel Lawlor is keen to know:- "What is the best type of ring to buy for an engagement?"

► Michael answered:- "The main choice for an engagement ring is Diamond along with a choice of metals, Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold."

2. Stephanie has asked:- "What is rose gold and what does it represent if given as a gift?"

► Michael responded:- "Rose Gold is a blend of pure 24CT Yellow Gold, Copper and Silver. Rose Gold represents style, elegance and affluence."

3. Hailey Williams, would like to know:- "How do you measure your ring size?"

► Michael replied:- "You would normally go into a Jewellers to have your finger measured to know what size. Most Jewellers have specialist tools to gain the correct finger size."

4. Arthur Davies, from Liverpool, asks:- "I hope to propose over Christmas and I have no idea how much I should spend on an engagement ring. I was told that I should save 2 months' worth of salary for a ring, but is this correct, as guide price?"

► Michael suggested:- "Tradition indicates that someone would spend at least 3 months salary on an engagement ring, but this could vary dramatically depending on how much someone earns. However, there is a new trend amongst couples that most are spending 1 month's salary."

5. Dennis Smith has inquired:- "How do you work out the clarity of a diamond and does it affect the diamond's Carat?"

► Michael answered:- "You would examine the diamond using a 10X microscope along with the trained naked eye. This would then show the location and nature of inclusions in the diamond which would determine the clarity. This does not effect the CT weight."

6. Faith has asked:- "How do you clean gold and diamond jewellery?"

► Michael solution:- "You clean gold and diamond jewellery professionally in a sonic cleaner if you don't have this then use hot soapy water and a toothbrush."

7. Martin, from Southport, is interested to find out:- "What is Seed Pearl?"

► Michael explained:- "A seed pearl is a small natural pearl which comes from an oyster."

8. Johnathan Walker, from Liverpool, is interested to know:- "Is it true that the very 1st diamond was found in India?"

► Michael acknowledge:- "True, the 1st diamonds documented were found in India in the 4th century BC."

9. Natalie, from Formby, has asked:- "I have been told you can turn my Ashes into Diamond, but how do you do this and who does it?"

► Michael said:- "Yes you can turn ashes into diamonds. There are some specialist companies that offer this. Most Funeral Directors would be able to assist with this."

10. Tristian, from Ainsdale:- "How do you tell the difference between a synthetic diamond and a diamond?"

► Michael summarized that:- "To tell the difference between diamonds and cubic zirconia takes years of experience as a Jeweller now a days can buy a tool that tests the stone."

11. Evangeline Hughes is intrigued to know:- "What is the best material to set a diamond in?"

► Michael's view is:- "The hardest wearing material for a diamond ring is Platinum."

12. Claire, from Banks, inquires:- "I was told that I can cut glass with a real diamond ring, is this correct?"

► Michael concluded:- "Diamonds are hard enough to cut glass, but many other stones made to look like diamonds can also cut glass so don't be fooled that if it cuts glass it's a diamond."

If you want to know more about this local, family run business or if you are looking for something for Christmas or even a Wedding, pop in to them, at:- 435 to 437 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0AQ or visit the shops website.

If you would like to take part in this feature please email us via:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com with contact information, a statement about what you do, along with your business name and where your located within the Liverpool City Region!

....Please note that the item above is a sponsored feature....