| Enhancer Bails Work. Generally, an enhancer is a | | | | There is alot of people that are looking for a |
| bail which opens to allow the necklace, pearls, for | | | | some custom jewelery like a gold jerusalem cross |
| instance, to be inserted and the enhancer is | | | | pendant with small diamonds or cz at the center |
| closed to secure it to the necklace. The types of | | | | of each cross. This unusual form of cross is not |
| closures are an important consideration. Some | | | | likely to be found in stock in jewelry stores. |
| only "snap" shut. Others only have a small "figure | | | | Sometimes these stores will have cross jewelry |
| 8" shaped safety that folds from one side over a | | | | but most will not be made in gold. |
| small bead on the other to make the closure. | | | | My suggsent is, you will likely have to go to |
| The "figure 8" safety is one commonly seen on | | | | jewelry stores and ask if they can special order |
| bangle bracelets, gold necklaces with box or | | | | the cross for you. At this time of the year, the |
| cylindrical clasps and on bracelets. The most | | | | sooner you can do this the better. Once you get |
| secure type of enhancer both "snaps" shut and | | | | the cross, any competent jeweler should be able |
| has the "figure 8" safety for added assurance the | | | | to add a stone to the cross. |
| enhancer will not come open while being worn on | | | | I did find one jewelry supplier who has a |
| the necklace. | | | | Jerusalem Cross in their religious jewelry catalog. |
| Generally, a 14k gold enhancer bail will run from | | | | This company is Stuller Findings. The company |
| about $50 to $90 in the most common sizes. | | | | sells only to businesses but so many jewelry |
| Fancier ones and added stones will certainly | | | | stores use Stuller for supplies and various jewelry |
| increase the price. If the pendant you have will | | | | items it should not be too difficult to find a store |
| need a loop soldered on to fit the enhancer, or if | | | | with a Stuller account. The cross could then be |
| the enhancer must be soldered to the pendant, | | | | ordered. The order would need to specify white |
| the cost will rise a little. A simple loop soldered on | | | | gold. |
| will be about $14 to $18 in my neck of the | | | | Alternative suggestion. There are many of these |
| woods. Solder directly to the enhancer will run | | | | crosses listed on Internet sellers sites along with |
| from $10 to perhaps $15, including soldering and | | | | other jewelry that you might like. I do not know |
| refinishing. This is added to the cost of the | | | | if white gold is available or not and that will take a |
| enhancer. | | | | search and perhaps an inquiry to the seller. If you |
| Prices certainly may vary from location to | | | | can get the cross that way, still, a local jeweler |
| location. Keep in mind, in the usa most jewelers | | | | should have little problem setting a stone in the |
| can get the findings, parts, like enhancer bails, for | | | | cross. Whether stones may be set in the side |
| essentially the same prices, regardless of location. | | | | crosses will depend on how the cross is made in |
| For any pendant, and enhancer of the right size is | | | | the first place. Center should be no problem in the |
| needed to maintain balance in the look of the | | | | larger cross. |
| jewelry. The enancer should fit the necklace and | | | | Custom Work: A jewelry store who advertises |
| not overpower or look too small for the pendant. | | | | "custom work" should be able to make the cross |
| Then again, a necklace of pearls should also | | | | if you cannot find one. This approach will be more |
| balance in size with the pendant. I have seen | | | | expensive and it might be pushing to get this |
| some enhancers which are much too large for | | | | custom work done by the time that you need it |
| the pendant part of the jewelry and detract from | | | | at. If you try the custom direction, please |
| the beauty. If the necklace requires a larger | | | | download and print or otherwise get pictures of |
| opening, you might choose a longer and more | | | | the cross for the jeweler to see. This will be |
| "slim" enhancer which can accommodate a larger | | | | needed to get the cross done properly and initially |
| necklace but is narrow enough to look in balance | | | | to work up and estimate of cost. |
| with the pendant. | | | | There are certainly some other suppliers that |
| The best thing I can suggest is to go to a | | | | jewelry stores use who will have a Jerusalem |
| jewelry shop and ask to see enhancers. Generally, | | | | cross available. When checking stores, I |
| not many are kept in stock since it is very | | | | recommend local stores first and not mall chain |
| difficult to predict what a particular customer may | | | | stores. Local stores often have a lot more |
| need. You can generally see life sized images in | | | | flexibility for special ordered items such as the |
| catalogs from suppliers. At this time, the store | | | | cross. Local stores are often more eager to place |
| should be able to tell you what labor or | | | | a special order than some chain stores appear to |
| modifications to your pendant are needed to fit | | | | be. |
| the enhancer. | | | | |