Jewellery Buying Advice

Tips For Buying Gold, Diamond, Gemstone and Silver Jewellery

Buying jewellery can be an exciting and confusing time. There are so many options to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming. There are a few things that need to be discovered before making a large jewellery purchase.

The first thing that you will want to know is if you are allergic to any of the metals that are commonly found in jewellery. It would be a shame to buy a very expensive piece of jewellery only to discover that you are allergic to it. Also before you make an expensive jewellery purchase make sure that you know what you want and what you like. Buy something that you will be able to appreciate for many years to come.

Birthstones are a very popular gift giving idea and make lovely presents. When purchasing a birthstone for a loved one be sure that you know which birthstone they prefer. Several months have more than one birthstone option to choose from. Also be sure to buy jewellery that goes well with your size and frame. A large thick gold chain on a small or petite woman will look very silly. Likewise a thin gold chain would not be a good choice for a large man.

Jewellery Buying Tips

There are different tips to buying jewellery depending on what type of jewellery you wish to purchase.

Gold Jewellery

When purchasing gold you will want to look at the carat, or karat of the gold. The purest form of gold is 24 karat but this is not appropriate for jewellery as it is too soft. The best jewellery is made out of 18 karat or 14 karat gold.

Platinum Jewellery

Platinum is a metal that is actually more expensive than gold. When used in jewellery it is typically mixed with other similar metals such as iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

GemStone Jewellery

Gemstones are found in nature in their purest form. They are then worked into the exquisite pieces of jewellery that can be found in most any jewellery shop. Gem stones can also be manufactured in a laboratory. These stones are less expensive then the natural gemstones. They typically will look like the gemstones that they are imitating only in appearance and can be made from plastic, glass, or some other less costly stone. When purchasing gem stones be sure to find out if the jewellery is made from natural gems or synthetic ones.

Diamond Jewellery

The quality and value of a diamond is based on four things: colour, cut, clarity and carat. The clarity and colour of a diamond are usually graded but the scales are not always uniform. Before you buy any diamonds make sure that you understand what the numbers represent so that you know what you are buying. A diamond will be described as “flawless” if it has no visible surface imperfections and no internal imperfections. This can be seen when looked under a ten power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

Pearl Jewellery

Real pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks. When purchasing pearls one has the option to buy freshwater pearls or wild pearls. Cultured pearls are pearls that are grown with human intervention. These are still considered to be real pearls, they are just produced with a little help. Imitation pearls are made from glass, plastic and other materials. When purchasing pearls find out if they are natural, cultivated or imitation.

What To Look For When Buying jewellery

Never walk blindly into the purchase of jewellery. It is always best to do some research on what you are looking for before you make any decisions. This can save a lot of time and aggravation in the long run.

When purchasing jewellery quality counts, so always look for the best possible quality. Also look for jewellery stores that are affiliated with and accountable to a jewellers association. Before making any purchases make sure you find out some important details such as:

1. What is the stores return or refund policy
2. Does the jewellery have any kind of a guarantee?
3. Look for marking on the metal to tell what quality or grade it is
4. Find out if the any pearls are natural, cultivated, or fake
5. Find out if the gem stones are real or imitation
6. Ask if the gemstone has been treated with anything
7. When you get a sales receipt make sure that any pertinent information is written on the slip such as gem stone size, the carat of gold, and if applicable the grading report of the stone.
8. You will also want to know if any special care is required for the jewellery that you purchase. For instance white gold that has palladium must be recoated every 12-18 months to keep it looking good.

More Jewellery Buying Tips

1. Guide to Buying Jewellery Online
2. Gold Jewellery Guide