Buying jewelry can be a real challenge when it is your first time to do it. With a wide range of styles, different karats, and varying lengths and thickness, how do you know which one is perfect for you? You are making a large investment in purchasing a piece of jewelry so you want to make sure you are making the right choice.
The beauty of jewelry is that it retains its value and luster (if properly taken care of) for years to come. Whether you are looking to buy a gemstone pendant, a pair of sparkly earrings, or a necklace that will go well with your current wardrobe, we have got you covered.
Ross from Fraser Ross discusses useful tips to help you shop for jewelry like a professional, so you can treat yourself to a gorgeous piece that you truly deserve:
Expand your search
When shopping for jewelry, many of us instantly think of buying gold necklaces or rings. But because of the rising prices of gold, more and more jewelry designers are seeing the value of silver in creating trendy and timeless jewelry pieces. This metal is ideal for use in jewelries because of its combination of beauty and durability.
When it comes to silver jewelry, the standard choice is sterling silver, which is 92.5 percent silver. One reason for this is that sterling silver has increased strength than pure gold or pure silver, making it ideal for regular use. To know whether you are looking at an authentic sterling silver, look for the 925 inscription or ask the jewelry store for documentation.
Tip
If the silver does not have a quality stamp, then you are likely looking at a silver Nickel silver, which does not have any silver in it. It is simply nickel that has been combined with zinc or copper that resembles the appearance of silver.
Buying gold jewelry
If you love the luxury that gold pieces exude, then having a collection of gold jewelry is a no-brainer for you. But before you spend your hard-earned cash on a gold jewelry, it pays to know the purity levels of gold, so you can choose which purity level is best for your intended usage. The thing you need to remember when buying gold jewelry is that the higher the gold content, the more easily it is damaged.
Lower karat pieces, on the other hand, are combined with non-gold metals to make them more durable. For example, a 24 karat gold necklace is made of 99.99% pure gold, with no traces of other metals, while a 14 karat gold is made of 14 parts gold and 10 parts non-gold metal.
So why do people still buy 24k gold when it is soft and pliable? Many people go for 24k gold jewelry because of its distinct yellow color and its rising value. Again, the choice of gold purity is highly dependent on your intended usage of the piece – Do you plan to wear it regularly? Or do you intend to use it only on special occasions? If you are buying a gold piece for everyday wear, you need lower karat gold that have more resistance to wear and tear compared to pure gold pieces.
Shop around
To know that you are getting the most value for your money, take time to shop around, ask for prices, and get easy facts that will help you decide where to buy. If you find a trustworthy jewelry store, try to quote lower but stay within realistic price range.
If you want to save time, look for jewelry pieces from trusted companies online. You can may find some jewelry dealers that offer installment terms to make paying for your chosen jewelry piece easier.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
