Introduction: Understanding the Art and Science of Jewelry Shopping
Donning a piece of fashionable jewelry can quickly shift your ensemble from the mediocre to the magnificent. And you don’t even need to opt for a “look at me” piece. Well-chosen bling has the power to elevate an outfit. For that reason, buying jewelry requires both art and science. If you’re an up-and-coming collector or a seasoned devotee, making acquisitions that are aesthetically pleasing and financially secure requires a good deal of know-how, plus some nice, old-fashioned shopping. And when we say “shopping,” we’re not just talking about hitting the mall. We’re also referring to Internet browsing—an activity that requires a good deal of discernment. This ultimate guide will clue you in on the basics of purchasing jewelry.
Grasping the Different Types of Jewelry
If you have been buying jewelry for any length of time, you likely have a fondness for a particular type of jewelry. There are three broad categories of jewelry from which to choose:
Classic Jewelry
Classic jewelry is made from precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver and is often set with genuine gemstones like the diamond, the sapphire, the ruby, and the emerald. Classic jewelry is designed to last a lifetime, and it can be (and often is) passed down from one generation to the next. Classic jewelry also has a surprisingly remarkable ability to retain its value, which makes it a sound investment. Indeed, the soundness of classic jewelry as an investment is something that you might have been well aware of (and, hopefully, have taken to heart) since 2004, when the price of gold passed the $500 an ounce mark.
Semi-Fine Jewelry
Semi-fine jewelry has been made with precious and semi-precious materials. It may have been made with lower-karat gold or gold-plated metals. It may have been made with lesser-known gemstones. Although semi-fine jewelry is not as valuable as what you find in a jewelry store that specializes in something called “fine jewelry,” we think semi-fine pieces have good quality and craftsmanship. They are more accessible in terms of price because the materials used to make them are not as precious. They are just as much fun to wear, and you can feel confident about wearing them because they are not in danger of falling apart.
Current Jewelry Trends vs. Timeless Styles
Current jewelry trends and eternal styles—that’s the area of focus for you when it comes to jewelry. You’re doing good research, and for the right reasons. The choices you make concerning popular jewelry at a given moment should be well thought out; a certain piece of jewelry could easily become a four-alarm fire situation should you decide to wear it if it significantly lacks in personal comfort. At the same time, reaching for a piece that’s decidedly not speaking to the moment’s trend could easily give you the appearance of being a relic. On the choice of play or not to play within the current jewelry pop culture of the day, you’re an informed decision-maker.
The Latest Jewelry Trends
The latest jewelry trends can be found in fashion magazines, online blogs, and social media influencers. What is popular now may well be something like specific cuts of gemstones or metal finishes. There might even be a theme to the current situation, like designs that are minimal or vintage-influenced. 2. Invest in jewelry with timeless appeal, such as diamond studs or gold bands, and you can count on the pieces to retain their allure for reasons that have nothing to do with what’s in (or out) at any given moment. These items can be dressed up or down, worn on an unadventurous day or a super-dressy one, and are as good as gold in terms of investment.
The Factors That Make Jewelry High Quality
When you consider nearly all forms of jewelry, certainly any kind of fine or semi-fine piece, the factors that make a piece high quality and authentic are the very same elements that make it valuable: the materials from which it was made and the workmanship that went into making it. This isn’t to say that workmanship alone can’t elevate a piece’s value or that it must be combined with “better” materials for that piece to be valuable. Indeed, both elements—materials and craftsmanship—are necessary for jewelry to be both high quality and valuable, and it is of course preferable when you find the two combined in a single piece.
Certification and Appraisals
For high-end jewelry, especially those with important stones, seek certification from noted organizations like the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society. These certificates offer in-depth accounts of the stones’ natures and how genuine they are. Also, obtaining an independent appraisal could serve as an insurance policy. It would value the jewelry on today’s market, which might differ from what it would have sold for five years ago or in its heyday in the 1930s.
Picking the Appropriate Retailer
Selecting a trustworthy retailer is vital for receiving quality pieces at reasonable prices. When it comes to making a significant purchase like jewelry, it pays to do your research and consider several factors before settling on a retailer. The first factor to consider is the retailer’s reputation. You can gauge a retailer’s reputation by reading reviews from customers who have shopped there and by seeking word-of-mouth recommendations from people you know. If the people you trust vouch for a particular retailer, that’s a solid endorsement. However, if you’re really going to commit to a retailer, you should also go to the store and check it out for yourself.
Return Policy and Warranty
When reviewing a retailer’s return policy and warranty options, first consider how easy it would be to return or exchange items. The last thing you want is to work with a jeweler who makes you jump through hoops to return or exchange pieces that you thought would work but didn’t for some reason. Next, consider warranties. You want to choose a jeweler whose products come with solid protection plans. Ask jewelers about their return policies and warranties until you feel confident in how well they stand behind their work and their products.
Making Systematic Jewelry Purchases
When buying jewelry, it is prudent to adopt a systematic method in order to make well-considered decisions and steer clear of any possibility of experiencing buyer’s remorse. Just as you would invest hours or even days in the laborious but necessary pursuit of appropriate decision-making when it comes to big-ticket items like an appliance or a car, the same should hold true for jewelry.
In-Store Jewelry Shopping Tips
When purchasing in-store, closely inspect the items in which you are interested. Interrogate the jeweler about the materials, craftsmanship, and any certifications that come with the piece. Ensure a good fit and that your purchase suits your aesthetic by trying on the jewelry.
Online Jewelry Shopping Tips
Purchasing items online can be simple and straightforward. It can also require a few extra steps to ensure your hard-earned money is well spent. The first step is to make sure the website on which you’re shopping is a good one. Look for signs that you’re on a legit site and not some sort of internet mirage. Then, read through the site as if you were going to make a wager on what’s for sale. Is there a reasonable number of signs that lead to a favorable conclusion? High-quality images of the product itself are a must. And then a decent return policy—essential, really, when you’re in the business of selling something that has a high probability of not fitting just right.
Constructing a Unified Jewelry Ensemble
A collection starts with just a few pieces. As you add more, try to achieve a uniform ensemble that reflects your style and taste. You may go in fits and starts. The vision may come to you all at once. Or you may work it out over time—layering, mixing, and matching pieces as you see fit until you arrive at a kind of gallery showing where jewelry becomes your personal and private art form. Here are some tips that get you on your way toward a comprehensive jewelry collection.
Incorporate a Range and Reign Over Styling Decisions
Include a range of jewelry in your collection, like necklaces, bracelets, and rings, not just earrings. Choose pieces you can style in multiple ways, from everyday looks to accenting for special occasions. -Perla Crooks
Striking a Balance Between Trends and Timelessness
Keep a balance in your collection between the hot trend of the moment and items with a timeless quality. Trendy pieces can infuse additional visibility and allure into your collection and are usually what you think of when you think of putting together a collection.
Personalize Your Jewelry Collection
Choose select elements that carry personal weight or align with your unique aesthetic. Your collection should resonate with who you are, not only in the present but also in the way it commemorates the past and milestones that you have traversed to arrive at this moment.
Maintaining Your Jewelry
Your jewelry needs care just like anything else that requires upkeep. Neglecting it could mean not enjoying it for very long. Even if your pieces aren’t of great monetary value, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of them as if they were. Your jewelry is a collection of things that are special to you for one reason or another. That in itself means it deserves your time and attention. Here are some suggestions for keeping your jewelry in great condition no matter what its value might be.
Consistent Maintenance
Maintain the cleanliness of your jewelry to keep it looking its best. Jewelry can accumulate dirt, oils, and residues that can cloud its beauty and smartness, just like your kitchen counter can. When left unattended to clean your jewelry, who knows what it might harbor? Ick! You can clean your jewels at home or take them to a convenient place, like the clownish characters at the local mall who perform “magic” to make your jewelry look new again.
Storing Jewelry Properly
Jewelry should be stored in a safe, dry location. The best practice is to use individual compartments in a jewelry box or a soft pouch for each piece to prevent them from scratching one another. Some may wish to keep their fine jewelry in a locked safe.
Professional Jewelry Maintenance
Schedule a time for professionals to maintain your jewelry, especially the fine pieces. Skilled jewelers can identify likely problems and fix them before they become serious—that’s worth a professional appointment every few years. Your jewelry isn’t just a pretty decoration; with the right attention, it can last several lifetimes.