When it comes to buying a piece of jewelry, it is important that you take the time to look into exactly what you are buying. At times, it may be hard for the untrained eye to comprehend the value of any piece of jewelry or gemstone to another, but it can be you can do it, patience. Did you know that there are two kinds of rubies, heated and unheated? Can you see when an emerald or sapphire has been oiled or left clean? Each one of these alterations can affect the value of a stone. Just to let you in on the secret, heating stones can enhance the color of a gem. And the oil on an emerald is often used by stores to cover up, and cracks or dryness meaning a less oiled emerald could be worth more.
1. How do you pick a high-quality item?
One of the most important ways to judge an item of jewelry is by the quality of its gems and semi-precious gemstones. If you are serious about starting to look, you have to know that you can’t eyeball quality. Of course, the precious stone and gem’s rating is also important for the buyer and centers around the four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight when looking at diamonds. But for a colored stone, the most important factor is its color. There are three color variants that jewelers will look at and include hue position, intensity, and tone.
2. How is it crafted?
When looking at a well-done piece of costume or fine jewelry, it will often take your breath away. The item must be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and often will come with a one-of-a-kind story from the crafter. As the buyer, you must always take a close look at the item to make sure the precious gems are not uneven, and there should be no markings either. A jeweler will tell you also to check if there are any air pockets in the metal that could create bubbles. A good tip to remember is that handmade jewelry will rarely have these issues. You can often find handmade collections in the big stores and family-owned shops, so it is always good to take a look.
3. Design is everything.
Avid buyers will want to look for designs that push boundaries and can be a focal talking point of conversation. The top-rated crafters are known for their extreme knowledge of the metal and gems they use and will be professionals at coming up with the best look. When you go into a store like Harry Winston or Tiffany’s, they will have a lot of their own original designs to pick from. A top diamond cutter will always cut their diamonds by hand, often leaving a signature mark on the finished piece.
4. Buy the best materials.
If you are an avid buyer of any gold pieces, you may eventually form a close bond with your jeweler or gemologist and, in turn, learn some secrets about what materials they use and how they formed their technique. If you are thinking more outside the box when it comes to investing in jewelry, you can try looking into Alamos Gold, a gold mining company that operated its own mines and is on the NYSE. Alamos Gold inc. merged with Alamos Minerals and National Gold in 2003 and have a long-term track record for creating value for every one of their stakeholders.
While it is a jump from buying an engagement ring to actually investing in gems but it can be you can do it. When it comes to buying jewelry, it can be an incredibly personal venture, but if you are willing to do some research, it can pay you back twofold.
