Whether you are choosing a pair of earrings, a bracelet or a wedding band you cannot go wrong by choosing gold jewelry. To make sure you are getting what you pay for, it is important to follow a few simple steps when going about shopping for gold jewelry. You may even get a discount on the gold chain you were looking for. It is wise to do some research before making your purchase.
Firstly, be sure to go to a reputable jeweler. If possible, make sure that the jeweler you intend buying from is registered with Jewelers of America. There should be no shame or embarrassment in questioning jewelry dealers about their memberships. If in doubt, rather make your gold purchase at a more established jeweler than at someone who is willing to give you a good discount. The gold chain that you purchase from a disreputable jeweler may end up being worth much less than what you paid, and what you thought it was worth.
Become familiar with the karat marks on jewelry. These are quality marks on the jewelry that tell you how much of the metal used to make the jewelry is actually gold. Because pure gold is such a soft metal on its own, it is generally mixed with other metals to make it stronger and more durable. The karat must not be confused with the work ‘carat’ which is used to indicate the mass of a precious stone such as a diamond. A discount on a gold chain, ring, or bracelet can also be asked for as all prices quoted are not just for the gold itself but for the labor of manufacturing the jewelry as well.
Twenty-four karat gold is considered to be pure gold, and is therefore not considered practical to be made into jewelry, as it is too soft. Most jewelry items are between ten and eighteen karat gold. Anything less than ten karats is not marketed as gold, according to the U.S regulations. Twenty-four karat gold would be the most expensive, while jewelry with a lower karat would be sold at a discount. A gold chain made of eighteen karats would therefore sell for more than the same thing made of ten karats.
Manufacturers of jewelry also stamp a trademark on their jewelry in order to identify it. Look for the trademark on the piece of jewelry you would like to purchase. If you have any doubts to what the trademark means or where it is, feel free to question the jeweler. It is your right as a customer, because all gold jewelry must have a trademark if it has a karat mark. Even a discount gold chain on bracelet must have a trademark if a karat mark is present.
Gold jewelry can also be purchased on the Internet. It is important to be confident that any website from which you choose to purchase gold jewelry is secure. The downside to shopping online is that you cannot see the actual piece of jewelry before you make your purchase. It would be a good idea to take your online price to your local jeweler and see if you can get a discount. A gold chain, bracelet, ring or any other piece of gold jewelry is an investment and you should therefore ensure that such a purchase is guaranteed and that a refund will be issued should you be unhappy with the item. |
