Archive for the ‘Buying Jewelry’ Category

Your Wedding Ring

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Wedding rings symbolize the union of two people, so it’s not uncommon for both the bride and the groom to work out together what they plan to do for them.  Although many wedding bands are designed as a set, you don’t have to stick with matching bands, though.  Oftentimes, one of the parties will want a showier ring while the other prefers more modest.  In some cases, one of the parties has a profession that requires certain things and certain designs to avoid the ring interfering with job duties.  Whatever your preferences, there are certain steps you’ll take to make the perfect wedding band for you.

Your Metal

The first decision you’ll need to make is to pick what metal you’ll use.  Although gold  is the most common, it’s not the only choice for your wedding band.  You can also buy rings in titanium, silver or platinum. Even in gold, you can chose white or yellow gold.  You can also have more than one metal incorporated into the design.  You truly can customize a ring based on your preference and your budget, so whether you enjoy the color of silver or appreciate its cost, you can get exactly what works for you.

There are, of course, decisions to make within the metal.  14 karat gold is less expensive than 24 carat gold, for example.  Platinum is expensive but very durable.  A quality jeweler will educate you on the subject and help you to make the decisions that will work out in your best interests.

Heirlooms and Antique Jewelry

When you have a family heirloom, you’re fortunate indeed.  However, a great many heirloom pieces are representative of a style different than you might like. A good jeweler should be able to help you adapt an heirloom piece to your particular tastes.  It could be you’ve fallen in love with an antique piece you’ve purchased, and your jeweler should be able to make that piece what you need as well.

In some cases, old jewelry can actually be melted down to provide the metal for a brand new piece.  This can create a unique ring that has special significance for you.  Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you have a skilled jeweler involved who will help you to get the best result.

Where to Shop

There are literally thousands of places to get a wedding band, both online and off.  It’s easy to therefore look for the cheapest or most convenient.  However, a good local jeweler can help you to make your ring exactly what it needs to be for far less than you might imagine.  More importantly, a local jeweler is ready to earn your business for a lifetime, and not just as a lucky result of mall foot traffic.  Your wedding is an important day.  Make sure you give your wedding band the attention it deserves.

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Save on Designer Prices, Get Your Jewelry Custom Made!

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Whether you are looking to buy jewelry for yourself, spruce up an old piece, or create a special gift for a friend or loved one, customized jewelry can not only save you cash, but it can help you produce a piece of jewelry that is a one-of-a-kind item created with your particular style in mind. Hand-crafted and custom-made jewelry is becoming more prevalent in recent times where the need for new and creative jewelry is rising, but the price of designer pieces has become too heavy for most of our wallets.

Independently owned custom jewelry retailers are a great place to seek out customized jewelry at affordable prices. Handmade designs and reworking of older pieces of jewelry can help you create a piece that is stunning, unique, and affordable. At a fraction of designer prices, a custom-made piece of jewelry can surpass any generic designer piece sure to be worn by hundreds or thousands of other people.

Clean Out Your Closet for Customized Flair

Redesigning old pieces of jewelry is a great way to cut costs and also bring a little bit of your history into your future. With the right jeweler on your side, you can take an old piece of jewelry and transform it into something beautiful that can be passed on from generation to generation.

Even pieces that were given to you that you don’t particularly care for can be reworked into something you don’t want to take off. Styles can also change over time, which makes it difficult to frequently re-outfit a wardrobe with new pieces to match an adjusted style. Customizing jewelry offers the ability to rework old pieces to fit a new feel without shelling out the hard-earned cash necessary to buy a whole new set of jewelry.

Smaller is Better

Smaller jewelers have a more unique and carefully considered inventory, and are geared toward attentive customer service, not pushy sales tactics. Local jewelers tend to take a keen interest in every customer, and also have a longstanding history in the business and exceptional pride in their work and craftsmanship. Larger jewelers can be intimidating and pushy.

A local, family-run jeweler will be able to offer you guidance in the custom design process, offering unique insight and a true interest in your piece of jewelry.

Buffering the Budget

The economy these days is tough. Purse strings are tighter, wallets are lighter, and the need to buy new items is offset by the ability to make ends meet. Designer jewelry is simply off the books for most of today’s society. But this doesn’t mean that no changes can be made to everyday wear. Customized jewelry can give you just the boost you need without breaking your budget. Even a small change to a piece of jewelry can be enough to give it a whole new look and feel. Communicating with a trustworthy and skilled jeweler can help you explore your options before you go digging into deep reserves to pay for entirely new pieces of jewelry.

Trusting Your Designer

Communication and trust are key factors in finding the right jeweler to help you customize your jewelry. Oftentimes this is just as important as the cost. Try one piece of customized jewelry and see how you feel before moving on to other pieces. A good jeweler will be able to do wonders within the confines of your price range. Your jeweler can also identify alternative metals to use in order to lower the price without risking the quality.

Big chains are less likely to carry customized jewelry or have the craftsmen on staff to take your ideas and bring them to life with the skill and care of a smaller family jeweler. Family jewelers can often cut out the middlemen and help bring facets to you for a lower price than larger distributors. Look through your old pieces of jewelry and talk to a skilled jeweler about revamping your sparkling accessories for a new lease on luxurious living. Even old jewelry can be given a makeover for a fraction of the cost of designer jewelry. Seeking out customized pieces can help you shop within your budget, control your costs, and also leverage your artistic side for a style that fits you perfectly.

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Antique Jewelry is the “Newest” Hit

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

As fashion trends wax and wane, antique jewelry has again found itself in the spotlight. The idea of vintage jewelry as a hot commodity first developed in the late 1960s as fashion became focused away from the norm and on to unique styles and one-of-a-kind pieces from past decades. The popularity of vintage jewelry stems from its ability to allow you a custom piece of art that is rare, distinctive, and often the only if its kind.

General fashion trends in the 60s needed variation and the style required added depth. Vintage jewelry from earlier times became a sought-after product and retro fashion boutiques began popping up here and there to attend to the demand.

This trend has again cycled into popularity as today’s stars have begun toting their wares on-screen, on the red carpet, and even on the runway. From Sharon Stone to Chloë Sevigny, celebrities have emerged to tote their barrettes and baubles from days past. Vintage jewelry allows an individual a level of uniqueness that is often hard to find in today’s cookie-cutter world of fashion.

As a result, the vintage bracelet that you are sporting may very well be included in this re-emerging height of fashion. And since no one is likely to have the exact same piece, many pieces of antique jewelry are in fact custom originals with an exciting history and untapped value.

How to Choose an Antique Piece of Jewelry

Look for signatures – Pieces signed from popular designers such as Hattie Carnegie, Sarah Coventry, and Miriam Haskell are a mark of quality and are often of higher value than others.

Keep an eye on clasps – Clasps comprised of simple hooks can come undone and may need to be replaced with a later model so that you don’t risk losing the piece. Clasps made around the sixties and prior are sturdier and more dependable.

Weigh your options – Older pieces tend to be heavier in weight, as antique pieces of the twenties and thirties were made of heavier metals, with lighter options being introduced after World War II.

Don’t be distracted by dirt – Older pieces may look a little grimy when you pluck them out of their closets, quaint shops, and antique malls, but jewelry can often be buffed and cleaned to look good as new with just a little elbow grease.

Types of Vintage Jewelry

Each era has a distinct look and feel. Vintage jewelry can come by way of Victorian elegance, symmetrical Art Deco pieces, and elegant Edwardian appeal. Later styles include the ever-popular chokers, charm bracelets and bangles.

Victorian

Victorian jewelry hails from the late 1830s to early 1900s, under the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain. This type of antique jewelry is often ornate and natural in design.

The Victorian mourning period also brought about its own style of jewelry, producing pieces that incorporate jet, enamel, and onyx. These pieces are rare and highly collectible.

Retro

Retro jewelry was in fashion from 1945 to 1960. Common in Hollywood, retro jewelry is best recognized by its chunky bracelets and charms.

Art Deco

Art deco jewelry is minimalistic and often incorporates long necklaces and layered gemstone bracelets.

Costume

Costume jewelry is usually of lesser monetary value, but is vintage-inspired. Costume jewelry is often set with semi-precious stones and hued with tones of rose and yellow colors.

Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry comes from family members that leave behind old treasures after they pass. Estate jewelry often yields pieces from the many different eras of that individual’s lifetime. Many of the older pieces of jewelry are hand-crafted specifically with the individual in mind and yield one-of-a-kind pieces.

Investing in Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry comes with its own charm and history. Jewelry that comes from an estate often has minor wear and tear, and a traceable past. Heirlooms that are kept in good condition will only grow in value and can become part of your wardrobe, making it a value both in everyday life and in the future.

With antique jewelry back in demand, the possibilities are endless and create a perpetual treasure hunt for those looking for unique and desirable pieces of jewelry from eras past. As vintage jewelry hits the big screen and many start digging in their closets for antique valuables, the market will again produce unique pieces from the past.

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You Would Buy a Pre-owned Vehicle, Why Not a watch?

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Most people have purchased a pre-owned vehicle in their life despite the potential risks involved, but many people still hesitate to buy a used watch. Why is it that a collectible item like a luxury wrist watch scares people away but expensive cars that have likely been in a crash or two are sold every day? Both purchases do require time and extensive research to find the perfect fit for an individual, but a car and a watch aren’t that far apart.

Similarities of a Pre-owned Vehicle and Watch

  • Quality: Car and watch manufacturers all have quality reputations based on years of experience. When you go shopping for a used car, you generally look for a car known for its quality because it will be used and you want to make sure it won’t fall apart on you. Same thing with a watch; you wouldn’t buy a used watch from a low-quality manufacturer because it is likely to break in a short period of time. Price isn’t always in direct relation to the quality of a new, unused watch, but if you are trying to cut corners and pay less, you are more likely to end up with a lesser-quality product.
  • History: It is good practice to ask the car owner for the full history of the vehicle to find out if it had ever been in a crash or had major repairs before. While there is no official “Department of Wrist Watches” reporting on the history of a watch, the seller should be able to tell you everything about the fine watch such as where it came from, how many owners have had it, how old it is, and if there have been repairs made. These must all be taken into consideration when purchasing a high-end pre-owned watch.
  • Style: Both a car and a watch will be seen by the public when you are using it. You want to make a statement with the accessory and also have it match your personal style. It is really important to find the car that you feel you look good in, just as it is important to find the watch that looks good on you. You would not want to be ashamed every time you stepped into your car, just as you would not want to be ashamed to put on your watch you paid good money for. No matter how perfect the quality is, you should still make sure the pre-owned watch is the perfect style for you before even considering a purchase.
  • Technical Specifications: Nobody in their right mind would buy a pre-owned car without first understanding what exactly was under the hood. Is it a four or six cylinder? What type of transmission does it have? Does the air conditioning system work? These are all good questions you would ask. Same goes for watches; you will want to know what components the watch has, who manufactured them, if they have been replaced, and what their expected life will be.
  • Documentation: Ownership documentation, historical documents, proof of servicing and other items should all be included in the exchange of both pre-owned cars and fine watches. If the seller is not willing to provide the appropriate documents, you wouldn’t buy the car or watch.
  • Warranty or Guarantee: Just because you are buying pre-owned doesn’t mean you should risk walking away from the purchase without any sort of warranty or guarantee. A lot of times, you won’t receive any type of warranty from a private seller but if you use a reputable dealer like Levi Family Jewelers then you can be assured that the purchase comes with protection.
  • Service: When you use a dealer for both cars and watches, they can help you find the perfect one for you and explain everything in detail. When making a large purchase that you will probably have for a long time to come, you should expect only the highest quality service to help you through the process. If you aren’t receiving good service from the seller, walk away from the transaction because poor service will probably mean a poor product in the end anyway.

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7 Reasons to Avoid the Department Store When Buying Jewelry

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

If you’re thinking of purchasing fine jewelry you’ll want to take into consideration where you make your purchase. Department stores can be a decent option for relatively cheap pieces as long as you expect to get what you pay for. In general, you’ll be better off avoiding the department stores if you want a quality piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime. Instead, we suggest shopping with a local jeweler who specializes in creating, maintaining & restoring jewelry of all kinds.  The following are seven reasons to go local and pass on the department stores:

Quality: If you want to be sure about the quality of the jewelry you are purchasing, you have a better chance if dealing with a reputable jeweler instead of purchasing at a department store. Department stores offer pieces that haven’t been stamped to let you know what quality the gold or silver is, which may end up leaving you with the bad end of the deal. Diamonds at department stores are often ones with flaws—albeit small ones. Still, if you’re looking for quality jewelry and paying department store prices, why settle for flaws?

Knowledgeable Staff: A clerk at a department store may be able to tell you what looks nice on you—or at least flatter your ego—but most salespeople behind the counter in the department store know little to nothing about fine jewelry. Often, the clerks are simply bouncing around through different departments—anything from jewelry to purses to makeup. Going to a reputable jeweler can ensure you make an informed purchase, in turn helping your purchase to truly become an investment.

No Guarantees: A jeweler may offer a guarantee on the watch or gemstone purchase whereas most department stores do not offer such assurances. Department stores may offer return policies, but they don’t usually guarantee the quality of work or that you aren’t buying blood diamonds.

Extra Services: Jewelry stores will often throw in little extras that are very convenient if you plan on keeping your jewelry for a lifetime. Many jewelers are happy to clean your item for free if you purchased it from them. They also can help to re-size or fix the item as the need may arise. Generally you can expect to find a higher quality of customer service and personalized care at a jewelry store.

Specialization: Department stores stock items they think will sell most easily. Sometimes this means they are offering mostly trendy styles that aren’t likely to withstand the test of time. If you’re simply looking for a trendy piece of jewelry this can be a perfectly acceptable option, but if you’re looking for a classic piece of jewelry (or a watch) you’ll want to check out stores that specialize in stocking the kind of style or item you are interested in.

Getting a Unique Piece: If you want to find something truly unique for an engagement ring, for example, then you must NOT shop at department stores. This may sound obvious, but think about the fact that major department stores are huge chain stores that carry basically all the same products. If you want your future fiancée to wear a ring for the rest of her life that millions of other women have, a sure way to accomplish that is shopping at a department store. If you want something as unique as your beloved, go to a jewelry store and find something truly special.

Resale Value: Since jewelers will often guarantee the fine quality of their pieces and/or they come from well-known designers, the resale value is much higher than if you buy jewelry from a department store. If you are buying jewelry it’s always a good idea to think about its possible resale value as you never know when you might need the cash more than a beautiful piece of jewelry. It’s a wise idea to consider you may at some point in the future want to sell the piece.

While these seven points can you give you a general idea of why it may be a good idea to avoid department stores, the best way to be really satisfied with your purchase is to be well informed. Do a little research about fine gold, silver, and gemstones before you shop so that you have confidence you’ve made the right decision.  Whether you are looking for the perfect engagement ring or need to fix up a cherished piece, pass on the little brown bag and visit our store today.

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The Royal Engagement Ring

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

On November 16, 2010, Prince William, heir to England’s royal throne, announced his engagement to Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. Prince William presented Kate Middleton with the same ring that his father, Prince Charles, gave to his mother, the late Princess Diana, at the time of their engagement in 1981: an 18-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by fourteen brilliant cut diamonds set in 18-carat white gold, a Windsor family heirloom created by the official crown jeweler of the British Monarchy, Garrard Jewelers.

In the advent of the Royal wedding on April 29, 2011, commoners are anxious to purchase affordable replicas of the royal engagement ring. As Kate Middleton’s ring is one of the most coveted pieces of jewelry in the world, replicas are currently one of the top-selling engagement rings in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although Kate’s ring is valued at 225,000 British pounds, replicas are selling for as little as 9.99 US dollars. While a ring valued at this price is nothing more than a cheap knock-off, quality replicas of the royal engagement ring can be purchased for the same amount of money one would choose to spend on any legitimate engagement ring. How can a ring matching the beauty and uniqueness of the royal engagement ring be affordable for commoners? The secret lies in the combination of materials used and the ways in which the gemstones and metals are processed.

Sapphires: Most sapphires have dull colors and poor clarity when they are extracted from the earth, so they are usually treated in labs before becoming a bright, sparkling gemstone like the one in Kate Middleton’s ring. Sapphires that have this appearance without laboratory treatment are extremely rare and very expensive, accounting for only about 1% of sapphires that have been harvested to date.

Synthetic sapphires are considered to be real, genuine sapphires, but they have been created by humans in a lab rather than extracted from the earth. Sapphires that come from the earth are rare and very expensive, while synthetically produced ones are inexpensive to create in a lab, making sapphires a fairly common and affordable gemstone. Most sapphires for sale at an “affordable” price can be assumed to have been synthetically produced, and most jewelers will reveal a sapphire’s origins to potential buyers.

Imitation sapphires are most often made from blue glass, blue cubic zirconia, or synthetic spinel. Imitation sapphires often look too perfect or too clear, while a real one will come with slight imperfections that make it both unique and beautiful. Of course, the surefire way to tell an imitation sapphire is by the price, as in the cheap replicas of the royal engagement ring selling for $9.99.

While sapphires that came from the earth may be unaffordable to most, a synthetic sapphire is a perfectly appropriate and legitimate substitute that you’ll find for sale at a fair price from most jewelers.

Diamonds: The price of a half-carat diamond ranges anywhere from under $1000 to over $3000, depending on the color, cut, and quality of the gemstone. While a 1-carat diamond with a good cut can be found for around $5000, a ring like Kate Middleton’s containing fourteen of these diamonds could be quite costly, especially after adding in the price of the 18-carat sapphire and white gold.

Although diamonds are the most coveted and most expensive gemstone of our time, they are not particularly rare and may even be considered a renewable resource that will never be exhausted from the earth. Still, their high price is dictated by supply and demand, as well as by the four C’s of diamonds: cut, clarity, color, and carat (size).

Imitation diamonds are fairly common, and most often come in the form of cubic zirconia (cz). The look of cz is actually very similar to that of a real diamond, and professional testing equipment is usually required to distinguish between the two materials. Moissanite is another, less common type of imitation diamond, also difficult to distinguish from the real thing without testing equipment. While cz and moissanite will scratch more easily than a diamond, all three materials produce brilliant rainbows when held up to light.

Glass imitation diamonds, on the other hand, do not produce rainbows, and this is what is most often used to make cheap diamond knock-offs like the ones in the rings priced at $9.99. While cz is much more affordable than a real diamond, it is also not considered a cheap imitation and it’s use is fairly common in legitimate jewelry.

Purchasing Your Own Royal Engagement Ring: If you happen to be a “commoner,” as most of us are, don’t fret. You can still present your bride-to-be with her own royal engagement ring for a decent cost without stooping to the ultra-low price of $9.99. Talk to your jeweler about creating a custom engagement ring that integrates one or more of the elements discussed above. A lab-created sapphire surrounded by low-carat diamonds or larger cuts of cubic zirconia in a white gold setting will not be out of reach.

Posted in Buying Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings | No Comments »

5 Things to Ask Your Jeweler

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Purchasing jewelry, especially diamonds, should be a very thorough process to make sure you know exactly what you are getting, the quality of the jewelry, and the history of it. There is a story behind every item at your local jewelry store, but is it something positive that you would actually approve of? Without a doubt, you never want to complete a purchase without first being educated on the piece of art and whether or not people were exploited in the process of creating it. Next time you walk into a jewelry store, be prepared to ask the following five questions to ensure you know exactly what you are purchasing.

1.      How do I know it is not a conflict diamond? Your main concern when purchasing a diamond will probably be the source of the diamond. No one wants to purchase a conflict diamond that was mined using slave labor. Many African nations exploit their laborers and operate an extremely poor work environment with little or no pay, especially compared to the value of the gems they are mining. When you visit a jeweler, ask if they can prove where a diamond came from, if the mining is environmentally friendly, what the labor conditions were, and if they are positive that the diamond is absolutely conflict free. Many gemstones are certified “fair trade” which guarantees the source and process of acquiring the gems. The jeweler may not have all of the answers up front, especially if the gem came from a third party, but they should be willing to find the answers for you and provide some sort of proof.

2. How does the diamond grade in the four C’s?

a.      Diamond color: Unless you want a specific diamond color, the ultimate goal is for a diamond to have no color at all. The closer it is to clear, the more brilliant it will look under light.

b.      Diamond cut: The quality and shape of the diamond cut affects the gem’s brightness and how much it sparkles under light. You will likely be wearing the diamond for a long time so getting the cut you want is very important.

c.      Diamond clarity: Every diamond has its unique imperfections, most of which can’t be seen with a naked eye. But, there is always a rating of the clarity that examines the imperfections at 10x magnification. The better the rating, the more brilliance and sparkle it will have.

d.      Diamond carat weight: The main determinant of a diamond’s price and often the first matter of concern is the carat weight of the diamond. A jeweler will usually have anywhere between .03 to 2.5 carat diamonds on display and the price exponentially increases with the increase in carat weight.

3.      Who made this jewelry? Understanding the story behind your jewelry means you should know the source and the designer. Designing a fine piece of jewelry is a form of art and the artist should be proud of his or her work. If the jewelry doesn’t have an artist name affiliated with it, you might be skeptical of the quality and legitimacy of the source. A quality jeweler will always be able to tell you exactly who made the item you are looking to purchase.

4.      How can I protect my investment? This is an extremely important question that is often asked too late. You should find out about the return policy and warranties that come with the jewelry. This is especially important with engagement rings that need to be returned or possibly exchanged. A good warranty is good to have in case something goes wrong like a jewel falls out or the jewelry doesn’t meet the quality that was promised. Purchasing jewelry is an important process that should have several forms of assurance to give you piece of mind long after you leave the store.

5.      What type of service is offered for the jewelry? It doesn’t matter what type of jewelry you are looking for; all types will need consistent servicing. Shining, polishing, repairing, and resizing are a few of the common services that you should check to see if they are included in the total price, and for how long. A reputable jeweler will provide free service for many years or even the lifetime of the jewelry. Over time, you save a lot of money by purchasing from a jeweler that provides free servicing.

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Should You Buy Her a Necklace, Bracelet, or Ring?

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Most women love to receive jewelry as a gift, especially when it comes from a significant other, giving the piece special meaning. But certain types of jewelry, and certain gemstones, are more appropriate than others during the different stages of a relationship. Another simple, but very important factor to consider when buying a gift of jewelry for your girlfriend or wife is her own personal style and taste in jewelry.

Rings:

Rings are the trickiest piece of jewelry to buy as a gift for a number of reasons. Ring size is an important factor, because you want to get the size right the first time and give her something she can put on her finger immediately and wear for the rest of the night. The best way to get the correct size is to borrow another ring from her jewelry box and take it with you to the jeweler, but if it’s one that she wears frequently, be sure to return it as soon as possible so that she never knows it’s missing or suspects anything.

If you’re new to the relationship and want to buy your girl a ring, you may not be comfortable with taking a ring from the jewelry box in her bedroom. In this case, it’s better to ask one of her close friends or her sister for advice on the size. Another woman who is close to her will either know her ring size or be able to borrow the right ring for you. If you decide to purchase something in the spur of the moment or simply aren’t prepared with her ring size, make sure you at lease get a band that you think will be slightly too large, as it is easier to size down a ring than to make one bigger.

A final word on rings: be careful about giving a ring that isn’t an engagement ring if you are in a serious relationship. If she’s expecting an engagement ring and doesn’t get one, she may be so disappointed that you would have been better off giving her nothing at all. If you’re in a serious relationship and want to give your girl a gift of jewelry, but aren’t ready to pop the question, steer clear of rings altogether and give her a necklace, bracelet, or even a pair of diamond-studded earrings instead.

Bracelets:

Bracelets are appropriate for any stage of a relationship, but work especially well for new relationships because they seem to carry the least amount of commitment and symbolism. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t buy bracelets as a gift for someone you’re committed to. In these cases it will depend on the woman, the types of jewelry she likes to wear, and the pieces she already owns.

Women are more likely to buy bracelets for themselves than other types of jewelry, so if she doesn’t own a lot of bracelets, this could be a sign that they’re not her favorite type of jewelry to wear. If you’re not sure, it is always good to ask someone who knows her better than you do. Her girlfriends will think you’re a great guy and be happy to oblige. Also consider what she does for work and in her free time, as a bracelet is the most likely piece of jewelry to get in the way.

Necklaces:

Necklaces are also appropriate for any stage of a relationship, but seem to work best as gifts for the girl that you’ve been with for awhile but aren’t quite ready to make a lifetime commitment to. Whether to buy her a necklace can sometimes be determined by her wardrobe. A woman who wears a lot of low-cut blouses will appreciate a necklace to accentuate her neckline, while one that wears clothing that always covers her chest may appreciate a piece of jewelry that doesn’t draw attention to it.

Necklaces often come with gemstones in the charm, and the type of charm and gemstone is another important factor at each stage of a relationship. For newer relationships, a metal or stone charm is often a good place to start, signaling a lower-level of commitment that won’t scare either one of you. Certain gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds should be reserved for more serious relationships and special occasions. If your woman loves to accessorize and you’re giving her a casual gift (not for Valentine’s Day or your anniversary), a chunky fashion necklace may please her and suit her style.

Earrings:

Earrings are also safe at any stage of a relationship, so the most important factor will be choosing a style she likes. Studs are generally classier and better suited for special occasions, although this is not always the case when a dangly earring contains beautiful gemstones. As a general rule, if she has short hair or wears her hair pulled back most of the time, she’ll be better suited to dangly earrings than if she has longer hair that will hide the earrings or get tangled up in them.

Gold and Silver:

It’s always important to note whether your woman prefers gold or silver jewelry, as most will almost exclusively wear either one or the other. You don’t want to buy her a gold necklace that she’ll seldom wear because it doesn’t match any of her other pieces. This is especially important when purchasing an engagement ring – the one piece of jewelry she’ll wear every day. However, this is an easy obstacle to overcome, since you can simply observe the jewelry she wears each day or quickly peruse her jewelry box when she’s distracted. You’ll be able to tell right away which type of metal she likes to wear.

Posted in Buying Jewelry, Earrings, Gold, Necklaces, Rings, Silver | No Comments »

What to look for When Purchasing Used Jewelry

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

There are a number of important considerations to make when purchasing any piece of jewelry, and used jewelry requires some special concerns to make sure that you’re buying the right piece at a good price. Used jewelry can be purchased from a jeweler, pawn shop, estate sale, second-hand store, consignment shop, or even a yard sale. No matter where you’re buying jewelry from, educating yourself about some jewelry basics will help you be a savvy shopper and protect you from making a poor purchase.

Although you may be able to find some bargains by purchasing jewelry from someone who lacks professional jewelry knowledge, there are some benefits to buying used jewelry from a reputable jeweler:
•    You can rely on industry experts to provide you with accurate information about the pieces you’re considering.
•    You will feel comfortable buying from someone that you may know and trust, or who has a reliable reputation in your area.
•    You can check up on professional jewelers you don’t know by viewing their website, finding reviews online, and calling the Better Business Bureau.
•    Your purchase may come with a warranty, free or low-cost maintenance and cleanings, and the option to return the item within a certain timeframe.
If you ever feel uncomfortable about a purchase you’re considering, you should listen to your gut feeling and walk away. And if you choose to buy from a professional jeweler, you can return the following day after you’ve had a chance to sleep on it.

Antique jewelry is often extremely unique or one-of-a-kind, making it a great gift for someone special or a wonderful addition to your current collection. Antique jewelry must either be inherited or purchased used, so it’s always a bonus if you find someone who knows about the history or origins of an antique piece. There are a few things to know when looking at jewelry you’re told is “antique”:
•    Antique jewelry was made before the year 1900.
•    White gold was not available before 1920, so jewelry containing white gold is not considered antique.
•    Platinum was not on the market until about 1900, so it is not technically antique.
•    Most early pieces from the Georgian or Victorian eras were made from silver, while some rarer pieces were made from yellow gold.
•    Coral, mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, and other shells were often used in antique jewelry, as were ivory, pearls, semi-precious, and precious stones.
•    The type of clasp or fastener is another way to tell if a piece is antique or not. Most clasps and fasteners used in modern jewelry were developed after 1900, so a fastener you’ve never seen before is a good sign that you’re looking at an antique.

Of course, used jewelry does not have to be antique. A newer piece of used jewelry should be less expensive than it would be if purchased new, so the price is one initial factor to consider.

Another important consideration is the condition of the piece. You’ll want to look for anything that appears to be broken, such as a clasp or setting prong, and request that that it be fixed or replaced before you make the purchase. If you’re buying from a pawn shop, estate sale, or other place that sells its pieces “as is,” then you should use the broken part or flaw to bargain for a lower price, since you’ll need to pay to have the piece repaired elsewhere.

Finally, you’ll want to think about how any piece of jewelry you’re considering buying will go with the rest of your jewelry collection. The most important factor here is usually the type of metal it’s made from, since yellow gold doesn’t mix well with white gold, silver, and platinum. Yellow gold should be worn with other pieces of yellow gold jewelry, while white gold, and silver; platinum pieces can generally be mixed and matched together. You may want to consider your wedding band and engagement ring as the basis for the other types of metal jewelry you’ll add to your collection.

If the piece contains any gemstones, these should also be a consideration in accordance with your other jewelry. On one hand, you may want to purchase pieces with types of gemstones you don’t already own, to expand and diversify your collection. On the other hand, you may want to own many pieces that match or can be worn together, especially if you like to wear simple clothing styles embellished with a lot of jewelry.

Diamonds and pearls are two of the most diverse gemstones because they go with so many other pieces of jewelry, although they should not be worn together. Both gemstones can be worn with either yellow gold or white gold, silver, and platinum. They can also both be worn with a variety of other gemstones.

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