7 Reasons to Avoid the Department Store When Buying Jewelry

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

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.

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Pieces to Add for a Summer Look

May 23rd, 2011

Summer 2011 jewelry trends have been influenced by the recession and economic downturn. Although we are now coming out of this recession, the lessons we have learned—not to overindulge and live life too excessively or extravagantly—have transferred over to fashion and jewelry styles as well, and are apt to continue to influence us in the wake of a new economy.

As you may have already guessed, this summer’s jewelry trends are leaning toward simplicity and old-fashioned styles that reflect old-fashioned values. But despite trends toward simplicity, the bold, statement jewelry that has been popular over the last several years doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for the time being. However, even these larger pieces are being made from simpler materials rather than heavy or flashy adornments.

Summertime jewelry styles have a tendency toward wearing several pieces that all make individual statements of the their own, rather than complementing one another or allowing one piece to take center stage. The heat of summer allows us to shed layers and show off more skin, leaving more room for multiple pieces of bold jewelry, as opposed to winter, when sweaters and fashion scarves leave less room for chunky necklaces and bracelets. Summer jewelry styles also allow a lot of versatility in the types of jewelry that can be worn, with occasions ranging from family picnics and Sunday afternoon softball games to work and the wedding season.

Low-cut tops leave plenty of room for multi-chain necklaces and large pendants. Short sleeves and tanks permit multiple, large rings without fear of them being covered up by or caught in long sweater sleeves. Even summer hair styles—shorter hair or long hair swept off the neck and out of the face—leave more room for larger, dangling earrings.

So how does simplicity combine with bold and chunky to create a summer jewelry style? Most notably through the types of materials being used to make current pieces. This summer’s jewelry trends include simple designs, plain metals, warmer colors and earth tones, semi-precious stones, delicate chains coupled with chunky beads and pendants, and earthy materials like wood, bone, shells, stones, and even feathers.

Pearls: Pearls are a favorite gem of summertime and are extremely popular for summer 2011. And luckily, the versatile pearl can also be worn year-round, as it never has and never will go out of style. As the birthstone of June—the month in which summer officially begins—summer pearls are light-colored and simple, yet extremely elegant. Pearls can be worn with just about anything and for any occasion. They make the perfect jewelry for summer weddings for the bride, her bridesmaids, and wedding guests, yet can also be worn to dress up a simple summer evening outfit.

Metals: Summer is heavy-metal season for the world of jewelry, and summer 2011 is showing trends toward combining different metals to create a single piece of jewelry. You’ll be seeing plenty of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that combine gold, silver, platinum, and copper in a single piece while skipping the gemstones and pendants altogether. Like pearls, the utilitarian advantage to this trend in jewelry is that the pieces match every outfit and have a way of being both casual and elegant at the same time.

Vintage and Retro: The old-fashioned or “used” aura of vintage jewelry makes it trendy during times of penny-pinching, so don’t hesitate to bust out Grandma’s heirloom pieces that you’ve been saving for the perfect time or occasion. Victorian-style vintage jewelry is especially hip for summer 2011, including an array of pearls, semi-precious stones, porcelain, embroidery, lace, ribbons, brass and other metals, and glass and crystal beads. The retro look is applying to some of the larger, chunkier, and less expensive pieces of jewelry, while still adhering to the current trends of simpler design, earthy colors, and natural materials.

Eco-Jewelry: Eco-jewelry simply refers to current trends in jewelry made from earthy, natural materials, and not necessarily to environmentally friendly materials. Semi-precious stones such as agate, jasper, amber, opal, coral, moonstone, malachite, and garnet—stones that amateur gem hunters often harvest themselves—are often equal in beauty and uniqueness to precious stones, yet are easier to come by and less expensive. Look for semi-precious stones as the centerpieces for pendants, earrings, and rings this summer. Also popular in pendants and bracelets this summer are mother-of-pearl and other sea-shell based pieces, wood and petrified wood, and various pieces of polished bone.

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Levi Family Jewelers Voted #1 on “Best of Yelp – San Diego”

May 13th, 2011

San Diego’s #1 Shopping Destination

Levi Family Jewelers is proud to serve the community and hold dear to our commitment to unmatched service while providing the best jewelry in San Diego.  This claim is backed by the countless number of satisfied customers coming in and our of our Horton Plaza doors daily and the praise we have recently been getting online.  We are proud to announce that we have been voted the #1 recommended shopping location by Yelp users in San Diego (http://www.yelp.com/c/san-diego/) shopping and thank both our new and long-time customers for their support.

Come by today to view our collection of over 3000 bridal rings and elegant custom diamond pieces.  We are confident that you will leave our store satisfied and ready to tell your friends about your new friend, Bert Levi!

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What Happens to Mail-In Gold Jewelry?

April 21st, 2011

The value of gold has skyrocketed over the past several years, especially during the U.S. recession. This has sparked the trend of hundreds of startup companies offering to pay you cash for gold jewelry that you mail in to them. The marketing and promotion of these companies always sounds too good to be true and usually is just that: a scam. They are not outright liars, but they stretch the truth in every way possible. Have you ever wondered about the process and what happens to the jewelry you mailed in? If you do a little research before sending away your precious jewelry you will often find the companies will send you back a check for an amount much lower than any estimated value of your gold. Here is a brief outline of the process your jewelry will go through:

1.      Mail package: Each company will send you free supplies for mailing in your gold that comes with very limited (usually around $100) of insurance. They will receive your package in 3-4 business days but probably won’t get around to doing anything with it for about week.

2.      Valuation: It depends on the company, but many will make an estimate on the quality and value of your gold using one of the following methods:

a.      Electronic current: A device is attached to the gold and an electronic current is sent through it analyzing the quality of gold.

b.      Solution: The most common practice is simply scratching a small area of the gold and applying a solution on it that will change colors depending on the quality of gold. The color is then compared to a chart of colors that show how high of a karat rating your gold has.

c.      X-ray: A very expensive but accurate test is to use a special X-ray machine that analyzes every single metal that is in your jewelry. Most of the “mail in your gold” businesses won’t offer a value estimate using this technology because it is too expensive.

3.      Check is written: The business you are dealing with will estimate the value of your gold and then write you a check for an amount much lower. Although customers expect the actual amount paid to be lower than the estimate, people are generally getting ripped off when they receive checks for extremely low values.

4.      Check is sent: It usually will take a few days between the time the check is written and sent to you. This is often the number one complaint because you will likely only have 10 business days from the day the check was WRITTEN to file a complaint and either request more money or the return of your jewelry.

5.      Complaint filed: If you do file a complaint within the allotted time period, you will likely be offered more money for your jewelry but still not nearly what it is actually worth. Most customers won’t want to deal with the hassle of arguing and will just accept the offer for more money. Or you can request all of the items be returned to you so you can take it into a reputable jeweler and get an honest estimate.

6.      Melted down: Most people won’t file a complaint in time and the jewelry will be sent off to a gold refinery that melts it down and resells it as bullion to banks, collectors, and jewelers. All sentimental value of your gold will be lost and the antique quality of it is worthless. Unfortunately, people will often send in their gold when they are in a financial pinch and then later regret that they can never buy it back or see that someone else is getting good use out of it.

When you mail in your gold jewelry, it is essentially deemed worthless so the companies can pay you very little for it. They make a huge profit and you lose all the value the gold once had. Instead of opting for the highly marketed solution of sending in your gold for cash, call your local jeweler and ask if they have the capabilities of appraising it for you and even buying it from you. You are guaranteed to receive the best price for the gold and jewels. They will likely tell you exactly what will happen to it afterwards. Some items with high value and meaning to you will almost always be resold as antique jewelry and someone else is able to enjoy it as much as you. Others might be melted down and used to create new gold pieces, but you will always know in advance where your gold is going.

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5 Things to Ask Your Jeweler

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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When is the Best Time to Sell Your Gold Jewelry?

March 30th, 2011

The price of gold is constantly changing and prices are determined by a number of factors, in addition to demand, including the moving average, real interest rates, and the season. The current price of gold is $1,412.00/ounce, which is fairly close to the all-time high price of gold, $1,444/ounce, so this is not a bad time to sell your gold jewelry.

However, market trends indicate that gold prices may continue to go up, so if you’re not in immediate need of some quick cash, it may be wise to hold onto your gold while you study these market trends for a few months. If you need cash right away and have gold to sell, you can do so knowing that you’re still getting a historically high cash value for your gold jewelry.

1.    The Moving Average: The moving average of gold shows the average value of gold’s price over a set period of time. It is used to show the direction of price trends and to average out volume fluctuations. An upward trend is indicated when a short-term average price crosses above a longer-term average price. A downward trend is indicated when a short-term average price crosses below a longer-term average price.

When the current price of gold is above the moving average, this indicates an upward trend of price. The current 200-day moving average price of gold is $1,344.00, while the current 50-day average price of gold is $1,368. So not only has a short-term average crossed above a longer-term average, but also the current price of gold is above both the longer and shorter-term averages, indicating a continuing price increase.

These trends show that it’s a great time to sell your gold jewelry for a good profit, but they also show that you can probably hold onto your gold and get a better price in the near future. If the current price of gold continues to stay above the moving average, you can continue to wait to sell for an even better price. Some industry experts recommend that you wait to sell until the price of gold falls just below the 50-day average, claiming this is the best time to sell your gold because you’ll know for certain that you’re getting the highest price at this time.

2.    Real Interest Rates: Real interest rates are also used to predict future trends in gold prices. A real interest rate is a rate that has been adjusted so that it does not include the effects of inflation, reflecting the actual or real cost of something. The real interest rate shows you the true value of your cash or investments by taking inflation out of the equation.

This applies to gold prices because when real interest rates are below zero, the cash and short-term investments—the resources people turn to when they need money—lose money. So people turn to gold for money instead, driving the price of gold up. The real interest rate is calculated by the difference between the nominal interest rate minus the inflation rate (real interest rate = nominal interest rate – inflation). Currently, the nominal interest rate is 1% and the inflation rate is 2%, so the real interest rate is -1%. A real interest rate below zero is a good sign that gold prices will continue to go up, indicating that this is both a good time to sell gold jewelry and a good time to watch market trends and sell in the near future, if you can afford to.

3.    The Seasons: The seasons, and wedding seasons in particular, are another factor that determines the fluctuating price of gold. In reality, it is the demand for gold during certain seasons that will raise the price of gold, and gold is in higher demand during the popular wedding seasons worldwide.

For example, in India, jewelry manufacturers restock their gold supplies in January in preparation for the upcoming wedding season, driving prices up. The Chinese wedding season changes each year according to favorable dates on the Chinese calendar that fall on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2011, the best dates for a prosperous Chinese marriage fall on May 21 and May 22, increasing the demand for gold in May and months prior. European and North American countries prefer late spring and summer weddings with the wedding season tapering off in fall, and twice as many engagements occur in summer than in winter as well, so the demand for gold in the summer months is higher in these parts of the world.

Over the last year, the price of gold has steadily increased from its low point of $1089.00/ounce in April 2010 to its current high point of $1412.00/ounce in March 2011. So not only is now a good time to sell your gold jewelry for a good profit, but it’s also a good time to wait and sell for an even better profit, as prices will continue to go up according to current market trends and industry indicators.

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

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.

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Things to Know When Selling Your Gold

February 23rd, 2011

The price of gold has been reaching records highs over the last few years, prompting many people to sell their little-used gold jewelry. But most people have no idea what their gold is worth. Gold is sold on an open market, so the price of gold changes daily. However, the price of gold has been over $1000/ounce for several months, so this is a good time to get rid of your gold if you need extra cash.

Many gold buyers, including jewelers, will purchase gold in various forms besides jewelry, including gold bars, gold coins, and scrap gold. But most people who are looking to sell gold have gold in the form of jewelry.

You should try to avoid selling your gold jewelry as scrap gold, which can cause you to lose up to 75% of its retail value, since the price you get will be based on the value of gold metal. Scrap gold buyers will not take into account a piece of jewelry’s craftsmanship or antique value, not to mention any personal or heirloom value it may have to you and your family. When selling gold jewelry as scrap gold, its best to sell broken pieces, earrings that are missing their mates, old class rings, or a plain or engraved wedding band from your ex-spouse.

There are three main types of buyers that will purchase your gold jewelry:
1.    Jewelry stores
2.    Pawn shops
3.    Online gold buyers
You should be careful when selling to all three, and always protect yourself by taking some precautionary measures. Typically speaking, however, jewelry stores will offer you the best value at the lowest risk for your gold jewelry. Pawn shops offer a lower risk as well, but tend to pay less for your gold jewelry than a reputable jewelry dealer.

There are an increasing number of online gold buyers popping up these days—and sometimes these companies will give you the best dollar value for your gold jewelry—but you should be wary of any company, online or not, that asks you to mail in your gold in a pre-addressed envelope and then wait for a check to come back to you in the mail. This option offers the highest risk for a number of reasons, chief among them that you won’t know how much you’re getting until you receive the check up to several weeks later.

If you choose to sell your gold to a reputable online gold buyer, choose a company that will insure your mail-package contents for you. If you don’t like the amount of the check you receive from a mail-in gold buyer, you can request that your jewelry be returned instead, although you will need to make this request immediately. In 2010, complaints to the Better Business Bureau about online gold buyers were up by 60%, so it’s not a bad idea to consult with the BBB before dealing with one of these companies.

The best way to protect yourself when selling your gold is to do your research, get your jewelry appraised, and try to sell to a local jewelry dealer with a good reputation, preferably one that either you or a friend know personally or have dealt with in the past. When choosing a local jewelry dealer, it’s always best to start with a company that has been recommended to you by someone you trust. Plenty of your friends and coworkers have bought or sold jewelry in the past, so ask around if you don’t have any experience in this area.

When selling your gold jewelry, it’s always best to start by getting an appraisal. This is something you should consider doing to protect yourself and your assets anyway, regardless of whether you are thinking about selling your jewelry in the near future. An appraisal will cost you a little bit of money initially, but it is often worth it because of the bargaining power you’ll gain by knowing how much your jewelry is worth and having the credential of an appraiser to back you up. Try to find a third-party appraiser—one that is not currently buying jewelry themselves—who is more likely to give you a fair price based on the current market value.

Once you’ve gotten an appraisal, it’s time to start doing your research about the companies you’re considering selling your gold jewelry to. Start with local jewelry stores you’re more familiar with and find multiple buyers, which will allow you to “shop around” and see the range of prices you’re offered before you make a decision about who to sell to, often giving you additional bargaining power. Again, you can save some time by contacting the BBB about anyone you’re thinking of selling your gold jewelry to. Any jeweler who receives a bad review can be crossed off your list before you spend precious time going to their store.

Posted in Gold, Sell Your Jewelry | No Comments »

What to look for When Purchasing Used Jewelry

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.

Posted in Buying Jewelry, Used Jewelry | No Comments »

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