One of the most common jewelry purchase will always be the precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum. For gold, it is crucial to consider the karat quality. Many times, gold is mixed with another metal such as copper due to its softness to create what is called a gold alloy. Pure gold is 24 Karat (abbreviated 24K) and this means no other metals are mixed in. Since the karat represents the amount of gold in a piece of jewelry, 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of another metal, called a base metal. Most gold jewelry has the karat quality marked on the piece and next to that you should see a trademark symbol such as a symbol or initials to signify the company that created the piece. If you do not see such a symbol, it is better to choose another piece. When something is sold as gold plated, this means that only a thin layer of gold has been applied to the surface of the piece. Keep in mind, gold plated jewelry quickly wears away and as a result, the value does not hold for as long.

Platinum is another heavily sought after type of precious metal more rare and expensive than gold. It, too, is often mixed with other metals. This is why you may see expensive jewelry marked 900 Platinum, meaning that it is 900 parts out of 1000, pure platinum. Similarly, silver is often sold mixed with other metals. Sterling silver is typically 92.5% pure silver, also noted as 925 silver. Silver plating means that a thin layer of silver has been applied to a base metal.

Gemstones are usually precious stones found in nature that are based on minerals that give them their color and sparkle. There are also lab created gems, sometimes called lab grown, that are synthetic (man-made) gems. These imitation gems are less costly than natural gems, but they strongly resemble their natural cousins in terms of visual aesthetic. Many times, synthetic stones may have an even more vibrant color than natural stones in their price range due to the fact that it is easier to create a stone than mine it. Always be certain to check whether a stone is natural or man-made because this can make a major difference in the price you should expect to pay.

When shopping for jewelry, it is always an excellent idea to shop around and compare prices from store to store. It is a smart move to make sure that the store’s return policy is fully understood before one makes such a costly investment as fine jewelry. Making sure that the gem or metal is properly described on the sales receipt can also make a huge difference. Once these basics are understood, buying jewelry is a much more pleasant experience.