Jewelry can make an excellent gift to someone you care about or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. However, picking the right piece can be daunting and time-consuming with the growing jewelry market. If you are considering buying a piece of jewelry to add to your collection or as a gift to a loved one, here are seven tips to help you pick something they will cherish and be proud to wear. 

1. Consider the recipient

If you are buying jewelry such as a tennis necklace as a gift, you should think about the recipient to make your choice more meaningful. Before you begin your jewelry hunt, determine the recipients:

• Personal style: Observe your loved one’s wardrobe and determine whether they have a distinctive style. This allows you to pick jewelry that aligns with the recipient’s taste and preference.
• Sizing: When buying jewelry pieces like rings and necklaces, determine the recipient’s correct size to avoid spending more money resizing. 
• Lifestyle: What is the recipient’s job description? If your loved one has an active lifestyle, rings or jewelry pieces with intricate details may not be ideal.
• Birthstone: Determine your loved one’s birthstone to add sentimental value to the selected jewelry.

2. Do your research

Be sure to conduct in-depth research, especially when you are a first-time shopper of gemstones or diamonds, to familiarize yourself with terms like gemstone grading, diamond cut, carat weight, color, and clarity, and semi-precious and precious jewelry. This ensures you invest in high-quality pieces and avoid paying more than you should.

Educating yourself about diamonds or gemstones helps you understand appropriate care and maintenance for different pieces. For instance, gemstone pieces require routine inspection by a jeweler to ensure they stay secure. Sterling silver jewelry pieces need frequent polishing to remain in excellent condition.

3. Pick the right metal

Jewelry is often expensive, so you should consider purchasing durable and long-lasting pieces to get the total value for your money. Here are some metal options you could invest in:

4. Platinum

This is the toughest jewelry metal option and lasts for decades.  Platinum has an attractive silvery-white color and is perfect for heirloom pieces like an eternity, engagement, and wedding bands. However, platinum is the most pricy jewelry material. 

5. Silver

When shopping for an occasional accessory or if you have a limited budget, jewelry made of sterling silver is an excellent choice. This is because this precious metal type is the most affordable. Silver metal is also soft and bends easily, so it is not ideal for everyday use. 

6. Gold

Available in numerous colors, including rose gold, white and yellow, gold metal is more expensive than sterling silver. It also has different purities, with the 18k gold being the most costly, and the 9k more affordable. This makes this metal the most versatile for jewelry types, including wedding bands and engagement rings.

7. Find the right jeweler

Getting the right salesperson, especially when shopping online, is critical to avoid buying fake gems or paying more than you should. If it is your first-time jewelry shopping, apart from considering practical experience, find a jeweler with jewelry manufacturing training or gemological education. Such jewelers can help narrow your search to quality pieces. 

Check reviews and testimonials on social media, search engines, and the salesperson’s website to determine the vendor’s reputation. If you prefer shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, ask friends and relatives for recommendations to reputable and trustworthy jewelers.

8. Create a realistic budget

Jewelry comes with a vast array of price points, with various pieces going for over $5,000 while others cost less than $100. For this reason, determine how much you want to spend before browsing different online or physical stores. You should also avoid purchasing from the first vendor you encounter. Shop around and compare prices with different jewelers. You may find the same quality jewelry at a lower price at other stores.

9. Read the fine prints

Even when you have researched extensively and picked the right vendor, your loved one could prefer a different piece. For this reason, you should check the vendor’s exchange and return policy before purchasing. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a piece of expensive jewelry that you or your loved one is not proud to adorn. When buying online, be sure also to check the shipping policy and the warranty.

10. Consider revamps and repairs

If you do not have enough cash to splurge on a new jewelry piece or are having difficulty finding a gift that complements your existing collection, consider adding to or repairing old jewelry. 

Endnote

Purchasing the perfect piece of jewelry does not have to be time-consuming and challenging. Consider the recipient, educate yourself about gems and diamonds, have a budget, pick suitable metal, and buy from a reputable jeweler to get a piece of jewelry you will love wearing.

Published by HOLR Magazine.