Whether you are shopping for a special occasion, or simply to give yourself a gift, buying gold jewelry can be a pleasant experience. Gold is a precious metal that retains its value; it is durable and, if treated with care, can last forever. However, buying jewelry can be expensive. The price of gold can vary considerably depending on the weight, the carat, and the place of purchase. Considering that such an expense represents a long-lasting investment, learning how to buy gold jewelry will help you select quality items that will give you satisfaction for several years.
Steps
Step 1. Research information on the carat weight of the jewelry, and try to understand how it affects the cost and durability
- The purity of gold is expressed in karats: 24 karats identify pure gold. Gold is in itself a soft metal, and, for this reason, gold jewelry is generally produced using gold alloys and other common metals such as copper, silver, nickel or zinc.
- For example, 10-karat gold contains 10 parts of pure gold and 14 parts of common metals. Most of the jewelry is produced with 10, 14 or 18 karat gold. By increasing the carat, the price of gold increases, but also its softness.
Step 2. Try to familiarize yourself with the marks that indicate the purity of gold
The indication of the carats is imprinted on most of the jewels, and is called the "goldsmith brand".
- The goldsmith's mark is generally affixed to the inside of the jewel, and indicates the degree of purity of the gold. For example, 14k denote 14 karat gold.
- In Italy, the goldsmith brand generally reports the degree of purity of gold expressed in thousandths. For example, the “750” mark indicates a gold content of 750 parts out of 1000, corresponding to 18 carats (18/24 = 0.75).
Step 3. Before buying, consider the weight of gold and how this affects the cost and resistance of a jewel
- The weight of gold jewelry is generally expressed in grams. Obviously, with the same purity, the greater the weight, the greater the cost.
- More massive and thicker jewels offer greater wear resistance, especially in the case of rings and bracelets.
Step 4. Before starting your research, decide which gold color you prefer
Although yellow gold is very popular, it is also possible to find jewelry in white gold, pink, and even other trendy colors such as brown, green, and blue
Step 5. Visit various shops to find the piece of jewelry you want
Although jewelers and goldsmiths are the most common places to buy these items, very pretty items can also be found at the pawnshop or online
Step 6. Before buying, always ask for information about the certificate of authenticity and how to return and refund
- In this way, as a consumer, you will be protected in the event of a return.
- Furthermore, having a certificate of authenticity, you will have the certainty that you have purchased a quality solid gold object. The certificate should also indicate the value of the object.
Advice
- Gold jewelry can also be plated or laminated. Keep in mind that in this case it is a metal base coated in gold, and therefore it is not a solid gold piece of jewelry. Solid gold means a gold for which the carat weight is clearly indicated.
- In learning how to buy gold jewelry, remember that as the carat increases, the vulnerability of the object to damage caused by daily use also increases. Items such as rings and bracelets, which are easily prone to dents or scratches, only have good strength when made of 14 or 10-karat gold.
- There are precision jewelry scales made especially for weighing gold jewelry. If you want to shop at a pawnshop or a thrift store, it might be a good idea to buy one of these scales and take it with you; in this way it will be easier for you to determine the weight of the object and, consequently, the most appropriate price.
Warnings
- If you have to buy a ring, try to avoid models that are too thin. These objects, in fact, are very delicate, and can break easily due to wear.
- The goldsmith mark is not required by law in all countries. Therefore, in the event that the jewel you want to buy does not have an identification, ask the jeweler for information about the authenticity of the piece. Do not buy the item if you have doubts about its authenticity.
