It is one of your best investments. Especially if you do your research to find a designer or company that values the integrity and respect for jewellery. It is simple and effective to invest your hard-earned cash in something that will be in high demand, even though the economy could crash anytime. Jewellery is a great choice for this – provided you are able to identify and appreciate the quality aspects as well as the variations in them.
It’s an ornate you can use every day if you want, and it’s something you can trade for forever (precious metals won’t become worthless as there is limited supply – they are not “made” in large quantities). And it’s easy to pack and bring with you in an emergency.
It’s just like the movie, where the villain keeps a few gold tacks in his safe. Although he might be evil, he is also smart. While the cash next to the gold may lose value, the gold (precious metals generally) will remain a smart investment because it will always have demand and move with the market.
Today’s markets offer so many choices that our brains can’t process them all. It’s no surprise that many people are sold by brilliant sales pitches without really thinking about what they’re buying. We all know this scenario – the purchase we made once and regretted later when it became clear that the price was not right for the quality we expected.
My favourite term for the jewellery jungle is “The Jewelery Jungle”. It’s full of poor quality items that somehow manage to sneak into our jewellery boxes, even though this might not be what we stand up for as human beings.
No matter how diverse our personalities may be, there is one thing that is certain: we all want quality in life and don’t enjoy being taken for granted by products that only bring disappointment.
This guide is quick and easy to follow.
- Source
Do you know the origin of this jewelry?
Do your research and learn about the working conditions of the brand. Nobody wants to buy a blood-diamond or jewellery that was made in unethical circumstances. It’s not fair to anyone to have jewellery that has been made in such conditions. This is an important point to remember. Every time you purchase something, you are silently voting for the things you want in the world. Be careful with your vote and shop locally if you can.2. Materials
– Do you know what to look out for in jewellery stampsHere is a quick guide to the most common metal stamps that you probably already own in your jewelry box:
925:92.5 % silver, 7,5% of other alloys (also called Sterling silver). This is the most popular form of silver.
- 999: Fine silver is very soft and is prone to scratching. It is 99,9% pure sterling silver with a small amount of an alloy. It is not recommended for Dainty Jewelry and other delicate items that you will be wearing. Because this silver is so soft, it can easily be bent out of shape.
375, also known as 9 Carat or 9K
It contains 37.5% pure Gold. This is the most economical form of gold jewellery. Because it contains more other metals than pure gold, it is stronger and more resistant and therefore better suited for the creation of jewellery.585, also known as 14-carat or 14K
It contains a high percentage of pure gold, at 58.5%, and a warm yellow color. It is cheaper than 18ct, making it a popular choice.750, also known as 18-carat or 18K
It contains 75% gold and the remainder is made up of more durable metal alloys that add colour and strength. To make white gold, you will add some other metals. Copper can be added to make rose gold. The 18ct yellow is admired for its radiant color and warmer tone than 14ct or 9ct gold. However, due to its high percentage of gold it is still more expensive.916, also known as 22 carat
It is made up of approximately 91.6% of gold, making it highly valued. It is also quite soft so it is not suitable for making stone set jewellery. Instead, plain gold jewellery such as wedding rings, are better.990, also known as 24 Carat or 24K
This is the highest gold carat and it can’t be beat. It is 99.9% pure gold. It is highly valuable and naturally yellow. However, it is very soft and malleable so it isn’t used often to make intricate jewellery or fine jewellery.3. Skintone
You can find out if your skin tone is more suitable for certain metals (e.g., silver, white gold, platinum), or neutral. It’s a good rule of thumb to wear cold metals and warm metals. You can also choose neutral for any other metal you desire.
- 4 Longevity and Purpose
- Ask yourself why you are buying this. You are buying it for long-term use or a single event.
You should consider whether it is worth the cost for a one-time purchase or if you can get more use from the item. If you’re shopping for something specific, such as a season or event, it might seem like a smart move to choose a trendy design or go overboard. But, do you really want to invest in something that will sit in your drawer forever? My rule of thumb is to imagine at least 10 outfits that I can wear the jewelry with before I make or buy it. This helps me to know it’s my style and worth the investment, even if it is a little more expensive.
5. Value for money
Are you getting the best price?You can avoid paying too much for products that won’t last the test of time. Handmade jewellery is usually more expensive because the piece is made by an individual and not a machine. Handmade jewellery also has limitations in terms of how inexpensively it can be made, but still look great. This means that handmade is more likely to equal better quality. You can’t make cheap jewellery without machines or factories. If something is handmade, it means you are making a better financial investment. Handmade jewellery is not open to technology. It can make something seem expensive or luxurious when it really isn’t. Only use solid metals for my work. I never plating or coating my metals. You get what you pay. 100%.
