Jewelry
Buying Gemstone & Diamond Jewelry
Recommended strategy for buying gemstone and diamond jewelery:
- Budget - Establish a range before you start, then stick to it. Setting limitations encourages negotiation and that eith saves money or meand more jewelry in your wardrobe.
- Research - The more you learn, the more likely you are to get exactly what you are looking for and to get it at the right price. Research multiple auhority sources.
- Trends - Trends are for big budget shoppers. For major purchases, stay with traditional elegance.
- Separate - Look carefully at what part of the price is in the setting. Consider buying stones and metal separately if it makes more sense.
- Coded Prices - Don't shop at stores with coded prices, usually characterized by "price tags" with alphanumerics instead of real prices. It is an opportunity for salespeople to take advantage of individual customers
- Terms - Be careful about terms like Total Carat Weight, Carat Weight Total, CWT, Ct. TW. These terms are calling out the total of multiple diamonds in the piece. For better explanations read about jewelers' terms (coming)
- Settings - don't scrimp on a jewelry setting, especially for an expensive gemstone. A strong setting can protect your investment from loss or damage.
