Jewelry Education 101: How to Become an Informed Buyer By Melanie Spark At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Whether you are a seasoned jewelry collector or someone who is just beginning to build her collection, it's important to be an informed buyer. When you shop for jewelry, whether it be precious metals, gemstones or by gram weight, it's always a good idea to know what to look for and how to identify a bargain.

If you ask anyone in the business, they will tell you that one of the first things to look for in a piece of jewelry is the metal hallmark, which will identify the jewelry as either gold or silver. A genuine gold piece of jewelry will typically be stamped as either 'K' or 'KT.' For instance, a 10kt gold accessory will likely be hallmarked as 10k or 10kt. A sterling silver accessory, however, will commonly feature a .925 stamp somewhere on the piece. Common placements include clasps, the inside of a ring band, earring backs and pendant bails.

Now that you know what type of hallmark to look for in your precious metals, it's a good idea to know just how much your jewelry weighs. The weight of precious metal, such as sterling silver, gold and platinum is measured by grams. Believe it or not, there are jewelry scales available that will allow you to conveniently weigh your jewelry at home. Depending on your preference and budget, you can often find these portable jewelry scales for under $100.00 at some retailers. In addition to gram weight, a jewelry scale can typically weigh any loose gemstone(s) that you may have in terms of their carat weight.

Speaking of learning as much about your jewelry as possible, it may be a good idea to learn various measurements in terms of both millimeters and inches. While some online retailers offer measurements in terms of inches, others will give millimeter measurements when speaking of gemstones. When shopping online, it is a good idea to understand these differences so that you can accurately identify the size of a particular piece of jewelry or a gemstone before you buy it. The simplest and quickest way to familiarize yourself with these measurements is to purchase a ruler that displays both inches and millimeters.

If you are like most women, you're always on the go. Whether it's to school, work or taking care of the kids, life can be hectic. This doesn't mean, however, that your jewelry has to suffer. For minor repairs, you can purchase and use a jewelry repair kit. If your jewelry needs a major fix, however, it's best to consult a professional jeweler.

With the proper knowledge and a few tools to help along the way, you will become an informed buyer who knows how to spot a real deal in more ways than one. From proper identification to learning how to spot a terrific price, you will soon find that your knowledge of jewelry is so much more than it once was. Shopping for anything, especially that which involves a substantial purchase, requires more than just an eye for something pretty. Instead, a little knowhow will get you the best look at the best price as you become one smart shopper.

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