Find out what you need to consider to avoid making an expensive mistake when you’re buying jewellery for someone special.
In association with Chapelle
Jewellery is the perfect gift to mark a special occasion or to treat a loved one. And when you’re shopping for jewellery, it’s important to make sure you get it right.
Jewellery comes in different colours, metals and stones and you can spend as little or as much as you like. However, before you make your purchase, you need to be sure you know what you are looking for.
Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a pair of diamond earrings or a vintage necklace, you’ll need to do some research to avoid making an expensive mistake.
Here are a few things to consider if you are going jewellery shopping soon.
Set a budget
The first step is to decide how much money you can afford to spend on the piece of jewellery. That way, you can shop around to make sure you get the best possible options for your money.
Know what you’re buying
There are a lot of different materials to consider when you’re buying jewellery, and you need to know the difference between them.
Silver is the most affordable metal but it is soft and tarnishes easily. It’s a great option for a fashionable piece of jewellery but doesn’t last as well as other metals.
For an investment piece, you will probably want to consider gold or platinum jewellery. These are more durable precious metals but come with a larger price tag. You could also consider gold-plated or gold-filled jewellery, which are both cheaper but less durable alternatives to solid gold jewellery.
And when it comes to gemstones, you will need to know the difference between precious and semi-precious stones.
Consider the ethics
Diamonds are forever, or so the song goes. But they also come with a lot of ethical debates attached and you may want to avoid buying conflict diamonds. You can do this by buying diamonds with a Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) certification. You could also look for an antique piece of jewellery featuring diamonds that were mined before 1970.
Another alternative is to buy lab-grown ‘diamonds’ that are visually identical to natural diamonds but far more ethical and sustainable.
Find the right jeweller
It’s a good idea to compare pieces of jewellery online first, and then visit a jewellery store to try on the pieces in person. A good jeweller will be able to listen to your requirements and help you to understand the different options involved. That way, you’re more likely to find the perfect piece.
And if you’re looking for a piece of jewellery for a special occasion, such as an engagement or wedding ring, your jeweller will play a particularly important role in making this experience enjoyable and memorable.
You can check out their website and look for the National Association of Jewellers membership, guarantee period and customer reviews.
Don’t guess the size
Getting the right size can be a little tricky when it comes to surprise jewellery gifts. If it’s a necklace or bracelet you’re after, your measuring skills don’t need to be quite so precise. You can simply measure your loved one’s favourite pieces of jewellery and give those measurements to your jeweller.
But whatever you do, don’t try and guess the size of an engagement or eternity ring. You can take an existing ring and measure it with a ring sizer to get a more accurate size. You can order sizers from jewellery websites or find online printable versions. This is much less risky and avoids your loved one being unable to wear their ring right away.
Remember to ask for jewellery certification
You need to ask for a jewellery certification if you want to be sure that the materials are what the jeweller claims they are.
This is especially important for vintage items, where the stones and metals involved could be something quite different. You can also get the certification checked by another jeweller to make sure you’re not being ripped off.
It takes a lot of time, patience and research to find your perfect piece of jewellery. But when you find it, you’ll be sure that your loved one will be delighted by their special gift.