You walk into a jewelry store and you’re blinded by the shimmer of diamonds and the shine of gold. There’s so much to choose from that not getting bamboozled by it all is nearly impossible. And we get that. Buying fine gold jewelry can be a big deal for someone who is purchasing their first piece. Be it a pair of small gold-plated earrings or a statement piece made in solid gold, there are some things a buyer must know before investing in it.
There are some things, including the purity, type of gold, and so much more that you should know before jumping onto the designs. This will allow you to pick the piece that suits you best and help you make an intelligent investment.
Ins and Outs of Buying Gold Jewelry
Let’s review the fundamentals of buying fine gold jewelry in a little more detail.
Knowing the Purity
Image courtesy: Ken&Dana Design
It is essential to know the purity of the gold jewelry that you’re buying. This way, you can know its true worth and be sure that you’re paying the right price for the jewelry item. It also tells you that your gold jewelry is authentic and in line with the standards set by the government of your country.
This is done because pure gold is not always used to craft jewelry. Most of the gold jewelry items are made using alloys of gold and other metals such as copper, silver, or nickel. The purity of gold jewelry can range from 10K, which is a mix of 41.7% gold and other metals, to 24K, which is 99.9% gold.
It is simple to check the purity of the gold jewelry you’re buying. All you need to do is look for the markings on your piece. Different countries have different markings on their gold jewelry. If you're not sure of what they mean, you can take it to a jeweler or an expert and they will tell you the purity of your gold jewelry item in an instant.
What Type of Gold is it?
Image courtesy: Pixnio
Now that you know how pure the bracelet that you liked is, you must know what kind of gold it is made from. And if you’re unaware of the types of gold, here’s a quick rundown.
Gold jewelry is of different types. These include – gold-plated, vermeil, gold-filled, and solid gold.
- Gold-plated jewelry is made using a base metal which is plated with a thin layer of gold. The biggest pro of gold-plated jewelry is the low cost.
- Vermeil gold is similar to gold-plated jewelry. It is crafted by plating a thicker layer of gold as compared to gold-plated jewelry, on pure or sterling silver.
- Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold on top of a base metal. The gold content of gold-filled jewelry is about 100 times more than gold-plated jewelry.
- Last comes solid gold, which is made entirely using a gold alloy. They are very long-lasting and can prove to be a great investment.
Knowing what type of gold is used to craft your piece is essential. It can tell you about the life of your piece, if it is safe to wear for your skin type or not, and can tell you the true value of your gold jewelry item. This can assist you in finding gold jewelry that complements your style and is ideal for your needs.
What Are You Looking For?
Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Trying to find a piece that can stay with you all the time? Or going for a one-time look that needs a bit more glitter?
If you’re going for the former, you’ll require jewelry made using gold that can withstand daily wear and tear. For that, you’ll need something that can hold its shine for a long time. So, going with gold-filled or vermeil jewelry is your best bet. Gold-filled jewelry can offer you the long-lasting shine of solid gold at a much lesser cost. Vermeil, on the other hand, will wear, giving your piece an aged jewelry look. You can always get your vermeil re-plated with a layer of gold and bring back the shine.
But if you’re going for the latter, going with gold-plated jewelry might be the right choice. Gold-plated jewelry is inexpensive, so you have lots of options and room for experimentation. You can explore different designs and pair them with different outfits to find the perfect match.
If you’re aiming to invest in an heirloom piece that can stay in the family, you can go all in and buy solid gold jewelry, embellished with diamonds and colored gemstones that can retain their color and shine for a long time.
What Is Your Color?
Image courtesy: rawpixel
If you’re not a fan of traditional yellow-gold jewelry, there are other interesting colors you can turn to. White gold is one of the alternatives, which is created by mixing gold with palladium or platinum. Its lustrous yet subtle shine can perfectly amp up your minimal look. White gold can be a great choice for a ring or a bracelet. Another alternative to yellow gold jewelry is rose gold. Rose gold is made by mixing gold with copper and silver. The warm and elegant color adds to the sparkle of the gemstones and creates a modern and sophisticated look.
There are other types of gold that are not very common but can make up for an interesting look. These include blue gold, made using gold and iron, or purple gold, made by mixing gold with aluminum.
Know How To Take Care of Your Jewelry
You must know how to take care of your gold jewelry if you want its shine to last a long time. This includes regularly checking the prongs that hold the diamond or gemstone, cleaning jewelry using the right methods to avoid damaging the polish or shine, putting jewelry on after applying makeup, and storing pieces individually wrapped in a muslin cloth and placed in plastic containers.
Image courtesy: wikiHow
Pick Something That Goes With Your Vibe
Once you know the type of gold used and its purity, it all comes down to your preferences. Fine gold jewelry can be a way to express your personal style and taste. Be it a ring, bracelet, or choker, the right piece of gold jewelry can make you feel beautiful and confident. So, investing in a piece that makes you feel pretty while lifting up your look is a must. Find the jewelry that goes with your vibe and is an extension of your personality.
We advise you to start looking for your gold jewelry now. You never know when and where you might find ‘the one’. Right?
