Some people purchase expensive jewellery as an heirloom to pass down in their family; others want a new piece that they can wear for a while and eventually sell to help fund their next addition to the collection. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make a wise jewellery investment.
Research before buying
Research is the first and most important step before investing in an expensive jewellery purchase. You should feel confident in your knowledge of the outlet that you’re looking to buy from, the quality of gold, and the resale value of the piece. If you’re not familiar with standard jewellery terms like solid versus hollow or different karats, you should definitely spend some time learning more. You want to feel as though you know everything you possibly can about gold chains before investing. Then, create a list of places that you are considering purchasing from and try to source reviews from other buyers to hear about their experience with the company and the products.
Buy from a reliable source
Part of your research has to do with learning more about the companies that are selling the type of jewellery you’re interested in. Word of mouth is a great way to learn about jewellers that are reliable, so ask around to see if you know anyone who has purchased gold chains recently. Feel free to reach out to the company you’re thinking of buying from and ask specific questions about the jewellery making process and the other questions on the quality of the gold chains.
If you can’t find a way to contact the company, this is usually a red flag that their products might not be legit. Any credible business will make it easy and convenient for their customers to get in touch with them. Check their returns policy, their warranty, and if they are a member of any jewellery bodies like the National Association Of Jewellers in the UK.
Pay attention to quality and karat size
Any piece that is stamped with 24K is 100 per cent pure gold, which is both rare, impractical, and extremely expensive. More often, you’ll find that gold chains are either 10K or 14K, which means that they are 10 (or 14) parts gold, 14 (or 10) parts other metals in the US This is the most common type of jewelry and can create beautiful, long-lasting pieces—but, of course, 14K tends to be slightly more expensive because it contains more gold.
When it comes to gem and diamond sizes, they are still measured in carats, though when referring to gems, the word is spelt with a C. Much of this has to do with the fact that we are not labelling pureness but rather weight. A single carat is equal to 0.2 grams, and the larger the carat, the more expensive the gem. Of course, other factors must be taken into consideration like overall quality, cloudiness, and potential inclusions. When purchasing an iced out men’s gold chain necklace, you should have some idea of what carat size of gems you’re looking for.
Ask about finishes
Having a good-quality finish on your gold chains is important, as this will help preserve the quality, making your investment worthwhile. Even if your gold chain was handcrafted with fine gold and gorgeous diamonds, if it hasn’t been finished, you’ll notice the piece losing lustre (and potentially diamonds) over time. Any piece that looks beat up or used isn’t going to be a good investment in the long run. If you can’t find any information about a piece’s finish, be sure to ask the company or a salesperson about it specifically, to guarantee that your gold chain is a worthwhile purchase.
Get your jewellery appraised
Once you’ve selected a piece and made your purchase, you should take the time to get your jewelry appraised by a professional. This will help validate the authenticity of the jewellery and give it a concrete value. They will examine your jewellery with a jewellers magnifying glass to appraise it. Many people get their most expensive pieces appraised in order to take out insurance on the jewellery. If your piece ever gets stolen or damaged (under specific conditions) you’ll be entitled to the money, preventing you from making a poor investment.
Purchase a style that will hold its value
Trends come and go, especially in the world of fashion, which is why you want to select a style that is going to hold value. When it comes to men’s gold chain necklaces, it’s always a smart idea to opt for classic styles that have been around for decades, like the Figaro or Cuban link style. Jesus piece pendants have also seemed to retain value over the years, as well as cross pendant designs. Again, do your research before investing in any kind of new or trending style, as this may not be as desirable in the future. Any pieces inset with diamonds is always a great investment, as diamonds pretty steadily maintain their value.
Have a plan for selling your jewellery
Whether you’re planning to pass your jewellery down within the family or sell it in the future, you should be aware of the jewellery-selling process. You don’t want to end up having to walk into a pawnshop only to receive a significantly lower amount of money than you’re entitled to. Learn which outlets sell the type of jewellery you’re hoping to invest in and find out more about the process, so when the time comes, you’ll know exactly how to cash in.
Even if you’re not planning to sell your jewellery, it’s important to take all of these factors into consideration before dropping a lot of money on a piece. You want to make sure your money is well spent on a dope gold chain that’s going to last.
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I always look for the mark to say the grade of gold, I would never buy jewellery that's not stamped.
ReplyDeleteI am thankfully allergic to gold and most silver depending on the Nickel, but understanding the difference in Karat is quite important I think and it is something we don't learn much about x
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am always looking for interesting investment opportunities, especially in these days of ultra-low interest rates and stock market turmoil. Jewellery is definitely something I need to investigate further.
ReplyDelete