Have you ever tried to march into a jewelry store, wanting to buy a piece but you have no idea about what to do?
Don’t worry – you’re not actually alone. In fact, most first time jewelry buyers end up not even checking a piece’s price due to the fact that they easily get intimidated about how much information one should know when they’re looking to purchase jewelry.
So whether you’re looking to buy an engagement ring or just a casual gift for your mom, you should definitely know what you need to look for in a piece before you march inside a store.
Here’s an infographic made by Brilliance.com that can help you get started in doing your own research. This infographic contains a couple of helpful tips about how to get your hands on an amazing piece of jewelry without being scammed, or breaking the bank. Do read on!
If you want to invest your money in something that can give you great returns, then why not try investing your money in silver?
You can purchase silver in the form of coins, bars, and bullions, and you can even invest your money in silver jewelry.
Now, the best thing about investing in silver jewelry is that you can even wear them. Their distinctive shimmer is sure to add glamour to your look.
Where can you buy silver jewelry?
The best way to buy silver jewelry is to visit your local jewelry store, of course. You could also try your local pawnshop as well as local silver auction houses. The choices that will be given to you are many; however, they will be limited by the design of the silver jewelry maker and the store's inventory.
If you want more designs, especially intricate and complicated ones, then you can try purchasing silver jewelry online. The best thing about buying your silver jewelry online is that you will be given tons of silver jewelry collections to choose from. They also come in sets, making your silver jewelry collection more valuable. However, buying silver jewelry online has its risks, an example of which is purchasing fake silver jewelry.
Online Buying Tips
You should be very careful when purchasing silver jewelry online because there are many bogus sellers out there. For this reason, here are some valuable tips on how to safely and wisely buy silver jewelry online.
First, you have to choose the seller wisely. This means checking his online reputation as well as off line. Online, you will get to read reviews made about the seller; and off line, you will get to hear about him from other silver jewelry dealers. If you are going to purchase them at online auction sites or online buy-and-sell sites, then be sure to check the seller feedback. You need to make sure that the customer satisfaction rating is high and that the seller really is primarily dealing in silver jewelry.
Two, you should always ask the seller if the silver he is selling has a 92.5% purity. What this basically means is that the jewelry is made up of 92.5% pure silver, while the remaining percentage is composed of other types of metal alloys that give form to the silver jewelry. Always look for the 925 marking on the jewelry, which is commonly located on the clasp.
Three, you should also ask the seller if the silver jewelry was machine crafted or hand crafted. Hand crafted silver jewelry commands a higher price than machine crafted ones, particularly since the details of hand crafted silver jewelry are much more refined, more intricate and complex, and more detailed than the latter; thus, the higher price. Machine crafted silver jewelry are, more often than not, mass produced, so it is cheaper.
Four, when it comes to the online seller himself, you should stay away from sellers that give vague answers to your questions. A reputable and trustworthy silver jewelry dealer will always be able to answer any questions his clients may have regarding the piece, including the origin of the jewelry, the creator of the jewelry, or the style of the silver jewelry.
Jennifer di Martino is a freelance writer who specializes in precious metal and silver investments. She is a regular contributor to URC, a site where you can purchase gold and silver.
Gold is at record highs, in terms of the euro currency. This is a according to Larry Edelson who is a financial analyst specializing in international macro-economics, and the precious metals and natural resources markets. He says what is happening to gold in Europe is a preview of what gold is going to soon do in terms of the U.S. dollar as well, as the severity of the debt crisis starts to be realized around the world. Paper currencies are devaluing, and investors are making a move to hard assets.
And it’s happening in Africa as well; Burkina Faso more than doubled its gold production in 2009, reaching more than 11 tons. They currently has five gold mines in production, which have created over 1350 jobs. Two new mines are expected to start production in 2010, and mining companies from Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Russia have acquired mining rights.
