Designer Jewelry Buying Guidelines

• Make certain that the asking price for the piece fits within your budget.
  
  
• If this is a major purchase, have a written appraisal done by a certified gemologist at least once for your designer jewelry. Verbal appraisals are not honored by insurance companies as a statement of value.
  
  
• Make sure you understand clearly any return policies, and determine what exceptions exist. If you can, get this in writing.
  
  
• See if any guarantees - both length and condition - are included with the purchase of your designer jewelry. If possible, get this information in writing.
  
  
• If there are any moving parts, such as clasps and catches on pendants or bracelets, make sure they operate properly on the first try. Otherwise, you might be facing a costly repair down the road.
  
  
• Determine, if possible, the name and location of the manufacturer, along with the country of origin.
  
  
• ALWAYS get a receipt in writing, regardless the cost of your designer jewelry purchase.
  

Here are some helpful buying tips for designer jewelry with gemstones:

• Always check to see if the gem is natural, synthetic, or a simulant.
  
  
• Make sure that the metal of the piece is properly hallmarked: 22K, 18K, 14K, .925, 14K G-F
  
  
• If your piece of designer jewelry contains colored gemstones, make sure to check them for consistency and depth of color. If the item is set with several gemstones, also make sure that the colors of the various stones match.
  
  
• Determine the hardness of the gemstones used in the piece and make sure you understand any special handling and care required by the gemstone. Rhodocrhosite is a very popular and beautiful gemstone, but very soft (Mohs 4)and requires special care. If the piece under consideration is a bracelet or ring, stay away from soft gemstones, since bracelets and rings tend to have the most wear and tear. When considering rings, make sure that the setting protects the gemstone(s). Usually any gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 6 or more should do relatively well in most jewelry designs.
  
  
• Get a precise identification of the stone. Look for a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certification, when possible.
  
  
• Try to determine the grade of color and clarity of the gemstone. This is particularly important when buying designer jewelry set with diamonds.
  
  
• Examine all the gemstones closely to make sure that they are properly set, not loose, cracked, or flawed in any manner.
  
  
• Check the gemstone(s) for clarity and the presence of any obvious value detractors such as fractures, hazing, chips, or cracks.
  
  
• Determine the carat weight of the individual stone of the piece, especially if the piece being considered is a solitaire. If the piece has more that one stone, determine the total carat weight without the setting.