The best information found about purchasing jewelry came from Consumer Reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and About.com. All of these sites were very objective in what to look for when making jewelry purchases. The best site is determined for each individual by which item or product they intend to purchase.
For diamonds the warning was to not get “bling-boozled.” As a consumer you need to be aware of the 4 C’s of purchasing diamonds—cut, color, clarity, and carat. Each of these C’s contribute to the cost and sacrifices in any area may lead to a reduction in price. As a consumer you are encouraged to buy from a certified gemologist, warned against purchasing diamonds online, and told that chain stores are likely to be cheaper with the tradeoff of less knowledgeable salespeople. These are a few basics in diamond purchasing.
The FTC provided succinct, valuable information about purchasing gold, platinum, silver and other metals, gemstones, diamonds and pearls. Another useful tool they provided was a jewelry shopper’s checklist. On this checklist it tells us to find out the store’s return policy before you make a purchase, check for the appropriate markings on metal jewelry, ask whether the metals are natural, cultured, or imitation, ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation, ask if the gemstone has been treated in any way and if that treatment is permanent or if special care is required, as well as many other insightful questions and items to be aware of.
About.com provided information on purchasing gold. As a consumer you need to understand gold terminology and European and other markings on gold jewelry. Gold may be mixed with other metals, or used as a coating. All of these are factors to take into account when deciding to purchase gold.
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