Gold is one of the most treasured metals and has always been on top of our list whenever we think of investing in good jewelry. It doesn’t just possess ornamental worth but is also a great asset that can withstand the test of time. Unlike other accessories, gold jewelry increases in value; hence gold jewelry is a wonderful investment for everyone. There are so many interesting things to learn about gold, but we will embark on the basics first, and that is how to buy gold jewelry. 

How to Buy Gold Jewelry

Gold jewelry has fascinated so many people. We wear it during special occasions, festivities, and even regular days. Gold is versatile. Thus, it is widely used by many, regardless of age and gender. And when it comes to purchasing gold, we need to know what to buy and how to buy it.

So, to help you get informed, we have curated several tips for you. 

Is It Practical to Buy Gold Jewelry?

A lot of people often purchase gold to show off as a sign of wealth and riches. Others buy gold to pawn them off should the need arise, while others get it as a gift for loved ones. However, every smart investor knows that the market is dynamic and changes so often. Hence, it could be quite difficult to assess an asset’s value relative to its prior performance. 

Nevertheless, gold has been proven to be a reliable asset for most collectors. Numerous people purchase gold jewelry to possess a physical asset that gives them a sense of security. So, yes, it is practical to buy gold jewelry. For the longest time, it has been regarded as a safe investment that you can often wear and sell once gold prices go up. Buying one single piece of genuine gold jewelry is much more practical than buying a thousand pieces of fake jewelry accessories. 

How Do You Buy Gold in A Shop?

Now that we already know the usefulness and practicality of purchasing gold jewelry, the next area of concern is how to buy one. The primary and most important question to ask is, “what should I look for when buying gold?” With your money at stake, it is crucial that you know how to buy gold before actually buying one. Here are some points to consider:

Purity

You must first know the different purity levels of gold because its purity has drastic effects on the gold jewelry’s durability and price. And purity can be determined through “karats.” You can choose from the popular 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, and 10k. 24k is equal to 99%-100% pure gold, 22k is equal to 91.6%, 18k is equal to 75%, 14k is equal to 58.3%, and 10k is equal to 41.7% gold only. Checking its hallmark is another way of checking gold’s purity, most genuine gold jewelry is hallmarked.  

Always refer to a gold purity chart to make sure of the authenticity of  your purchase.
Source: Abbot & Rinehart JewelersGenerally, a gold’s value is proportional to its purity. Obviously, the purer the gold, the higher its value. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to buy the purest form all the time. So, what is the best type of gold to buy? Since 24k gold pieces are very soft and malleable, you can best wear them on special occasions. If you want jewelry that you can wear on a daily basis, you may opt for the 10-14 karats, as they are made of gold mixed with other metals that could make them stronger.  

Alloys and Colors

As mentioned, only 24k gold is pure gold, the others are mixed with other metals. Hence, you must also look into the alloys before buying gold jewelry to prevent the risk of allergies. Some people have strong allergic reaction to certain metals, and this is something you want to avoid should you want to flaunt your investment pieces. 

Another aspect to consider is the color. Gold is commonly known to be yellow. However, gold jewelry also come in two other varieties—white gold and rose gold. White gold is much brighter than silver and is made of gold plus, white metals, such as nickel and palladium. Some pieces incorporate both yellow and white gold, known as two-toned. Furthermore, in recent years, rose gold has come into the limelight and become an engagement ring fad! Rose gold has a blush pink hue that is achieved by mixing gold with copper. 

Check out this Diamond Nexus review.

Price

A jewelry’s price is based on the gold’s purity level as well as the alloys it is mixed with. Also, the cost of labor might affect the price. Commonly, white and rose gold jewelry are much more costly as opposed to yellow gold since white and rose gold require more effort to produce. Some gold jewelry are also machine-made, so they cost more.

Make sure to compare prices before buying gold jewelry. Other shops charge per gram, and the value of the gram varies from seller to seller. Some shops sell the same jewelry at a much lesser price. So, make sure to consider this aspect too. 

Weight

Before paying for your chosen gold jewelry, you must first check the weight. As mentioned above, the weight of the jewelry also has an effect on its price. For example, a jewelry shop charges $55 per gram. If you want a 3-gram ring, then you will be charged ($55 x 3 =) $165. 

It also pays to check whether the jewelry has stones as the weight of the stones can affect the overall weight of the jewelry. Some banks and pawnshops prefer plain gold jewelry pieces over ones with stones. 

Reputation

 

Buy your gold jewelry wisely, and what better way to do this than to buy from a reputable shop or jeweler. The best and easiest way to do this is to purchase from known shops, such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc. You can never go wrong when purchasing your jewelry from shops with a solid reputation as reliable dealers with superb quality. 

You may want to read this intensive Tiffany & Co review.

However, if you’re on a budget, you may look for independent dealers. Make sure to do a background check before closing the deal. You may also look for reviews online about the dealers and check their certificates and business permits. Take your time in sourcing the best and most reliable seller. 

How Can I Be Sure of My Purchase?

You should clear your doubts and be certain of your purchase. This entails vigilance on your part, especially when dealing with independent sellers. Here’s how you can be sure of your purchase:

Hire Another Appraiser

Do not automatically trust the appraisal of the dealer. You may want to do this, particularly when your jewelry isn’t hallmarked. Although almost all real gold will have hallmarks, it doesn’t hurt to ask for opinions from external experts. 

Ask for Warranty

Always ask for a warranty, especially if you purchased a high-risk or expensive jewelry piece. Most credible and known jewelers offer warranties to back the quality of their pieces. The warranty might be a slight additional expense on your part, but it’s worth protecting your investment. 

How Do I Take Care of My Jewelry?

Once you have bought your jewelry, the next most important thing is to take care of it since it is your asset. If you don’t know how to take good care of it, then you’re pouring your money down the drain. To care for your jewelry, take note of these important reminders:

Do’s and Don’ts: 

• Be mindful of the usage frequency. High-karat gold jewelry must be seldom used as they are soft and may break easily. Pure gold is too valuable to be worn on a daily basis. Reserve them for special occasions. 
• Remove your jewelry before engaging in rigid activities such as swimming, gardening, painting, or cleaning. Harmful substances may be present in soap and paint, and these substances may affect your gold jewelry. Friction and stress may also leave scratches on the jewelry piece, so you may want to avoid that too. 
• Don’t wear your jewelry in the pool or beach. Before going for a dip, make sure to remove whatever jewelry you are wearing as chlorine and salt may affect its physical property. Also, it will be difficult for you to look for tiny jewelry in a vast body of water in case it comes loose, so better safe than sorry. 
• Clean your jewelry regularly. There are different ways to clean your jewelry depending on the intensity you desire. You don’t have to do this every single day. The best thing you can do with your jewelry daily is to wipe it with a soft, thin cloth to remove any dust, dirt, and oil. 
• Lastly, store your jewelry properly. To do this, you may buy a jewelry box available in most jewelry stores. Jewelry boxes are soft inside and have specific compartments for rings, earrings, and pendants. For bracelets and necklaces, you may buy a stand or hang them in a safe place where they won’t get tangled. 

How Do I Clean My Gold Jewelry?

You don’t have to clean your jewelry every day because this can also be harmful to them. So, how do you safely do it? Here are some useful tips:

Cleaning Tip 1: 

Occasionally buff your jewelry with a soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt. Soft buffing will avoid any dirt and oil buildup, especially on the locks of your earrings, as this part tends to get dirty and stinky. 

Cleaning Tip 2: 

Wash your jewelry using liquid detergent and warm water. To do this, you have to fill a container with liquid detergent and soak your jewelry for a maximum of 15 minutes. For jewelry with intricate patterns and deep crevices, use a Q-tip and soft brush to get rid of the dirt and grime. When you’re done, wash the jewelry with warm water and wipe it with a thin cloth.

Cleaning Tip 3: 

For deep cleaning, you may do this every three months. You must not deep clean every month to avoid harmful chemicals from wearing out your gold jewelry. To do a deep clean, you must soak your jewelry in a cleaning solution for at least three hours. Cleaning solutions for jewelry are available in some jewelry shops. Next, check if the solution is suitable for jewelry with precious stones. Then, clean the crevices with a Q-tip or soft brush. Once done, wash the jewelry with warm water and pat it dry using a soft cloth. 

Where Can I Buy Real Gold Jewelry?

There are so many places to buy real gold jewelry. A simple Google search will enable you to locate the different physical and online jewelry stores. But if you do not have the luxury of time to check out physical jewelry stores, then online stores are your best option. So, the question is: where to buy real gold jewelry online? Here are some of the most reliable online jewelry stores. 

• Tiffany & Co. 
• Cartier
• Van Cleef & Arpels
• Chanel
• SuperJeweler
• James Allen
• Blue Nile
• Jewelry.com
• World Jewels
• Baublebar
• Ice Trends

Remember, do not be impatient and impulsive with your purchase. Always check the dealer before buying your gold jewelry. The online stores listed here are some of the most reliable shops around, so you may choose from the list. 

Should I Invest in Gold Jewelry?

Definitely! Gold is more than just a fashion accessory. Although money isn’t backed by gold anymore, you can still sell your gold jewelry once its value goes up. Hence, the best time to buy gold jewelry is when gold’s value is low, and the best time to sell them is when the value increases. With gold jewelry, you’re not just making yourself look pretty and elegant, you are also collecting your physical assets. 

Now that you know how to buy gold jewelry, you may want to check out our article on “13 Independent Jewelry Brands In The US: Jewelers For Empowered Women.”