Gems Log

If this Christmas you plan on buying an engagement ring or a piece of jewelry for the first time, there are a few things you should know before stepping up to a glass-enclosed counter, experts say.

Terri Hurley, owner of Bo’s Jewelry and Pawn Shop in Sikeston, said she’s been showing lots of wedding sets and engagement bands this month.

“It’s a time of year people tend to upgrade (their jewelry) as well as get engaged, and diamonds are a neat Christmas gift,” Hurley said.

According to Conde Nast American Wedding Study, 15 percent of engagements happen in December, making the month one of the busiest of the year for jewelry shoppers.

“This is really a busy time of year for jewelry retailers, with a lot of first-time buyers making big purchases, but it can go much more smoothly if the consumer is well educated about the process,” said Susan Eisen, an accredited senior appraiser and master gemologist appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, in a news release.

Tami Heavener, supervisor of fine jewelry at JC Penney in Sikeston, said she’s also witnessed a surge in ring purchases this month.

“We have had several men come in and say they want an engagement ring but have no clue what size, whether they want white gold or yellow gold or solitaire or clusters,” Heavener said.

Have a dollar amount in mind, Heavener said. Don’t wait until Christmas Eve to purchase a ring.

Think unique, said Sam Thomas, owner of Sam’s Fine Jewelry in Sikeston. “Don’t buy something that they made 10,000 of it,” Thomas said. “… When you go to buy the stone, you need to speak to someone who has the knowledge on jewelry.”

In addition to rings, lots of gold earrings and bracelets are being purchased for women this Christmas, Heavener said.

“We do have women who buy a lot of chains and bracelets for guys this time of year,” Heavener said.

Heavener also suggested taking advantage of care and insurance plans offered by jewelers.

“It’s a wonderful thing. If you lose a diamond, you send it in and get it replaced,” Heavener said. “… It’s really worth it.”

Hurley said someone shopping for jewelry doesn’t necessarily have to be educated about diamonds or gold.

“I think if they know what they want, that’s good enough. As a salesperson, you have to be willing to let them know all the ins and outs. You need to help them so they’re not making a guess, but a decision,” said Hurley who has worked in the fine jewelry business for 20 years.

Some men do know what they want and some don’t, Hurley said, adding a larger percentage of men know which color and which gold they want.

“I had a gentleman come in today wanting diamond earrings. He knew the size he wanted, and he wanted a princess cut,” Hurley said. “… Let them become comfortable with you, then they will open up and it’s easier to help them.”

Some men like to surprise, and some women like to be surprised, Hurley said. “Some women would be happy with whatever their husband or boyfriend brought to them,” Hurley said.

Jewelry-buying tips

Know what quality of stone you are buying. All stones should carry documentation about any treatment the stone has received to improve its appearance. Most expensive diamonds are sold with a grading report noting the quality of the stone. For diamonds, look for a report from an independent lab like the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society. If the diamond you are considering doesn’t have a report, then you should get one. However, the grading report will not tell you the value; you need an appraisal for that. Colored stones seldom carry an independent grading report and should also be appraised.

Know the value of what you are buying. To understand the value of jewelry, consumers need to get an appraisal. Even before you go shopping, an appraiser can help you get the best value for your money and can give advice as to what styles best hold their value over time. Most reputable jewelers will let you borrow the jewelry to take them to an appraiser. Some require that you purchase the item and then allow you a period in which you can have it appraised and return it for a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Be sure to ask about a store’s refund/exchange policy in case you have to return the item for any reason.

Choose an accredited appraiser with professional credentials. The appraisal should be done for a set fee, not for a percentage of the value of the property — that’s unethical. “When making a fine jewelry purchase, make sure you understand the return policy, have a thorough description of the item written on your receipt and get it appraised right away,” said Martin Fuller, ASA, master gemologist appraiser, in a release. “An appraisal at the time of purchase will give you confidence and peace of mind, as well as documented evidence if the item is ever lost, damaged or if you want to sell it.

Tips for buying exclusive jewelry

Buying jewelry is something that is liked very much by women all over the world. However, there are quite a few points that have to be remembered while purchasing jewelry. Jewelry is usually made from materials like gold, silver, platinum, glass, and precious gems like pearl, diamond, etc. Again, jewelry is either standard design or custom-made exclusive jewelry. Further, there are various types of ornaments like earrings, nose rings, neckwear, bangles, bracelets, anklewear, rings, etc. Since jewelry is a statement by a woman, it is always better to opt for exclusive jewelry.

Exclusive jewelry should be selected in such a manner that it accentuates the dress and the personality of the woman. The exclusive jewelry should be highly feminine and at the same time be bold, exotic, mysterious, and individualistic. Exclusive jewelry should possess excellent craftsmanship and should also be affordable. Moreover, exclusive jewelry could be either contemporary or represent a period or a culture, like Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Belgian, Italian, Asian, Indian, etc.

Gold is the most common jewelry material. For centuries, jewelry lovers and designers had equally preferred the yellow luster and the ease of working of gold into several shapes. Pure gold is normally not used but always mixed with silver or copper to increase the strength of the exclusive jewelry and to make them more durable. Gold is measured in karat. 100% pure gold is termed as 24 carat, while 18 carat is 75% gold and 14 carat is 58% gold. Platinum exclusive jewelry is highly expensive, since it is about thirty-five times rare compared to gold. However, platinum exclusive jewelry does not tarnish or fade.

It would be better to have knowledge of the precious and semi precious gems and stones before buying exclusive jewelry. Amber is formed normally from fossilized sticky resin that comes from ancient pine trees. Emerald is obtained mineral deposits and is a green gemstone. Jade is available in two types, Jadeite and Nephrite. Jade is one the hardest of gems and could be carved into various forms and sizes. Nephrite is normally green, while Jadeite is available in red, blue, green and black. Lapis Lazuli is normally blue, but sometimes could have green or violet tints. The blueness comes from the sulphur that is present in the stone. Onyx is mostly black. Pears are either from freshwater pearl oysters or cultured. Nearly 95% of available pears are of the cultured type.

Women should also know the maintenance of exclusive jewelry to avoid it getting dirty. Generally, the oils from our skin and other beauty products like lotions that are applied on the skin tarnish exclusive jewelry. However, you could use warm water containing a little dishwashing liquid to clean most of the exclusive jewelry. Soaking for a considerable time in hot soap solution is also a good practice before cleaning with hand or using a fine brush. Finally, the exclusive jewelry should be rinsed in cold water and dried with a soft cloth. However, pearl and coral should not be soaked. Jewelry of various types should be kept in separate boxes designed specially for each item.