Ten Shopping Tips for Buying Gold and Diamond Jewelry

Whether it's for you or a gift, investing in gold and diamond jewelry is a big decision. Cost is a consideration, but buyers also want the jewelry they purchase to be of good quality and worn with pride time and time again. When you're planning to buy gold and diamond jewelry, some research will go a long way towards ensuring that you get a good value for your money and are happy with your purchase. Here are ten tips that will help you make the right choice.

• Choose a reputable jeweler; if you don't have someone in mind, ask family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations, or consult a professional in the jewelry industry.
• Find out what type of paper certification should accompany the piece you're considering, and make sure it comes with the jewelry. Make sure the jewelry you buy is marked with the manufacturer's trademark.
• Remember the four Cs - color, cut, clarity, and carats - when purchasing diamonds. These characteristics might not be the main reason you choose one piece over another, but they are good guidelines when assessing overall quality.
• Keep in mind that the carat weight of diamonds refers to the amount in the entire piece. A one-carat diamond solitaire ring or pendant is much rarer, and much more expensive, than a one-carat total weight necklace or tennis bracelet.

• Check out a variety of diamond shapes, especially if you're purchasing the piece for someone else. For example, most women have a specific shape in mind when they visualize their diamond engagement rings. Ask the recipient's family and friends for inside information on her or his preferences.
• White (clear) diamonds are the most popular, but diamonds are available in many colors (this is separate from the concept of "color" in the four Cs). If you or the person you are buying for like to follow the trends, consider pink, yellow, brown, or black diamonds.
• Another way to personalize jewelry, whether it's for you or will be gifted to someone else, is to select a gold and diamond piece that features a gemstone. Many people have their favorites based on color; if not, a birthstone is usually a safe choice. Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one birthstone for each month, so you'll still have options. For example, July's birthstones are ruby, sapphire, and onyx.

• Familiarize yourself with the karat (K) measurement so you can properly evaluate gold. Fourteen karat gold is standard in the US, but you can purchase gold that is anywhere from 10K to 22K; the tone of the gold will differ depending on the karat weight. (Solid gold is too soft to be used to make jewelry; it's the mixture of gold with base metals that helps it keep its shape.) Look for the karat mark to confirm the amount of gold in the piece. If you purchase gold jewelry from outside the US, familiarize yourself with their measurements and marks before going shopping.
• When you evaluate the price of a jewelry piece, consider design and construction as well as the above factors. The more handwork there is, the more unique the piece and the higher the price. Intricate, lightweight pieces are usually machine-made; they are also quite beautiful and are more affordable than handcrafted jewelry. Whether the piece is delicate or heavy, make sure the clasps are secure and that there is a safety catch so you don't lose your jewelry.
• Research gold and diamond jewelry online too, but make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Two jewelry pieces may be similar in design but of different quality and/or size, and sometimes it's hard to tell from a photograph.