Whether you like adorning yourself with fanciful accessories, you collect as a hobby, you need an extra oomph for an event, or you are shopping for a present that can last for ages, jewelry is one of the best things you can go for. Of course, opting for the real deal that stands the test of time means making a significant investment that should not go to waste on a fraudulent product. Unfortunately, there are too many ill-intentioned individuals as well as standard shops that lack the communication to note that they aren’t dealing with the prime materials.
To make sure you’re getting the beautiful trinkets you seek out, make sure you do these things before taking out your card and shopping:
Check the reliability of the jewelry shop.
A credible jeweler will have the necessary certification to prove that they are reliable as a seller and that they carry only fine-crafted goods made with skill. For that, you may need to ask the clerk or do your research by looking up a jewelry shop you’re eyeing. While hobby and craft stores also sell accessories, higher-end lines that deal with precious stones and metals will likely be a part of a jeweler’s association.
If you’ve spotted a shop as you’re strolling or canvassing, you can also get a good initial idea by scouting out the aesthetics of the storefront. From their outdoor signs to their window display, you can see how much care they put into their brand and if they carry an excellent standard. It may also do you good to check out their online catalog and see if they have a platform with feedback from clients.
Know your stones and metals
In the end, it also takes the right eye and some knowledge on how you can test specific stones and metals for their realness. Of course, there are so many to choose from, so make sure you have an idea of what you’re looking for so that you know what checks you have to make.
To cover some of the most popular choices, for gold, you first should check the weight based on the karat and even drop it in water (it should sink). For both gold and silver, you can also use a magnet, as the real thing would not get magnetized. Longer-term tests can also check acidic reactions. For gems, it can be a little trickier to base off looks since synthetic stones are created to mimic the looks of the real thing. You could be paying a premium for faux jewels if you’re not careful. For diamonds, a suitable way to check is to breathe on it so that it fogs up. A real one will clear up fast, but fakes will take a few seconds longer. You can also check if the jeweler has a scale for precious stones.
Ask about returns and exchanges.
Though specifics on this differ per store since these are expensive products you’re dealing with, you should still ask about this policy so that you know how transparent and trustworthy the jewelry shop is. Providing a decent amount of time for returns can also be a sign of excellent customer care and confidence in their line. That could also be an essential factor if you’re still unsure about your purchase. It can give you some time to conduct more tests in your home (as long as you don’t do damage that makes it unreturnable) to check the legitimacy of your newly bought jewelry.
With these in mind, you can feel safer and make well-informed decisions with your jewelry shopping. You won’t have to find it challenging to get those precious gems you want to have.
