Buying Gold and Gemstone Jewelry: The Heart of the Matter
If you're
planning a gift of gold or gemstone jewelry for your sweetheart, take some time to learn
the terms used in the industry. Start with the basics. Carats and karats. What's the
difference? Simply put, a carat is a unit of weight for gemstones, including diamonds; a
karat is a unit for measuring the purity of gold.
Gold
The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece
of jewelry. For example, 24 karat (24K) gold has more gold content than 14K gold. But
because 24K gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness
and durability; 14K jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts
of base metal.
There's a big difference between karat-gold and gold-plated jewelry. Gold-plated
describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating
eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating
is.
Gemstones
Gemstones can be naturally mined, laboratory-created or imitation. Stones
created in a lab look identical to stones mined from the earth. The big difference is in
the cost - laboratory-created stones are less expensive than naturally mined stones. But
because they look just like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as
lab-created. Imitation stones resemble naturally mined stones but are not identical and
are usually made of glass or plastic. Imitation stones must be identified as imitation. If
you are purchasing a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone
treatments - such as heating, dyeing or bleaching - can improve a stone's appearance or
durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements.
Treatments also may affect the stone's value.
Diamonds
When you're buying a diamond, consider four criteria, often referred to as "the
4C's" - cut, color, clarity and carat
weight. Each factor affects the price.
Cut not only refers to the shape of the diamond, but also to the size,
angle, uniformity and polish of the facets.
Color is sometimes "graded" on a scale. However, scales are
not uniform: a "D" may be the best color for one scale, but not for another.
Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represents the color of the diamond
you're considering.
Clarity refers to the presence or absence of internal flaws, called
inclusions, that occur naturally within the stone, or to external blemishes, such as
scratches or chips. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no
visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by
a skilled diamond grader.
Carat weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a
carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate
to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond
that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions
and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as
½ carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional
parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact,
and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.
A Jewelry Shopper's Checklist
Once you're ready to buy jewelry, shop around. Compare quality, price and
service. If you're not familiar with jewelers in your area, ask family members, friends
and co-workers for recommendations. Also, when ordering
online and you've never heard of the seller, check on its reputation with
the Better Business Bureau or the state attorney general's office. You also should:
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Ask for the store's refund and return policy before you buy.
When ordering online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about
the transaction, including refund and return policies in case you're not
satisfied.
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Check for the appropriate markings on gold jewelry.
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Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation.
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Ask if the gemstone has been treated. Is the change permanent? Is special care required?
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Make sure the jeweler writes on the sales receipt any information you rely on when you
make your purchase, such as the gemstone's weight or size. Some jewelers also may supply a
grading report from a gemological laboratory.
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