There are many reasons to love gemstone jewelry—not that you need a reason! For one thing, there’s the beauty. Gemstones are simply breathtaking to look at, both for you and for the people admiring your jewelry. Then there’s the variety.
Gemstone jewelry is available in a wide range of colorful stones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds and more. And finally, it just feels good to wear something that is rare and unique. If you buy emerald jewelry, there may be other similar items, but the actual stones in your jewelry are one-of-a-kind gifts from nature.
How To Buy Gemstone Jewelry
So, there are many benefits of owning gemstone jewelry. But, to enjoy them, you need to be sure you pick the right piece. How do you do that? What is the best way to buy gemstone jewelry?
Tips For Buying Gemstone Jewelry
If you love gemstone jewelry, it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of a piece and make an impulse purchase that you later regret. We have all been there! You’ve got an event to attend in a few weeks, it would be great to have a new statement piece to wear, and then suddenly it seems that the perfect gemstone ring, earrings, or necklace is right in front of you, and you think, “It’s meant to be!” Maybe… but maybe not.
Even when it seems like fate has handed you the ideal piece, it’s important to do your homework. Our gemologists have put together a list of handy tricks to help you make an informed decision when you buy gemstone jewelry.
- Emerald jewelry: Avoid oil treated emeralds. Cedar oil is an artificial treatment used to improve the clarity and color of the stone. However, this is not a permanent treatment and will eventually wear off.
- Ruby jewelry: The best quality rubies are Burmese, pigeon blood red and non heat treated. However most rubies are heat treated so minor indications of heat treatment are not an issue and should not be a deterrent.
- Sapphire jewelry: Burma and Kashmir are the best origins for sapphires and deep blue is the ideal color.
- Certificates: Especially if you are buying gemstone jewelry with large stones, you should consider purchasing from a brand such as Tiffany or Cartier, where you know the stone is of excellent quality or buying a stone that has been certified by a laboratory.
Here are some additional questions to ask yourself as you shop for gemstone jewelry:
- Is it the right shape? This is important for two reasons. First, of course you want the piece to look good on you. Does it work with the length of your fingers, the shape of your ears, etc.? And, does it go well with the other pieces in your collection? Second, it is important to note that gemstones are more easily abraded than diamonds. So, does the shape of a piece make it more likely to get damaged as you wear it?
- Is it the right carat weight? This relates to the size of the centre stone. Do you have a size in mind for the piece you purchase? An item that is too big or too small will likely spend much of its time in your jewelry box.
- Has the stone been treated? Gemstones can be modified in many ways. For example, they can be bleached or dyed, and they can have coatings applied or cavities filled. It is important to know if any treatments have been performed on a gemstone you are considering purchasing as it can affect everything from the durability of the stone to its resale value. While treated gemstones are typically more affordable, it is important to know if these treatments are temporary or permanent.
- Is the stone synthetic? Synthetic gemstones do a good job of mimicking the look of a natural gemstones. However, they are still artificial and that can affect how they look, how well they hold up over time, and how much you can resell them for. It should also affect your purchase price, in that a synthetic gemstone should cost less than a natural gemstone.
Gemstone Jewelry Selection: What’s at Stake
It’s important that you keep the tips above in mind when you buy gemstone jewelry. Why? Because you will likely have the piece you purchase for many years to come and nothing feels worse than making a hasty decision and then letting jewelry gather dust because it just doesn’t look the way you thought it did. The color isn’t quite right for your skin tone or your wardrobe. It’s too large or too small. The shape really doesn’t appeal to you. You definitely don’t want to regret your purchase decision.
Knowing How To Buy Gemstone Jewelry Makes The Process More Fun!
Knowing what you are looking for protects you from making poor purchase decisions. But there is another reason to be a well-informed consumer: understanding what to look for in gemstone jewelry simply makes shopping more fun! Because you are coming into the process with confidence, you can relax and enjoy viewing all the beautiful pieces.
Where To Buy Gemstone Jewelry?
Now that you have given some thought to what you are looking for, why not browse our array of stunning gemstone jewelry! We have a wide choice of ruby, emerald, sapphire, citrine, tanzanite (and much more!) jewelry. Our gemstone jewelry selection includes pieces from brands such as Tiffany, Cartier and David Yurman.
Enjoy up to 80% off retail on both new and pre-owned items. Our team of GIA trained gemologists have authenticated every gemstone and item of gemstone jewelry, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you are buying genuine gemstone jewelry at unbeatable prices.
