Gold Metal History

Gold was among the first metals to be mined because it commonly occurs in its native form, that is, not combined with other elements, because it is beautiful and imperishable, and because exquisite objects can be made from it. Artisans of ancient civilizations used gold lavishly in decorating tombs and temples, and gold objects made more than 5,000 years ago have been found in Egypt. Pure (100%) gold is too soft, and it is usually mixed with other metals (gold alloys) to make it stronger and more usable for jewelry.

F.Stadtmuller / Products / General Buying Guide

A piece of jewelry made with precious metals and gemstones is an instant heirloom, whether it's a gift or purchased for one's self. The recent explosion of e-commerce means that jewelry buyers are confronted with more options and pitfalls than ever before. Shoppers should know that the laws that apply to shopping in a bricks and mortar retail store also apply to the Internet.

"Consumers who fortify themselves with information and who take common sense precautions will find the jewelry shopping experience to be an enjoyable one," says the Jewelry Information CenterThe Jewelry Information Center (JIC) is the public relations arm for the entire fine jewelry and watch industry. (Click to open a new window to their site), a nonprofit trade association based in New York City. "The key to buying fine jewelry is where one shops. Trust in the jeweler and/or the venue is vital."

The following are some tips from the JIC:

Buy from someone you trust

Shop from a well-established professional jeweler. Ask a friend for a recommendation just as you would for a doctor, or check with the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Look for a jeweler who is affiliated with a professional trade association, such as Jewelers of AmericaJewelers of America (JA) is the national association for the retail jeweler, with more than 11,000 members nationwide. Part of JA's mission is to provide consumers with information and education about fine jewelry. (Click to open a new window to their site), that requires high ethical standards of its members and provides them with ongoing education. Look for a sticker on the door or a certificate on the wall. If you don't see one, ask. Get an itemized receipt and the return policy in writing.

Buying on the Web

First, only shop on Web sites that list a phone number, address and/or "Contact Us" e-mail option. For on-line purchases, always use a credit card rather than a debit card. This way, if anything does go wrong, no money has actually left your account, and you have a greater chance of having recourse. Look for a liberal return policy with a full refund. Be sure to note the window of time in which the jewelry may be returned! This can sometimes be hidden in tiny print. Ask for the original packaging and an itemized receipt. When buying diamonds, ask for a grading report from an independent gemological laboratory. With regard to buying watches on-line, be aware that some manufacturers' warrantees won't be considered valid if the watch was not purchased at an authorized dealer. It's a good idea to check out the watch manufacturer's site first, which will direct you to authorized e-commerce sites.

Don't be dazzled by discounts

If a venue is routinely offering unbelievable discounts of 50% or more, the sale is probably just that--unbelievable. Savvy shoppers may find that the "drastic discount" price is actually the normal retail price elsewhere.

Ask about the quality mark and registered trademark

With gold jewelry, the karat mark or quality mark indicates the purity of the piece: "14K" means 58.3% pure gold; "18K," 75% pure. In other words, in a piece of 14k gold jewelry, 14 of its 24 parts are pure gold; the other 10 are alloy, which could be any number of different metals, added for strength and sometimes to change the color (to rose gold, white gold, etc.) Platinum - the hardest and most rare metal - is most often marked "PLAT" or "950 PLAT." Sterling silver pieces are usually stamped "925." For pieces manufactured in the U.S., if the quality mark appears, the piece is required by federal law to also be stamped with the manufacturer's trademark, which ensures that the manufacturer stands behind the authenticity of the piece.

When buying gemstones, find out if the stone has been treated in any way to improve its beauty

Gem treatments such as oiling and heating are accepted industry practices. However, FTC guidelines require that these treatments be disclosed to the buyer because they may affect the care and cleaning of the stone. Exercise your rights and be informed.

When buying diamonds, look for the 4 C's

They are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Cut is arguably the most important, because a skillful cut is what will unleash the fire and brilliance in a diamond. Cut, which refers to the faceting, is not to be confused with shape - such as marquise, oval, princess (square), etc. With regard to color, grading begins at D; the deeper into the alphabet one goes, the poorer the color. In a store, ask to see loose diamonds on a sheet of pure white paper and note any contrast, which of course is undesirable. Clarity refers to the presence of - or lack of - imperfections such as bubbles, spots or lines called inclusions. Clarity is graded on a scale ranging from flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect (I).

Cultured pearls

Look for surface cleanliness: an absence of any scarring or pitting. Also important is the pearls' lustre: they should be glowing with iridescence, not chalky or dull. When purchasing a strand of cultured pearls, be sure there is a knot between each pearl. This insures that if the strand breaks, the pearls won't skitter across the floor. In addition, the knots keep the pearls from rubbing against each other. Before you purchase, check to see that the pearls are well matched in color and lustre, and that they graduate gracefully in size, growing smaller toward the clasp. Roll the strand of pearls on a flat counter top to be sure they don't wobble; this will tell you that the pearls have been drilled exactly through their centers and that they will lay beautifully around one's neck.

Fine jewelry is unlike any other purchase. Jewelry that is wisely bought and well cared for will be treasured for generations to come.