A diamond ring is a major investment, so there’s a lot to consider before you buy. Knowing what she likes, what proper certification is, and how the “Four Cs” work are all important things you need to know prior to making a purchase.
Her Style. If the proposal — and subsequently the ring — is going to be a surprise, you can get an idea of her tastes by studying the rings she already has. Are they delicate? Consider a micro-pavé band with a quality center stone. Does she favor silver over gold? Platinum or white gold metals have a silvery look. Her mother, sister, or close friend would probably be happy to steer you in the right direction, just be aware that there’s a chance they might have trouble keeping such a happy secret.
Certification. Certification is a printed report based on a gemological analysis of a specific stone, prepared in an independent laboratory by certified gemologists. It will state your diamond’s 4 Cs, as well as describe the diamond’s shape, measurements, table and depth percentages, and grade the polish and symmetry. It should also comment on characteristics like fluorescence, graining, and imperfections. Often, the certificate will estimate the replacement value of the stone for insurance purposes. Finally, the certificate should include a detailed sketch of the diamond. A certificate assures a diamond buyer of the quality and authenticity of their stone. Your diamond’s certification should come from a well know, reputable source, such as the American Gemological Society (AGS); Diamond High Council (Hoge Raad Voor Diamant; HRD); or European Gemological Laboratory (EGL).
The Four Cs. This is a term that you should be very familiar with before you put down a dime. It stands for Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight — the traits that determine the quality of a diamond. A diamond’s Cut affects how much light is reflected from the stone; the higher the rating, the more brilliant (and costly) the diamond. Most gemologists consider Cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect color and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will appear dull. Color is actually a measure of how little color the stone has, and the less color the better. Clarity determines how many flaws (a.k.a. inclusions) a diamond has, and how visible they are to the eye.Carat weight tells you the size of the stone, with the price rising with the weight.
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can begin shopping around for the right style, stone, and setting for the gift of a lifetime.
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Antique Jewelry Wholesale
Antique jewelry is typically very valuable, and purchasing such jewelry costs quite a bit of money. But then again, it is possible to buy antique jewelry wholesale as well – if you know where to look.
Most people think that online auctions, such as eBay is the way to go. While this is true occasionally, you will usually find that the seller knows the value of what they are selling, and the price is quite high. There are other ways to find antique jewelry at wholesale prices – or below.
Keep an eye on your newspaper for advertised estate sales and garage sales. Typically, at these sales, the people holding the sale really don’t know the value of what they have. You can literally purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of antique jewelry for just a few dollars on a typical Saturday morning.
It is important that you not look too closely at the jewelry when you are buying it. If the piece is valuable, you don’t want the seller to know how valuable it is! It isn’t your fault that they didn’t get it appraised – as you will as soon as you leave! Keep a straight face, keep your happiness and joy to yourself, and pay the fifty cents or two bucks that they want for the piece, get in your car and head to a trusted jeweler for an appraisal!
It is possible that the piece isn’t worth anything – but occasionally, you will stumble across some real finds! Even if the piece isn’t worth anything, if you make jewelry, you may be able to disassemble it for the parts.
Finding antique jewelry wholesale is very exciting. In fact, spending those Saturday mornings at the yard sales and estate sales may even become addicting! Yard sales and estate sales – especially estate sales where grandchildren are not interested in their grandma’s old ugly jewelry are the best sources for antique jewelry at wholesale prices – or below wholesale prices.
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some real find on eBay as well, so don’t discount it. Keep an eye on the jewelry categories, as well as the antique or vintage categories. When you do find something you want to bid on, make sure that the seller has a good reputation. If the piece is very expensive, use the escrow service that is recommended by eBay. Also talk to the seller quite a bit to be sure that you understand exactly what is being advertised!