Precious stones have been enchanting people for thousands of years. It is even possible that for as long as humans have been around we have been donning the shiny and colourful objects that we’ve found. Well, at least some of us have – those of us with the resources to buy them.
Gemstones are rare, difficult to extract, and it takes real skill and craftsmanship to shape them into something wearable. The retailers who sell them expect to make a profit too. The high prices of jewellery reflect all of these factors. However, it is perfectly possible to knock jewellery prices down if you equip yourself with just a little more knowledge about the subject than the average consumer.
This short guide offers some of that knowledge in the form of a few handy tips and tricks which can help you make significant savings when it comes to buying jewellery.
Choose the right shape
We all know that the type and quality of a gemstone affect its price. Less well-known is the role that shape plays. Yet if you have a round diamond and a ‘fancy-shaped’ diamond of the exact same clarity, carat size, and colour, you will likely find that the round one is significantly more expensive. It could even cost up to 30% more. Why? Shapes that are more in demand, which cost more to manufacture, or which reflect more light command higher prices.
If you are buying jewellery for your personal collection, get to know your fancy shapes. This simply means any shape that isn’t a circle. Chances are you will still find styles that look just as beautiful to your eye, but they will be a lot cheaper.
Go for multiple small stones
Regardless of what kind of gemstone jewellery you are buying, you can expect to pay more for big stones. If you desperately want just one eye-popping, show-stopping centrepiece, you’re going to have to pay up for it.
On the other hand, you can often get something that is just as sparkly and pleasing to the eye at a lower cost by opting for a smaller central stone surrounded by even smaller ones.
Go custom
Custom jobs can be a good way to help lower the price of jewellery. When you get a say in what each part is made from and how it looks, it is easier to keep things within your budget. Also, as the item will be unique and they’ve never sold it before, the jeweller will have less knowledge of what the best price they can get for it is. This gives you a bit more room to negotiate.
Another good thing about custom jobs is you can source your own stone. With a bit of research into the type of gemstone you are after, you can learn how to spot a great deal. This is easier than ever now that things have moved online. You could buy black opal online at a bargain price, or snag an undervalued sapphire at auction.
Conclusion
Precious jewellery looks amazing and can make a great investment, but the prices can be intimidating. However, with a little know-how and the patience to wait for the right opportunity, it is possible to cut those prices down significantly.
