Many people will settle for nothing other than the absolute best when they are buying fine jewellery. However, for most of us, top quality can be over budget. Whether you are shopping for a mens pearl necklace, looking for diamond engagement rings, or you prefer the lustrous Tahitian pearls, here are a few tips to help you get the best bling for your buck.
1. Don’t Overpay for Low Quality
If you are looking for diamond jewellery, make sure you know your 4Cs (Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat). Using the 4Cs of diamonds allows you to assess the quality of the stone you want to buy and ensure that you won’t overpay for a lower quality diamond. You could also save a significant amount of money if you choose a diamond with a lower colour grade, from G – J (diamond colour is measured on the scale D, the purest to Z). These facts are essential in helping you make sure that you don’t pay a high price for a low-quality stone.
2. Avoid Popular Shapes and Colours
Just because a particular design or shape of jewellery is trending amongst celebrities, whether we are talking about different types of bracelets, sapphire engagement rings, or pearl earrings, the price of that piece will instantly go up even 10%. If you're open to less in-demand shapes, you can save a lot of money. Same is valid for diamonds. Although the most popular shape has always been the round cut, this particular shape costs approximately 25% more than all other shapes.
3. Compromise on Carat Weight
In addition to other factors, fine jewellery prices are determined incrementally according to carat weight.
There's a large price per carat jump when you hit each full carat mark and you can save as much as 25% by staying right under a full carat. If you are looking for diamonds, choose a 0.90 instead of a full 1.00 carat, as it will be much cheaper and look just like the 1.00 carat diamond. Same goes for gold jewellery. Choose 14K gold or 18K instead of 24K gold (100% pure gold).
4. Shop from an Online Fine Jewellery Marketplace
Fine jewellery marketplaces connect verified sellers directly to buyers, which allows you to bypass the middleman, often a retailer. This way, you can obtain the very best (near wholesale prices) from all the marketplace sellers and could save up to 70% on your gems.
5. Compare Before You Buy
If you are looking for a particular piece of fine jewellery, always check prices from different places before you buy. Many comparison sites online can show you the cheapest place to buy, whatever you are looking for, and it can help you save even 10% on your expensive jewellery.
6. Consider Using Alternatives
If you really want to save money on your fine jewellery, consider opting for a lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring, as it will be at least 50% cheaper than a comparable natural diamond. Go for 14K or 18K gold instead of the most expensive 24K as it will be more affordable and consider replacing your diamonds for cubic zirconia gemstones.
7. Trade in an Old Piece
If you have a few pieces of jewellery at home which you never use because they are not your style, consider trading them in for a new, better version. It may not cover all the cost of the new piece, as the price of the labour is not calculated when selling a piece of jewellery (only when buying), but it will help you save a lot of money from the total cost.
