Don’t Be Fooled by the Hype
“It is always better to be slightly underdressed.” – Coco Chanel
Bigger Jewelry isn’t Always Better Jewelry
Regardless of the widespread availability of jewelry, another problem is the cultural perception of what’s the best-looking piece of jewelry to own. Modern jewelry trends are that bigger is always better or quantity over quality. This is what drives a purchase for many consumers when they enter a jewelry store: “What’s the largest diamond that I can get for the price that I want to pay?”
Again, this is where your willingness to educate yourself and evaluate what you want must be pre-established. Suppose you walk into a jewelry store with a predetermined, fixed maximum price point in your head and a specific diamond carat weight that you want. You will certainly be able to find the carats that you want for the price that you’d like to pay, but do you know if the quality is there as well? Will the diamond at that size and price point be cut properly or have clarity?
The truth of the matter is you could just as easily walk into a fine jewelry store and say, “I’d like to spend this much money, but I want the piece to be high quality.” The resulting piece that you walk away with might not be as large and flashy as it could be for the same price at a shopping mall jewelry store, but the quality of a perfectly-cut diamond expertly set in a hand-made mounting will be inherent in what you purchase.
Educate Yourself on Fine Jewelry
The final takeaway is this: you, as the customer, need to understand what the best is when it comes to jewelry. Then, you can evaluate where you want to be in terms of price and quality. It’s not for the jeweler or the jewelry store to tell you what to purchase, their job is to instruct you as to a piece’s specifications, quality, and price. A jeweler should tell you why a piece costs the amount that it does and why — from there, you must make your own determination. They shouldn’t try to sell you on a particular size or price.
When visiting a jewelry store to view what’s available or to make a purchase, you want to make sure that you know what you’re paying for. Visiting a well-trained, experienced jeweler with proper certification means that you may spend more, but you’ll come away with something more than just a pretty piece of jewelry. You’ll have purchased something of value and quality, that can be enjoyed by you and your family for generations to come.
To learn more about mass-produced jewelry, you can read the first, second, third, and fourth parts of this series. To learn more about the quality of your jewelry, please contact Haydon & Company at 919-781-1293 or send us a message.
