In the weeks before a holiday where gifts are exchanged – Valentine’s Day or Christmas for instance, retail stores that sell jewelry roll out beautiful looking earrings, pendants, rings, necklaces and bracelets at unbelievably low prices. How can a big-box store sell a diamond and ruby encrusted pendant for $40?
Like anything, the details matter. A pendant with gemstones like diamonds, rubies or emeralds are often set with inexpensive synthetic gems, or natural stones that are too flawed to use in other jewelry. Looked at under magnification, the inclusions and low quality of cut is apparent (sometimes you can see glue!) Often, these set stones look more like beads than cut gems.
The metal the stones are set in will be of a lower quality as well. Mass-produced plated, filled or layered metal versus quality precious metal is used. Quality jewelry designs require an artist’s attention, whereas inexpensive jewelry has to be made through automated processes.
Chains are often base metals coated with a thin layer of gold or silver. The staff at Jewels on Hampton has seen plastic chain coated with a minute amount of precious metal.
Mass-produced, discount jewelry can be very pretty, and as with any gift, it is the thought that counts, but quality jewelry will hold its value relative to machine-produced jewelry with inexpensive gems.
Visit Jewels on Hampton for our wide variety of jewelry that can fit both your budget and your sentiment for the next holiday.
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