Chances are, at some point in your life, you'll be in the market for luxury jewellery — whether it's for yourself or a gift to someone else. Like buying any big-ticket item, buying precious jewellery is a big deal, and you need to make sure you're in the know and know what to look out for.
Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars can get us feeling antsy at the best of times, so to help us navigate the task with ease, we've enlisted the help of the Perth Mint Shop and Exhibition.
What is important to take into account when purchasing metals?
Always purchase from a reputable jeweller, where the workmanship and hallmarks can be trusted. A hallmark is an official stamp found on precious metal that indicates the type and composition of the metal and its purity. It can also indicate information about the jewellery's manufacturer and origin. Hallmarking a piece of jewellery with its purity and mark means the maker assumes responsibility for the accuracy of its contents. This is important when buying jewellery as it offers you a level of assurance and protection as well as acting as a helpful guide for any jeweller in the future who may need to sell or repair your jewellery. Requirements for hallmarking can vary from country to country, so make sure to do your research beforehand and be particularly cautious when purchasing jewellery online from unknown companies.
Do brands matter when it comes to buying quality jewelLry?
Yes. Always make sure to shop with reputable companies as they will stand behind and guarantee all their products.
What should we know before looking to buy diamonds and gems?
When buying diamonds, the 4cs - cut, clarity, colour and carat (weight) – are the main considerations. Of all the four C's, the cut has the greatest impact on a diamond's beauty. The quality is determined by a diamond grader who evaluates how precise the diamond is cut — the more precise, the more captivating and therefore expensive the diamond is. Clarity refers to the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) characteristics of the diamond (usually only seen through magnification). Diamonds without inclusions and blemishes are rare, therefore, the fewer of them, the more rare and more expensive the diamond is. Colour grading amongst stones is subtle and can only be done by those experienced and trained in colour-grading. Diamonds come in many colours but are categorised as either white (colourless) or 'fancy' which can be any coloured diamond from Argyle pink diamonds to yellow diamonds. Depending on the hue and intensity, a stone's colour can diminish or enhance its value. Lastly, carat is the most objective grade of the four C's and refers to the diamond's weight, with one carat being equal to 1/5 gram.
For higher value diamonds, always ask for independent certification to verify the authenticity and technical specifications of the stones.
Is It worth comparing prices and shopping around?
Yes, it is, but always be careful to compare ‘like with like’ in regard to diamonds. This may be difficult, as it is not always possible to compare identical specifications, as all stones are unique, particularly at the high end (e.g. rare pink diamonds).
Is there anything to look out for when considering repairs and/ or revamps?
Always take your jewellery to a reputable repairer and ask for a warranty on the work. For higher value pieces, it is recommended that an independent valuation is conducted after the repair for peace of mind and insurance purposes.
Whether you’re looking to treat yourself to a precious gem, upgrade your jewellery collection or to present a gift to someone special in your life, make sure to head to The Perth Mint for all your luxury jewellery needs.
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