How To Buy Jewelry

Jewelry.com shares our most important jewelry gift giving tips - from purchasing that dazzling diamond engagement ring to giving mom that perfect pearl strand. You'll never wonder how (and when) to buy fine jewelry again.

You can't wait to slip that engagement ring on her finger. You know mom will burst into tears at the sight of sapphires. Your friends will drool when you show off that right hand ring. There is no reason fine jewelry shopping should be anything but fun, informational and ultimately satisfying. But research shows consumers find buying fine jewelry one of the least enjoyable shopping experiences. Jewelry.com is on a mission to change that.
The following guide will not only tell you how to buy jewelry, but will give you gift giving tips every shopper should know before heading to the jewelry counter or making an online purchase. Our goal is to transform trepidation into confidence. Jewelry jitters be gone!
Know the facts:
We've all heard it before: knowledge is power. Buying jewelry can be one of the first major purchases in your lifetime, so it's important to know the facts before you face all the glitter. Click on the links below to educate yourself about gold, diamonds and gemstones. Thinking of popping the question? Be sure to check out our Bridal Tips as well. We promise it won't be as bad as algebra class.

• Gold Education
• Diamond Education
• Gemstone Education
• Bridal Tips

Gift Giving

Jewelry can be the most important gift you give a loved one. Feeling the pressure? We understand. Guys, in particular, pay attention to the following gift giving tips. We guarantee you'll impress her with your remarkable taste and insight.
Know your audience:
There's nothing like that look you get when you know you missed the mark. The slight grimace followed by the fake smile? The best way to avoid awkward gift giving is to study what your significant other likes. What does she usually wear? Has she complimented friends on their looks? You know how to make her laugh, you can surely pick up some tips on her personal style. Take notes and bring what you know on your shopping trip.
Know your budget:
There are many price points in the jewelry world - from $99 to $9999 and beyond. Don't get in over your head with a bauble that will break the bank or make her afraid to wear it. Also, bring what you learned about stone and metal quality to the store, so you won't be duped into thinking 'bigger is better'. Often, it's not.
Know her size (mainly for ring purchases):
There's nothing like wowing her with a diamond ring she'll just have to wait three weeks to wear. Guys, break out your inner sleuth for this one. Find a ring she currently wears, trace the inside and bring it to your jeweler. You can always size a ring, but delayed satisfaction doesn't always fly when it comes to jewelry.
Know the occasion:

• If you're not about commitment but want to impress her with a gift of jewelry, word to the wise: stay away from the ring category. A ring, no matter what the design, is loaded with symbolism that screams "I'm in it for the long haul." A nice pair of diamond studs might be the better choice in this case.
• Right Hand Rings are the perfect self-gifting occasion to celebrate a promotion, graduation, or 'just because'. It's also a great friend-to-friend or mother-to daughter gift. Think female power!
• The 'go big' calendar moments are of course Valentine's Day and the December holidays. If she's expecting a ring, and you're thinking peridot earrings to match her eyes?you might want to think again.

Know the return policy:
Even with all of Jewelry.com's words to the wise, there is ultimately no guarantee your jewelry gift is going to hit a home run. Most stores - whether they are online or in the mall - have a return policy. Don't be afraid to ask your salesperson.
With a little preparation, education and thought, we guarantee buying jewelry will move decidedly from "a little better than a root canal" to "right up there with no calorie ice cream and winning the lottery". Happy Shopping!

About Jewelry.com

Jewelry.com is all about jewelry and where to buy it. Jewelry.com helps you find the perfect jewel at an unbeatable price by providing expert jewelry advice, insider shopping tips, unbiased jewelry reviews and a comprehensive jewelry education. Only Jewelry.com members receive exclusive discounts and deals from the country's leading stores, along with doorbuster deals on selected jewels, sale alert e-mails and Jewelry.com's exclusive newsletter full of shopping tips, fashion updates and jewelry info. Jewelry.com membership is your pass to sparkling savings on over 30,000 stunning jewels and is absolutely free. Whether you're looking for diamond rings, anniversary rings, gemstone and birthstone jewelry, watches or the latest jewelry style at the lowest price - jewelry.com is your sparkling online destination. From Pearls, Sapphires, Diamonds and Gold, to elegant earrings, brilliant bracelets or knock-out necklaces, we have the information you want. If it's amazing deals from your favorite retailer you're looking for Jewelry.com's Clearance Vault is the single largest jewelry outlet/clearance platform both on and off-line. Jewelry.com provides a rare in-depth look at the entire jewelry shopping landscape. Our Top 60 Jewelers is the "Zagat" of the jewelry world, providing independent reviews of both national and regional fine jewelry stores in addition to our valued nine founding partners. While we don't sell jewelry ourselves, Jewelry.com brings you years of experience and trust associated with its participating diamond partners: Fred Meyer Jewelers, Gordon's Jewelers, Helzberg Diamonds, JCPenney, Kay Jewelers, Littman Jewelers, Macy's, Nordstrom, REEDS, Sears, and Zales... see more about us.

Jewellery

Jewellery (pronounced /ˈdʒuːəlri/ or /ˈdʒuːələri/) or jewelry (see American and British English spelling differences) is a form of personal adornment, manifesting itself as necklaces, rings, brooches, earrings and bracelets. Jewellery may be made from any material, usually gemstones, precious metals or shells. Factors affecting the choice of materials include cultural differences and the availability of the materials. Jewellery may be appreciated because of its material properties, its patterns or for meaningful symbols. Jewellery differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to look appealing. Items such as belts and handbags are considered to be accessories rather than jewellery.
The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was Anglicised from the Old French "jouel" circa the 13th century.^[1] Further tracing leads back to the Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything. Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently-found 100,000-year-old beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the oldest known jewellery.^[2]
Jewellery is sometimes regarded as a way of storing wealth and might also possess some minimal functionality, such as holding a garment together or keeping hair in place. It has from very early times been regarded as a form of personal adornment. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone. Some jewellery throughout the ages may have specifically been as an indication of a social group. More exotic jewellery is often for wealthier people, with its rarity increasing its value. Due to its personal nature and its indication of social class, some cultures established traditions of burying the dead with their jewellery.
Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from hairpins to toe rings and many more types of jewellery. While high-quality jewellery is made with gemstones and precious metals, such as silver or gold, there is also a growing demand for art jewellery where design and creativity is prized above material value. In addition, there is the less costly costume jewellery, made from lower value materials and mass-produced. Other variations include wire sculpture (wrap) jewellery, using anything from base metal wire with rock tumbled stone to precious metals and precious gemstones.