Selecting fine jewelry can be a daunting process, but shoppers can find beautiful rewards by shopping wisely.

10 Things Your Jeweler Won't Tell You | Cheap Ways To Have Fun | Grocery Store Tricks

Determine What You Want And Your Budget

The first step is to determine what you want and set a budget for the purchase. Then do your research on that item, and don't be afraid to leave your wallet at home and just browse around.

"Shop around to educate your eye before making a decision," said Antoinette Matlins, an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author and lecturer. "Learn what really appeals to you, and familiarize yourself with current styles."

Avoid being blinded by the bling of overpriced merchandise by taking the time to research, estimate your budget, shop around and choose the right retailer. Jewelry is a gift that may last a lifetime, so don't let it be tarnished by a bad sales experience.

Understand The Dazzle of Diamonds

When shopping for diamonds, there are four quality factors to consider, known as the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Matlins said shoppers can achieve a high-budget look and save money by knowing how to judge the 4 Cs.

"Don't let anyone convince you that a high-clarity grade is necessary to have a brilliant, sparkling diamond-this is a myth!" Matlins said. "You'll spend much more money than you need to spend unless you understand that it is the cutting and not the clarity that has the greatest effect on beauty."

When it comes to color, don't think the diamond you select must be "colorless," because within the top 10 color grades, most diamonds still look very beautiful when mounted, Matlins advised.

"If the stone you are considering is not quite as white as you would like, set it in white gold or platinum and it will look whiter," Matlins said. "Or, if the stone has a very noticeable yellowish tint, set it in yellow gold, which, by contrast with the intense yellow of the setting, makes the diamond look whiter."

A small difference in carat weight can also make a big difference in dollars, Matlins said. There are 100 points to a carat, but the cost of a diamond increases significantly when it reaches the full carat mark, and each carat thereafter.

"For example, try to find a diamond that weighs 90 points (nine/tenths of a carat) rather than a full 1 carat," Matlins said. "When set, no one can see the difference, but you'll enjoy a big savings in cost."

Finally, for a larger look, Matlins advises considering shapes other than round.

"A round, brilliant-cut diamond usually looks smaller than diamonds cut in other shapes," Matlins said. "Consider an oval, pear shape or marquise, all of which will look larger than the round."

All That Glitters: Gold, Platinum, Silver

When purchasing gold and platinum, it is important to ask about the quality mark and registered trademark.

"With gold jewelry, the karat mark or quality mark indicates the purity of the piece: "14K" means 58.3 percent pure gold," Gizzi said. "In other words, in a piece of 14k gold jewelry, 14 of its 24 parts are pure gold; the other 10 are alloy, which could be any number of different metals, added for strength and sometimes to change the color."

Platinum is most often marked "PLAT" or "950 PLAT." Sterling silver pieces are usually stamped "925."

For pieces manufactured in the U.S., if the quality mark appears, the piece is required by federal law to also be stamped with the manufacturer's trademark, which ensures that the manufacturer stands behind the authenticity of the piece, Gizzi said.

If you are looking to save a bit of money, consider buying palladium jewelry, said Renee Newman author of the Jewelry Handbook.

"It's a platinum group metal, but is selling for a lot less per ounce than gold and platinum," Newman said.

Newman also advises shoppers to purchase solid rings and bracelets, not hollow ones.

"Even though hollow fine jewelry costs less than solid jewelry because it has less gold or platinum, it doesn't withstand the knocks and bumps when worn on the hand or wrist," Newman said. "It's very expensive to repair and in the end costs more than if you'd paid more for solid jewelry."

Where to Shop

One of the most important factors in making a satisfying fine jewelry purchase is finding a good place to shop.

Matlin urged shoppers to by wary when shopping at so-called wholesale markets for jewelry because they are often known for fraud and misrepresentation.

"It's vitally important to shop at a well-established professional jeweler," said Gizzi. "Ask a friend for a recommendation just as you would for a doctor, or check with the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau."

When shopping online, Gizzi said, stick with sites that you know are secure.

"Look for a lock icon in the lower left hand corner of the site and for a URL that says-- https the 's' stands for secure," Gizzi said. "Always use a credit card rather than a debit card. This way, if anything does go wrong, no money has actually left your account, and you will have recourse."

Shoppers should also look for a liberal return policy with a full refund, and note the window of time in which the jewelry may be returned.

"This can sometimes be hidden in tiny print," Gizzi said. "Ask for the original packaging and an itemized receipt."

Finally, shoppers should be aware that a promised discount may not really exist.

"Don't be dazzled by discounts. If a venue is routinely offering unbelievable discounts of 50 percent or more, the sale is probably just that-- unbelievable," Gizzi said. "Savvy shoppers may find that the "drastic discount" price is actually the normal retail price elsewhere."

Learn more about selecting fine jewelry:
AntoinetteMatlins.com
ReneeNewman.com

For the latest jewelry trends, care and cleaning information, and a list of professional jewelers in your area, visit the Jewelry Information Center's Website

More Resources

• 32 Ways To Save On Groceries
• Sneaky Ways To Save On Groceries
• Cut Your Budget Without Cutting Out Your Daily Coffee