What is Jewelry?
Jewelry is a collective and personal ornament made with precious metals and a set of gemstones such as rings, necklaces, brooches, and bracelets.
Normally, jewelry differs from other items of personal adornment that has no other purpose rather than look appealing, but humans have been producing and wearing it a long time ago, with 100,000 years old beads made from Nassarius shells as the oldest known jewelry. Gemstones, precious metals, beads, and shells are the materials that have been widely used to make jewelry. Jewelry can be appreciated as a status symbol, material properties, patterns, and meaningful symbols depending on cultural beliefs and times. It has been made to adorn for everybody from hairpins to toe rings.
The jewelry is derived from the word “jewel” that was anglicized from the Old French “jewel” and from a Latin word “jostle” which means a plaything. Spelling can be written as jewellery or jewelery in British English while jewelry in American English.
Why do you need to purchase jewelry?
There are some reasons why you need to purchase jewelry, below are some details you might want to consider in purchasing jewelry.
Jewelry is an asset - despite being beautifully decorated still it is a real luxury that has a very high value. Its luxury differs from general big-name clothes and brand-name bags. Compare to ordinary luxury goods despite having a nog brand, refined and good quality it cannot withstand the erosion of years, it will only last for three to five years that can be replaced by the “latest” after worn out and aging that will be thrown out eventually.
Jewelry is a good investment - Expensive jewelry can be passed down from generation to generation as long as it wasn't smashed or loses. A diamond ring will always be a diamond ring while a Jade bracelet will always be an heirloom. Jewelry's value is never out of date, just like gems formation that undergone ten million years of baptism. Silverbene will keep its value long after being purchased as wholesale sterling silver. Luxury jewelry has an unbeatable price, it is beautiful, stable, valuable added, and can be an inheritance. That's what made jewelry a good investment. Due to the scarcity of high-quality mineral resources, the price will surge when the demand is high and supplies are limited.
Jewelry can be a charm enhancer - Women use jewelry to enhance her charm and temperament while men use jewelry to reflect his gas field and taste. Wearing jewelry not just enhances your charm but it will make you look dazzling in the crowd. Gemstone jewelry has unique magic of decaying and magical charm. Ruby is noble, Sapphire is elegant, Emerald is luxurious and Diamond is so dazzling, while Gold is shining shimmering, wearing one of it will make you stand out in the crowd.
Jewelry can attribute in currency- Jewelry is more advantageous in terms of liquidity compared to other types of assets such as cars and real estate. Especially the five classical gems are almost equivalent to a currency that can be realized in any country.
Jewelry can bring good luck - Wearing jewelry will only not make you attractive but will also bring good luck, they are beautiful gifts from nature to human beings. Different types of high-quality stones have unique effects and spirituality that can generate certain magnetic fields of the wearer's.
Jewelry is forever - Just like a saying goes “Diamond is forever,” all jewelry can be kept forever. It is easy to store, cannot be affected by heat, cold, moisture, fire, and not fragile. They can be regarded as a symbol if you want to commemorate eternal feelings, jewelry is the best choice. It is the most beautiful investment of love.
What are the features that matter when buying jewelry?
There are features to be considered when buying jewelry, to ensure you bought the items in good quality and perfect for the occasion or to be kept for long term purposes. Below are the features you must consider before you purchase jewelry.
Do the research - Familiarity with the jewelry you wish to purchase is a must to know the quality of crucial elements in speaking the language of jewelry. Every jewelry can be described by their attributes when taken together which will help determine the jewelry’s overall quality and value.
Choose a qualified jeweler - As a consumer, you should select a jeweler as careful as a doctor checking their patients, a lawyer, or trained professionals. Find a trusted person who has credentials such as a GIA graduate gemologist. You must take note of their affiliate with jewelry industry groups and professional associations.
Ask for an independent diamond grading report - A jewelers grading report details the gemological quality of the jewelry. It will tell the stone natural or synthetic, if it was been treated or how it's quality ranking. Verified information contained in any GIA grading report can be attained by going on a report check, with a secure online database.
Keep the purchase secure - Have the jewelry appraised and insured. A grading report is an assessment of quality while appraisal gives monetary value.
Purchase the stone looseness have the ring set later - If you are uncertain of your future preference you can have an option to purchase a loose stone and decide on mounting together later. Just make sure that the loose stone is graded.
Consider the alternatives - You should consider alternatives in purchasing jewelry that will fit on the accessions. As a consumer, you must look for independent reports for colored gemstone and pearls or any jewelry that is available in GIA.
What are the types of jewelry?
Both sexes are wearing jewelry, there are different types of jewelry to adorn every part of our body from bracelets to toe rings.
Types of jewelry are;
Earrings
Necklace
Bracelet
Cufflinks
Rings
What are the type best for?
Earrings - This piece of jewelry that adorn our ears is called earrings. May it be piercing, earlobe, or a clip-on. They come from various metal materials like steel, glass, silver, gold, etc, and also available in a wide range of shapes and sizes like hoops, studs, etc.
Necklace - It's a piece of jewelry that adorns our neck. They can be considered as status symbols because it was made from precious stones and metals. The chain usually makes the necklace but sometimes there are attachments on it such as a locket, pendant, chain, or stone.
Bracelet - It is a piece of jewelry worn on the wrist. It is worn for personal preferences such as for fashion or accessory with charms of fun colors and shapes. A variety of bracelets are based on functions. If it's worn on the ankle, it is called an anklet.
Cuff links - These are the jewelry piece that used to secure the cuffs of a shirt. It is specifically for shirts with buttonholes on their cuffs that have no buttons.
Rings - it is a round band worn on the finger. There are a lot of rings such as bracelets, earrings, neck rings, rings but only a hand ring was considered a ring that was made from different materials like gold, silver, platinum, etc.
Pros and Cons of Jewelry
Jewelry is beautiful, that can tell a story. It is beautiful, bold, and artistic. It can be a symbol of friendship, generosity, and love. Jewelry is often passed down through generations, carrying a history of the owner transmitting sentimental value. It is made of precious metals, gemstones, and Diamonds that may carry a high financial value in the future, this is why they made a good asset of investment. Because of these things, it is important to know the pros and cons of having jewelry to keep.
Pros
Jewelry can be an asset of investment because it is made of precious materials. They are forever, you can keep them for the long term, and the value of it will increase more in the long run. They cannot be affected by heat, cold, moisture, fire, and not fragile. They are easy to store. Just like the consistent price of the gold and cannot even be affected by inflation.
Cons
Because of its value that can be considered as an investment the cons, are you have to protect it, need to pay attention to the activities you are undertaking while wearing your jewelry so that you will not harm it. You should avoid risky activities that involve a certain substance that might damage the stone, for example. It is also prone to thieves because it can be sold to higher values. You have to store it in a safer place or a vault so that it cannot be stolen, likewise, when you are wearing it you have to be careful from snatchers because it can lead you to danger.
Step-by-step guide in buying Jewelry
When buying jewelry you have to consider some steps before buying one. Here's a quick how-to get you started.
Define your style - Define your style in choosing jewelry. Are you simple or minimal that needs to pair your jewelry with your looks every day? Or maybe you like the basic jewelry that has a “wow factor” for special occasions to add your collection.
Shop with your budget in mind - Like any other big investment, being smart with your money and shop within your price budget. Whether you save a little first at a time while you're eyeing something waiting to receive a bonus or salary raise. You should focus on buying a piece that can make you feel proud of. You can still find jewelry that has a limited budget. Lesser-known gemstone or freshwater pearls are elegant but have a budget-friendly price
Save money so you can get the one you want - If you want the best jewelry for you, then consider saving money for it. Save money on metals by choosing an alternative to your first choice. Don't compromise yourself and give it a treat, so better save first so you can but your best choice.
Go Shopping- In buying jewelry you should not rush on it. Do some research online and in-store before making any purchase. Bring your non-biased friend to go shopping with you so she can give you some feedback. Whether you purchase jewelry online or in a shop make sure to purchase from an authentic jeweler with a certificate of authenticity.
Sources;
https://www.definitions.net/definition/jewellery
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-purchase-jewelry
https://thefoldlondon.com/5-features-to-look-for-in-fine-jewellery/
https://www.urby.in/blog/types-of-jewellery/
https://westcoastinkmag.com/pros-cons-different-kinds-jewelry/
https://momblogsociety.com/buying-jewelry-for-yourself-a-step-by-step-guide/
All images from Unsplash.com
Thanks for this educative article