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Monday, November 1, 2010

Things to remember when you buy Gold as Investment or Ornaments


With gold prices touching the sky and people ready to fool you for their selfish ends, you must be sure of a few things before you buy gold as an Investment or Jwellery.

If you are buying gold for investment I suggest you buy it from a reputed gold vendor or bank. Here you will get gold in tamperproof pack.

The purity of gold is displayed in karats: 10, 12, 18 and 24 karat gold. The number indicates purity. 18k gold is comprised of 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of other metals. 12K gold contains 12 parts of gold out of 24 and 10K gold would contain 12 parts of other metals. 24K gold is the purest and does not contain any other metal.




The phrase "buy now, ask questions later" should never apply to gold jewelry, even cubic zirconia gold jewelry. You should ask plenty of questions before making such an elaborate purchase. A reputable jeweler will be able to answer all of your questions honestly and will provide you with helpful tips concerning your jewelry needs.



Here are some questions to ask:

*What is the actual karat of the gold? 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, or 24kt?
*Is it real gold or plated gold?
*Are the stones real or are they made of cubic zirconia?
*What factors were used to determine the gold jewelry's price? Weight, ornamental detail, design or construction?
*What type of clasp is used? This is important with gold necklaces and bracelets. You need a strong, easy-to-use clasp.





What are Karats?

Pure gold is 24kt and offers a deep and rich color. Unfortunately, 24kt jewelry is very soft and can be damaged easily. Jewelry made with 24kt gold must have a special stamp of individuality.

Other karats of gold contain alloy metals to add strength. These alloy metals may be copper, zinc, silver, or nickel. These metals can also change the color of the gold to have a rose, white, or green coloration.


If buying gold jewelry with stone insets like diamonds, rubies, emeralds or any other gemstones, always ask about the quality and purity of the stones used. The jeweler should be able to provide you with a certificate of authenticity of the gemstone.

White gold is a gold alloy containing a percentage of nickel or platinum. Some people experience allergic reactions to white gold. Jewelers are now shifting to palladium as the other metal used in white gold since it does not create allergic reactions. Always ask for gold mixed with palladium when you buy white gold.

Avoid Gold plated ornaments for reular use as it can cause skin problem and allergy to some people.

Trademark and Pricing of Gold Jewelry
Depending on countries there are different standards for Gold. for example in India it is 916 Halmarked Purity.
HOW TO SELECT AN ENGAGEMENT RING

Selecting the Perfect Ring


Here are a few tips you should consider when you are ready to purchase a ring for that special loved one.

Metals commonly used for a ring are

• Gold
• Silver
• Platinum


Each person has their own preference, some people prefer the traditional gold ring. The drawbacks of gold are that it can bend very easily when worn and tends to lose its shine after a period of time. The most popular karat weight of gold is 14 Karats, though you can find gold rings that are 18 Karats and 24 Karats as well.

Silver or platinum are extremely hard and does not bend as easily. Neither of these are as popular as gold is and typically costs more than gold as well. Platinum is popular because it generally never loses any of its shine nor does it tarnish in any way and is perfect for those that are allergic or sensitive to other metals.

1. If you have already proposed and are ready to purchase the ring, take your loved one with you when selecting a ring. This will allow her to have a choice in the matter and this way you will always have the perfect size and fit.

2. If you are purchasing a ring prior to the proposal, consider retrieving (also known as sneaking) one of the rings she already owns and taking it with you. This will help in making sure the ring will fit on that big day.

3. Furthermore, for surprise rings make sure that you take notice of everything about the love of your life. Take note of the type of rings she wears, small stones, large stones, or none at all. This will help your jeweler make suggestions on the ring you should consider.

Overall, it can seem like a daunting task in picking out that perfect engagement ring. Have fun with it and know that the end results could very well be spending the rest of your life with the one you love.