Investment purchases are valued more than ever before. If you are new to this, read this article to learn how to shop investment jewellery like a pro and build a timeless collection.
After you've read this article, you will know:
- What makes a jewellery piece an investment piece
- The value of gemstones
- Gold-plated vs gold jewellery
1. MAKE QUALITY A TOP PRIORITY
Building an investment jewellery collection does not mean that you have to spend thousands of £££ on Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef. The first step is to know what you're buying. Jewellery is very different to clothes. Clothes are considered investment depending on the fashion house or the label. On the other hand, stoned fine jewelry can be an investment regardless of where you are buying them from, as long as.. you know what you are buying. Focus on the materials. You would be surprised if I told you that the money you spend on high street jewellery brands, the "it" brands of today, especially the ones with the minimalistic golden chains and earrings, won't last you for more than a couple years, and that’s only if you are very lucky.
2. FOCUS ON THE GEMSTONES
A jewelry piece that features a natural gemstone is a fantastic jewelry investment idea. There is, however, a few things that you’ll need to know before you invest in stoned fine jewelry.
Focus on the stone. Gemstones are categorised as precious or semi-precious stones. Precious stones are the sapphires, diamonds, rubies etc. and semi-precious stones are the malachites, sweet-water pearls, tourmalines, amethyst etc. Both categories hold their monetary value through the years and years to come. Even if the chain's colour is affected by the wear and tear, (in case of gold-plated vs gold), you can remove the stone and upcycle it, because the stone will never lose its value. Beyond their monetary value, jewellery adorned with gems also carry emotional stories. This emotional attachment adds another layer of worth that cannot be quantified. Also, don't forget, natural gemstones are created without human interaction. Each of them is unique. Imagine having in your collection a unique piece of malachite or a unique pearl.
3. GOLD VS GOLD-PLATING
When it comes to jewellery, gold is at the top of the pyramid, because of the inherent value of gold, its rarity and market demand for its status and beauty. Gold-plating involves applying a thin layer of real gold on top of a more affordable material. This is a cost-effective way to achieve a gold-like appearance. In contrast, gold jewellery is made entirely from solid gold, resulting in a more valuable and durable piece. On top of the durability of gold jewellery, gold always holds its monetary value and can be re-purposed.