What To Look For When Buying Jewelry

Although the term gem is often used to describe any stone adorning a piece of jewelry, gemologists actually define a gem as, naturally occurring materials that are beautiful, durable, and rare.  If a stone lacks any of these specific criteria, than the stone actually cannot be classified as an official gem.

In order to educate consumers regarding the quality of a true gem, descriptive language and grading systems have been developed. GGS provides detailed educational information in our Jewelry Education pages about how the value of diamonds, gemstones, pearls, and precious metals are specifically determined.

GGS prides itself on offering its customers the best available tools and information to make an informed decision when buying or selling stones or jewelry pieces. Here are some additional points to consider:

  • We urge you to take the time to educate yourself about diamonds so that you fully understand where the utmost value is and why. Read our Diamond Education area to learn about the important 4Cs.
  • When purchasing a diamond, gemstone, or piece of jewelry, always find out about the grade or method used to determine its value.
  • Make sure you are aware whether your colored gemstone is natural, synthetic, or imitation.
  • Read all warranties and guarantees before buying.
  • Learn about the proper cleaning and care of your gemstone or piece of jewelry.
  • When shopping for precious metals, be sure you are aware of the karat weight, and that the item is marked with this weight.
  • Be aware if the item will be susceptible to damage in the future.
  • And of course, know your jeweler or jewelry source.

Whether you are shopping for jewelry to reward yourself or for someone special, knowing more about how the industry judges and maintains gemstones and jewelry will help ensure your purchase is the perfect one for you.