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Jewelry Secret Reports!
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Buying Quality Gold, Platinum and Titanium Jewelry Online
By Antigone Arthur
Everything You Need to Know About Buying Quality Jewelry Online
Gold, platinum and titanium are among the most coveted precious metals in the world. Jewelry crafted out of these pure substances is often highly valued and sought out by savvy consumers the world over. Learn everything you need to know about selecting quality pieces right here!
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is perhaps the most traditional form of quality jewelry worn by men and women alike in every culture and society of the world. Gold has been used to fashion attractive pieces for centuries. Many historians believe that gold was used as far back as pre-historic times by man as a tool. Later gold jewelry was first discovered dating to around 3000 BC. Gold first became widely used by the Egyptians, who combined gold with other precious metals to achieve varying looks, colors and durability.
So what do you need to know about buying gold? Let's start with the basics. Most gold is assessed via its weight or karats.
14k Gold - 14k gold jewelry is made up of 58.5% gold mixed with copper and nickel among other things. It is the most popular karat of gold purchased the world over, and is known for its affordability and durability.
18k Gold - 18k gold jewelry is popular particularly in Europe. Most 18k gold jewelry is made from 75% pure gold. Most premium jewelry is made with 18 k, which is only slightly more expensive than 14 k gold.
22-24k Gold - 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry is usually considered the most valuable, and is very popular among elite gold shoppers. This form of gold is the most pure, consisting of almost 199% gold. Generally 22 and 24 karat gold products have a richer color than other gold jewelry.
Is one better than the other? The more pure the gold, the softer the jewelry will be and the more likely to scratch. Fine scratches are easily minimized however with proper care and cleaning over time. Quality is more related to craftsmanship than the actual percentage of gold in a particular piece of jewelry. When deciding on a piece that's right for you - you'll want to look for things like symmetry, overall appearance and finishing.
One of the best things about gold jewelry is it is available in both yellow and white. White gold is becoming increasingly popular though it is only available in 14 or 18 k styles. White gold jewelry is often plated with a platinum metal to help give its unique color.
Black Hills Gold
Black Hills gold is extremely popular among gold enthusiasts. Black Hills Gold is named not only after the style but also location the gold jewelry is fashioned in. Legend has it that a French goldsmith became lost during the gold rush of the mid 1870s in the Black Hills of South Dakota. During a dream, he believed he had seen a mountain stream with grape vines; upon awakening, he walked over to find the very scene he dreamed about, and in gratitude decided to devote his life to creating gold jewelry in the shape of grape leaves and clusters fashioned out of gold.
Black Hills Gold jewelry is a particular style of jewelry that must be manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This gold jewelry is often combined with silver and copper to create green and rose leaved color combinations. Most Black Hills Gold is available in 10, 12 and 14k versions. This makes Black Hills gold extremely popular among jewelry fans looking for attractive yet very affordable gold jewelry.
Platinum & Titanium Jewelry
Platinum and titanium jewelry are among the most expensive jewelry items, in part because they are crafted of precious white metals. Platinum jewelry is often very heavy and dense as is most titanium jewelry. Both platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry are much heavier than gold jewelry because of the density of the metal used to craft it. Platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry are also naturally white or silver, thus do not have to be combined with other metals to achieve a brilliant whitish sheen.
Most platinum jewelry is 90% pure or more, thus platinum jewelry is an exceptional selection for consumers who are allergic or who have sensitive skin. Gold jewelry might cause allergic reactions in people in part because it is mixed with other substances such as nickel, which can be irritating for some people.
Platinum and titanium jewelry usually will hold up well over time and require little maintenance, other than regular cleanings using a mild soap or cleaning agent. Titanium jewelry is in fact considered one of the most durable jewelry selections available, showing few if any signs of wear and tear over the years.
Both platinum and titanium jewelry can be fashioned with gold or silver inlays or adorned with stones. Platinum jewelry is often a popular choice for wedding and engagement bands. Titanium jewelry is slowly becoming more popular as its appeal and durability is more widely known. You can find platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry that is affordable. Most unadorned bands generally can range anywhere from $60 on up. Remember that in general, intricate and ornate platinum or titanium pieces are more expensive than their gold counterparts, and it isn't uncommon to see pieces that cost up to several thousand dollars.
You can find virtually any type of jewelry in platinum and titanium that you can in gold. Most people select one or the other based on style or budgetary considerations. Gold can actually be combined with platinum or titanium to produce unique custom pieces. The most popular platinum and titanium pieces remain rings for the most part; gold jewelry is still the reigning king and favorite it seems among jewelry wearers looking for a combination of rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. That may change with time however, as more and more consumers realize the appeal and durability of other precious metals including platinum and titanium.
About the Author
Antigone Arthur is an award-winning author providing consumer information on such topics as Black Hills Gold jewelry, platinum engagement rings, and titanium wedding rings.
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Online Jewelry Auction Sites
eBay Jewelry -
What can we say? eBay is the largest online marketplace, period. Jewelry is a major category on eBay and there are always great deals to be found. Still need to register? Click here to sign up now!
ubid Jewelry - This site gets less traffic than eBay, so you can often find excellent bargains. Most auctions start at $1, and you can save up to 70% on jewelry.
Specialty Jewelry Retailers
Heavenly Treasures -
Unique selection of fine jewelry with prices from 10%-50% off, including the highly demanded Zoppini Italian charm bracelet collection.
Iced Out Gear - Hip hop "bling bling" fashion accessories including custom name belts, spinning rims, bling bling watches and other bling.
Italian Charm Bracelets -
JJ Kent's online bracelet builder is genious. Choose from over a thousand different charms. Simply drag and drop charms onto your bracelet to see what it will look like.
Je Gem Artisan Gemstones -
Premier artisan gemstone jewelry specializing in modern and traditional birthstones, hand selected and handcrafted by gifted designers using techniques handed down for generations.
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Jewelry & Diamond Wholesalers
Jewelry Television™ -
Their mission is to open the world of fine jewelry and gemstones to everyone. Whether it’s a special gift, rare gemstone, or fast-paced auction that you’re looking for, Jewelry Television™ has it all!
Ultra Diamonds -
Ultra's buyers travel the globe to find the best deals in fine jewelry and then pass those savings on to you. They reinforce this philosophy with a "Lowest Price Guarantee" - if you find a lower priced identical piece, they will beat that price.
GoldenMine -
They offer the largest selection of gold jewelry at wholesale prices. Gram per gram, carat per carat, GoldenMine always offers the lowest prices on the web so you are guaranteed to save money.
Goldspeed.com -
With over 50,000 different items available for immediate shipment they are arguably the largest online jewelry retailer, earning the prestigious Yahoo! 5-Star Top Service Award each year since they began in 1999.
CZ Jewelry -
They are America's # 1 cubic zirconia jewelry manufacturer. Their jewelry is made so beautifully, and with such precision, it will look like you have been shopping at a world class diamond jewelry store.
Jewelry Avenue -
With over 30 years of experience, they offer high-quality diamonds and jewelry at outstanding prices, and are committed to providing customers with the best value, quality, service, and selection on the web.
Watches
eWatches.com -
They only offer name brand watches and watch lines of proven quality. Don't get scammed into buying a fake watch online. It's worth buying from a trusted source like eWatches.com.
FOSSIL - The maker of the popular FOSSIL and RELIC watch lines offers great deals online, and also a very cool build-your-own-watch online tool where you can design and order your own custom watch.
Don't forget to bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you need to find a great jewelry deal.
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