EP06 Buying Fine Jewelry: Part 2
Have you ever looked at a piece of jewelry online and thought, “Okay…but what am I actually buying?”
Waterproof. Hypoallergenic. Gold vermeil. Gold-plated. 14k. 18k. Sterling silver. Platinum. Jewelry descriptions can start to feel like their own language—and the words on the product page don’t always tell you what to expect once you actually wear the piece.
In Part 2 of Buying Fine Jewelry, I’m back with Nicole Nettles and Kashmirr Elkin of Blue Water Jewelers to translate the jewelry lingo into plain English.
We get into:
what “waterproof” and “anti-tarnish” claims may actually mean
gold vermeil vs. gold-plated jewelry
what to consider if you have sensitive skin or see “hypoallergenic”
14k vs. 18k gold, white gold and platinum
why some jewelry needs more maintenance than you might expect
what chlorine, pools and hot tubs can do to your jewelry
why the durability of the gemstone matters too—not just the metal
buying designer costume jewelry
choosing jewelry based on your actual lifestyle, not just how it looks
and why knowing who you’re buying from can matter long after the sale.
Two pieces can look almost identical online but have very different prices, materials, durability, and (of course) expectations.
If you missed Part 1, start there for lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, sparkle, size, settings, and what to know before you buy a diamond.
Part 2 explains the language so you know what you’re getting before you spend the money.
To contact Blue Water Jewelers, click here.
