How to Buy Gold Jewelry

Whether you're looking for traditional wedding bands, a chain, a pair of stunning earrings or a striking broach, you can't go wrong with gold. Here are some things to look for to be sure you're getting your money's worth.

Instructions

1. Choose a reputable jeweler. Select one that has membership in Jewelers of America if possible.

2. Familiarize yourself with karat quality marks. Since gold is a soft metal, it is mixed with other metals to make it more durable. The karat mark will tell you what percentage of the metal is actually gold. (See Tips for more information on karats.)

3. Look for a trademark on the item you wish to purchase. This identifies the manufacturer of the jewelry. If you have trouble figuring out what the trademark means, ask the jeweler. All gold jewelry with a karat mark must also have a trademark.

4. Be sure that any diamonds or gemstones that appear in the item you are considering are also real. (See Related eHows for tips on choosing diamonds and gemstones.)

5. Bear in mind that the price will include the amount of gold in the piece, as well as the design and the craftsmanship.

6. Make sure your sales receipt lists the karat quality of the item purchased.

Tips & Warnings

• Anything less than 10 karat gold cannot be legally marketed as gold in the U.S.

• 24K gold is pure gold, which is generally not practical for wearing, as it is too soft; 18K gold is 75 percent gold; 12K gold is 50 percent gold; 10K gold is 41.7 percent gold. Most gold items are marked with a karat mark, even though it is not required by law.

• European quality marks are numbers that indicate the purity of the item. 999 means the gold is 99.9 percent (or 24K) gold; 750 means it is 75 percent (or 18K) gold; 585 means it is 58.5 percent (or 14K) gold.

• The different colors of gold (white gold, rose gold, etc.) have to do with the metals with which the pure gold is combined.

• If you are looking for gold jewelry on eBay, ask lots of questions. Inquire about the karat mark that is stamped on the piece, the manufacturer's trademark and the measurements--especially the thickness of the ring band.