I’ve never been big on jewelry. I was passing by a local jewelry store and saw a necklace I love. I asked to try it on and it fit. The pirce was good, but they told me it was 10K gold. I said I’d think about it. I told my mom and says 10K is junk. It’s such a great piece, though. So, if you loved the design of it would you buy it? Is my mom right?
Your mom is right.
24K gold is pure gold. 10K gold is about 42% gold and about 58% something else (usually mostly copper), if that helps.
I’d definitely buy it. Just today I bought a ring I love made of stainless steel and freshwater pearls at an art show. Steel looks nothing like silver, but is beautiful (to me) in its own way.
10k is something like 40% pure gold, while 14k is closer to 60%. Not as bright in color, but it’s certainly not “junk.” If the price is good even knowing that it’s made of a less expensive metal than 14k gold, and if you really think you’ll wear it, I absolutely think you should buy the piece.
No, you’re mom is not right and I buy a lot of jewelry wholesale and otherwise. 10K jewelry is less valuable than 14K, 18k, 22k, etc. jewelry because there is less gold in it (10 parts gold out of total of 24 parts) and I would be carefull that the piece is not priced as if it were made of higher karat gold. That said, if you like the piece and it is financially within reason for you to buy it, 10k can be an excellent choice on something you are going to wear a lot because it is more durable than higher karat gold. Almost all of my bangle bracelets and many of my everyday rings are 10K because gold worn everyday especially gold that will come into contact with regular elements of life like water, dirt, and other metals including other gold will take a beating overtime.
How much?
Is it being sold like it’s a nice piece of jewelry, or is it being sold like it’s a nice piece of precious metal jewelry? Providing the price would help the responses to say whether it’s a good deal or not.
Because even if it were 100% copper yet it was a stunning design, it would still be worth buying - if the price was right.
I’d have no problem with it, if it was priced appropriately - it shouldn’t cost as much as “real” gold jewellery, since it’s got less gold in it, but there’s nothing wrong with non-gold jewellery as long as it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
(I make jewellery out of various metals, but gold isn’t one of them, so I may be slightly biased here!)
I like the style. The gold color really suits it. I want something durable. It’s 490.
490 US dollars for something in 10k gold sounds a lot to me, but I don’t know what the necklace looks like or how much metal it uses. Does it have any stones in it that might justify the high price?
If I liked the piece, yes, I’d buy it. I don’t buy jewelry on the basis of what it’s worth to others, but what it’s worth to ME. I don’t like white gold, for instance, so I won’t buy it. And if (yellow) gold jewelry is 10K, but the price is right and I love it, I’ll buy it.
I do not regard jewelry and gemstones as an investment vehicle. The only reason I’d sell jewelry is because I need to get out of the country because the Nazis are coming and they are after ME. A consumer really can’t get much value from selling jewelry, as we buy retail and sell under wholesale. However, when the country’s currency is no good, and you need a fast passage to ANYWHERE else, that’s the time when you sell your jewelry, your coin collection, or your prized porn collection.
Depending on the size of the piece and how it’s made (handmade vs. mass produced) and of course the long term durability and potential use taken into consideration, $490 u.S. dollars may be a reasonable price considering how high the price of gold is now. I would start getting prices for similiar jewelry from other shops and compare. And don’t hesitate to tell the shop owners that’s what you are doing. Simply explain you are considering buying some jewelry and want to see what is available at various price ranges so you can make an informed decision. You will get a lot of sales pressure, but that will happen in many stores if you say you’re only browsing. By the way is the necklace at an independent shop, a department store’s jewelry department, or in a chain jewelry?store If it’s an independent shop, it will be more possible to bargain over the price, but you should be extra carefull. Check out the shop and try to find someone who has bought from them before. I suggest you use a credit card rather than cash or a check. They may offer you a greater discount for a cash purchase, but credit cards have more customer protection.
Thanks for the advice everyone. It doesn’t have gemstones. That’s why I like it. It’s just gold with a unique style and sort of delicate. It’s hard to explain. If I buy it I’ll post pictures.
This pretty much sums up my feelings also. Same for any collectible item. My grandparents were big on buying stuff from Franklin Mint because they thought they were investing for their heirs. Instead, we had to sort through tons of knick-knacks that weren’t worth a quarter of what was spent on them. If they’d bought them because they liked them as home decor, no quibble there, but I’m pretty sure they’d have been really sad to learn their investment in collectibles was pretty much wasted.
Similarly for jewelry - my grandmother had a diamond ring that I’m pretty sure she bought for its future value. After her death, my mother took the ring to an appraiser - it was worth about $300 - I’m pretty sure my grandmother spent lots more than than to buy it.
Bottom line as others have said - it’s worth what it’s worth to you. If you like it and can afford it and you figure the pleasure you’ll get is the same as the price, go for it! And you mention the unique style, which to me says it’s not a mass-produced item but more likely hand-made. If that’s the case, it’ll definitely be priced to reflect the craftsmanship. Many people seem to forget that those who make things hope to be paid for their efforts.
I agree with those who say, if you like and will wear it, and you can afford it, go for it. Who cares what it’s made of?
They say it is 10k gold. How is it marked?
Also, do you have any metal sensitivities? 10k gold might affect them in a way that purer gold doesn’t - worth checking before you spend that much money on the necklace!
I think you should buy a piece of jewelry based on how much you love it, whether it suits your style, and how you feel about the piece overall rather than its resale value. If you like it, and it’s affordable for you, get it and enjoy it!
There was a story I heard several years ago about a woman buying a hat from a noted designer. She loved the hat, wanted to purchase it, but was trying to bargain the designer down. She exclaimed that the hat was merely elaborately tied ribbons and lace, which it was. The designer unwrapped the ribbons and lace and laid the materials on the counter. “Madame”, he said, “The hat is $500.00; the ribbons and lace are $25.00. Have a good day.” Whereupon the woman stalked out of the salon in a huff and a second customer bought the hat.
The poin is that a gifted designer can take ordinary materials and combine them in such a manner that the value of the combined materials is greater than the ingredients and as such is reflected in the price. Buy your jewellery if you love it and if the price is something you can afford and think is worth it to you, not because of investment worries.
I bought my husband a 10k gold bracelet 15 years ago. He never takes it off. We’ve replaced the clasp twice, otherwise it looks as good today as the day I bought it.
10K gold is much harder than 14k or 24k. It doesn’t scratch or bend as easily as the others.
Buy it. It will continue to look lovely for years.
The only thing that makes higher k gold better is, it worth more when you send it to Cash4Gold.
Thanks for reminding me. Some metals turn my skin. :smack: