Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive (2024)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Valentine's can be an expensive holiday especially if one is giving jewelry as a gift. Jenny Martin from Southern Savers says "it doesn't have to be so expensive if you utilize these tips."

Tip 1: Everything in a jewelry store is negotiable.
Big or little purchases, depending on the size of the purchase, you could save between 15-50% just by negotiating. This applies to large chain stores and mom and pop locations.

Tip 2: Always research and don’t buy on the spot.

We should do this with every large purchase! You will find better prices and other options to buy from, and if you head back in they will be more willing to negotiate down.

Tip 3: Know when to buy - March is the best month!
The best time to buy brand new jewelry is starting in March after the Holidays and Valentine's day. Just make sure to shop before Easter when stores then switch into another peak season for Mother’s Day.

Tip 4:For Diamonds, Look for Just Under The Quarter Mark

If you’re shopping for diamonds and you’re looking for a certain carat weight, if you go just under the quarter mark (i.e. .25, .50, .75, 1, 1.25…) you’ll save way more since the price for diamonds jumps every time you hit that quarter “mark”. So a .49 carat diamond would cost a LOT less than a .50 or .51!

Tip 5: Sell or Trade old Jewelry to Bring Down Your Cost.

Many jewelry stores will allow you to sell or trade old jewelry and precious stones/metals for partial payment on your new jewelry. My husband and I traded old gold jewelry (broken chains etc.) to melt down and make custom wedding rings. We only paid for the jeweler's time to make it which was nothing compared to what it would have cost.

Tip 6: Check pawn shops, auctions, and consignment shops.
Many items will be a fraction of their retail cost. If you are going shop retail, stick to small locally owned stores as the national chains are known to mark up prices over 500%!

For more visit SoutherSavers.com

Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to wear cheap jewelry? ›

Cheap Materials May Be Dangerous

Few states in the US have regulations on cadmium use in jewelry, and if they do, it's not enforced well. Some retailers use it and we as consumers never know if our jewelry has it or not. Cadmium exposure can cause kidney, lung, and bone damage.

Is it worth buying expensive jewelry? ›

High-quality jewelry, especially with fine and rare gemstones, has a high resale value and usually does not lose value. Jewelry a fairly liquid investment that you can sell at any time. If you invest in high-quality genuine jewelry, you can even achieve high returns.

Why is jewelry so overpriced? ›

First, the materials used to make luxury jewellery are often precious metals, such as gold, platinum, or diamonds. These materials are valuable and rare, which drives up the price of the jewellery.

Why is some jewelry so cheap? ›

Cheap (Usually) Means Low Quality

Well, it is because the pieces of jewelry they sell are low quality and cost less. Most of the gemstones you will find in cheap jewelry stores are amazing on the surface but will eventually disappoint you.

Why can't i wear cheap jewelry? ›

Costume jewelry may be affordable and helpful fashion-wise, but you can be susceptible to jewelry irritation if you frequently use them. The presence of the metal nickel in fake jewelry pieces is usually much higher than in other jewelry, causing allergic flair-ups.

How much does the average person spend on jewelry? ›

In 2022, the country's average annual expenditure on jewelry amounted to 139.92 U.S. dollars per consumer unit.

What is considered cheap jewelry? ›

Costume jewelry is often made with base metals, such as brass, aluminum, or copper. These inexpensive metals become tarnished easily and can even cause irritation or allergic reactions. Jewelry that is plated with precious metal, like gold-plated jewelry, is also considered costume jewelry.

What jewelry holds its value best? ›

Top 10 Jewellery Pieces with the Highest Resale Value
  • Top 10 Jewellery Pieces with the Highest Resale Value. ...
  • Rolex Watches and other Luxury Timepieces. ...
  • Cartier Juste Un Clou Bracelets. ...
  • Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklaces. ...
  • Cartier Love Bracelets. ...
  • Bulgari Serpenti. ...
  • De Beers Diamonds. ...
  • Tiffany Elsa Peretti Bracelet.

Do people notice jewellery? ›

While some men do not notice a woman's jewelry, others do notice it in subtle details. These men are typically attracted to women who accessorize well. They also like certain kinds of jewelry. If you want to impress a man, make sure to wear a piece of jewelry that catches his eye.

Why are diamond rings so cheap right now? ›

Lab-grown diamonds are hurting demand for the natural variety. One of the world's most popular types of rough diamonds has plunged into a pricing free fall, as a growing number of Americans choose engagement rings made from lab-grown stones instead.

Are people buying less jewelry? ›

Economic concerns may drive jewelry purchases to a trend of less for more. Consumers decrease the number of jewelry items purchased while increasing the average spend per item. This trend was observed in the 2023 holiday season, when the average sales expenditure increased 1.6% compared to 2022.

What jewelry doesn't lose value? ›

The top fine jewelry brand per resale value in 2020 was Van Cleef & Arpels, which ranked as the second highest brand in terms of resale value across all categories. The No. 3 brand overall was Louis Vuitton, No. 4 was Hermès, and at No.

What is considered high-end jewelry? ›

High jewelry typically displays several defining features, including the use of precious metals, emphasis on precious gemstones, commitment to the finest quality and craftsmanship, and the creation of unique and bespoke pieces.

Why is Sapphire so cheap? ›

Color and size or weight are the most important factors that determine the price of a sapphire. The price of sapphires varies greatly depending on its quality. This means a large sapphire of low quality is much cheaper than a small but very high quality sapphire.

What is the point of buying jewelry? ›

A Symbol of Status and Wealth

Owning and wearing luxurious pieces made of gold, diamonds, or other precious materials is a way for individuals to display their success and social standing.

Is it safe to wear cheap earrings? ›

Aside from causing skin irritations, some metals used to make cheap jewelry contain things like high concentrations of nickel, which can cause a severe reaction. There's also the fact that you don't know where the earrings were made, so they may contain other poisonous or harmful substances.

Is it OK to buy used jewelry? ›

Next up on the benefits of buying pre-owned jewelry is the high quality of the pieces. There's a misconception that a secondhand jewelry is of lower quality than a brand-new piece, simply because it has been worn before. However, this could not be further from the truth.

Will cheap jewelry tarnish? ›

Unlike real gold, costume jewelry can tarnish, but that doesn't mean it has to be thrown out!

Why does cheap jewelry irritate my skin? ›

Nickel allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — an itchy rash that appears where your skin touches a usually harmless substance. Nickel allergy is often associated with earrings and other jewelry.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6168

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.