New to buying designer Italian gold jewelry? It’s more than just picking out a favorite piece. Here’s our exclusive guide to buying the right jewelry.
Keyword(s): Italian gold jewelry
Are you looking to update your jewelry collection? Whether you want a dramatic statement piece or something classic you can wear every day, gold jewelry is always a great choice. However, you have to make sure you’re getting the right kind.
Italian gold jewelry is famous for its high quality and unique design. Not sure how to know if you’re getting the real thing? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about buying designer Italian gold jewelry.
History Of Italian Gold Jewelry
Italy is known around the world as the place to go for beautiful, luxurious jewelry of all kinds. Italian gold jewelry is particularly renowned, however, for its distinct color and quality. The country processes 500 tons of fine gold for jewelry production every year!
There are 5 sections of the country that are known for producing the world’s finest jewelry: Milan, Vicenza, Arrezzo, Valenza, and Torre del Greco.
No matter which area you buy from, though, you can be assured that your Italian jewelry was created by a master. In Italy, everyone who wants to make jewelry must first apprentice with a master goldsmith. Oftentimes, these master artisans pass down their trade secrets from generation to generation, keeping the family business closely guarded to protect these carefully developed processes. Because they learn from the best, all of Italy’s jewelry makers know how to make pieces that are truly special.
What To Look For In Gold Jewelry
There are a few things you should look for when you’re shopping for Italian gold jewelry.
Purity
The value of gold is determined in part by its purity. Purity is measured in karats, and karat measurement divides purity into 24ths. So, 24 karat gold is 100 percent pure.
Gold jewelry is often labeled 24, 18, 14, 12, or 10 karats. The higher the karat, the more expensive the piece of jewelry will be.
As stated above 24 karat gold is pure gold. 18 karat gold, on the other hand, is 18 parts gold and 6 parts one or more other metals, so it’s 75 percent gold.
14 karat gold jewelry is the most common gold jewelry sold in the U.S. Italian gold jewelry is usually 18 karats or more, which explains why it is often a bit more expensive than pieces made in the U.S.
When determining how pure your gold jewelry is, you should take your lifestyle into account. Yes, 24 karat gold is the purest, but it is also softer and more prone to scratches and damage. If you want to wear your jewelry every day, a slightly less pure gold might be the better option for you.
Markings
When purchasing gold jewelry, there are other markings you’ll need to understand as well. European gold jewelry includes the following markings to indicate how pure it is:
18K gold is marked 750. This indicates 75% gold.
14K gold is marked 585. This indicates 58.5% gold.
10K gold is marked 417. This indicates 41.7% gold.
In addition to European markings, your gold jewelry will also include a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker and — sometimes — its country of origin. If your jewelry is over 100 years old, it will likely not include a hallmark, so you’ll need to have it tested for gold content before you buy it.
Some jewelry also includes a marking that indicates it contains other metals. It might have the letters “GF” inscribed to mean gold filled, of “GP” to mean gold plated. “Pd” means that the base metal of the jewelry is Palladium, “PT” and “PLAT” both mean platinum, and “SS” and “STEEL” both mean stainless steel.
Rings might also include a single or double-digit marking to indicate their size.
Color
Gold comes in a few different colors: yellow, pink, white, and — sometimes — green. Pink, white, and green golds are created when it is mixed with other metals. These varieties are usually no more than 18 karats.
White gold is created when gold is mixed with palladium or nickel. Pink or rose gold is created when copper is mixed in, and green gold is created when silver is mixed with gold. Because silver is also very valuable, green gold is usually the most expensive variety.
You know that non-yellow varieties of gold are not pure, but that doesn’t mean that all yellow gold is automatically pure. You should always check the markings to be safe.
How To Purchase Jewelry
There are still some things you should be aware of before you head to the store to make your purchase. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure that you get high-quality Italian gold jewelry.
Find A Reputable Dealer
When it comes to purchasing valuable gold jewelry, it’s important that you purchase from a reputable source. To know if the jeweler you’re considering is trustworthy, ask the following questions:
Are they willing to show their credentials and certification?
Do they offer services like resizing and custom design?
Are they knowledgeable about their products?
Is their jewelry include the markings discussed above that show its purity?
Ask About A Warranty
Another important sign of a reputable jeweler is whether or not they offer a warranty.
It is best to buy jewelry that comes with a warranty, even if it adds to the cost, so that you know you can get it repaired if it’s damaged.
At Roma Designer Jewelry, we offer a lifetime satisfaction warranty on all our pieces.
Don’t Get Scammed
Jewelry is expensive, and it’s important that you put in the effort to make sure you’re getting what you paid for.
Karat value trademarks help ensure that your jewelry really is worth the price you paid for it. If you’re making an online purchase, make sure that at least one of the pictures of the jewelry displays the trademark.
Price is also a good indicator of whether or not your gold is truly pure. If you are able to buy jewelry for an incredibly low price, it is probably counterfeit.
Purchase Your Italian Gold Jewelry Today
Now that you know a little more about what to consider when buying designer Italian gold jewelry, it’s time to start shopping! At Roma Designer Jewelry, we have a variety of high-quality pieces for you to choose from.