Men are not comfortable in a jewelry store; this is a known fact. Between the technical language and high price tags, you can easily feel out of your depth. Whether you are shopping for your fashion-loving mother or better half, the following tips will come in handy during your next trip to the jewelry store.

Know what you want

Before you walk into the store, you should have an idea of what you want. If you walk in without a single idea about what you are looking for, you will be ushered towards the most expensive items. Even if the salesperson is genuinely helpful, you will have to rely on their fashion taste instead of your wife’s or mother’s. You should have a clear idea of what you want in terms of basic characteristics. Here are the jewelry descriptors that you should know about:

• Jewelry proportions – if you want a slender chain or a big one, just say that. Do not be afraid to give descriptions to the salesperson.
• Color – do you want silver, plain, or gold jewelry? If you are looking for colored stones, specify the color that you want.
• Price – do not mention the amount that you are willing to spend upfront; you might end up being overcharged. However, you should have a limit in your head that you need to respect. Some jewelers will just direct you to cheaper options while others might be willing to haggle over the prices.

Consult a jeweler that you trust

Most purchases are not made on the spot. You can start by talking to a jeweler about a particular piece. If you do not know any jewelers, you can ask anyone who loves to shop for jewelry. Asking your family members can also lead you to a seasoned jeweler. When asking for a second opinion, you should focus on the professional’s areas of expertise: stone origin, quality, or weight.

Ask the right questions

When visiting a store, you should ask the right questions. This is where many men end up being frustrated. Here is some basic information on precious stones and gems:

Precious metals like Gold

• Karat weight – karat is a traditional measurement of the purity of gold, which dates back to before other measurements were available. It is a scale of 1-24, where 24 carats imply pure gold.
• Hallmark – this is a manufacturer’s stamp on precious metals. It should represent the purity either as a percentage or karat weight. The percentage is usually given in a three-digit decimal. For instance, .750 means that gold is 75 percent pure.

Precious gems like diamonds

Men who are buying diamonds need to memorize the four Cs: color, carat, clarity, and cut. When spelled with a C and not a K, carat does not refer to precious metals. It refers to a measurement equal to 0.2 grams. In terms of color, diamonds are rated from Z to D, where D refers to clear and colorless diamonds. Clarity refers to whether or not the stone has imperfections.

Find the right store

Not all jewelry stores are created equal. Some have better prices; some have knowledgeable staff members, while some have larger selections. If you are lucky, you will find a store with all these things. If you are looking for jewelry stores Virginia Beach residents trust, you need to ask around.

You do not need to be an expert in jewelry to shop for your loved ones. This guide will educate you on the basics, allowing you to shop comfortably.

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Author’s Bio

Wendy Dessler

Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.

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