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Buying Diamonds as a Hedge against Inflation

You’re shopping for a diamond pendant or perhaps considering purchasing a pair of anniversary rings so that you and your spouse can mark an important milestone in your marriage, Diamonds are not only beautiful, but they can also hold their value, something today’s savvy consumer is well aware of.

One question you may have, especially as you survey the topsy-turvy global financial markets, is whether diamonds can be a good investment for the long term. Well, that answer isn’t as simple as you might hope, because there are a number of factors which determine whether a diamond or diamond jewelry will be worth substantially more money several years down the road.

Though some of what I will share with you is theory, there are a few things to consider before making a diamond purchase especially when doing so as an investment. Please read on and we’ll explore how you can protect your diamond investment:

The Bigger, The Better – Jewelry broker, Martin Rapaport whose personal price list is used as a standard for wholesale trade in polished diamonds, mentioned earlier this year that the decline in the value of the dollar, in which diamonds are priced, has increased investment in diamonds as a hedge against inflation. But, the recent run up in value of the dollar is easing diamond prices, suggesting that current market volatility may make such investing a risky proposition for most people.

Heirlooms and Collectibles – Some investors stay away from the big diamonds market, unable to keep up with the big guys who have a lot of cash on hand. Instead, these people frequent estate sales for family heirlooms and collectibles in search of that special diamond wedding band or pair of pearl drop earrings from another era. Dealers scour the market for the best deals, make needed repairs, and turn around and sell their finds for a profit.

Designer Jewelry – The jury is out on the long term value of designer jewelry, particularly on trendy pieces which tend to lose their appeal within a few short years. Keeping that in mind, most of the top designers embody both trendy and classical themes to develop lines of jewelry that will look great ten, twenty, even fifty years or longer provided they are kept in very good shape. Designers such as Danhov and M. Geller are prized today and have what it takes to bring much long term value for buyers.

What You Love – Of course, most buyers purchase their diamond jewelry with one thing in mind: what they love. This is the most important consideration when making any jewelry purchase that you really like what you want to wear. Buying jewelry with an eye on its long term value is fine, but that shouldn’t ever supplant your desire for a particular pair of diamond earrings, a silver ring, pearl drop earrings, or some other personally valued accoutrement.

So, can buying diamonds be a good hedge against inflation? Perhaps if you have a lot of money, the expertise to select the right kind of diamond, and have the intestinal fortitude to weather the vagaries of the marketplace, then that answer might be yes.

For everyone else, finding the right diamond jewelry at affordable prices can provide for you just the right blend of value and desirability, something no one can put a price on except for you.

About the Author

Bryan Peter offers you helpful tips on Diamond engagement rings loose diamonds and specializes in giving latest diamond education. Our company is a leading diamond jewelry store offering all unique products. For more tips on buying engagement rings please visit: Diamond wedding ring

Buying Diamonds as a Hedge against Inflation by Bryan Peter

How to choose from an Array of Engagement Rings

The engagement is the first step into your committed relationship and purchasing the engagement ring should be taken equally seriously. It is a pricey undertaking hence you should be careful in your selection. It isn’t a simple purchase as it seems like and should be well researched for before narrowing on a selection. The engagement ring would be worn by your spouse all the time so it should be liked and cherished by your spouse. Your purchasing capacity depends upon your willingness to spend on this lifetime investment. There are many types of engagement rings and you need to decide whether you want to make it a surprise to your spouse or buy it with her consent.

If you want to surprise her, you need to know her likings and the type of metal she prefers or give something that she hasn’t possessed as of yet. There are varied alternatives for an engagement ring but the most popular ones are the diamond rings, gold rings and platinum rings. The diamond ring is a perfect match for anyone and it jells up with any kind of mounting metal. The diamond looks stunning with platinum and also along with gold or any other metal, but it is logical to have a sturdy metal to hold the diamond.

It is important to know the diamond before you splurge into its investment. One has to consider the cut, clarity, carat and colour of the diamond, which are its keys elements. There are around 10 popular cuts but there are umpteen other styles designed by jewellery makers. You need to carefully choose your style of cut as it would determine the shine of the diamond and the fit in the ring design. The most popular cuts are the round, oval and princess cut but unique designs require different cuts. It is always difficult to start with your search; hence online jewellery shopping website is a feasible alternative. Many websites offer to have your own individual designs and choose your style of diamond on it. This will give to a fair idea of your purchase. You can team up your diamond with your choice of metal and can have your design incorporated. This will make your purchase unique and it will be all the more special. Diamonds come in various price ranges depending upon their originality. You can choose the one that is appealing to your spouse and also isn’t heavy on your pocket.

About the Author

Monty Alexander is a well known writer and has written thousands of articles on latest jewelry i.e. engagement rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets etc.

How to choose from an Array of Engagement Rings by Monty Alexander

Don’t Sell Grandma’s Jewelry at a Yard Sale…What’s It Worth?
 
VINTAGE JEWELRY IDENTIFICATION Before you can find out what a piece of vintage jewelry is worth, you need to find out what it is. This can be as simple as turning it over and finding a maker’s mark or complicated as in “hours of research”. First thing first: Examine your jewelry for a maker’s mark. Look on the back or on the clasp. Thoroughly examine every inch of the piece. If you see a maker’s mark, start your research! Not finding a maker’s mark doesn’t mean it’s not valuable, on the contrary; many fine pieces of jewelry were never marked.

It does mean you will need to put in a little more effort in research.   If you received your vintage jewelry from a family member, ask them about it’s history. Did your grandfather give it to your grandmother right before he went off to war? Was it handed down from her mother? Answers to these questions will give you a general idea of how old it is.  Look at the style of the piece. Although many styles come back into fashion after a time, it is still possible to ID an older piece by the style and material.   Does it appear to have gemstones? Determine it they are real gemstones. You will need some sort of strong magnifying glass or ideally, a jeweler’s loupe. A loupe is a small magnifying glass in various degrees of magnification. A 10X loupe should be all you need and they are relatively inexpensive.

Craft and hobby stores usually sell them. Go to a well lighted place and look at the stone through the loupe. Do you see tiny bubbles in the stone? Tiny air bubbles mean it is made from glass or plastic. It’s not a real gemstone. Is it open backed? Can you see the back of the stone when you turn the piece over? Does the back of the stone look shiny as in gold or silver colored foil? These are foil back rhinestones and not real gems. Foil was often added to reflect the light and create a better sparkle. Most real gems contain some type of natural inclusion. Unless you are familiar with gems and diamonds, your best bet is to take it to a jeweler or appraiser if you think it is real.   Look at the construction of the piece. This can be extremely helpful in dating a piece! Look at the clasp or pin. Are the stones individually riveted on? Is the clasp rather ornate? Does it have a layered look? What type of style is it? Does it remind you of old black and white movies? Perhaps Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn? Does it look Victorian?  

By now, you should have a general idea of age and you are ready to start your research in earnest!   RESEARCH Head for your local library or heat up an Internet search engine! I can spend hours in my local library poring over books and books and more books. There are plenty of good vintage jewelry reference books. Stop by your library or bookstore and check them out before buying. No sense in buying a book you will hardly use! If you choose the library, bring your jewelry with you. You can also make copies of any pages you wish to take or check out the book and bring it home. As with other research, libraries are extremely helpful. Searching on the Internet is also a quick and easy way to get fast information. Some search terms to try are: 

maker’s mark vintage jewelry the name of the maker’s mark you found on your piece the decade i.e. “1930’s jewelry” antique jewelry collectible costume jewelry

This will give you hours of research and hundreds of pages to sort. Look at anything relevant, look for similar pieces or styles. Visit online vintage jewelry shops. Look for forums where you may be able to post a picture and ask for identification help.  If you love to research like I do, this is right up your alley! It can take hours, days sometimes weeks to find out about a certain piece. As you go, you will gain more knowledge about old vintage jewelry and hopefully you will be as enchanted as many other collectors and dealers. It’s a fascinating world of “junky jewelry”!

Tag: vintage jewelry, jewelry, old jewelry, yard sale, rummage sale

Don’t Sell Grandma’s Jewelry at a Yard Sale…What’s It Worth? by JOANNA GILFORD