Have you ever had a chain break right after you bought it? Have any of your stones fallen out of their settings? Do you wonder if your 'gold' jewellery is really gold? This guide shows you how to spot poor craftsmanship and imitation gold or platinum and gives you a wealth of information on chains, mountings, multi-coloured gold, and platinum alloys. The book is paced with colour photographs and step-by-step guidelines on: evaluating craftsmanship; making practical choices; detecting fake metals; caring for your jewellery; determining karat value; finding a good buy.

The perfect pocket-sized companion for those travelling and thinking about purchasing jewellery or stones. Renee Newman, author of the highly respected gem and jewellery guides including 'Diamond Ring Buying Guide' and 'Gold and Platinum Jewelry Buying Guide', has written a concise buying guide covering gems, gold and platinum that's a perfect handy reference. Here is important information on how to select jewellers and appraisers; a chapter on notable gem sources and which countries are noted for specific gems; information on coral, ivory and amber; precautions one must take when buying from an unfamiliar source; and customs regulations, duties and how to use lab reports. This guide will become an indispensable resource that will be used time and time again.

A full-colour guide for lay people and professionals about gold, platinum, palladium, silver, copper, bronze, brass, iron, titanium, niobium, aluminium, stainless steel, Damascus steel, tungsten carbide and cobalt chrome. This book explains how to test, buy, sell, and care for jewellery with precious and alternative metals. High-quality colour photographs show how these metals are creatively used in jewellery. Besides providing an historical perspective and interesting facts about the metals, this book discusses jewellery manufacturing methods, plating and responsible mining & business practices. You will learn: How to read the stamps on jewellery mountings; How to identify jewellery metals; How to determine the gold content in jewellery; How and where to sell your unwanted jewellery; How to spot a fair consignment contract; How to select refiners and prepare shipments to them; How to prevent and remove silver tarnish; How to clean metal jewellery.

This updated and revised 8th Edition provides concise yet detailed information on diamond quality evaluation, lab-grown diamonds, fakes, gem treatments, cutting styles, gold, platinum, palladium, silver, alternative metals, settings, ring selection, diamond grading reports, gem care and buying tips. Its a visual guide that helps you select the best diamonds and mounting for your budget and needs. Written in clear, everyday English, with lots of colour photos, the book shows you step-by-step how to evaluate diamonds and settings. It has helped thousands of diamond buyers make smart choices and is a useful reference for jewelry salespeople when answering customers questions about diamonds, precious metals and settings. A Gems & Gemology review described the previous edition of the Diamond Ring Buying Guide as An entire course on judging diamonds in 155 pages of well-organised information ... the book serves as a checklist for the purchase, mounting and care of a diamond. The photos are excellent. Brides magazine wrote: "Want to feel truly confident in the jewelry store? Read the Diamond Ring Buying Guide by an industry insider, which will teach you how to judge a quality diamond. What We Love: The seriously savvy shopping tips and the massive colour photos that reveal what diamonds look like under a loupe".

This guide helps buyers to evaluate these spectacular gems and it updates professionals on new treatments and sources of corundum and emerald. Using close-up photographs, the book shows how to make visual judgements about clarity. transparency, cut quality and brilliance. In addition, it helps you to understand lab reports and find appraisers and labs. You will also get tips on detecting imitations and synthetic stones. Let this guide provide the in-depth information you will need to be a smart buyer. Topics in this guide include: Quality evaluation; Gem treatments; Fakes and synthetics; Lab reports; Geographic sources; Appraisals; Gem cleaning & care; Savvy buying.

If you would like to look good in your jewellery and be a smart buyer, consult this Handbook. It's like a 'Jewellery 101' course on the fundamentals of jewellery metals, settings, finishes, necklaces, chains, clasps, bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, pins, clips, manufacturing methods and jewellery selection and care. Written for professionals, and lay people, this Handbook outlines the benefits and drawbacks of the various setting styles, mountings, chains, and metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, titanium, stainless steel and tungsten. It also provides information and colour photographs on gemstones, birthstones, and fineness marks and helps you to select versatile, durable jewellery that flatters your features.