| You have consulted birthstones charts and want to | | | | quality freshwater pearls may be dyed. These |
| buy jewelry. Are you looking for some ways to save | | | | characteristics determine price. |
| money? There are many factors that contribute to the | | | | Imitations are man made, usually by coating glass, |
| cost. Some are obvious. Others may not have | | | | crystal, or plastic. Faux is a French word for false and |
| occurred to you. | | | | indicates imitation. Again, quality will determine price. |
| Identity | | | | Precious Metals |
| The birthstones are gemstones. Some are obviously | | | | The cost of gold and silver has increased drastically. |
| more expensive than others. The birthstones chart | | | | They are also sold by weight. Heavy ornate settings, |
| currently used in the United States contains less | | | | clasps, or beads can increase cost. Different kinds of |
| expensive alternates for most months. There are | | | | metal are priced from high to low in this order: 18k, 14k, |
| many other lists: | | | | 10k gold, vermeil (gold plated sterling silver), sterling |
| 1. Astrological charts use different time periods that | | | | silver, gold filled, gold plated, silver plated, gold or silver |
| combine months. | | | | tone base metals. |
| 2. Old historical lists often assign the gemstones to | | | | Beaded Jewelry |
| different months and may substitute a few different | | | | Beaded birthstone jewelry has other options for lower |
| stones. | | | | prices. Tiny spacer beads reduce the number of |
| 3, Different countries have their own lists. | | | | birthstone beads needed. They can be silver, gold, |
| You can find these different birthstone charts on many | | | | inexpensive gemstones, or glass seed beads. Look for |
| websites. | | | | other less expensive beads in the design, or just a few |
| Quality | | | | birthstones as focal points. |
| The term genuine gemstone simply means that the | | | | Designer |
| stone has the necessary characteristics for its identity. | | | | This term can raise the price. Designer jewelry implies |
| The quality of color and clarity affects the price. | | | | special talent, design experience or education. In reality, |
| Inclusions of other materials can detract from the | | | | anyone can advertise as a designer. Jewelry that |
| clarity and reduce the value. | | | | carries the name of a well known store, name brand, |
| Color | | | | famous designer, or celebrity may cost more. |
| Today many gemstones are color enhanced. Heat | | | | Endorsements are expensive. If fashion jewelry |
| treating, diffusion, radiation, oiling, and dyeing are means | | | | containing imitation gemstones and base metal is sold |
| of improving color. The gemstone industry assumes | | | | in a well known or upscale clothing store, it can cost |
| that these processes have been used, and sellers | | | | more than jewelry with genuine gemstones sold on a |
| often do not volunteer the information. Ruby, sapphire, | | | | website. |
| topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, citrine, and others are | | | | Custom Made |
| routinely heated. Emerald is oiled. Beads may be dyed. | | | | Birthstone jewelry that requires extra time, new design, |
| Assuming other qualities equal, natural color gemstones | | | | buying new or unusual materials can be expensive. |
| will be the most expensive. Dyed stones will be the | | | | Instead use the seller's existing design with substitution |
| least expensive. | | | | of in stock stones or beads. |
| Size | | | | Middlemen |
| Gemstones are sold by weight. The larger the stone, | | | | The number between the mine and the jewelry seller |
| the higher the price per carat. For example, one carat | | | | is one of the biggest factors affecting price. A |
| total weight of several small rubies will cost less than a | | | | hobbyist who buys materials from a retail store adds a |
| one carat single ruby. Do not compare weight of | | | | middleman. A seller who designs and makes jewelry |
| different kinds of gemstones. They have different | | | | and buys beads or loose stones directly from the |
| densities. A 1 carat ruby is not the same size as a 1 | | | | cutter eliminates distributors. Ask questions. Today it is |
| carat diamond. | | | | easy to buy from jewelry makers. Look for their |
| Beads | | | | websites. Attend craft fairs or gem shows. |
| When rough gemstone material comes out of the | | | | Overhead |
| mine, the highest quality is set aside for cutting into | | | | Does the seller have to pay any of these business |
| loose stones for settings. The lower quality is used for | | | | overhead costs? Store, warehouse, office; employees; |
| beads. Why? Because drilling a bead hole wastes | | | | business records; website design, upkeep, hosting; |
| valuable weight. | | | | photography; advertising; credit card processing. Buy |
| Beaded jewelry may cost less. The difference in | | | | from a business that is run from a home. Look for |
| quality is not always obvious. The best quality | | | | information on the About Us page. |
| gemstone beads are often tiny faceted rondelle | | | | Mass Produced Jewelry |
| shapes. The more valuable gemstones, such as ruby, | | | | Large volume selling can mean cheap prices. Materials |
| emerald, and sapphire are seldom made into large | | | | are bought in large quantities. Even handmade items |
| beads, unless they are dyed or contain many | | | | are produced by a large number of workers repeating |
| inclusions. If you want natural color birthstones, you can | | | | the same design. Usually the jewelry is imported from |
| probably find them as beads at an affordable price. | | | | countries where labor is cheap. You can find this |
| Lab Created or Synthetic Gemstones | | | | jewelry in chain stores, large websites, discount stores. |
| They have the same characteristics as natural | | | | Quality may be affected by time deadlines, boring |
| gemstones, but not the same inclusions. The process | | | | repetition, or inexpensive construction materials. Few or |
| contains similarities to the natural creation, but time and | | | | one of a kind jewelry cannot be offered. |
| quality are controlled by man. These high quality stones | | | | Shipping and Packaging |
| are expensive, but should cost less than the same | | | | It is never free. It must either be included in overhead |
| quality mined gemstone. | | | | or paid as added cost by the buyer. Actual shipping |
| Imitation Birthstones | | | | costs vary. You can check them on the shipping |
| They may be other less expensive gemstones that | | | | carrier's website if you know the location of the seller. |
| are dyed. Howlite is used to imitate turquoise. Glass | | | | First class mail is inexpensive for small, light weight |
| imitations were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. They | | | | packages. |
| were often set in 10k gold rings. You may find them in | | | | If you buy directly from a country where labor costs |
| antique or vintage jewelry stores. Prices will vary and | | | | are low, the savings may be offset by high |
| may be determined by value as a collectible. | | | | international shipping. Returning an item would be |
| Swarovski crystal is a popular substitute as a | | | | expensive. Handling costs also vary. Fancy boxes and |
| birthstone. The colors are named after gemstones. | | | | packing materials can raise the price. |
| Imitations should cost less than genuine gemstones. | | | | Conclusion |
| Pearls | | | | If you do comparison shopping, be sure to consider the |
| Pearls are organic gemstones created by oysters (salt | | | | quality of the birthstone jewelry. Be suspicious of low |
| water) or clams (freshwater). Natural pearls found by | | | | cost items that cannot be returned easily, worthless |
| diving are rare and most expensive. Today almost all | | | | guarantees, deceiving imitations. If the price is too low |
| genuine pearl jewelry is cultured on pearl farms. The | | | | to be true, it probably is not a bargain. |
| clam or oyster is induced to create the pearl. Pearls | | | | Save money, but do it intelligently. |
| are sorted according to quality, size, and shape. Lower | | | | |