10 Questions Everyone Should Ask Before Buying Jewelry

Whether you're diving into your first jewelry purchase in search of the perfect engagement ring or you've been curating a collection of designer pieces for years, one thing’s certain—you’ve had questions along the way, and there are likely more still waiting to be answered. From the difference between karat and carat or how to best protect your jewelry while storing it, there’s a lot of information about jewelry to absorb.

Fortunately, Mark Schneider has worked with thousands of customers over the years, and we’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions—along with helpful answers—to guide you toward a more informed and confident jewelry purchase.

1. What’s the Difference Between Karat and Carat?

Karat (spelled with a “K”) refers to the purity of gold metal. When you see a piece of jewelry with a metal stamp labeled 22K, 18K or 14K, it refers to the karat of the metal. Gold purity is measured in karats with the highest karat being 24K (pure gold).

Although 24K is the brightest, purest version of gold, it is too soft to be used in jewelry, since jewelry will be worn and must last the test of time. 

Each metal karat has pros and cons. 24K might be the most vibrant yellow, but it is not sturdy enough for durable jewelry. 14K and 18K gold are widely used in jewelry because the alloy makes them strong enough to be worn daily, but the color is not as vibrant.

Certain alloys may cause skin allergies, so it’s best to research this before making any jewelry purchase. The metals added to create alloys can affect the color of the metal, which is why 24K gold has a deep, rich yellow color, while 14K yellow gold will appear a lighter yellow. The addition of copper to pure gold creates the pink tone in rose gold, and the combination of pure gold with nickel or palladium creates white gold. 

Carat, spelled with a “C”, refers to gemstone weight and is most often used for diamonds. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Carat weight is one of "the 4Cs" and is very important in diamond and gemstone grading, as it has a significant effect on the value of the stone.

While some may think that a carat refers to the size of the gemstone, it does not. Gemstone size is measured in millimeters, while carat specifically refers to the weight of the stone. This is important since each stone is unique. For example, you might come across two stones that both measure 6.5mm in diameter, but one could weigh 1.01 carats while the other weighs 1.05 carats. This difference of 0.04 carats is a huge difference in the jewelry world.

2. Can I Shower with My Jewelry On?

Of course you can shower with your jewelry on. But should you? That’s really the question you should be asking.

If you shower with gold or platinum jewelry on, it may not cause damage to the metal, but any type of chemical that is present in soap and shampoo can leave a film on the metal that reduces the luster. With jewelry that is plated or certain types of gemstones, this can cause significant damage.

Stones that are lower on the Mohs scale of hardness, such as opals and pearls, can become damaged when exposed to water and soap. Showering while wearing plated jewelry, such as gold-plated or rhodium-plated (which is almost all white gold), can cause the plating to wear off faster.

The best way to ensure the safety and longevity of your jewelry is to take it off before showering.

3. What’s the Difference Between Solid Gold, Gold-Filled, and Gold-Plated?

Solid gold jewelry is when jewelry is made entirely of gold, for example 10 karat, 14 karat, or 18 karat. It will be the most expensive type of gold jewelry.

Gold plated jewelry is when a thin plating of gold covers a piece of jewelry crafted from a base metal. This plating can wear off over time, but gold plated jewelry is a low cost option if gold is not within your budget. 

Gold filled jewelry is when gold is bonded to a base metal. It must be at least 5% of the jewelry’s weight. It will last longer than gold plated jewelry, but doesn’t carry the same cost as a solid gold piece of jewelry. 

4. What’s the Best Metal for Sensitive Skin?

Platinum: Platinum is a great choice for people with metal allergies. (It also does not tarnish.) Platinum is a naturally hypoallergenic metal, so it's unlikely to cause a skin allergy.

Due to how durable platinum is, it does not need to be mixed with a high percentage of other metals in order for it to be hard enough to be made into jewelry. Because of this, platinum jewelry is usually at least 95% pure platinum, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Although platinum is more rare–and therefore more expensive–it can be worth the higher price tag to ensure your ring does not cause any medical issues. 

Palladium: Like platinum, palladium is a naturally hypoallergenic metal and does not get mixed with large percentages of other metals when it's used to make jewelry. It's a good option for sensitive skin, but it can create other issues related to durability. Palladium is more difficult for jewelers to work with due to how fragile it can be. It tends to crack easily and is complicated to repair. It is a lower cost option to platinum, which has made it popular within the past several years, but whether that lower cost is worth the risk is up to you. 

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is surprisingly popular for earrings due to its hypoallergenic nature. Many people experience discomfort, swelling, and rashes when wearing jewelry that contains metals they are sensitive to. Stainless steel is one of the few options that most people can wear without the risk of any reaction. In fact surgical grade stainless steel is used in medical implants because of its hypoallergenic properties. (NOTE: If you have an extreme nickel allergy, you may want to avoid stainless steel because sometimes nickel is added to stainless steel.)

5. Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?

The short answer: yes! 

The long answer: lab-grown diamonds are absolutely 100% real diamonds. They have the same chemical, physical, and visual properties as natural diamonds. The only real difference is how they are grown. 

Mined diamonds are grown within the earth over billions of years, whereas lab-grown diamonds are grown in a lab under human supervision. Lab grown diamonds are so similar to mined diamonds that it’s impossible to tell them apart without specialized gemological equipment. Even a trained gemologist cannot visually tell the difference between a mined and lab grown diamond.

Because lab grown diamonds are grown above ground, they are eco-friendly. They do not create as much waste or use as much water during their production. Beyond the eco-friendly aspect of lab grown diamonds, they are also more affordable than mined diamonds. Since lab-created diamonds offer the same properties and quality as mined diamonds—at a more affordable price—they’re an excellent option for those shopping on a budget. 

6. What’s the Difference Between Natural, Synthetic, and Imitation Gemstones?

Natural gemstones are formed within the earth, without human intervention. They may be treated to enhance their visual appearance or durability, but they are still considered natural.

Synthetic gemstones are defined as being manmade instead of earth-made, meaning they are grown in a lab under controlled conditions. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that synthetic gemstones share the same properties as their natural counterparts. In other words, they have the same chemical, physical, and visual properties.

Imitation gemstones, on the other hand, are made to look as close as possible to the real gemstone, but they are not made of similar materials. Imitation gemstones can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, cubic zirconia, or other inexpensive gem material. While they can look similar in color to the natural stone they are emulating, they will not truly have the same appearance, because glass and plastic cannot emulate the same sparkle. Imitation gemstones will also lack inclusions or a crystal structure. They are also nowhere near as durable and may not hold up if worn often. Imitation gemstones are most often used in costume jewelry and are not meant to be a true replacement for the natural gemstone version. 

7. How Should I Store My Jewelry?

Each piece of jewelry should be stored separately from others to avoid scratches to metal and gemstones. You should also store the items in a closed container to avoid dust coming into contact with them. 

8. What Should I Know Before Buying a Custom Piece?

Before purchasing a custom piece of jewelry, you need to ask yourself a few questions:

1. What is my timeline? Custom jewelry can take several weeks to several months, depending upon the complexity.

2. What is my budget? Be honest with the jeweler about your budget so that realistic options can be presented.

3. What do I want it to look like? Share pictures or videos with the jeweler so they understand exactly what you’re interested in.

9. Can Jewelry Be Resized or Repaired?

Most of the time, yes, jewelry can be repaired or resized. Some exceptions include, certain types of alternative metals, eternity bands (bands with diamonds all the way around can be more complicated to size), or rings with very intricate patterns that are difficult to duplicate. It’s important to keep this in mind when purchasing a piece of jewelry, so you’ll know whether it can be repaired, resized, or modified in the future if needed.

10. How Can I Tell If a Piece of Jewelry Is Worth the Price?

While a lot of this is about your own budget, there are some things to look out for:

Metal stamp: Check if the jewelry has a metal stamp (10k, 14k, 18k, or Platinum). This will help you determine what type of metal it is, which will better determine if the pricing is accurate.

Gemstones: Does the gemstone come with a grading certificate? What is the quality? Remember that gemstones can vary greatly in price depending upon the size, quality, and grading.

Manufacturer: Was the jewelry made by a well known designer? If so, pricing may be higher due to demand.

Final Thoughts

Having answers to some of the most commonly asked questions can make a big difference—whether you’re simply looking to better understand the jewelry you already own or preparing to make a new purchase. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel in your buying decisions and in your ability to care for your jewelry so it lasts for generations to come.