In my 20-year jewelry journey, I bought everything—from cheap fashion accessories to fine jewelry made of solid gold and silver. Back then, I believed only real gold and sterling silver qualified as fine jewelry, and only brands like Mikimoto or Tasaki offer truly premium pearls, until…
Hard Lessons Learned: Allergies, Tarnish, and Huge Depreciation
I experienced painful skin allergies and watched my sterling silver pieces tarnish over time. Even worse, I learned that luxury jewelry often has terrible resale value—often less than 20% of the original price. In Jewelry 101, I’m sharing my own experience and lessons learned to save your costs.
What Really Counts as Investment-Grade Jewelry
If you’re buying jewelry for investment or heirloom purposes, only the highest quality materials might hold value:
- Wild antique pearls
- 18K gold or higher
- Natural premium diamonds over 2 carats
- Rare, top-quality gemstones over 3 carats
Even with these, depreciation is still a factor—especially as lab-grown diamonds and cultured pearls continue to improve.
What to Look for in Everyday Jewelry
For most people, the goal is different: we want beautiful, safe, and long-lasting jewelry at a fair price.
That means avoiding brand markups. Instead, learn how to:
- Identify hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant jewelry metals
- Understand pearl/ gem grading
- Source pieces as close to the original material suppliers as possible
Why I Started The Blog “Jewelry 101 – Your Insider Guide to Buying Jewelry”
My own journey eventually led me into the pearl jewelry business. I now curate pieces that strike a balance between quality and affordability—without promising perfection.
This blog doesn’t cover ultra-luxury investment jewelry. Instead, Jewelry 101 is for those of us who want realistic, wearable pieces that are:
- Skin-friendly
- Durable
- Reasonably priced
Know the Limits, Shop Smart
Even though I work hard to source the best materials in each price range, no piece is flawless. Every material has its limitations. Stainless Steel vs Sterling Silver, Gold-Filled & Brass: Best Jewelry Metals
The key to smart shopping? Know what you’re buying—and set realistic expectations.
I hope this blog helps you do exactly that.