Dos:
The number one thing to remember when buying your designer jewelry is to buy what you love. If you keep this in mind, all else will be easy. Regardless of trends or materials used, you will be sure to enjoy your selection for many many years to come. Do get to know the jewelry designer and artisan that made your piece. This is important as you are buying a piece of their craft, their artwork that you will be wearing for years to come. If you like the artisan, you will feel that every time you put on your designer necklace or earrings. If you can actually meet the designer you will create a memory of that experience that will stay with the piece that you select. Also, do get in writing what the piece is made of and a guarantee that backs the representation of materials used. I know that I said that it did not matter what it was made of if you love the piece, but it has to do with the value and authenticity of the piece that you are buying. There is a big price difference is dyed vs. natural gemstones and solid gold vs. gold filled.
Don’ts:
Don’t rush out and buy what your friends are wearing or what the magazines are saying is in this season. Instead set the trends yourself. I think it is important to stay informed about the trends and it can be very nice to wear something that is contemporary as far as the colors of the season, silhouettes etc., but this should not be a determining factor in buying a piece of artisan handmade jewelry that you will be enjoying for years to come. Don’t buy something from someone who will not back up what they are selling in writing backed with a guarantee. If it is a one-of-a-kind piece, then ask the artisan to back that up with a certificate. Don’t buy something that you are only going to wear once. As a jewelry designer and a salesman one would not expect this advice coming from me, as one would think my goal is to sell as much jewelry as possible, but this is something that I truly believe. But something that is classic enough or artistic enough that it will lend itself to several occasions or events. I try to keep my designs classic enough that they can be worn year after year despite changing fashion trends.
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