Jewelry Buying Guide

If you are new to buying jewelry or have just not had very much experience, Houston Jewelers can help. In this page we provide you with the basics on quality and price so you will at least be knowledgeable enough to feel comfortable buying one of your first pieces of jewelry.

In addition, we offer you some gift ideas and ways to finance your purchase if you wish to pay over time. We hope this is helpful for you, but nothing is better than being able to ask a professional, so please just come into our store and one of our sales people will be happy to talk with you.

Great gift ideas
Financing jewelry
Quality and price

Great Gift Ideas

For more gift ideas just browse our catalog by designer or products and see the great variety of items available for you to please that special someone in your life.

Financing Jewelry

The purchase of fine jewelry is a long term investment and could have a significant cost in the beginning.  Houston Jewelers has made an arrangement with a bank to provide financing to our customers.  Just see our financing jewelry section on the Resource Page for more details.

Quality and Price – Here is What You Need to Know...

"Jewelry is jewelry, right? If I can buy a diamond ring for 50% less at the mall, from TV or online, why should I go to a local jeweler and pay top dollar?"

Does this argument sound familiar?  Chances are you know someone who has bought jewelry from one of the above mentioned discount sources.  Although it seems like a great bargain at first, the purchaser is bound to be disappointed.  Here's why...

Most retailers that sell jewelry at apparently incredible percentages off have been known to inflate the original price of their merchandise to lure you into thinking you're getting a great bargain.  The reality is, you probably ended up paying exactly, or perhaps even more, than what the piece was really worth.  Like Grandpa always said, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".  It is important to examine and compare the quality of the merchandise being offered by discount retailers to your local jewelry store.  We believe the old adage still applies: "You get what you pay for."

Here are some key points to consider:

• Gems in the discount piece may be smaller, of lesser quality, synthetic or treated - all of which could lower the item's value.
• Gem grading standards should be done by the highest caliber organizations and gemologists possible, (Like the G.I.A. or the A.G.S.), to insure correct representation.
• Prongs could be thinner or weaker - meaning there's a greater chance the item will break and you could lose your gemstone.
• Check the karat mark on any gold piece; the discounter's item may contain less gold than the comparable piece in the local jewelry store (10k gold has less gold content than 14k and is therefore cheaper).
• Check the thickness of the metal - the discounted gold ring, necklace or bracelet may be thinner, or hollow, making it cheaper and more vulnerable to wear and tear.
• Consider craftsmanship - turn the piece over and look at the back:  Is the finish as good as on the front?  (This is one of the hallmarks of a quality piece of jewelry.)
• Original, handmade designs are substantially more valuable than generic, mass produced, machine-made discount jewelry.
• Check the clasps on items, such as bracelets and necklaces.  Better pieces of jewelry will have sturdier components, and they'll match the overall piece in terms of color, texture and design.
• And last, but not least, "Know your Jeweler!"   A jeweler’s Great reputation is easy to find with a little effort.  A mediocre or failing reputation is just as easy to detect.  Ask the successful people in your life.  They have already learned that buying quality is most important, and are most likely to know where best value is in your community.