[TheSpottedOwl]

I went to my favorite site, and searched for alexandrite jewelry. No luck. Perhaps they are getting as rare as hens teeth?

You ladies seem to know your jewelry, so let me ask you about the onslaught of 10K gold. I've even seen jewelry made from 5K! My mom told me years ago, that 18K was ideal, 24K was too soft, and 14K was acceptable. I avoid 10K like the plague, unless it's "mixed media". Same with sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Sure it looks pretty, but the resale value isn't worth my time. So, apart from giving 10K gold to a young girl, does it have a durable resale value?

I personally don't need anymore jewelry, but I'm looking towards the future. Yeah, I've got a full length ranch mink that belonged to my mom. I want to have it cleaned and reconditioned. Good luck finding a furrier in this neck of the woods...

Well, I'm off to bed. Thanks for any input you may have :)

[nopardons]

Jewelry made from FIVE KARAT GOLD? That's JUNK! And your mother was correct about 10K being not acceptable. Yes, 14K is okay, 18K is best, and 24K is too soft to wear in a ring; it is also a color that won't go with anything else that you might want to wear it with.

As far as resale is concerned, unless your piece is from a very well know jeweler and NOT new, you will most probably get very little of its worth back. Estate/inherited pieces are a different matter.

Now, about your mother's mink coat......unless both you and she have taken excellent care of it ( and that DOES mean keeping it in cold storage, having it cleaned every so often ) it will NOT be usable at all. I don't know where you live, but if you have a Neiman's or a Saks store near you, they CAN and will send your coat off to be cleaned and reconditioned for you.

I hope I've been of some help. If you need more help, please FREEPmail me.

[najida]

The only time I buy something in 10k is when it's an estate piece. I have a couple of things from the Art Deco era that are very pretty, and in 10k, but they're also valued for being antique too. But current 10k is well, icky.


To me, 18k is the prettiest, and if you ever go overseas, some countries have exquisite folk jewelry that is made from that mix. To me, the biggest thing about buying stones and jewelery is that....YOU CAN WEAR IT! WHOO HOO!

Heck, it ain't an investment to me, it's just another addition to the sparklies in my life :)

[SuziQ]

Most folks don't buy jewelry for its resale value. They buy it because it's pretty, and they believe the person for whom the gift is intended will enjoy the gift. I assume that 10K gold is more popular these days simply because settings can be made at a more reasonable cost, making jewelry much less expensive and more available for folks who couldn't afford it before.

Most women buy 'costume' jewelry, and are not looking to shell out a bunch of money for it. If they want a more stunning piece, they'll go with a nice 14K or even 18K setting, but for everyday stuff, they'll settle for 10K.