High-end jewelry is synonymous with substantial price tags. But, what if I tell you, with a hack, you can get yourself a piece of top-notch jewelry with a fraction of the price that you’d pay at any fine jeweler.
This strategy will require extra effort to navigate some of the hurdles that consumers usually don’t have to face. Let’s dive into this strategy.
Modern high-end jewelry consists of different items that are assembled to form the final piece of jewelry. The minimum combination of elements that make a piece of jewelry is 2, metal and stone. But they are often more than two elements to make fine jewelry. The best number could be around 3 to 4 are generally in place to make sophisticated jewelry pieces.
This strategy is simple, and we’ll utilize the information above to hack the system, use it to our advantage. We said the combination of different materials makes the final product of jewelry. In this strategy, we’ll dismantle this combination and hunt each material individually by ourselves.
Now let’s design this project into different steps.
Follow these steps religiously, and then you’ll thank me later.
Step One
Choose your Jewelry
The first phase of hacking the high-end jewelry is deciding the type of jewelry you will go after. Once you choose, you’ll need to research the material in the piece. Remember, there could be more than two elements in each piece of jewelry; identify each material.
Tip: Search online, go to websites and see details in the product descriptions. It is possible to get all the essential information you are looking for in any particular piece of jewelry. You can also go window shopping at your local fine jeweler. And I am sure they’ll be happy to answer all your inquiries about any jewelry you like that is at their disposal.
Step Two
Hunt Gemstones
Once you figure out the material in your favorite jewelry, the next phase will be finding them separately.
There are often two forms of gemstones that you should expect to find in any piece of jewelry.
1- A centerpiece Gemstone (primary)
2- small diamonds (melee) for sparkle (secondary)
There is a primary stone and small diamonds arranged in a particular pattern for sparkling effect in any piece of jewelry. Let’s call them primary and secondary stones on jewelry.
How to find the gemstone of your choice?
You can find the gemstone of your choice in two ways.
Primary Gemstone
- Buy cut and polished loose (Ready)
- Buy rough, then cut and polish (Longer process)
The latter may take a longer process, require more experience, and overcome a couple of hurdles along the way. I recommend the first option.
You can search online or look for gemstone wholesalers in your local market. It will be cheaper for you to buy abroad, that is, if you happen to travel to countries that produce and process gemstones—for example, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and more.
Precious stones such as Rubies, Sapphires and, Emeralds are are more expensive. If your choice is amongst these, you must understand the factors that contribute to their quality and price tags.
If your choice of primary stone is a diamond, read these simple tips to help you buy a diamond safely.
But be very careful when buying your gemstones in these countries. Would you mind reading one of our articles discussing the best tips to follow when purchasing gems abroad? Click here.
Secondary Gemstones
The small diamonds are called a melee, and they are typically manufactured in India; their price range is between $300 -$400 per carat. But 1 carat of melee diamonds is a lot in numbers, so the piece of jewelry you are building might require a fraction of a carat weight.
Step Three
Find Manufacturer
Now you can realize that this strategy will not deal with any fine jewelry retailer, right, correct. It is why you are going to get great deals with little effort on your part.
Here is the part that will require a little more of your attention because you will need to be involved a bit more to get the best deal for yourself.
Remember, our mission is to get a piece of jewelry on a budget that is unlikely to be offered in a retail shop. Manufacturers may offer to do all of the job you require or part of it.
By the time you are approaching these guys, you should have completed the above phases and have the following details at hand;
- Your choice of design
- Primary stone
- Secondary stone
- Metal (Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Platinum) – Choosing the preferred metal is a no-brainer process.
Here, try to negotiate the lowest manufacturing price possible and understand all the details of their offer.
Manufactures will charge you for the following;
- Material – (Metal)
- Labor for design and manufacturing
- You have the rest of your items which would be the priciest
Whether you are interested in Gold or Platinum, their prices are standard, and with a quick google search, you’ll be able to see the exact market prices.
Following this strategy, you’ll cut a hefty price tag to an unbelievable percentage.
Result estimation
Examples for a ring with one primary sapphire stone.
Primary gemstone outsourced:
- 0.55 carats of Natural Sapphire at the Naural Sapphire Company Online will cost you: $ 110
- 14K Gold ring metal will cost you about $ 93
- Secondary stones (melee diamonds) $ 50
- Manufacturing $ 50 (this will vary in locations )
- Total estimate cost: $ 303
Let’s make a quick comparison with a popular online store
A James Allen ring with similar material will cost you over $ 1,000 on a typical day and no less than $ 900
Check to see for yourself here. JamesAllen Sapphire Online