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Buying Birthstone Jewelry - Money Saving Tips
You have consulted birthstones charts and want to buy jewelry. Are you looking for some ways to save money? There are many factors that contribute to the cost. Some are obvious. Others may not have occurred to you.
Identity
The birthstones are gemstones. Some are obviously more expensive than others. The birthstones chart currently used in the United States contains less expensive alternates for most months.
There are many other lists:
1. Astrological charts use different time periods that combine months.
2. Old historical lists often assign the gemstones to different months and may substitute a few different stones.
3. Different countries have their own lists.
You can find these different birthstone charts on many websites.
Quality
The term genuine gemstone simply means that the stone has the necessary characteristics for its identity. The quality of color and clarity affects the price. Inclusions of other materials can detract from the clarity and reduce the value.
Color
Today many gemstones are color enhanced. Heat treating, diffusion, radiation, oiling, and dyeing are means of improving color. The gemstone industry assumes that these processes have been used, and sellers often do not volunteer the information. Ruby, sapphire, topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, citrine, and others are routinely heated. Emerald is oiled. Beads may be dyed.
Assuming other qualities equal, natural color gemstones will be the most expensive. Dyed stones will be the least expensive.
Size
Gemstones are sold by weight. The larger the stone, the higher the price per carat. For example, one carat total weight of several small rubies will cost less than a one carat single ruby. Do not compare weight of different kinds of gemstones. They have different densities. A 1 carat ruby is not the same size as a 1 carat diamond.
Beads
When rough gemstone material comes out of the mine, the highest quality is set aside for cutting into loose stones for settings. The lower quality is used for beads. Why? Because drilling a bead hole wastes valuable weight.
Beaded jewelry may cost less. The difference in quality is not always obvious. The best quality gemstone beads are often tiny faceted rondelle shapes. The more valuable gemstones, such as ruby, emerald, and sapphire are seldom made into large beads, unless they are dyed or contain many inclusions. If you want natural color birthstones, you can probably find them as beads at an affordable price.
Lab Created or Synthetic Gemstones
They have the same characteristics as natural gemstones, but not the same inclusions. The process contains similarities to the natural creation, but time and quality are controlled by man. These high quality stones are expensive, but should cost less than the same quality mined gemstone.
Imitation Birthstones
They may be other less expensive gemstones that are dyed. Howlite is used to imitate turquoise.
Glass imitations were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. They were often set in 10k gold rings. You may find them in antique or vintage jewelry stores. Prices will vary and may be determined by value as a collectible.
Swarovski crystal is a popular substitute as a birthstone. The colors are named after gemstones.
Imitations should cost less than genuine gemstones.
Pearls
Pearls are organic gemstones created by oysters (salt water) or clams (freshwater). Natural pearls found by diving are rare and most expensive.
Today almost all genuine pearl jewelry is cultured on pearl farms. The clam or oyster is induced to create the pearl. Pearls are sorted according to quality, size, and shape. Lower quality freshwater pearls may be dyed. These characteristics determine price.
Imitations are man made, usually by coating glass, crystal, or plastic. Faux is a French word for false and indicates imitation. Again, quality will determine price.
Precious Metals
The cost of gold and silver has increased drastically. They are also sold by weight. Heavy ornate settings, clasps, or beads will increase cost. Different kinds of metal are priced from high to low in this order: 18k, 14k, 10k gold, vermeil (gold plated sterling silver), sterling silver, gold filled, gold plated, silver plated, gold or silver tone base metals.
Beaded Jewelry
Beaded birthstone jewelry has other options for lower prices. Tiny spacer beads reduce the number of birthstone beads needed. They can be silver, gold, inexpensive gemstones, or glass seed beads.
Look for other less expensive beads in the design, or just a few birthstones as focal points.
Designer
This term can raise the price. Designer jewelry implies special talent, design experience or education. In reality, anyone can advertise as a designer. Jewelry that carries the name of a well known store, name brand, famous designer, or celebrity may cost more. Endorsements are expensive. If fashion jewelry containing imitation gemstones and base metal is sold in a well known or upscale clothing store, it can cost more than jewelry with genuine gemstones sold on a website.
Custom Made
Birthstone jewelry that requires extra time, new design, buying new or unusual materials can be expensive. Instead use the seller's existing design with substitution of in stock stones or beads.
Middlemen
The number between the mine and the jewelry seller is one of the biggest factors affecting price. A hobbyist who buys materials from a retail store adds a middleman. A seller who designs and makes jewelry and buys beads or loose stones directly from the cutter eliminates distributors. Ask questions. Today it is easy to buy from jewelry makers. Look for their websites. Attend craft fairs or gem shows.
Overhead
Does the seller have to pay any of these business overhead costs? Store, warehouse, office; employees; business records; website design, upkeep, hosting; photography; advertising; credit card processing. Buy from a business that is run from a home. Look for information on the About Us page.
Mass Produced Jewelry
Large volume selling can mean cheap prices. Materials are bought in large quantities. Even handmade items are produced by a large number of workers repeating the same design. Usually the jewelry is imported from countries where labor is cheap. You can find this jewelry in chain stores, large websites, discount stores.
Quality may be affected by time deadlines, boring repetition, or inexpensive construction materials. Few or one of a kind jewelry cannot be offered.
Shipping and Packaging
It is never free. It must either be included in overhead or paid as added cost by the buyer. Actual shipping costs vary. You can check them on the shipping carrier's website if you know the location of the seller. First class mail is inexpensive for small, light weight packages.
If you buy directly from a country where labor costs are low, the savings may be offset by high international shipping. Returning an item would be expensive.
Handling costs also vary. Fancy boxes and packing materials can raise the price.
Conclusion
If you do comparison shopping, be sure to consider the quality of the birthstone jewelry.
Be suspicious of low cost items that cannot be returned easily, worthless guarantees, deceiving imitations.
If the price is too low to be true, it probably is not a bargain.
Save money, but do it intelligently.
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 12x3mm RondelleHowliteTurquoise Gemstone Beads 60pcs  US $1.50
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 Multicolor Turquoise Rondelle Gemstone Loose Beads 155 G051 US $3.59
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 6x10mm Dark Blue Howlite Turquoise Rondelle Beads 14L US $3.99
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 12x8mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 15 TU38e US $4.99
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 8x4mm Rondelle Turquoise Gemstone Beads 60pcs US $1.30
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 3x6mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 Multicolor Turquoise Rondelle Charm European Beads 5X US $1.88
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 155inches 4mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads US $5.99
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 6x10mm Faceted White Turquoise Rondelle Beads 16 US $6.99
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 Multicolor Turquoise Rondelle Gem Loose Beads 155 G050 US $3.99
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 6x4 9x6mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Column Loose Beads 155 G3869 US $3.99
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 18 Beautiful Faceted 7 8mm TURQUOISE Rondelle Beads US $2.91
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 14x3mm Fuchsia Turquoise Rondelle Heishi Beads 8 US $5.99
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 8x17mm Green Africa Turquoise Rondelle Beads 8 US $6.99
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 3x6mm Faceted Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 16mm Colorful Turquoise Rondelle Beads 8 US $5.99
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 14mm Colorful Turquoise Rondelle Beads 8 US $4.99
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 Green Howlite Turquoise Rondelle Charm European Bead 10 US $3.68
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 5x12mm Colorful Turquoise Rondelle Beads 16 US $6.99
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 5x10mm A Faceted Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 32pcs US $4.99
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 4x8mm White Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 10mm black mosaic flower turquoise rondelle beads 16 US $.99
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 12MM Manmade Turquoise RONDELLE SHAPE BEADS 16 US $.99
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 White Turquoise Rondelle Loose Beads Gemstone 155 G094 US $3.29
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 Multicolor Turquoise Rondelle Beads Gemstone Strand 15 1 2 G305 US $4.99
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 6x10mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 16inch US $3.99
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 NEW Fashion Turquoise Rondelle Beads Gem Strand 15 1 2 G311 US $4.99
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 Turquoise Rondelle Loose Beads Strand 15 1 2 G323 US $4.99
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 Howlite Turquoise Rondelle Loose Beads Gemstone 15 1 2 G140 US $3.99
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 Turquoise Rondelle Loose Beads Gemstone Strand 15 1 2 G296 US $4.99
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 5x8mm Faceted Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $6.99
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 Howlite Turquoise Rondelle European Beads Big Hole 20X US $4.88
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 4x8mm Colorful Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 6x2mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 16 US $5.99
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 155inches 4x8mm Yellow Turquoise Rondelle Beads US $5.99
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 5X8MM TURQUOISE RONDELLE STABALIZED BEADS 155 ST US $5.94
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 8x13mm Red Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 Green Howlite Turquoise Rondelle Charm European Bead 5X US $1.88
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 Howlite Turquoise Rondelle Charm European Beads 5X RED US $1.88
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 5x8mm Turquoise Rondelle Gemstone Loose Beads 16 US $.99
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 13mm Purple Flower Turquoise Rondelle Beads 15TU114b US $6.99
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 5x10mm Faceted Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 155inches 3x4mm DeepSkyBlue Turquoise Rondelle Beads US $3.99
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 4x8mm Faceted Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 4x8mm Yellow Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $5.99
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 10PCS Howlite Turquoise GEM Gemstone Rondelle Big Hole Beads Fit Charm Bracelet US $3.99
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 5x8mm Blue Turquoise Rondelle Beads 155 US $6.99
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 turquoise gemstone loose beads rondelle 712mm C720 z US $7.99
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 20pcs 10x8mm New Hot Crystal Rondelle Beads Turquoise Free Ship Wholesale CR0074 US $.99
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 2x4mm Pink Africa Turquoise Rondelle Beads 15 US $5.99
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