What’s the difference between fine jewelry and costume jewelry? Frankly, fine jewelry is made out of “real” gems and precious metals. These include diamonds that are certified by the Gemological Institute of America and the European Gemological Laboratory. Also, high-end watches, rare and ancient coins and different types of currency can also be sold at a fine jewelry store like the Houston Numismatic Exchange. Some stores also sell vintage sports cards!

A fine jewelry store is the place where a customer would shop for wedding ring sets, which include engagement and wedding rings for the bride and groom. The metal that would make up the bands could be gold, platinum, palladium and even titanium, a brilliantly silver metal which is becoming more and more popular. Gold, which is too soft for every day wear, needs to be alloyed with another metal to make it strong. These alloys can include nickel, copper, silver or zinc. The percentages of these metals determine whether the color of the gold is white, yellow or rose.

Diamonds can be bought already set on rings, or they can be bought separately to be placed on the band later. A fine jewelry store will have certificates that let the buyer know the diamond’s quality. Some very high end stores won’t sell diamonds that are beneath a certain quality. This usually means that they have flaws and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye or were badly cut.

A fine jewelry store would also sell other gemstones like rubies, sapphires and emeralds. With these colored jewels, the flaws and inclusions aren’t as important. What gives these gems their value is the intensity of their color. The best rubies are supposed to be a deep blood red with a hint of blue. The best sapphires are a deep, velvety blue.

Fine jewelry store also sell antique jewelry and jewelry from estate sales. Valuable antique jewelry doesn’t necessarily need to be made out of precious gems. Victorian mourning jewelry made out of jet can be very valuable as can a necklace of faux pearls worn by Russian royalty.

Beautiful and accurate Swiss and pocket watches can cost thousands of dollars and they can also be found in a fine jewelry store. These watches can also be crafted out of precious metals and have bezels set with diamonds or other gemstones.

So, if a customer knows a fine jewelry store, visit today for the best deals!