In the U.S., jewelry is weighed in grams. Some jewelry stores display the actual weight of each piece, while others do not. Some jewelry stores that don't display the weight say that "fine jewelry" is not sold by weight like products in a supermarket.

The real reason they do not display the weight is because the easiest way to make gold jewelry cheaper is to use less gold and make it lighter. But the problem with using less gold is that the jewelry will usually be weaker and more likely to bend.

How can knowing this pricing secret help you make better decisions when buying jewelry?

Whenever you shop for precious metal jewelry, the first thing you should figure out is the price per gram.

The average prices we have found at the mall are

$28 per gram for 14k gold
$36 per gram for 18k gold
$3 per gram for silver
$75 per gram for platinum.

Knowing the price per gram will help you compare apples to apples. It's easy to compare prices for two gold bracelets if they are the same weight, style, and quality. But this is hardly the case.

Most jewelry stores have very similar items that differ greatly by weight and price. So in order to compare apples to apples, you must find the price per gram at each store. As long as the quality and style are similar, the store with the lower price per gram is always a better value.

Negotiating with salespeople based on price per gram will let them know that you're a knowledgeable jewelry buyer who cannot be duped.

The price per gram concept also applies to diamonds. All diamonds over $1000 should come with a GIA certificate rating. When comparing two diamonds of the same rating, the lower price is always a better value.

Jewelry Trade Secret #1 Summary:

Weight of jewelry determines value.

Retailers purchase precious metal jewelry priced per gram, and so should you.

In order to compare apples to apples, always figure out the price per gram.

Eugenia Bivines' Wholesale Jewelry Connection is an online store that offers beautiful, affordable gemstone jewelry and fashion accessories, with low prices on wholesale swarovski crystal, discount jewelry, rings, earrings, necklaces, brooches and pendants in sterling silver and gold. Eugenia says, "All our items are dependable, quality products. We provide quality jewelry at wholesale prices."