Blog | Alloy
Back in the old days (the 2010s), buying fine jewelry online was a gamble. You were often forced to trust a single warm-toned photo, a vague “gold-plated” description, and no clear proof of what was underneath the surface. Today, the challenge isn’t a lack of options; it’s sifting through them. With hundreds of online retailers…
At a glance, a high-quality gold-filled and gold-plated necklace can look identical to solid gold. In fact, when clients send their pieces in to our team for evaluation, gold-filled and plated fashion pieces are among the most common items mistaken for solid precious metal. Beneath that shiny layer, however, the construction, total gold content, and…
Seeing what was once a shiny gold ring or necklace suddenly change color is enough to make anyone wonder, “Have I been scammed with fake gold jewelry?” Before assuming the worst, here’s the reality: pure gold never tarnishes, but the everyday gold jewelry in your collection very well might. When we test pieces that come…
Before selling or insuring a piece of jewelry, almost everyone wants to know, “How much is it worth?” The answer comes down to two numbers: its intrinsic material value and its market appeal. While precious metal purity sets a baseline, factors like craftsmanship, gemstones, and today’s market conditions can move that number. There’s also the…
For a long time, luxury jewelry was almost synonymous with recognizable names and signature designs, but that isn’t the only way to define luxury anymore. Popularized on TikTok and across social media, quiet luxury has brought renewed attention to jewelry defined by exceptional materials, craftsmanship, and timeless design rather than prominent logos. At its core,…
Most people don’t want to think about their jewelry. They want to shower, swim, hit the gym, and travel without pausing to take a ring or necklace off. That’s why “best waterproof jewelry” has become such a popular search term, even though brands use the label loosely. Ultimately, that label has become a marketing loophole…
Why do two people sell engagement rings and get completely different offers for what looks like the same piece? The answer comes down to how the ring is priced and who’s buying it. This guide will show how much an engagement ring is worth, where to sell it, and how to approach the sale with…
Estate jewelry comes into people’s possession in many ways, from inherited antique and vintage pieces to secondhand purchases at a fraction of their original price. But just as easily, it can change hands again, often through a sale to raise cash, and that requires understanding what a piece is worth before accepting an offer. This…
Plenty of diamond rings end up sitting in drawers or deposit boxes for years, no longer worn and often forgotten. At some point, they become an asset that serves no real value, unless converted into cash! Whether inherited or simply no longer wanted, many people wonder how to sell a diamond ring. What is it…
One of the most important decisions made when choosing the perfect piece of gold jewelry is the karat level. Gold comes in a range of purities, with the most common in fine jewelry being 10K, 14K, and 18K. But which is better? The short answer is that there’s no best gold karat. The right…