Ever heard of fine jewelry?
Fine jewelry is all about high-quality pieces crafted
from precious metals like 18K gold and platinum,
along with valuable gemstones.
These pieces are beautifully designed,
super durable, and meant to last a lifetime.
Fine jewelry isn’t just for special occasions
—it works with your everyday style too
and often holds investment value.
The elegant look of fine jewelry is also a great way
to show off your style and personality.
In this feature,
we’ll cover the 5 key things to know before buying fine jewelry.
"The main things to look for in fine jewelry are the quality
of the metal and gemstones, carat weight, durability,
and, of course, the design."
Point 1
"Type and Purity
of Precious Metals"
18K gold and platinum are popular in fine jewelry.
High-purity, durable metals hold great value.
Gold
K（Karat ）Stamp
Gold is marked
by karat (K) numbers,
such as 24K, 18K, and 10K.
The higher the number,
the purer the gold.
Fineness stamp
Examples include “750” or “585,”
indicating gold content by percentage,
with 750 equating to 75% (18K)
and 585 to 58.5% (14K).
Platinum
Pt Stamp
Platinum is stamped as 950Pt or 900Pt,
where 950 indicates 95% purity
and 900 signifies 90% purity.
Silver
Sterling Silver
The "SV925" stamp indicates
92.5% pure silver content.
Fine Silver
The "SV999" stamp represents
99.9% pure silver.
Point 2
"Carat Weight of Gemstones"
Carat weight represents a gemstone’s size and weight.
While larger carat stones tend to hold more value,
appearance and brilliance are also essential factors.
Note that one carat equals about 0.2 grams.
Point 3
"Gemstone Quality Standards (4Cs)"
The 4Cs—critical for diamond grading—are key
in assessing gemstone quality.
Carat
Measures weight and size;
higher carat count generally means greater value.
Color
Refers to color purity.
The closer to colorless, the more valuable,
especially for diamonds.
Grades range from D (colorless)
to Z (noticeably tinted).
Clarity
Evaluates transparency and inclusions.
Fewer inclusions increase value.
Grades include FL (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless),
VVS (Very Very Slightly Included), and more.
Cut
Represents craftsmanship in shaping
the stone for optimal sparkle.
Cut grades are: 3 Excellent (3EX), Excellent (EX),
Very Good (VG), Good (G), Fair (F), and Poor (P).
Point 4
"Design and Overall Aesthetic"
Design beauty and finishing quality are essential.
Consider personal taste and
current trends for the perfect match.
Point 5
Certification
and Authentication
Having a certificate or authentication report
adds peace of mind when purchasing.
Most fine jewelry at QOO comes with certificates or sorting cards,
giving you accurate insight into its value.
Grading Report
Details: Contains the diamond’s 4Cs grading.
Purpose: A key standard for assessing
a diamond's beauty and rarity.
Note: The 4Cs alone don’t determine overall quality
—checking the grading report is highly recommended.
Gem Identification Report
Details: Includes basic information like gemstone type
(mineral name, gemstone name), carat, and cut.
Purpose: Confirms if the gemstone is genuine and natural.
Additional Info: Technical details, like refractive index
and specific gravity, are included,
though you don’t need to focus on these.
Sorting Card
Details: Basic information like mineral name,
gemstone name, and carat.
Purpose: A quick assessment
for dealers to manage gemstones.
Features: Often doesn’t include a photo
but is verified through reliable gem lab inspection.