Pricing Gold Chains Like Jewelers

December 31, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · 2 Comments

Gold chains are by far the simplest types of gold jewelry to price. Learn how to price gold chains like professional jewelers!

The most important thing to look for is the gram weight of the gold chain in question. Once you have determined the gram weight, you are equipped for price comparisons.

Of course, keep in mind that price alone is not always the sole factor. Purchase jewelry only from reputable jewelry stores, and make sure they have a strong return policy, an established reputation, and excellent customer service.

Pricing Basics

Let’s use a 3mm gold rope chain for our pricing model. If a gold rope chain costs $450.00 and weighs 14.0 grams, you can do the math and realize that you are being charged $32.14 per gram of gold that is in that chain.

Quick Formula: Price of Gold Chain / by Gram Weight = Price per Gram.

You find another 3mm gold rope chain priced at $500.00. This chain appears to be $50 more expensive. Upon closer examination, the chain weighs 16.5 grams. Using the above simple formula:

$500 divided by 16.5 = $30.30 per gram.

The second chain is actually the better deal when you consider the gold content ($30.30 per gram of gold vs. $32.14).

This is hypothetical of course and prices can vary significantly from store to store. We have found that most online jewelers charge an average of 30% more for the same gold chain as Apples of Gold Jewelry.

This is why we are not afraid to disclose what many other jewelers fear to share.

Watch out for jewelers who do not disclose gram weights

Jewelers to stay far, far away from are ones who do not disclose the gram weight of their chains or who use a wide range to list the gram weight–such as, “Chain weighs between 16 – 23 grams”.

There should not be more than a maximum of a 10% variance in the gram weight of a gold chain or substantial piece of gold jewelry. So if a gold chain is advertised at 10.0 grams, it should weigh somewhere in the 9 – 11 gram range (and that is being liberal).

Reputable jewelers will also honor the gram weights of their chains by adjusting the price of a gold chain if the chain turns out to contain a significantly less gram weight than advertised.

There’s Always an Exception to the Rule

pink-diamond-jewelry There are always a few exceptions. It is often not customary to advertise gram weights of wedding bands, diamond rings, and gemstone rings (although if asked, jewelers should always disclose the weight if available).

The reason being that items such as wedding bands or diamond rings, for example, are not solely based on the precious metals content. Much larger factors come into play, such as design, the labor of love and time it takes to create such rings, and in the case of gemstones and diamonds: the quality and rarity of the stones weigh far greatly than the few grams of gold such rings often contain.

These types of fine jewelry are often sold by the piece, rather than by the gram (don’t be surprised if a jeweler takes it personally when the mistake is made of evaluating such items based on gram weight alone. Just hang your head in shame at this point and swiftly apologize).

Price Matching

Jewelers who want your business will do their best to price match or beat other advertised prices. Of course, keep cool and reasonable. Don’t expect a quality jeweler to match the price of a gold chain you found at a shoddy looking jewelry website whose prices haven’t been updated for 5 years and who don’t provide a customer service phone #. Identify and compare with jewelers’ real competitors to get a better price.

Gold Volatility

gold-volatility Lastly, keep in mind that gold prices can be volatile and the gold chain that you saw advertised at $300 today may soon hit $350 if gold prices continue to rise, as historical gold prices have indicated over the last several years.

Likewise, with a significant downturn in the price of gold, you should expect gold chain prices to decrease over time.

Keep in mind that other factors such as inflation, increased business expense, and the struggle for many businesses to survive in tough economic times, may play a role in determining whether to increase or decrease the price of gold jewelry.

The price of gold is a large determinant of the price of gold jewelry, but it is also often a guideline–not a stringent policy.

Jewelry Hot List

December 29, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · Leave a Comment

Last was the year of new jewelry for Apples of Gold, with the addition of over 600 new, unique jewelry pieces. Below are some of the “hot seller” highlights from our newest fine jewelry pieces:

Black Diamond Rings became a hit for Apples of Gold with our Art Deco Black Diamond Ring and so we added several new designer pieces to our popular black diamond jewelry collection, including a Benchmark Black and White Diamond Eternity Band, 1 Carat Black and White Diamond Cross Pendant, as well as our all black diamond solid gold cross pendant for men.

Of course, we love our blue diamond jewelry too!

By far, our best selling blue diamond ring was our 0.93 Carat Blue and White Diamond Swirl Ring. Our popular blue diamond jewelry pieces was expanded to include our best selling 0.93 Carat blue and white diamond swirl ring. We added many other blue diamond rings to our blue diamond jewelry collection as well that turned quite a few heads.

Wedding Bands have always been at the heart of our jewelry line and Paisley Wedding Bands have always been at the top of our list. Our Paisley Collection was expanded with a new deeply engraved paisley wedding band in 14k white gold, 14k yellow gold, and our most popular paisley release: the 14k rose gold paisley wedding band.

It was our goal to added many new unique personalized jewelry pieces to our collection, and we met our initial goals! The most popular being our Personalized Gemstone Circle Pendant, the Engravable Boy Gemstone Pendant and Engravable Girl Gemstone Pendant, our Personalized Gemstone Baby Shoe Pendant, and Personalized Gemstone Heart Pendant.

We also introduced a new line of Personalized Disney Jewelry, and new gold name pendants.

Benchmark Wedding Bands - A high-end wedding ring brand which includes a Lifetime Warranty and Lifetime Re-Sizing Policy. We plan on adding many new Benchmark styles in 2009.

Official Disney Jewelry – featuring popular Disney characters such as Tinkerbell Jewelry, Mickey Mouse Jewelry, Winnie the Pooh Jewelry, and more! Our Personalized Disney Jewelry collection also proved very popular and all very affordable!

Read more about our Disney Jewelry line: Disney Jewelry for an Imaginative Holiday, A Man Named Walt, and our official Disney Jewelry Release.

We plan on adding more popular Disney characters in 2009.

Apples of Gold’s most popular cross, The Polished Solid Gold Cross Pendant also saw a new addition, including: 18K Gold Cross Pendant, an 18K White Gold Cross Pendant, and a Men’s Platinum Cross Pendant.

This cross is fully solid gold and finished on both sides (not hollow), measuring approx. 1 1/4″ tall x 1″ across and 2.5mm thick. Although originally crafted for men, both men and women enjoy this beautiful, expression of Christian faith.

This amazing cross was followed by the release of our 18K Gold Onyx Cross Pendant.

What is better than your own writing or the handwriting of your beloved, engraved onto a wedding band? Apples of Gold Jewelry created the concept of engraving your own writing onto a gold band with our new Personalized Handwritten Wedding Bands in 14k gold yellow, 14k white gold, and 14k rose gold.

Simply scan your handwriting onto your computer and email it to us! We’ll do the rest!

Our unique Victorian-Style Three Stone Diamond Ring became a hot seller in 2008 and as platinum prices dropped, we decided it was the perfect time to offer a Victorian-Style 1 Carat Three Stone Diamond Ring in Platinum also. Also available as a three stone 1 carat diamond engagement ring in 14k white gold or a 1/2 Carat Platinum Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring.

We look forward to 2009 as we expect to add more items than we did in 2008! We expect to double our production in 2009, with 500 new jewelry pieces being added in the 1st Quarter alone. Yes, we plan on keeping the Apples of Gold Jewelry elves very busy through 2009!

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10% OFF Through December 31st! – This coupon has Expired

December 24, 2008 by Apples of Gold · 2 Comments

This coupon has Expired.

Coupon Expires Dec. 31st, 2008.

Coupon is not valid on orders already placed, custom orders, or layaway orders. Valid through 2008 only!

APPLESOFGOLD.COM – MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HANUKKAH FROM APPLES OF GOLD!

Send us your old gold and get store credit towards any item from our store! Or if you prefer cash
for your gold, email us and we will give you cash instead of store credit! Click for details …