8 Things Big Box Jewelry Stores Don't Want You to Know

1. White Gold isn't Gold. It is an alloy (mixture) of white metals, usually cheap Nickel, with yellow gold. Platinum white gold is an exception and worth the extra cost.
2. Rhodium Plating is what is making the silver and some white gold  items sparkle. It is a process of  usually adding  Nickel ,  a cheap and highly allergic metal,  and then plating with nasty chemicals. It can rub off quickly to a dull gray or tarnish. (Again, Platinum is an exception.)
3. 10K gold is less than 50% gold, which means it is mostly cheaper and tarnishable metals. Most jewelers don't want to work with it.  Some countries outside the US  don't consider it gold. 
4. Most of the products in chain jewelry stores are made in overseas factories, paying workers low "slave" wages. 
5. That impressive thick looking ring or bracelet is actually hollow, made with such thin metal you will be back soon to repair the dents.
6. Your custom made piece by a big chain store is going to look much like a million other pieces. They will use components that are mass produced. 
7. You will get better quality materials and design by buying antique or studio jeweler made pieces. The quality of most new gold and silver jewelry has drastically gone down in the past 40 years as large chains and  cable TV  jewelry sellers switched to overseas suppliers. 
8. That item is not made to last or be repairable.  In the past, most gold and sterling silver jewelry was made to be repairable and a potential heirloom. Now, the factory made items are made to be disposable. Independent jewelers who do repairs are finding it often impossible to repair newly made items. Some now refuse to repair items from shopping networks or large chain stores. 

Buying quality made jewelry takes some research. Your best bet is to start by avoiding the large chain or cable TV network shopping channels. Seek out the Independent jewelry shops or studio jewelers selling items they made themselves at artisan markets and shows or online. Ask who made the item, where was it made and how was it made. If buying online, note the country it is shipped from. Another alternative is to ask the Independent jeweler if they have any antique estate sale items.  

An informed customer is the best customer. Good luck in your search for that special piece. Let me know if I can help you. You can add your questions or comments below or contact me directly.