Bargain lovers of the world rejoice! Being thrifty these days doesn't have to mean wearing substandard accessories. Thanks to online auctions, you can now avail of single jewelry purchases at wholesale jewelry prices!

Intrigued? Read on.

For the skeptical shopper, one question that most probably popped up after reading the title of this article is: how can these online auctions sell such accessories at mind-boggling wholesale jewelry prices?! What's the catch?! There must be a catch, right?

Well, you don't have to worry, there's nothing illegal involved. Selling highly affordable accessories, some of them designer products at that, is just one of the benefits that comes along with the ever-growing presence of online commerce.

How Do They Do It?



More and more people are using online auctions to purchase the products they need and desire. Websites like eBay, Yahoo Auctions, uBid and the likes are rapidly gaining prominence. Ebay, in fact, generates an average of $6 billion per year, and they're not even selling anything! They're just providing promotional mileage for online merchants.

In a study conducted by Harris Interactive in 2001, it was revealed that 35 million Americans participated in online auctions, a number that represents 31% of US internet users at that time. Imagine how such percentage has ballooned considering that the online population has grown three-fold since then!

The fact is clear: more and more people are using online auctions, and more and more people are starting to prefer the convenience of such virtual stores compared to their brick and mortar counterparts.



Business companies, including jewelry manufacturers, realize this. Hence, they strive to establish their online presence. One way of accomplishing this is by utilizing online auctions as well as the many merchants who are members of such websites.

The Dropshipping Secret

The problem that wholesale jewelry dealers face is how to motivate merchants so that they'd choose to sell their products. Let's face it, jewelries aren't really what we can consider as "easy sells." They're not things that will appeal to everyone, just to shopaholics like you and me.

Enter a win-win solution: some wholesale jewelry distributors offer merchants the opportunity to sell their products at wholesale prices without imposing a minimum number of purchases.

This option is called dropshipping, and it is the Holy Grail for merchants of online auctions.

You see, once the wholesale jewelry distributor adopts the dropshipping model, it'll be able to win the attention - and ultimately, the commitment - of many online merchants. The prospect of being able to sell retail accessories at wholesale prices is an opportunity that'll be too hard to dismiss. Buyers will find it difficult to turn down a low-priced bracelet. Buyers will find it difficult to say no to a highly affordable necklace. Buyers will bite their lips once presented with the chance to purchase a budget-friendly designer jewelry.

And merchants selling such items will most definitely prosper!



And what does this mean for bargain lovers like you and me?

Online Auctions + Retail Accessories At Wholesale Jewelry Prices = Heaven On Earth!

In the real world, finding single jewelry purchases at wholesale jewelry prices is tantamount to launching a crusade. Not only do you have to survey each and every shop in the metropolis, you'd also have to familiarize yourself with their calendars, i.e. when do they conduct their clearance sales, their moving out sales, their it's-the-boss'-birthday sales, etc.

With the advent of online auctions, things take a very convenient turn. By typing a few letters and by clicking a few buttons, you'd be able to scout all existing bargains%u2026 in a single page, most of the time!

Furthermore, with this thing called "dropshipping" that online auction merchants are going gaga about, frugal shopaholics like us can rest assured that there will be lovely accessories sold at wholesale jewelry prices the whole year round.

No end-of-season sale necessary.

Purchasing wholesale jewelry online can be quite stimulating and adding the enthusiasm of an auction setting will escalate the experience to an addicting level. Shopping jewelry online has its advantages over the usual trip to the mall by adding the excitement of the auction atmosphere, focused for wholesale jewelry online shopping.

Buying wholesale jewelry online is not only pleasurable, it will save you time, money and the dreaded hassles of waiting in line at the counter. Discretely purchasing that special gift can not be any easier than shopping at a wholesale jewelry online auction.



Despite the fact, the convenience and savings you will experience in purchasing wholesale jewelry online, some people still have a slight paranoia about shopping for jewelry online. To make certain that you have a safe and enjoyable experience in purchasing wholesale jewelry online, here are a few guidelines to put your mind at ease when shopping at a wholesale jewelry online auction site.

Any reputable wholesale jewelry online auction site will have the terms and conditions or the user statement. In reading the agreement to understand its terms, make sure you fully understand the return qualifications of the wholesale jewelry online policy. If you have any questions or need a clarification of the terms incased in the return policy then be sure to contact customer service of the wholesale jewelry online auction site.

Start small with your first purchase from the wholesale jewelry online auction site. Upon delivery of your wholesale jewelry, inspect the item for accuracy against the description that was given during the auction of the wholesale jewelry item. Also, check for any damages that may have occurred during the shipping and handling of your wholesale jewelry item.

If the wholesale jewelry item arrived in excellent condition and was described accurately as expected, contact customer service even if it is to congratulate them on a well received service with your wholesale jewelry online purchase experience. The customer service department may ask for a testimonial in exchange for an added discount on your second wholesale jewelry online purchase.

An active and responsive customer service department is always reassuring when purchasing wholesale jewelry online. Any reputable wholesale jewelry online auction company will go the extra step to make sure that their customers are completely satisfied and happy with the purchases made on their wholesale jewelry online auction site, even after the wholesale jewelry purchase has been completed.



As an extra precaution, always check with the Better Business Bureau Online to enquire about the wholesale jewelry online auction company of its business record. You will want to be alerted about any discrepancies in how the wholesale jewelry online auction company conducts themselves on a regular basis. The Better Business Bureau Online offers current information on businesses operating as a wholesale jewelry online auction company.

The majority of people have both the jewelry lab certificate and the jeweler appraisal to prove the value of their jewelry. Contrary to belief, the differences between the two credentials are very diverse. The credentialed documents serve as separate functions in proof of actual value that is supportive to jewelry owners, as well as to prospects that are interested in purchasing the jewelry.

Though, jewelry lab certificates and jewelry appraisals often compliment each other, the lab certificate is a document that describes a detailed description and value of the unmounted gem stone, for example a loose gem stone that has yet to be permanently mounted into jewelry. The jewelry appraisal evaluates the retail market value of the jewelry, as in a ring or necklace.



What is a Jewelry Lab Certificate?

A Jewelry Lab Certificate is a certified written document that gives detailed information on the unmounted precious stone as testimony to its fair market value. The jewelry lab certificate details identifiable information such as cut and shape of the stone, including the color and clarity as determined in the standard guidelines that have been universally adopted by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

When a jewelry lab certificate is issued, it remains valid until which time the gem stone is either altered in some physical form or has been found to have been originally evaluated inaccurately.



What is a Jewelry Appraisal?

A reputable jewelry appraisal is done by a certified jewelry expert. The jewelry appraiser evaluates the current fair market value of a piece of jewelry. A Jewelry Appraiser takes into account the size and cut, weight, clarity and purity of the jewelry materials and using the current spot metals market and the current gemstone market and then establishes the monetary value on the fair retail market for the jewelry piece.

Selecting a Reputable Jewelry Lab and Jewelry Appraiser

While most companies that issue jewelry lab certificates and appraisals on jewelry are reputable and bonded, it would also be wise to hire a trustworthy independent company, on your own behalf, for your evaluations rather than relying on the appraisals furnished by the business that is selling the jewelry. If not, you may experience a fall out with a biased opinion of the fair market value for the jewelry.



It is important to maintain the accuracy concerning the true value of your jewelry. It is also advisable to have your jewelry lab certificates and your jewelry appraisals updated periodically for insurance purposes. Your Insurance Agent or your Investment Adviser can give a recommendation on a reputable Jewelry Lab and Jewelry Appraiser.



Acquiring and maintaining a current jewelry appraisal to accompany your jewelry lab appraisal, certifiably documents the fair market value of your jewelry investment. The documents will inherently safeguard you from being forced to accept a devalued settlement against any unforeseeable loss in the future.

A certified jewelry lab certificate accompanied with the jewelry appraisal can establish monetary values in case of divorce settlements, theft or even in the event of a sale at an auction. In insurance settlements a jewelry lab certificate and a jewelers appraisal will aid in the execution of a claim if need be.

The "history and lore" of birthstones have been a part of several cultural belief systems for centuries. The source of the idea that a special gemstone has been dedicated to each month and that the gemstone possesses a certain quality or virtue that can pass on to those born of that month goes all the way back to the first century.

The tradition of birthstones first started with the Breastplate of Aaron described in the book of Exodus. It is written that the Breastplate of Aaron was a religious garment worn by the high priests of Israel and set with in it were twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the twelve months of the year. There are many different birthstone traditions that connect certain gemstones with either the month of the year or your zodiac sign. For your educational benefit I have listed a few for each zodiac sign and month of the year.



Traditional Birthstones:

January Birthstone:
Modern - Garnet
Traditional - Garnet
Mystical - Emerald
Ayurvedic - Garnet

February Birthstone:
Modern - Amethyst
Traditional - Amethyst
Mystical - Bloodstone
Ayurvedic - Amethyst

March Birthstone:
Modern - Aquamarine
Traditional - Bloodstone
Mystical - Jade
Ayurvedic - Bloodstone

April Birthstone:
Modern - Diamond
Traditional - Diamond
Mystical - Opal
Ayurvedic - Diamond

May Birthstone:
Modern - Emerald
Traditional - Emerald
Mystical - Sapphire
Ayurvedic - Agate

June Birthstone:
Modern - Pearl, Moonstone
Traditional - Alexandrite
Mystical - Moonstone
Ayurvedic - Pearl

July Birthstone:
Modern - Ruby
Traditional - Ruby
Mystical - Ruby
Ayurvedic - Ruby

August Birthstone:
Modern - Peridot
Traditional - Sardonyx
Mystical - Diamond
Ayurvedic - Sapphire

September Birthstone:
Modern - Sapphire
Traditional - Sapphire
Mystical - Agate
Ayurvedic - Moonstone

October Birthstone:
Modern - Opal, Tourmaline
Traditional - Tourmaline
Mystical - Jasper
Ayurvedic - Opal

November Birthstone:
Modern - Yellow Topaz, Citrine
Traditional - Citrine
Mystical - Pearl
Ayurvedic - Topaz

December Birthstone:
Modern - Blue Topaz, Turquoise
Traditional - Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli
Mystical - Onyx
Ayurvedic - Ruby



Zodiac Birthstones:
Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19)
Zodiac - Agate, Garnet, Ruby
Planetary - Lapis Lazuli
Lucky Charm - Ruby

Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18)
Zodiac - Amethyst, Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal
Planetary - Turquoise
Lucky Charm - Garnet

Pisces (Feb. 19- Mar. 20)
Zodiac - Amethyst, Bloodstone, Rock Crystal, Sapphire
Planetary - Aquamarine
Lucky Charm - Amethyst

Aries (Mar. 21- Apr. 19)
Zodiac - Bloodstone, Diamond
Planetary - Jasper
Lucky Charm - Bloodstone, Diamond, Jasper

Taurus (Apr. 20- May 20)
Zodiac - Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald, Sapphire, Turquoise
Planetary - Aventurine, Emerald
Lucky Charm - Diamond, Sapphire

Gemini (May 21- Jun. 20)
Zodiac - Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
Planetary - Tiger Eye
Lucky Charm - Agate, Emerald

Cancer (Jun.21- Jul. 22)
Zodiac - Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby
Planetary - Pearl
Lucky Charm - Agate, Chalcedony, Emerald

Leo (Jul. 23- Aug. 22)
Zodiac - Onyx, Sardonyx, Tourmaline
Planetary - Rock Crystal
Lucky Charm - Amber, Onyx, Peridot

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
Zodiac - Carnelian, Jade, Jasper, Sapphire
Planetary - Citrine
Lucky Charm - Carnelian, Sardonyx

Libra (Sept.23- Oct. 22)
Zodiac - Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot
Planetary - Sapphire
Lucky Charm - Opal, Sardonyx

Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21)
Zodiac - Aquamarine, Topaz
Planetary - Garnet, Ruby
Lucky Charm - Aquamarine, Beryl

Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21)
Zodiac - Amethyst, Sapphire, Topaz, Turquoise
Planetary - Topaz
Lucky Charm - Pearl, Topaz

Cleaning diamond gemstone jewelry must be done carefully to prevent damage to the diamond or other gemstone jewelry and in order to preserve its lustrous beauty. Cleaning diamond gemstone jewelry ensures the longevity of your investment and in the maintaining of the diamond gemstones luxurious beauty for years to come.

As you wear your diamond gemstone jewelry, oils from skin contact are susceptible to build up on the surface of your diamond gemstone jewelry. When the build up of oils on your diamond gemstone jewelry occurs, proper cleaning will bring back the lustrous beauty your diamond gemstone jewelry once had.



A common home solution that is ideal for the maintenance of your diamond gemstone is a non-abrasive cleaning agent such as in ammonia based household cleaner, often used as a window cleaner. A less chemically abrasive solution in cleaning your diamond is a mixture of one-part vinegar to two-part cold water. Dip your diamond gemstone in the cleaning solution and gently wipe in circular motions with a cotton swab. Rinse the diamond in warm water and pat dry with a lint free cloth.

Diamond gemstones that are set into a jewelry piece require special attention to its care. Not only are abrasives harmful to your gemstones but, chlorine and strong ammonia based solutions are harmful to most precious metals and can promote premature erosion of the jewelry.

Diamond gemstone jewelry settings should be cleaned with caution in order not to loosen the diamond gemstone from the delicate posts that secure the diamond in place. Cleaning the diamond gemstone jewelry can be accomplished by mixing a solution of one-part mild liquid dishwashing soap with two-part warm water. Use a cotton swab to dip into the solution and then use small circular motions to clean the entire jewelry piece. Take exceptional care around the prongs of the diamond gemstone jewelry setting to ensure that the setting stays in place and does not become loose. Thoroughly rinse the diamond gemstone jewelry piece with cool water and lightly pat dry with a lint free cloth.



Occasionally, you will come across a diamond gemstone jewelry piece that has become encrusted with sediment due to improper storage or neglect. To bring the diamond gemstone jewelry back to life with restoring its original luster, you may want to consider using a professional jewelry cleaning solution found at many jewelry outlets in your area. An ultra sonic cleaning kit can safely remove grime buildup which is a process of using a commercial jewelry cleaning solution and high frequency sound waves.

Although, self cleaning your diamond gemstone jewelry is practical and wise for most uses, heirloom diamond gemstone jewelry should be restored by a professional jeweler that is bonded and insured. A professional jeweler will be able to identify the alloys within the precious metals that your heirloom diamond gemstone is set in. Taking the extra precaution in preserving the value of your investment will be their first and foremost concern. Allowing a professional jewelry cleaner perform the initial cleaning of your heirloom diamond gemstone jewelry piece will permit the jeweler to inform you of any special maintenance or repairs that your heirloom may need in order to preserve its value over the long term.