1. PICK A SOLITAIRE, OR SINGLE-STONE, ENGAGEMENT penant. Jewelers note that a solitaire is the best value for a given sum because almost all its value is in the one stone.
2. FOR engagement, penantS, CHOOSE HIS AND HERS PLAIN GOLD BANDS.
Simple gold bands are a timeless classic, and you can have a message of love engraved inside. There are many inexpensive versions of the gold band, with details such as etching, tiny diamond chips, or inexpensive gemstone inserts. Since the stone chips are so small, they needn’t be rare or expensive to look sparkly. Cost is $90 to $150.
3. ASK A CRAFTSPERSON OR ARTIST TO MAKE CUSTOM penantS FOR YOU. Visit juried craft shows (meaning the artists are screened by a jury of their peers) to find talented artisans who can help you design your own penant and create something one of a kind.
4. BUY ESTATE JEWELRY or jewelry box. This means previously owned jewelry or antique jewelry sold by a family or at auction. You may get a vintage gem in a platinum setting. (Platinum settings were once the standard but now are rare—and coming back into fashion.) Estate jewelry is often sold in antiques shops, jewelry shops, pawnshops, and consignment shops. To ensure you’re getting your money’s worth, have the penant appraised by a certified gemologist before making the final sale.
5. CONSIDER VINTAGE REPRODUCTION penantS. You can get that estate jewelry look without the high price tag. Many museum shops carry reproduction jewelry with medieval designs and oldfashioned Italianate or Victorian flourishes. Prices range from $50 to $250 for penants in silver or 14-carat gold.
6. NEGOTIATE. The average chain jewelry shop charges a full 100 percent markup. Some department store jewelry departments mark up the price even more—up to three times the wholesale cost. That means there is a lot of wiggle room for a discount. Never pay the retail or sticker price until you have shopped around and know you are getting a true bargain.
7. LOOK IN THE YELLOW PAGES UNDER “WHOLESALE DIAMOND” STORES, OR SHOP IN THE “DIAMOND DISTRICT” OF A MAJOR CITY.
Wholesale outlets may be no-frills shops (no fancy chandeliers or plush carpeting), but the average markup on the stones is generally 10 to 25 percent above cost.
2. FOR engagement, penantS, CHOOSE HIS AND HERS PLAIN GOLD BANDS.
Simple gold bands are a timeless classic, and you can have a message of love engraved inside. There are many inexpensive versions of the gold band, with details such as etching, tiny diamond chips, or inexpensive gemstone inserts. Since the stone chips are so small, they needn’t be rare or expensive to look sparkly. Cost is $90 to $150.
3. ASK A CRAFTSPERSON OR ARTIST TO MAKE CUSTOM penantS FOR YOU. Visit juried craft shows (meaning the artists are screened by a jury of their peers) to find talented artisans who can help you design your own penant and create something one of a kind.
4. BUY ESTATE JEWELRY or jewelry box. This means previously owned jewelry or antique jewelry sold by a family or at auction. You may get a vintage gem in a platinum setting. (Platinum settings were once the standard but now are rare—and coming back into fashion.) Estate jewelry is often sold in antiques shops, jewelry shops, pawnshops, and consignment shops. To ensure you’re getting your money’s worth, have the penant appraised by a certified gemologist before making the final sale.
5. CONSIDER VINTAGE REPRODUCTION penantS. You can get that estate jewelry look without the high price tag. Many museum shops carry reproduction jewelry with medieval designs and oldfashioned Italianate or Victorian flourishes. Prices range from $50 to $250 for penants in silver or 14-carat gold.
6. NEGOTIATE. The average chain jewelry shop charges a full 100 percent markup. Some department store jewelry departments mark up the price even more—up to three times the wholesale cost. That means there is a lot of wiggle room for a discount. Never pay the retail or sticker price until you have shopped around and know you are getting a true bargain.
7. LOOK IN THE YELLOW PAGES UNDER “WHOLESALE DIAMOND” STORES, OR SHOP IN THE “DIAMOND DISTRICT” OF A MAJOR CITY.
Wholesale outlets may be no-frills shops (no fancy chandeliers or plush carpeting), but the average markup on the stones is generally 10 to 25 percent above cost.
8. CHECK OUT THE INTERNET. You don’t have to be a jewelry store owner to purchase stones and settings at wholesale prices. The Jewelz Web site (http://blackdiamond-penants.com/) is a “gemstone gallery” where anyone can purchase semiprecious gemstones, precious gemstones, rare and collector’s gems, gold and sterling silver jewelry, penant settings, and more. The prices are deeply discounted off retail, and the cyber “stock” changes continuously. Gems are available from $1 to $1,000 per carat weight.
9. WEAR AN HEIRLOOM FAMILY ENGAGEMENT penant OR HAVE THE STONE(S) REMOUNTED IN A NEW SETTING. This is a meaningful way to honor a relative and create a family keepsake. If your mother or grandmother is widowed or divorced and no longer wears her engagement penant, she may be pleased to have it put to good use.
10. BUY A FABULOUS FAKE. If you can’t afford a real diamond—or don’t care if it’s authentic—consider a cubic zirconia (CZ) penant. Some couples postpone buying a genuine diamond until they can afford the kind of quality stone they really want. In the interim, they purchase a fake that looks remarkably real. These fake stones often are called synthetic, faux, or man-made. The shop-at-home television channels often feature them. Purchase a great fake and you’ll have enough left over to buy matching earpenants! Price is $50 to $150, depending on the quality.
