Buying Fine Jewelry

Lately I have become more and more interested in buying fine jewelry
for
myself. All of the fine jewelry I currently have was either inherited
or
given to me, so I don't have a clue about buying.
I'd love to take a trip to the jewelry district in downtown LA, but I
fear
I'd be eaten up by wolves. Does anyone have experience with buying
retail
down there?
So how does one educate herself on buying jewelry? If possible, I'd
like to
learn how to choose pieces that will appreciate in value over time.
Also, is
buying from the internet a big no no?
TIA

"Miss Livvy" <Xeveryidiwantistak...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:XGJmf.1663$n1.1...@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
Livvy, go to Walter Zimmer and you will not regret it. The wolves are at
the retail stores. Zimmer is a diamond dealer for the fine jewelers in
Los Angeles and elsewhere We bought my engagement ring there 32 years ago,
had it remade for the 25th anniversary. We mailed it to him and he and my
husband decided on a style. Then he sent it to us c.o.d. That is trust.
I have had them design jewelry for me and my daughters, replace stones
etc. USAA just sent us a great booklet about buying fine jewelry. I
imagine this type of literature may be available from other sources. You
may have to e mail me at ahmw...@gmail.com so I can give you the info to
"get you in the door." I wished I lived closer to Los Angeles; my husband
is glad I don't.
Audrey

Audrey's recs sound great. I'd add a couple more things: Make sure they
will give you a written guarantee that the item is exactly what they've
claimed and charged for. (And not just one of those inflated insurance
appraisals. I mean a money–back guarantee.) And only buy things you love
because you just can't count on jewelry appreciating in value.
cofarb, the pawnbroker's daughter

Thanks cofarb and Audrey. The money back guarantee sounds like a good
idea.
Right now there are a few specific pieces I'd like to get to go with
other
items I inherited this past year.
Here's what I'd like to get:
1] a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, as well as a pendant
this would match perfectly
http://tinyurl.com/aj4vd
2] a pearl and diamond ring set in yellow gold
for example, I love this ring:
http://www.jewelrycentral.com/product.asp?pID=3100&cID=10
3] a pair of opal and diamond earrings set in yellow gold like these:
http://tinyurl.com/de279

Lately I have become more and more interested in buying fine jewelry for
myself. All of the fine jewelry I currently have was either inherited or
given to me, so I don't have a clue about buying.
I'd love to take a trip to the jewelry district in downtown LA, but I fear
I'd be eaten up by wolves. Does anyone have experience with buying retail
down there?
So how does one educate herself on buying jewelry? If possible, I'd like
to
learn how to choose pieces that will appreciate in value over time. Also,
is
buying from the internet a big no no?
TIA

"Miss Livvy" <Xeveryidiwantistak...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:XGJmf.1663$n1.1...@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
I haven't been eaten by wolves but you might want to check out st vincents
jewelry center. know your stuff or take a book. you want a WRITTEN document
as to what that item is and what the return policy is.
there are books that teach you about diamond and stone ratings.. and what
you should look for.
if DawnSE were available, I would suggest taking her along. she is SO
knowledgeable
speaking of fine jewelry, I did have a ring I bought off ebay redone in
white gold and polished the stone and they said the stone was of exceptional
quality ($40 from ebay and it looked ho hum) and that the setting I chose
was really nice.
also did another stone for my xmas present from DH..
that's got to wait though
Stevie