The value of gold? Follow the London Stock Exchange
The value of gold is set by the London Stock Exchange. Depending on global financial trends and other forms of investment, it can rise or fall, even by considerable percentages. In this period of crisis, gold, considered the safe haven par excellence, has truly remarkable prices. Suffice it to say that an investment of 300 dollars in gold made at the beginning of this century today exceeds 1,000 dollars.
Diamonds are listed on the "Rapaport"
Even the value of the diamond, the precious stone par excellence, is defined worldwide by the International Diamond Exchange price list, called Rapaport. Here, the variables with respect to the reference value are more numerous than those of gold, as they involve the size of the diamond, its purity, the quality of workmanship and its color. For this reason, the actual evaluation of diamonds is best entrusted to an expert in the sector. Often these precious stones are accompanied by a certificate signed by gemologists authorized by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) which guarantees their authenticity.
How to distinguish a diamond from a zircon
If you really can't get expert advice, there are empirical methods to distinguish a real diamond from fake diamonds or less valuable stones such as zircon. Do you want an example? Look at the specific weight: for the same size, zircon weighs twice as much as diamond. Furthermore, since diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it will never show signs such as scratches on the surface, unlike zircon. From this comes the best shine, unalterable over time, of the diamond. However, to carry out this test you need a suitable microscope.
Always better to invest in Tiffany or Bulgari
Even just from an aesthetic point of view, designer jewels are, or should be, more refined than anonymous ones. The purchase price will certainly be higher than the sum of the values of the metals and precious stones that form it. But even on the second-hand market the brand adds value to the product, a value which can then go up or down depending on the greater or lesser fortunes of the manufacturing company. So, if you have to choose between a jewel from your family goldsmith or an international maison, it is better to focus on the latter. Among the most solid, whose values will therefore most likely be maintained over time, we mention Bulgari, Cartier and Tiffany.
Jewelry ok, but only to diversify
Finally, we can say that investing in quality jewellery, whether new, used or even antique, has its own value, especially useful when you want to diversify your investments. Let's not forget that precious jewels are "safe haven assets", which usually do not promise record capital gains, but a much more constant value over time than other more volatile investments. We must not forget, then, that if those who invest in jewelery also do so to have something fascinating and long-lasting to look at and wear, we will have a double value for these wonderful and eternal ornamental objects: beauty and, at the same time itself, financial convenience. (source: gioia.it)
