Defining semi precious jewelry isn’t the easiest thing to do. It is a term used out there by many people in a lot of different ways. One person’s idea of semi precious jewelry may be high above another’s. You want to define what you are looking for in semi precious jewelry so that you can avoid lower quality items.
There is even some debate about what precious jewelry is, so you need to start here. Diamonds tend to be undisputed as precious jewelry items, but is the jewelry still precious when diamonds are set in silver? Common precious jewelry items include the lovely diamonds, as well as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, gold, and platinum. However, there are times when precious stones are set into silver or when less precious gems are used with high karat gold or platinum. You have to figure out what makes it precious so you can define semi precious jewelry.
Semi precious jewelry isn’t easy to define because there are a wide variety of stones that are often used. In addition metals can vary as well. One man would say that agate in sterling silver would be semi precious jewelry or that amethyst in nickel blend would be semi precious jewelry as well. Then the question is agate set in low grade metals still semi precious jewelry?
Defining the value of each element of the piece is important and it can make a huge difference when you figure out how much you want to pay for that piece. You will also want to consider whether or not the value of the stone or the metal increases the over all value much. After all, amethyst is worth more than agates, but silver is worth more than nickel. So amethyst set in nickel could be worth less than agate set is in silver.
Unfortunately each person has to figure out these values for themselves because anyone who makes money from the jewelry will always want it to have the highest possible value for the lowest overhead cost. On the other hand, your personal tastes can also be included in the decision making and that can be a good thing!