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Have you ever looked at a piece of jewelry online and thought, “Okay…but what am I actually buying?”

Waterproof. Hypoallergenic. Gold vermeil. Gold-plated. 14k. 18k. Sterling silver. Platinum. Jewelry descriptions can start to feel like their own language—and the words on the product page don’t always tell you what to expect once you actually wear the piece.

In Part 2 of Buying Fine Jewelry, I’m back with Nicole Nettles and Kashmirr Elkin of Blue Water Jewelers to translate the jewelry lingo into plain English.

We get into:

• what “waterproof” and “anti-tarnish” claims may actually mean
• gold vermeil vs. gold-plated jewelry
• what to consider if you have sensitive skin or see “hypoallergenic”
• 14k vs. 18k gold, white gold and platinum
• why some jewelry needs more maintenance than you might expect
• what chlorine, pools and hot tubs can do to your jewelry
• why the durability of the gemstone matters too—not just the metal
• buying designer costume jewelry
• choosing jewelry based on your actual lifestyle, not just how it looks
• and why knowing who you’re buying from can matter long after the sale.

Two pieces can look almost identical online but have very different prices, materials, durability, and (of course) expectations.

If you missed Part 1, start there for lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, sparkle, size, settings, and what to know before making a diamond purchase.

Part 2 is about understanding the language so you know what you’re getting before you spend the money.

What I Expected is about knowing what to expect before you buy it, try it, book it, or live through it. Some conversations are about the things we choose. Others are about the things we never expected to face.

More reviews, guides & recommendations: WhatIExpected.co
Shopping Links: Shop My or Amazon.

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