

Failing to detect just a small variation in composition can be an expensive mistake. And if you sold them the piece, big problems can arise. That’s OK if the buyer knows the content of the metal, but if they think they are buying solid gold – and paying for solid gold – and find out later it is gold-plated, they will not be happy. Gold plated means that the jewelry is made with a layer of gold on the surface over another type of metal underneath. And if you are buying pieces online to re-sell, you may also be jeopardizing your business.īecause of high gold prices, plated jewelry is becoming more acceptable. If you are not buying from an established retailer, what you see on the site’s ordering page may not be what you get. The concerns we have for e-commerce have to do with the authenticity of the products ordered.Īnyone can post pictures of sparkly rings and dramatic gold necklaces and bangles. But that is not what we will address today.

However, there are many brick-and-mortar jewelry store owners who are worrying about their businesses. Normally, a rise in e-commerce is a good thing. The good news is that when asked about the way the jewelry industry sees itself, 88 percent of survey respondents said they were at least somewhat, if not very, optimistic about the next twelve months. In June, JCK, a well-known industry authority in the jewelry business, revealed a report on the state of the jewelry industry.
