When you’re thinking of buying new jewelry, there are points to consider. Whether it’s a treat for yourself or a gift for a loved one, you’ll want to make a statement with something beautiful and eye-catching. Style, color, material, and price are all important, and your jeweler can advise what’s best. While it can be tempting to opt for cheaper jewelry, there are several reasons to avoid this.

3 Major Problems With Cheap Jewelry

1. Brass Marks the Skin & Ages Badly 

One of the most common metals in cheaper jewelry is brass. While there is an increasing trend for items made from brass, the copper content has its drawbacks. Copper reacts to oils in your skin, resulting in a green residue left behind. Brass also needs consistent polishing to make it look reasonable. Furthermore, the surface of brass is easily scratched so it can begin to look old quickly.

2. Certain Metals Cause Irritation & Infections

Many cheaper items of jewelry contain nickel, which is a big offender for allergic reactions. It can result in redness and even blistering around irritated skin. By buying more precious metals like sterling silver or gold, the chances of having any reaction to them are low. Your jeweler can inform you if the jewelry is nickel-free.

3. Poorly Made Jewelry Gets Broken & Scratched

Smaller pieces of jewelry like earrings are very delicate. When these items are cheap, they are mass-produced. This results in pieces with rough edges that can scratch the skin or damage clothing. These pieces also tend to break, with locks and posts coming off easily as you go about your day. Earrings may eventually get lost and become hard to find.

Jewelry should be something that can last a lifetime. With this in mind, talk to a jeweler about high-quality pieces. A family-owned and -operated business since 1905, Sartor Hamann Jewelers has a fabulous selection of items in three stores across the Lincoln and Grand Island, NE areas, as well as a team of experts to help. To learn more, call (402) 476-8561 or visit their website.