A girl has many ways of buying jewellery today what with online jewellery stores adding to the number of local jewellery stores and shops. Online buying is just as a good way of buying a piece of good, quality jewellery. But as it is usual with purchasing jewels whether for yourself or as a gift, knowing your jewels and stones and wise purchasing habit will ensure that you will have an enjoyable and satisfactory shopping experience.

1. Check the jewellers reputation. Trustworthy jewellers have good reputations. Consult friends, your mother, and the old gals. You can be sure that your mom and her friends are an old hand in buying baubles. Aside from getting a list of reputable and dependable jewellery stores, you will also get tips on the art of choosing and buying.

2. Check prices. Compare prices with that of local jewellers and what is online. This way you will have a good idea of the normal range for the piece you are considering.

3. Have everything in writing. Yes, get the salesperson or the jeweller to write about all the information about the particular jewellery you wish to purchase. And check certification and guarantees of the jewellery you are about to purchase. For online purchases, print out the web pages, e-mails and any details of the transaction, including prices. Documentation is important and will save you from misinterpreting what the salesperson said.

4. Know the return and refund policy. Before you make a purchase, ask the store's refund and return policy.

5. Know your jewellery. When buying gold, it is best to know what a karat is. Karat is the measure of how much gold there is in a jewellery, and is a way of determining the price of the ornament you are buying. The usual mixture of gold in jewellery is 14K, that is, it contains 14 parts gold with 10 parts base metal. A 24K gold is not usually used in jewellery as this is too pliable. But if the description states that the ornament is gold-plated it means that at least 10 parts of gold is bonded to a base metal. Note that plating eventually wears away, so for important jewelleries such as an engagement ring or wedding ring, make sure to buy the ones that are made of solid bands.

For diamonds, the value of a diamond is determined by its carat (or weight), clarity, colour and cut, called the 4Cs in diamond valuation. The cheaper diamonds are less than 1 carat in mass and have a yellow or brown tinge of colour. Cut determines the brilliance of the stone while clarity factors the lack of impurities, cracks, and intrusions that would mar the surface of the diamond. The more pricey and valuable diamonds are white and appear colourless.

And for pearls, value is determined by its size, in millimetres. Natural pearls taken from oysters are more valuable of course, but these are rare as these are difficult to get.

6. Get your jeweller's advice. The best person to advice you on the quality of the gemstone and jewellery you are going to purchase is no other than your jeweller. A dependable jeweller can even educate and give you tips on choosing jewels. Having a good, reputable jeweller is itself a price.