There are some people who just do not like to buy things that have been used, except maybe antiques of some kind. Well, the majority of us are not quite so picky. As a matter of fact, some of us like nothing better than to know we got a great deal on something we really wanted or needed even if it was used. There is certainly no shame in buying used things.

To a lot of folks is can be just good common sense, especially if the item bought is something like jewelry. Most of the time when it is cleaned and polished professionally you could probably not be able to tell if it was new or not. What really matters is how much you like what you buy and if you do get that great deal.

What you have to remember is that it is only a great deal with jewelry if you are getting the real thing you think you paid for. If you are an avid bargain hunter and love to get your jewelry this way, be prepared and educate yourself in the pitfalls of buying used jewelry items. Purchasing a jewelers loupe is essential.

If you do not know already, this is a small magnifying glass that is used with one eye to examine markings on metal and the interior of gem stones. It is also good for checking the prongs that are found on a lot of rings, you know, the little gold bits that hold a stone in place. Use the loupe to examine the jewelry closely on every used piece you buy. You can also purchase an acid kit to be able to test the quality of gold in a piece. This will tell you if the gold is real or not and if it is 10k or 14k if it is real.

Gem stones can be tricky what with all the simulated ones out there today. Remember this, real gem stones almost always, always, have flaws in them. Synthetic gems are set in real gold all the time, and just because the gold is real does not mean the diamond or other gem in it is also real. If a gem looks too good inside and out to be true, it probably is not real. A flawless stone is not likely to be sold in a pawn shop or flea market at a great deal.