Shopping for gold jewellery can take you far and wide to find the right piece for your wardrobe (or even as an investment), but you must know what you want and where to find good deals and authentic gold jewellery. The last thing you want is to buy fake gold from a shady dealer promising a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
Even with strict regulations in Singapore, it never hurts to be extra careful when buying gold jewellery: your safety and security should always take precedence, after all. So, if you are looking for the best place to buy gold jewellery in Singapore, look at our handy guide for handy tips to help you pick the right place for your gold jewellery shopping needs. Better yet, visit our jewellery boutique for fair pricing and exceptional (and authentic) gold jewellery matching your preferences!
Essential Considerations While You Are Window Shopping
Before you set foot in any jewellery store, consider the following criteria carefully. It always helps to be well-informed before you make a substantial purchase, allowing you to weigh your options and spot any potential red flags in a deal.
Karat Weight
A gold jewellery’s karat weight refers to its purity, so 24-karats typically refers to pure gold, comprising 24 parts of gold and no alloys. You may also see it described as 999 gold, which reflects that it is 99.9 per cent gold. Following this convention, a lower karat weight essentially means a lower gold and higher alloy content. For example, 18-karat gold comprises 75 per cent gold and 25 per cent alloys (typically metals like copper and nickel). Alloys are usually added to gold to help increase its durability, making lower karat weights ideal for everyday wear since they do not quickly tarnish or get damaged.
Pure gold (999 gold, which contains 99.9 per cent gold) remains a popular choice, but it is not ideal for everyday jewellery because of its surprising softness. As a result, pure gold jewellery can easily tarnish or even dent from regular use, even if you are extra careful with it. It is why lower karat weights are recommended for everyday jewellery thanks to their higher alloy content, enhancing their overall durability and, in some cases, adding unique colours (like 18-karat rose gold, with a 25 per cent copper content to give its distinctive rosy hue) to help them stand out.
Hallmarking
A hallmark indicates a gold jewellery’s purity as determined by an authorised assay office that tests the purity of various precious metals like gold. The hallmark is crucial as it is a sign that the jewellery is indeed authentic and has been recognised as such. The hallmark denotes the jewellery’s karat weight and the jeweller who made it or where you bought it; it will also feature the symbol of the authorised assay office that certified the jewellery.
Reputation
It goes without saying that a jewellery store’s reputation can also make or break its success. You should always research any jewellery store you encounter and see what past customers say about the store: How was the service? Is the gold jewellery authentic? What was the buying experience like? What are the general complaints people have about the store? All of these can help you narrow your list of gold jewellery boutiques and find the right place that ticks all the right boxes.
Accreditation
Being CaseTrust certified can offer a jewellery store plenty of benefits, especially to its standing as a trusted gold jewellery seller. CaseTrust accreditation means that a jewellery store’s pieces are certified authentic by the relevant authorities and that the store observes stringent criteria, including robust store policies, ethical advertising, and business integrity.
Pricing
Different jewellery stores will have a diverse price range, especially when you consider a jewellery’s craftsmanship, gemstones that adorn it, and other factors the jeweller may consider. It never hurts to ask how a store prices its jewellery, as it can give you a better appreciation for its appearance and value. Just be sure to stick to a budget when choosing the gold jewellery you want so you do not spend much more than you ought to. You can also take the time to compare prices between different jewellery stores; be prepared that the difference in value for similar-looking pieces can be pretty substantial from jeweller to jeweller.
Customer Service
Some jewellery stores will go above and beyond to provide the best customer service, including offering warranties on their jewellery pieces, certification documents to demonstrate their pieces’ authenticity, and favourable return policies if your purchase is not to your liking.
Where to Buy Gold Jewellery in Singapore
Independent Jewellery Stores
There are plenty of independent jewellery stores around the country, and most of them carry a decent selection of gold jewellery. Whether these are mom-and-pop shops that have been around for many years or more professional-looking jewellery stores, you will be spoiled with the vast selection available. Take your time to explore and ask questions about any gold jewellery you are eyeing, and be sure to pay attention to what you are told. If anything seems too good to be true, you may want to avoid making a deal and consider other options.
You can find plenty of jewellery stores in a few notable locations in Singapore. Orchard Road, for one, is easily recognisable for being one of the more iconic locations in Singapore, especially as a hub for the finer things in life, including gold jewellery. You can find several high-end jewellery stores in and around the many malls that line the area. The same goes for Chinatown and Little India, where the jewellery shops in the area proudly emphasise their cultural roots. In fact, you can find our boutique in Little India!
Major Jewellery Chains
Renowned jewellery franchises such as Cartier and Tiffany & Co. are stores you could consider visiting if you want something upscale and luxurious with a price tag to match. While you will easily find a selection of the finest gold jewellery on display and ready to be taken home, you will readily have to fork out a considerable sum to own one of these brands’ fine jewellery pieces. That price tag can go considerably higher if you aim for a coveted limited-edition piece.
Pawn Shops
If you plan on looking for a bargain or are keen on acquiring secondhand or vintage gold jewellery, a pawn shop might have a good deal waiting in the rafters. Part of the charm of buying gold jewellery from a pawn shop is that you will never know what you might find. It can take a bit of searching to find something unique, but there is still a risk that you may not find something to your liking, especially as inventory does not change very regularly. Still, if you are fortunate, you can find many exciting gold jewellery pieces sold in a pawn shop, ranging from popular and contemporary picks to previously fashionable selections and rare vintage pieces that may be many years old.
The good news is that most pawn shops will try to authenticate any gold jewellery they buy or sell to avoid unnecessary complications. However, this level of quality assurance is not necessarily observed by every pawn shop, so you may still want to exercise some caution, just in case.
Online Retailers
Online marketplaces and platforms, such as Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon, are just a few convenient ways to buy gold jewellery from various sellers, even those based in other countries. More importantly, these platforms pride themselves on offering solid consumer protection systems to ensure you have a positive experience browsing and buying through these platforms. It also means you can quickly purchase gold jewellery from major jewellery outlets without having to leave home while also being able to rely on customer reviews to find highly-rated sellers and reasonable prices.
Despite these assurances, scammers still trick consumers into buying fake or defective goods while posing as reliable sellers; they would even go so far as to falsify positive reviews to help establish their positive reputation. As always, exercise caution when you do decide to purchase any gold jewellery online. In other cases, unscrupulous parties may even steal parcels and leave you with no way to recover or get a reimbursement for the loss. There are options to insure your packages up to a certain amount, but you would still feel upset over the loss.
Satisfaction Guaranteed with Merlin Goldsmith By Your Side
Place your trust in Merlin Goldsmith for all your gold jewellery shopping needs. We exclusively sell hallmarked gold jewellery and guarantee that all our pieces are authentic gold pieces. Whether you want ready-to-wear jewellery or a unique, bespoke piece that fits your preferences, we are ready to help you meet your desires. With years of experience in the industry, we aspire to be Singapore's No. 1 gold jewellery store. Visit our store today to take advantage of our great rates and excellent customer service. We are keen to help you with your gold shopping!