Should You Buy That Jewellery Now or Wait?

Metal prices have gone up. If you've been eyeing something for a while, you've probably noticed (or will soon)

I get asked about this a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the piece is made of. Not all jewellery is equally affected by what's happening in the metals market. So instead of a blanket "buy now" or "wait a bit longer", here's how I actually think about it.

First, what is it made of?

Gold and silver have moved significantly. Brass and stainless steel haven't, at least not from the raw material side. There might still be small adjustments across the board (labour, packaging, shipping all feed in), but the pressure is different in kind.

If what you're looking at is brass or stainless steel, there's no real rush. If it's gold or silver, keep reading.

Purity matters more than most people realise

This is the bit that catches people off guard. 

The more precious metal a piece contains, the more it is affected by the market. 

Solid 18k gold carries more gold than 14k, so when prices rise, it rises more. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver by definition, so you will feel it there too. Gold-filled sits in the middle (it's a thick layer of gold bonded to brass, around 20% gold by weight), so more sensitive than plating but less than solid.

And plating uses a thin layer, so the impact is smaller... unless the base metal is sterling silver (that's vermeil), in which case you've now got two precious metals in play.

Two pieces can look almost identical but their prices can behave completely differently when material costs change. 

Weight is the multiplier

Metal is priced by weight, which means a chunky statement necklace and a pair of small studs in the same material don't respond the same way to a price rise. The heavier the piece, the more metal is in it, and the more the increase compounds.

If you've been considering something substantial like thick hoops, a heavy chain, a solid bangle in gold or sterling silver, the jump will be more noticeable than it would for something fine and minimal.

So what would I do?

For gold or silver pieces, especially anything heavier or solid, if it's within your budget now, I'd probably just go for it. Prices are unlikely to reverse quickly, and waiting tends to mean paying more.

For brass or stainless steel, no rush. 

One thing I'd add, especially if you have sensitive skin: when costs rise, some brands cut material standards rather than adjust prices. A lower price tag isn't a saving if it irritates your skin after a week or ends up sitting in a drawer. 

If you're looking at something specific and want a second opinion on whether now is the right time, feel free to get in touch. Happy to help, whether it's something from MISSA & KISSA or not.