Gemstones and jewelry have been intertwined with human culture for thousands of years. Whether we are wearing feathers and shells or rubies and gold, beautiful adornments have always held meaning and value.

Throughout history, jewelry serves as offering, trophy, amulet, and art. It symbolizes fertility, status, and love, and marks milestones, commitments, and lineage.

And, most practically, it is a means of holding and transferring wealth.

Trace the journey of an emerald ring, diamond tiara, or string of pearls, and you will trace the flow of wealth and power across space and time.

Jewelry is Wearable Wealth

In the ancient world, the line between jewelry and money was blurred. People wore jewelry as a way of carrying and protecting their wealth. A gold chain around your neck was often more secure than hiding gold in your home.

From the Aztecs to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, jewelry has been used as currency, inheritance, and investment — and still is today.

The difference between the ancients and ourselves is that now our relationship to jewelry is ever more complex. Today, we live in a globalized world where we can access the best gems and metals of every region and culture.

It is a thrilling time to invest in jewelry, and a time that comes with great responsibility.

Invest in Your Personal Wealth — and Much More

I believe jewelry is a wise and rewarding investment for the modern collector. It is not paper, real estate, stocks or bonds, but it is a valuable — and fascinating — asset that many prefer over the volatility of other markets.

This type of investment goes beyond one’s personal wealth to impact future generations and the very health of our planet.

I believe precious gems and metals are a worthwhile investment, especially when you choose ethical, high quality sources and artisans.

Precious Gems and Metals Retain Their Value

While the value of currencies fluctuates constantly, quality gold, diamonds, and other materials stands the test of time.

Theoretically, your jewelry can be melted down, reset, and repurposed, and still retain its worth. Even with the global economic downturns of recent decades, the intrinsic value of a gemstone or gold heirloom has held fast.

While the gold trade has its ups and downs, gold has been our most dependable embodiment of wealth for thousands of years. In some countries today, it is still trusted more than the national currency.

Of course, not all jewelry is equal. The most valuable gems and metalsare of the highest purity and quality. They are also the most rare or unique, such as coveted Sea of Cortez pearls or the exceedingly rare Painite, valued at over $50k per carat.

Thankfully, you don’t need thousands of dollars to make a worthwhile investment in jewelry. You only need knowledge and time.

Jewelry is One of the Safest Investments Available

Many people choose to invest in jewelry because it gives them a sense of security they can not find in the stock market or real estate.

The uncertainty of other markets make them somewhat of a gamble. The 2008 financial crisis certainly proved this.

It’s not that gold and gemstones don’t experience their own fluctuations in value, but that theynever lose their value altogether. And looking at the long term trends, their value almost always shows steady appreciation.

As expert and purveyor of rare antique and estate jewelry Michael Khoridpour says, “Jewelry is cyclical and there are waves and trends in the market like any other business. Therefore, investing in jewelry is about having the patience to ride those waves and hold onto pieces while carefully maintaining them.”

Your Jewelry Will Likely Become More Valuable with Time

Even in the face of economic crisis, the price of gold and gold jewelry steadily climbs. And the value of diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and other gemstones “is at or above 2008 levels.”

According to the World Gold Council, the US has seenstrong growth in demand for gold jewelry in 2017. When political and economic climates are volatile, it seems gold shines even brighter.

The value of gems generally keeps pace with the rate of inflation. But rare, unique, and high quality gems can easily outpace this and appreciate dramatically over time.

Armed with an understanding of which precious metals and gemstones will be sought after for years to come, it is possible to make an investment today that pays dividends in the future.

Jewelry Marks Milestones

Beyond the financial benefits of investing in jewelry, there are many priceless personal and cultural benefits to enjoy. Can you say the same of a distantly managed stock portfolio?

One of the first things we think of when hear the words gold or diamond is a wedding ring. Culturally, we celebrate and commemorate the special moments and individuals in our lives with fine jewelry.

Why? Because its rarity and value are one of the few things that can come close to honoring what is most important: our memories and loved ones.

Jewelry ties us to the events that shape our lives. Your marriage proposal and wedding day. Your fifth or fiftieth anniversary. Your child’s coming of age or graduation.

Jewelry is an investment in family, commitment, and connection. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t feel such profound loss when a wedding ring or heirloom goes missing.

Jewelry Brings Pleasure to Your Life

Much like collecting art, jewelry is an investment that pays off immediately in beauty, allure, and happiness.

Yes, happiness.

Many consider art a worthy investment even when it doesn’t increase in value because it can beautify a space, tell a story, express a feeling, and connect us as humans across time and place.

Before I invested in jewelry, I was drawn to the beauty of the earth’s minerals and the stories of people who shaped these minerals into wearable art and wealth.

I feel joy and wonder gazing at a Monet or Rembrandt. And I feel it when I contemplate a beautiful bracelet finely crafted from ethical gold.

Ethical Jewelry is an Investment in the Environment

Today we can see far better than our ancestors what impact our jewelry choices have on the planet.

History has shown that some mining and labor practices used to extract and refine gems and metals are highly destructive to people and the environment. That’s why I specify that ethical jewelry is an investment in our future, not just any jewelry.

For example, modern industrial gold mining practices send 20 tons of toxic waste into the environment for every 0.333-ounce gold ring. And we all know the horrifying realities of blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds.

Even pearl hunting and farming, when not managed ethically and sustainably, can upset delicate ecosystems and decimate mussel and oyster populations.

Ethical Jewelry is an Investment in Our Future

Buying ethical jewelry is much more than a way to simply avoid environmentally destructive practices. It is way to invest in new practices that are healing the earth and restoring communities.

Our purchase power is one of the most effective ways we can impact the fate of the globe. When we buy ethical gold and gemstones, we are not giving money directly to the people who actively care for our soil, minerals, ecosystems, and laborers.

And when you buy Thesis Gems and Jewelry, one percent of your purchase is immediately invested in smart environmental giving. Through the 1% for the Planet movement, your jewelry investment can support organizations that are actively developing solutions to climate change, deforestation, pollution, and much more.

Choose Your Investment Jewelry Wisely

When you are ready to make your own investment in the meaning, beauty, and value of ethical jewelry, remember these guidelines:

• Do not compromise on quality. Remember that a small gemstone of true quality will retain more value than a larger one of lesser quality.
• Know your sources. Gems and gold are not equal. Be sure you can trace your precious materials back to their very source and verify that they employ ethical, sustainable practices.
• Don’t be afraid to choose unique pieces. Rare and unusual jewelry will often hold or increase its value more robustly than common pieces. What’s more, a unique piece will bear the mark of your style to become a special heirloom.
• Consider what milestone you want to commemorate.  What priceless memory will you and your loved ones attach to this piece of jewelry? It need not be a traditional milestone like a wedding or anniversary; you can memorialize a major transition, celebrate a personal victory, or simply honor a special relationship in your life.
• Enjoy your investment today. Choose jewelry you love that brings you joy now. I want you to wear and love your jewelry in every way.

Jewelry Offers More Than Money Can Buy

Jewelry is a highly practical investment that can increase in financial value over time, but it is so much more. Your personal jewelry collection carries intrinsic value you and future generations can cherish forever.

I am passionate about helping others make lasting and meaningful investments in jewelry. When you are ready to acquire your own precious jewelry, please reach out. I can be a trusted source to guide you to a piece you love.