Not all jewelry is created equal. A high-quality, well-crafted piece of jewelry is a work of art – a valuable investment that will give you years of enjoyment and become a family heirloom. A similar-looking piece of lesser-quality jewelry carries far less intrinsic value and may end up costing you money when it becomes damaged, loses its precious stones or is retired and forgotten in the far reaches of your jewelry box. Here are four basic buying tips for identifying quality jewelry:

1. Consider the craftsmanship. The quality of workmanship has a big impact on an item's value. Some signs of a well-crafted piece of jewelry: gemstones are well matched in size, shape, appearance and quality, and fit snugly and securely in their settings; precious metal has a uniform finish without scratches, pitting or other imperfections; the back of the piece has a similar appearance and quality of finish to the front; prongs, links and other components appear strong, aren't too thin or misshapen and contain no dents or cracks; clasps  fasten easily and firmly, and have a safety catch for added security.  

2. Look for quality marks and trademarks. Only buy fine jewelry that includes a quality mark indicating its precious metal content. For instance, 18-karat gold jewelry should be clearly marked "18K" and represent an item crafted of (18/24ths gold, or 75%). On fine platinum jewelry you should see markings, such as "Plat" or "Pt," reflecting its platinum content. For silver, only pieces that include 92.5% of pure silver can be called "sterling silver." These are sometimes marked as "925." Many pieces of jewelry are stamped with the manufacturer's registered trademark, in the form of a name, symbol or initials. This is assurance that the manufacturer stands behind the item.

3. Get a grading report. When buying a piece of jewelry where the diamond represents the primary value of the piece, make sure it is accompanied by a grading report from a reputable, independent, third-party diamond laboratory, such as GIA or AGS. The report offers an unbiased assessment of the stone and outlines its unique qualities, which is essential for insurance purposes.  

4. Buy from a reputable jeweler. Perhaps the most important factor in ensuring you obtain a piece of quality jewelry is by purchasing it from a jewelry store known for its outstanding reputation, credentials, service and policies.

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