All that glitters may not be gold; how do you know which gold ring will turn your finger green and which one can become an heirloom for generations?

First off, know what you are buying. Gold jewelry comes in a multitude of forms, from a simple gold pendant to personalized gold jewelry.

Secondly, however you buy it, or whatever form it takes, there are several key tips to buying gold:

1. Know 14K gold jewelry from 18K gold jewelry.
2. Choose a reputable jeweler or wholesale gold jewelry dealer.
3. Look for a trademark on the piece you are buying.

These are the gold standards amongst jewelers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the difference between 14K gold jewlery and 18K gold jewelry

Gold purity is sometimes difficult to tell by just looking at it. For this reason, it's purity is stamped on it and reflected by a number and the letter 'K'; which stands for karat; the measuring system used for gold jewelry. 24K gold is pure gold; 18K gold is 75% and 25% other metals; 14K gold is 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals; 12K gold is 50% gold with 12 parts gold, and 12 parts other metals; 10K gold is 41% gold (the lowest ranking for American jewelry).

I recommend: For more information on gold standards to check out Ruby Lane or Celtic Wedding Rings. There are also standards for white gold jewelry, which were introduced in 2005; see Professional Jeweler Magazine for more details.

Reputation is everything when buying gold jewelry

Buying quality is a must when it comes to gold, and the best way to buy quality is to go through a reputable dealer. Dealers are known by their ads, their referrals, their years in business and the quality of their showroom.

I recommend: To find a reputable dealer visit Jewelers of America; they are the national association for retail jewelers. Check out Jewelry Information Centers or DiGem for other good choices.

Marks of the gold jewelry trade

All gold jewelry which is stamped with a 'K' mark is also stamped with the trademark of the manufacturer who produced it. If you are unsure of who the manufacturer is, ask the jeweler for information. Quality jewelers normally buy from quality manufacturers.

I recommend: To find out more about the manufacturer of your piece, go to Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, or for a full listing of manufacturers check out Export Bureau.

Cater to non-traditional customers by carrying a unique supply of gold jewelry

Seek out providers of unique pieces of body jewelry when looking to expand your offering of gold jewelry.

I recommend: Find beautiful jewelry, including white gold body jewelry, at AlluringBody, who have been in business since 2002, and carry both gold and gold and diamond jewelry. Grace Body Jewelry also carries unique styles of body jewelry

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying online, make sure to ask about the karat, trademarks and thickness of the gold jewelry piece.
• •  Unless the piece has the 'K' mark, it's not real gold.
• •  Electroplating is a thin covering of gold which has little strength and wears off quickly and easily.
• •  If you have an allergy to 'gold' it is most likely an allergy to nickel, and not the gold. Ask to see the jeweler's line of hypoallergenic pieces or for those pieces which are low in nickel.