Is it true that gold chains are cheap in Italy and why?

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Taylor's Dad

Because the cost of gold world-wide has increased so dramatically over the last few years, there are no great bargains anywhere, especially in Western Europe. The weakness of the dollar contributes to the high cost of just about everything abroad.

Nonetheless, gold is a good buy in Italy because the craftsmanship is superior. Anything labeled "gold" in Italy must be at least 18K, and will be marked .750 rather than 18K. That means that 18K gold is 3/4 pure gold, pure gold being 24K.

prettyinpink i

when i was in italy before the euro, yes jewelry was much much cheaper. u could buy a real gold ring of 18 kt for 100 dollars...!
now with the euro being slighlty higher than the dollar, it might not be that much cheaper...but, i think it depends on what parts of italy u go to..some places sell it at really high prices and some at very low...

Just Tom

Italian goldsmiths are considered the best in the world. Gold ore from some middle east countries is sent there to be made into fine jewelery. The cost varies based on the daily market. Make sure you see the .750 mark on the clasp of necklaces/bracelets. That is 18k and probably the best buy for jewelry that is strong and durable. The next is 21K (.875) beautiful but a little softer than 18k, Of course, the softest gold is 24k and that, of course, also makes it the most expensive.

J Sutton

Not really

The price of gold is the same all around the world. It is true that most chains are made in Italy. They are mass produced by machine and sold wholesale by the foot or by the ounce. I'm a goldsmith and a jeweller, it is not practical (or profitable) for any human being to make small chains by hand. I buy my chains from a wholesaler in the southern states, who buys them from a manufacturer in Italy.
By the way, white gold is not very popular in Europe, it was always more of a North American trend. As for quality, the lowest legal Karat you can buy IN ITALY is 18K (which is 75% gold, 25% alloy by weight), a high standard when compared to the Canada/U.S. legal minimum 10K (41.7% gold). Germany has the lowest at 8K (33%).
24K gold is PURE, and is deep yellow, and is way to soft to make practical jewellery out of. The metals you alloy gold with are what make white gold white (or rose gold rose, or green gold green, etc.) The highest white gold karat is 19K. 18K white gold is more common than 19K. No such thing as 21K white.

in short;

Italy, although being the centre of chain manufacturing in the world, sells at about the same price. It is priced by the amount of gold + manufacturing$ + Retail markup.

Enjoy your trip

-James

P.S.
Italian goldsmiths are not "the best in the world". I've worked on Italian jewellery, it's overrated. The best goldsmith I knew came from Germany; Ludwig Nickel, his work was stunning. The old chemical finishing techniques he used (cyanide-bombing) ended up killing him though...

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