I got the silver....

[Rock]

Unlike Keith, I haven't actually GOT the silver yet.
I occasionally buy some cheap jewellery for my wife or daughter (neither of whom is into jewellery in any serious way other than as clothing accessories)
My wife bought a dress recently that I thought needed some silver - a necklace or pendant or somesuch - to set it off.
This got me thinking about silver jewellery - not the expensive custom designs but the sort of item that you might pay one or two hundred dollars for.
I surfed a few jewellers and other specialty sites and noticed the considerable variation in prices for silver jewellery that is all described as "Sterling" or "925".
I have done the Wiki search so I understand the basics about silver.
Why is there such a big variation between the Jewellers and the specialty silver outlets.
Is it just about 'margin' and 'overhead' for the Jewellery chains or is there another reason why the specialty shops seem to be able to sell a apparantly similar item (all marked 925) for half the price of the jewellers.
Cheers.

[East Bay Rider]

All I know about silver is that anything from Tiffany's is at least 2x reasonable prices.

[andromeda160]

.925 silver is .925 silver, it all tarnishes, it's all 92.5% silver, just different names put on it, and different prices.

[salem65]

I think the design and finishing of the piece plays a part in price too.

[smak]

just like Rolex doubles as ornament and investment a brand like Tiffany could serve the same purpose.

granted over a much broader time period.

[Zed Homme]

Some jewelers charge full retail while others work off wholesale...

[gulfstream69xr7]

Originally Posted by smak

just like Rolex doubles as ornament and investment a brand like Tiffany could serve the same purpose.

granted over a much broader time period.

My wife owns matching Tiffany silver bracelet and necklace. I think that Rolex is a fair comparison as far as quality and branding go.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by gulfstream69xr7

. . . . I think that Rolex is a fair comparison as far as quality and branding go.

x 2 !

HAGOne

[mtrunner]

I lost track of all the Tiffany jewelry that my wife owns. It may be sold at a premium but that quality is there and they have impeccable customer service. My wife take her jewelry in all the time to get cleaned and polished and she lost a chain to one of her sterling silver Tiffany necklaces and they gave her a replacement for free.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

I lost track of all the Tiffany jewelry that my wife owns. It may be sold at a premium but that quality is there and they have impeccable customer service. My wife take her jewelry in all the time to get cleaned and polished and she lost a chain to one of her sterling silver Tiffany necklaces and they gave her a replacement for free.

She lost it and Tiffany gave here a new one . . . ?

Wooow . . . customer service

HAGOne

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by Kingair

She lost it and Tiffany gave here a new one . . . ?

Wooow . . . customer service

HAGOne

Yeah they were really nice but that also probably had to do with the fact we also bought my wedding ring and another ring for her during that visit! I have dealt with the same saleswoman for the past 8 years.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

Yeah they were really nice but that also probably had to do with the fact we also bought my wedding ring and another ring for her during that visit! I have dealt with the same saleswoman for the past 8 years.

But still . . .

Great service

HAGOne

[Rock]

I'm guessing that the two important determinates are:
1. the 'brand name' - e.g Tiffany or a brand of seller without a high profile in fashion or quality.
2. the degree of workmanship or detail in the item.
A quick look at the Perth (Australia) Mint site reveals a selling price of A$28./oz and a price of A$38. for a 1oz silver coin.
I notice a lot of sterling silver chains and pendants in non-name-brand stores sell for A$30. to A$50. so you would think there was not a lot of profit in these items that are close to a weight of 1oz.

[jolimont]

can't go wrong with tiffany's, for some reason all (most?) women love that stuff
I think they're pretty reasonably priced for a gift (compared to a Rolex)

[gulfstream69xr7]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

I lost track of all the Tiffany jewelry that my wife owns. It may be sold at a premium but that quality is there and they have impeccable customer service. My wife take her jewelry in all the time to get cleaned and polished and she lost a chain to one of her sterling silver Tiffany necklaces and they gave her a replacement for free.

My wife regularly visits Tiffany in Philadelphia. They clean the jewelry, adjust the clasps, and make any minor repairs.

No charge.

I have been very impressed with the quality and service of Tiffany.

If she asked for any other Tiffany pieces, I would buy them without any hesitation.

[bayerische]

A friend of mine once bought a sterling silver bracelet for his girlfriend from Tiffany... Price was the price of a nice 18K gold bracelet from somewhere else...