Evaluate how well a Brooch meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a brooch and you've learned about the different features of brooches. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of brooch - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the choices available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed brooches to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well Brooches meet your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available brooches in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any options that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any brooches that clearly exceed your price limit.
Tip: The important thing about brooches, or any jewelry for that matter, is that it makes the wearer feel good. Brooches are all about your changing mood. You may have spent all day in your work-clothes and you have to go to an impromptu dinner straight after work. Nothing will change your mood and the look of your clothes more radically than a well-selected brooch.
Brooches come in a variety of shapes and colors. Like most jewelry, gemstones are used to give the brooch life. They can be made with anything from pearls to onyx. Gold, silver, and platinum are also used as the base. Common brooch shapes include angels, butterflies, and dragonflies. However, they also include more unusual scenes, particularly those in nature, such as a tree limb with a bird's nest and three pearls representing the eggs. There is certainly not a short supply of creativity when it comes to jewelry.
Tip: While brooches have been out of "fashion" for a little while, they are on the rise again. Choosing one that highlights your character will ensure that you have a timeless piece you enjoy.
Colored gemstones, much like diamonds, are valued according to the four c's - color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Unfortunately, unlike diamonds, there is not a standard grading scheme for colored stones because there are so many and each has a different set of characteristics. Most gemologists agree that color is the most important characteristic to a gem, using terms such as hue, saturation, and tone to define color. When looking for a nice brooch, some of these things may not be a consideration for you; however, if you are looking to purchase an expensive piece, than it is important to take these things into consideration.
Tip: A good salesperson should know about the 4 c's and help you determine the best stones for you.
When shopping for a brooch, carefully inspect its pinning mechanism. There is not a lot of variety in the pinning mechanisms across brooches; however, some are designed with a fine sharp pin to be used with finer materials and others are more robust and can be used with loose weave clothing like knitted tops. A third style of brooch uses the same pin as a lapel badge with a rubber 'keeper' hidden under the garment. Make sure you consider the type of fabrics you will want to wear the brooch with, and choose one that will sit well on the fabric and not ruin it.
Tip: You should take the opportunity to carefully examine the quality of the workmanship, looking for any apparent flaws, shoddiness, or lack of attention to detail. Pay particular attention to the quality of the pin and check to see how secure it is, as the last thing you want to happen is to have the pin break and lose the brooch.
Since the brooch's clasp is similar to that of a safety pin, it can be quite easily damaged, rendering a perfectly good brooch useless. It is extremely important that you properly store a brooch to avoid this potential problem. Experts recommend that a brooch be kept in a stationary position and pinned to a stable base. Using a sponge layered cardboard box with a lid is perhaps one of the best ways to store a brooch. These boxes can be picked up at any jewelry store. You do not want to use a soft cloth as it can cause the pin to catch and damage the brooch and it does not protect in the event of an accidental drop or fall.
Tip: Pearl and gemstone studded brooches, and silver and gold pieces should be kept separate from one another to avoid scratching and tarnishing.
Brooches also make an excellent accessory to purses. Matching the two makes an individual look stylish and trendy and enhances the wardrobe even more. The brooch can be worn on the purse, depending on the material, or on the outfit. In this situation, just be sure to match your items. If your purse has a gold clasp, try to stick with gold brooches, and if it is a silver clutch then wear a silver brooch. Diamonds and pearls would go with either, so there are clearly several options. The important thing to remember is that brooches are good for any occasion and are an easy, inexpensive way to make a tired outfit look alive!
Tip: A brooch may be pinned to your shirt or collar or lapel, threaded onto a necklace or bracelet, attached to a headband or hat, pinned in your scarf or shawl or even attached to your purse or pocketbook - truly the most versatile type of jewelry you can imagine.
When you were considering your requirements in a brooch it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as style, material, shape and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various brooches meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Brooch materials
- Silver
- Gold
- Bronze
- Enamel
- Gemstones
Purpose
- Fashion
- Ornamental
- Fastener
Age
Popular Shapes
- Angel
- Bird's Nest
- Butterfly
- Cat
- Dog
- Dragonfly
- Flower
- Ribbon
- Star
Placement of Brooches
- On clothing
- Bags and purses
- Shoes
- Hair
- Coats and jackets
Clasps
- Safety pin
- Magnetic
- Safety chain
Caring for Brooches
- Proper storing - sponge lined cardboard box with lid
- Proper cleaning - tarnish remover; warm soapy water; air dry
- Proper repairs - don't try to do it yourself unless you absolutely know how, check with a jeweler first
4 Cs of Gemstones
- Color
- Clarity
- Cut
- Carat weight
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require.
Once you have finished evaluating the brooches available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the brooches one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Brooch compares with competing Brooches
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of brooches that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which brooch on my short-list best suits my image?
Which of these has the style I like?
Which brooch is the easiest to use?
Which appears to be of the highest quality?
Which can be worn with various outfits?
Which brooch do I like the best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating brooches that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the brooch, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the item is put together. Check the assembly - is the item solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the brooch from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is it to clasp and unclasp? Make sure the item is user-friendly - some brooches look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Size - appropriate for purpose - fits correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to wear
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one item compared to another. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as accidental damage.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are really necessary, and whether these can be included with the purchase. What else is required - do you need a jewelry box, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing wardrobe?
- What else will you need to get the most out of your brooch?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of brooches that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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