Is Walmart Jewelry Real? (gold, diamonds, is it a good place to buy more)
Fine jewelry is an expensive commodity these days, as the price of gemstones and gold has tripled or even quadrupled in the past 100 years.
Discount stores like Walmart make everything accessible and affordable, but you might be wondering: Is Walmart jewelry real? Are their diamonds real diamonds? Is their gold real gold? This is the answer you seek.
Is Walmart Jewelry Real?
Walmart jewelry is authentic and considered on par with what you’ll find in mall jewelry stores. While the gold and diamonds are real, shoppers should be aware that Walmart tends to offer lower-end versions of the products, none of which have third-party quality certification.
To learn more about whether Walmart gold and diamonds are real, whether Walmart is a good place to buy an engagement ring, and whether Walmart jewelry will turn your fingers green, read on!
Is Walmart Gold Real Gold?
Walmart gold is real gold, but before you go out and buy their inventory of cheap necklaces, read the rest of this article.
Perhaps the best example of Walmart’s approach to gold is its Simply Gold line.
The name itself will convince you that this is a simple collection of high quality gold pieces at really affordable prices.
However, the vast majority of their gold is 10 karats. In this carat, you only have about 40% actual gold; the other 60% consists of different metals.
Another thing you need to be aware of is the abbreviations GP, RGP, GEP, etc.
While they look innocuous, they indicate that the jewelry is actually gold-plated.
This means that the core of the piece is some other metal, while a thin layer of gold is added on top to give it a golden look.
If you have a keen eye for jewelry at Walmart, you’re sure to find some genuine pieces that aren’t gold plated, maybe even 12K or 14K.
Are Walmart Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Walmart’s diamonds are real diamonds, but like the retailer’s gold, these precious gems come with a few caveats.
According to a former retail clerk at a high-end jewelry store, Wal-Mart’s largest diamond sales are mid-range diamonds.
“I also pay attention to how the stones are set; the prongs are often uneven and can get caught in the fabric,” she wrote.
An expert at DiamondCuttersIntl.com agrees that Walmart sells real diamonds, but writes, “…they usually sell…shoddy stuff.”
He thinks Wal-Mart’s diamonds are just a step up from “costume jewelry.”
He also added that there is little hope of reselling diamond jewelry from Walmart because the price is already low and the quality is not worthy of appraisers.
If you purchase a Walmart diamond, you are unlikely to see any financial return on that investment in the future.
Walmart also sells synthetic diamonds and gemstones that look like diamonds (think: white topaz, cubic zirconia, etc.).
But to Walmart’s credit, it’s not trying to scam buyers, and the diamond analogs are clearly marked both in-store and online.
Is Walmart a good place to buy an engagement ring?
Pompeii3 is a brand you see a lot on the Walmart website.
The collection promises stunning engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and more at jaw-droppingly low prices.
(Think a three-quarter-carat 14-carat white gold diamond engagement ring for just $1,500.)
Prices like these have some people wondering whether they’re better off buying a wedding set from Walmart than from a fine jeweler.
So how does Pompeii3 sell everything for such a low cost?
Again, it’s the little things that make the difference.
What looks good on paper or screen does not meet actual fine jewelry industry standards.
For example, 18K is actually the industry standard for gold. Pompeii3 diamonds tend to be of the lowest quality.
Diamonds have inclusion grades ranging from F or IF to SI1-SI2 or I1-I2.
Unfortunately, most of Pompeii3’s diamonds are around S1-S2 – not the lowest quality, but the next lowest grade.
As the Blush & Bar authors also point out, Pomeii3’s diamonds are only evaluated by gemologists employed by Pompeii3.
How likely is it that a diamond will receive a fair appraisal?
To do this, Pompeii 3 can only submit diamonds to third-party appraisers, as high-end jewelers do.
Then you also have to think about settings. As I have already pointed out, the quality of Walmart diamond settings is an issue.
Imagine giving your fiancée a ring just for the paw to hook her favorite sweater!
Or worse, one claw is so fragile that it snaps off all together and the gem is in jeopardy.
You’ll have to pay to have it fixed, which can cost you the money you’ve saved on cheap diamonds. Otherwise, if the diamond drops, she will lose the diamond.
Is Walmart Jewelry Turning Your Fingers Green?
Gold jewelry at Walmart shouldn’t turn your fingers green.
Gold jewelry that is officially marked with a carat value (usually on the inside of the ring) is real gold, even at low prices at Walmart.
If it turns your fingers green and you think it’s real gold, you may want to look up the item’s description online and make sure you haven’t accidentally gold plated it.
If you want to learn more about Walmart jewelry, you can also read our related posts on real and fake Walmart wedding rings, Walmart jewelry return policies, and whether Walmart resizes rings.
in conclusion
While Walmart’s gold and diamond jewelry is true in its statements, unfortunately, you do get your money’s worth.
These lower prices mean the gold is lower in carats, and diamonds often have a lot of inclusions and don’t look as pretty as they do in the photos.
But if you’re on a budget for fine jewelry, Walmart’s authentic jewelry will save you a ton of cash, provided you understand the quality tradeoffs.
