Jewelry can be plated with gold in a variety of ways. Gold plate refers to items that are either mechanically plated, electroplated, or plated by any other means with gold to a base metal. Eventually, gold plating wears away, but how soon will depend on how often item is worn and how thick plating is.

Gold-filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If jewelry is marked with one of these terms, term or abbreviation should follow karat quality of gold used (for example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP). If layer of karat gold is less than 1/20th of total weight of item, any marking must state actual percentage of karat gold, such as 1/40 14K Gold Overlay.

Gold electroplate describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process. The terms gold flashed or gold washed describe products that have an extremely thin electroplating of gold (less than .175 microns thick). This will wear away more quickly than gold plate, gold-filled or gold electroplate.

3. Know difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones. Stones created in lab are visually identical to stones mined from earth. The big difference is in cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look much like stones mined from earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone treatments– such as heating, dyeing or bleaching– can improve a stone’s appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect stone’s value.

4. When you’re buying a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity and weight, usually stated as carats. Each factor affects price. Color is sometimes “graded” on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a “D” may be best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent color of diamond you’re considering. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

When shopping for Father’s Day jewelry online, apply these tips. 1.Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it. 2.Take advantage of information and referrals from an Internet company you have come to trust. 3.Get details about product, as well as merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy. 4.Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.