The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers an ample amount of advice when it comes to what to look for in quality jewelry, from pewter and silver to gold and platinum. First, check the markings on the piece you’re interested in purchasing. For example, if you’re looking at a piece of gold jewelry, figure out its karat quality mark (e.g. 24K). “Near the karat quality mark, you should see the name or the U.S. registered trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. The trademark may be a name, a symbol, or initials,” says the FTC. “If you’re thinking about buying a piece of gold jewelry but don’t see a trademark along with the karat mark, don’t buy it.” Similarly, silver jewelry must also have a U.S.-registered trademark of the company or person that stands behind it.

Naturally, purchasing jewelry online might be a bit trickier as you can’t examine it in person before buying it. In this case, you may need to initially rely on the reputation of the brand, along with any additional images or other information provided. According to the FTC, if you’re unsure of the reputation of a seller, do some research by typing its name and the words “complaint” or “review” into Google and see what comes up. After you’ve done that, check the photos. If there aren’t any images of the markings online, check the product description to see if there’s any numerical data available making specific claims. Does it say 24K? 925 sterling silver? .50 ct. tw. diamonds? If the jewelry isn’t from a reputable brand and doesn’t specify the type of material it’s made of, it may be safer to err on the side of caution by opting for a piece from a more familiar brand.