Who doesn't love a good bargain ? With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice around the corner, everybody tries to get a good bargain, and stretch their hard earned dollars. More so if you are planning to buy Diamond and Gold jewelry.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind, before starting to look around for the perfect jewelry as a gift. One has to consider a lot of things that factor into making this gift giving a very satisfactory experience.

Here are seven smart tips to enhance your shopping experience.

Shop Around - With economic conditions being hard, retailers are going to come up with bargains for customers. Prices continue to drop for many luxury items, including jewelry. This gives the consumer a chance to get more bangs for their buck.

Compare stores ? The biggest challenge for today's shopper is where to shop? Should you shop online or in-store? While many consumers do both, online shopping is becoming more popular these days. With online stores it is easier to compare and choose. Like in-store, online stores offer a wide selection of distinctive diamonds, pearls, silver, gold, Gold and other gift items. Not all stores offer these in a wide variety though. The charm of doing an online purchase is that the prices are normally lower than regular stores. Online stores generally operate on lower overhead and hence more savings to the consumer, although not all online stores pass their savings to you. So make sure you do your research before buying online.

Examine Inventory ? If you want to buy something for your loved one on a budget, consider choosing a lower grade metal or gem. White gold looks as good as platinum band. If diamonds are on your mind, consider which of the four Cs does she value most ? cut, clarity, color, or carat weight? A minor difference in the size might still get you a beautiful diamond jewelry that will be easy on your budget and still meet her approval. You might also want to consider lower carat weight and keep the cut she prefers.

Silver ? Currently silver prices are much lower than the gold prices. Silver is also very much in demand, and might be more appealing over other precious metals. Hot Diamonds collection is considered as one of the trendiest and most sought after designs. And ladies, if you are shopping for your man, be sure to check Hot Diamonds for their collection of cufflinks, necklaces, rings and bracelets.

Pearls ? Once considered the jewelry for rich and royalty, pearls have become mainstream in today's society. Thanks to the modern farming techniques, cultured pearl have become very affordable, and the prices are going to drop further. Size, color, luster, quality, shape and surface markings determine the prices of pearls. Make sure you compare various strands, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and studs to find the perfect piece for your loved one.

Trade Gold ? If it is diamond that her heart desires, but your wallet does not allow it, why not go for something closer to topaz? A trendy designer can easily mix and match Gold, like adding a ruby with a diamond and a pearl to create a stunning design. This will definitely woo your sweetheart. And if you go the online shopping route, sometimes you can even save the sales tax!

Take Time ? Shopping for the perfect diamond ring, pearl earrings or other gift item requires time. Do not rush into these purchases, as you might end up having buyers? remorse. You need to be relaxed and enjoy this purchase. If you have doubts about what to buy, contact a trained expert who will guide you through this purchasing process. You can even participate in designing the jewelry, making this gift even more important for her.