Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is. If you're buying a watch, determine whether you want one that runs on a battery or one that must be wound daily. Ask if a warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts and repair problems it covers. Also ask how and where you can get the watch serviced and repaired. Know the difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones.
Stones created in the lab are visually identical to stones mined from the earth.
But because they look just like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Treatments also may affect the stone's value. Ask whether pearls are imitation or real. Real pearls that are not cultured are fairly rare and expensive.