It's no secret that a piece of jewellery can easily become one of the most expensive purchases you will make, it doesn't have to be this way. There are many ways to avoid spending thousands of dollars and still get a beautiful and unique piece. The best way is to try avoiding precious gems and turning instead to stones or intricate metalwork designs. However, if you really want gemstones in your jewellery, find someone that sells synthetic jewellery. It may sound like you're losing out on the real thing, but in fact you get an item that is practically indistinguishable from the real thing, and there's no risk of supporting unethical companies.