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It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry. So, why not present Dad with a gift of jewelry this Father's Day.

Jewelry gifts that you might consider for that special Father in your life could include a gold or silver watch, a handsome sterling silver or 14kt gold chain or masculine link bracelet. With a chain you might include a manly pendant with a nautical or sports theme.

As for rings, there are many rugged designs available in 14kt gold or sterling silver with stones like turquoise, onyx, malachite and lapis. Also, many men are fond of masculine settings of small diamonds and other gemstones.

Celtic jewelry designs, such as Celtic crosses, Celtic knots, etc* are great choices for Dad on Father's Day.

If your Dad has a pierced ear maybe he would appreciate a small stud earring; the choices here are endless.

Remember this, men tend to avoid interchanging jewelry in the way that many women do. With this in mind, avoid costume jewelry and focus on durable quality pieces that Dad can wear day in and day out.

The following are some tips for buying jewelry for Dad on Father's Day. He will be proud of you for being a smart jewelry consumer and for saving some money, too.

Here are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind when you are shopping for a jewelry gift to celebrate the next chapter of your special Father's life.

1. There's a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.

2. 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.

3. 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. The big difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look much 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. 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 the 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 the price. Color is sometimes *graded* on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a *D* may be the best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color of the 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 the details about the product, as well as the 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.