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Thanks to safety concerns at many South African mines, the price of platinum has gone up significantly and it appears it will continue to do so. Certain mines in the country had production declines ranging from 5% to 14%. This raises labor costs which are then passed on to the consumer. Yet, you can still obtain the platinum wedding bands of your dream if you do some smart shopping. There are a variety of ways to save money on your jewelry. Two popular methods are to buy factory direct and to purchase from a wholesaler. Either way can save you considerably so be sure to check both out.

Labor prices are increasing in the platinum market as work stoppages have increased in South African mines. This is due to safety issues which have plagued the industry. One incident that affected a major platinum producer was a rock fall in which nine workers were killed. In addition, government rules are very unclear and contribute to the problem. Until the issues of job safety and government regulation are resolved, the price of platinum will not drop considerably. This means your platinum wedding bands will cost more than just a short time ago. Yet, you can still save money by purchasing through a wholesaler or directly from a factory.

Many consumers, when they hear the term factory direct, often think of seconds or damaged merchandise. This is not the case. Factory direct means that your item will be shipped directly from the factory to your home or other designated place. No retailer or middleman is involved which saves you money. Factory expenses will be included in the price of your platinum wedding bands, but they will not be compounded by the expenses of the retailer. By eliminating a step, you save money which is a good thing. You may be able to choose a fancier, larger or more costly ring thanks to this savings.

Another option for saving on your platinum wedding bands it to purchase your rings through a wholesaler. Those retailers who sell items at wholesale are able to offer these discounts by buying large quantities of merchandise at one time. The manufacturer offers the discount as a result of the purchasing volume. The company saves on shipping and handling costs in addition to other things and these savings are passed on to the retailer. The retailer in turn then passes them on to you the consumer. Consider both factory direct and wholesale pricing when purchasing you jewelry. You’ll find it can save you a considerable amount.