It’s a truism that shopping for jewelry can be both fun and frustrating. To make it more enjoyable, you need to know what you want before you go to the store. This is where online shopping comes in! The internet has made it possible to buy just about anything from anywhere – even if you are looking for fine jewelry. Here are six tips for buying fine jewelry online:
Check the return policy
Fine jewelry is expensive, and mistakes happen. If you know you can easily get your money back (or exchange an item) if you have a problem with the jewelry you received, you can buy online with peace of mind. Look for retailers that offer fair return policies -in most cases, at least 30 days. This is especially useful if buying jewelry as a gift for someone else.
Also, look for retailers that work with reputable shipping companies like FedEx, UPS, and USPS. If you can track your package in transit to make sure the carrier is using a secure shipping method (make sure a signature is required upon delivery), you can have peace of mind when buying jewelry online.
Check product ratings and reviews
When buying fine jewelry online, be sure to check product ratings and reviews. You can usually find these on the retailer’s website or in a general rating system like Amazon’s five-star rating system. These can give you a deeper insight into whether a piece of jewelry is suitable for your needs and, more importantly, whether it is of high quality.
Also, check out the retailer’s website for product specifications like carat weight to get a better idea of what you are buying. Make sure you do your homework before buying diamond jewelry online. Go through merchants with Rare Carat authentication options. If there are no ratings or reviews available online, ask the jeweler right before you buy if they have a return policy that allows you to return the item if you are not satisfied.
Communicate with the retailer
If you have questions about fine jewelry, ask. Most retailers are happy to answer your questions and clear up any confusion so you can buy online with peace of mind. This is especially important when buying diamond rings for men because there is a lot of misinformation out there about diamonds – where they come from, what makes them stand out, and how to choose the right diamond. Ask lots of questions when you are ready to buy so you can be sure your diamond ring is exactly what you want and you are getting a fair price for it!
However, be wary of online scams. Some dishonest dealers take advantage of customers by selling fake or imitation jewelry through websites that look like they are real. The best way to avoid this is to only buy from retailers with a good reputation and positive online ratings and reviews that you can trust.
Use a credit card, not PayPal
It’s important that you use a reliable payment method when buying fine jewelry online. This is especially true for diamond rings because they are so expensive! Using your credit card gives you some protection in case something goes wrong with the transaction, and allows you to dispute transactions if necessary – a tool not available with other forms of payment like PayPal.
The card you use should offer protection against fraud and allow for easy dispute resolution. Look for a card with an EMV chip (like those used in Europe) and no foreign fees when shopping at international merchants. You can also swipe your own card at certain stores to make sure it’s accepted before making a purchase.
Look for coupons, special offers, and discounts
You cannot always get a discount on fine jewelry. But if you want to buy online, look for retailers that offer coupons or other incentives like free shipping or bulk discounts. Some stores will even let you exchange old jewelry of the same type you want to buy (for example, a gold necklace for a new one with the same gemstone) to save on your purchase.
So if you want to buy an engagement ring or other special piece of jewelry that’s already reduced, make sure it’s not offered at a fraction of its true value. A reputable jeweler will not sell you an inferior diamond ring at a bargain price.
Ask your friends and family for recommendations
If you want to buy jewelry online but do not know where to start, ask a friend or family member who is happy with the jewelry they recently bought. They can point you in the right direction to reliable retailers who sell quality jewelry at fair prices. And remember, most jewelers offer a lifetime warranty on their jewelry. So it’s never a bad idea to do your research before buying online.
