Reasons to Buy in a Brick and Mortar Store

‘Tis the Season! For people bringing me jewelry purchased online they are not happy with! Hey, I get it. The possibilities online are endless. We’re bombarded with ads all day long and there is a never-ending supply of jewelry vendors online promising the world. They show deep discounts and offer the bargain of a lifetime. I understand it can be intimidating walking into a jewelry store. I don’t know of anyone who enjoys the hard sell and sometimes salespeople can be relentless. I experienced this at the Louis Vuitton Store for myself. A sales lady followed me around the store. She was nice and I knew she was doing her job, but I felt the pressure and did not return. I ended up buying my bag online. So, I’m guilty of it, too. 

Here’s why buying jewelry online is a gamble:

You can’t try it on!!! Sizing rings can be a process. Simple gold wedding bands are not a big deal. But once you add a center stone or the ring gets a bit fussy in design, sometimes we need to do a couple of fittings to get it just right. Many women’s fingers can be strange too; dehydration or cold weather can cause our fingers to contract substantially! A full-size or two overnight sometimes! On the other hand, a fun night of overindulging in a couple bottles of wine or salty food, not to mention certain medications can also make our fingers swell. Men seem to be less prone to these drastic changes, but it’s pretty common. My question is: How can you expect an online retailer to handle these problems? The answer is they don’t! They produce the ring, make it the size you asked for, and ship it out to you. If it’s the wrong size, oftentimes they will not make it right. Another thing to be aware of is that you will void your warranty with the online vendor if you have it sized elsewhere. Every finger is different. Some people have tapered fingers; others have a larger knuckle that makes it hard to make it fit perfectly. There are several contraptions that jewelers can apply to the ring to make it fit perfectly but they are extremely expensive and can cost more to supply and install than the value of the ring itself! A relationship with a local jeweler who can work with you in person and get it perfect is invaluable. Even earrings need to be tried on. Every earlobe is different as well. Those giant stones you see online may be overpowering on a small earlobe, you may need to size down a bit. There’s no way to know that unless you see them in person.

Photographing jewelry is notoriously difficult. Many people buy a stone sight unseen based off of a certificate shown online. This is a bad idea because remember, you are buying a diamond, not an opinion of a diamond on paper. When you buy a diamond you need to see it in person to fully appreciate it. Sometimes diamonds are graded lower in clarity on paper, but when in reality you see them, they face up beautifully. This is how you save money! There is no way to know until it is physically in front of you. Some oval and marquis diamonds may have excellent grading, but in person, a noticeable shadow or bowtie in the center of the stone will be present. This is normal due to the cut, but in some stones, it is not as dark as in others. Once again, you won’t know unless you see it in person. Again, this is a great time to use that relationship with your jeweler. They will help guide you to find the perfect stone for your budget.

I’ve had a lot of men coming in lately looking for alternative metals or black wedding rings. I have tirelessly researched these options. Many of these alternative metals are not a great choice for a few reasons. First off, they can’t be sized. Titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel are all unworkable. If you gain or lose weight, you have to buy a new one. Anything with inlaid stones or enamel, while they may be pretty and unique, can never be sized. Gold, silver, and platinum can be sized and repaired. They tend to retain their value and wear well over the years. They are easily cut off if the hand or finger is injured. The alternative metals may need industrial equipment to remove. Yikes!!! I have seen men being sold white gold rings with black rhodium plating. This plating wears off FAST! It is nearly impossible to find someone that will re-plate it for you and it is very expensive. Honestly, my recommendation if the gentleman insists upon black…buy a simple black silicone rubber band. They sell them by the pack on Amazon. It’s also the best choice for a man who works with machinery or power tools. There are horrific incidents of injury due to a metal band being caught up. He can wear the silicone band at work without concern and we can do a gold band for his leisure time. This will keep his nice wedding ring looking good through the years due to less wear and tear. 

If you are in need of a new chain for a pendant, bring it in and let us help you find the perfect one. When purchasing a chain online, you don’t have this luxury. Some pendants are the star of the show, and a simple chain is all you need. We can also help you get the perfect length you want. We have a huge selection of chains in silver, white gold and yellow gold. Be very wary of gold chain bargains online. They are usually a low karat gold and they are most likely of a super hollow construction and will most certainly “self destruct” in a very short time wearing it. This will happen more quickly if you have a pendant on it, and these feather-weight chains are next to impossible to repair, so you can consider that purchase a total waste of good money. 

Looking for a wedding band or an anniversary band? I have a nice selection to choose from and try on. Sometimes we have to go custom if a lady wants a particular look. Come in to browse and discuss your project a little further. I have many happy clients who thought they wanted to redesign their whole wedding set, but adding the perfect wedding ring transformed the whole look and saved them money.

My dad has decades of experience and also a great eye for design and he knows what will look good and wear well on a woman. As a woman, I have a different perspective, and our tastes differ a little bit. Between the two of us, we can offer a great perspective on design. As a woman, I know what it’s like to actually wear these things. What looks great, unique and different online may not be comfortable or practical in application. That online retailer is not going to tell you that! Besides, who do you actually talk to online? Nobody! 

The bottom line is a wedding ring is to be worn every day for the rest of your life. Come in for personalized local service, and we will help you find the look that will stand the test of time!