Buying Jewelry in this Age of the Internet

Life is so unique and different today than it was just 10 years ago...20 years ago? Wow! When my kids were young, they would play with the new toy "Gameboy!" We'd even allow them, as youngsters, to play with these toys when we took them out to dinner! It was a lot easier to allow them to play with Gameboys than having to keep them busy with five and eight year old conversation at the dinner table. Boredom set in rather quickly! Today, kids are born with Xbox game controllers in their hands... They handle Xbox controllers the same way I handle a pair of tweezers when holding a diamond. The tweezers are simple an extension of my hand and brain, as are the Xbox controllers to kids today. Cell phones? My 7 year old Grand Daughter uses the Iphone as well as I do! Cell phones have replaced Gameboys, but that does help us at the Restaurants... Instead of them sitting staring sensibly at the game, we can now have some real conversations with them.. Mostly telling them "no phones at the dinner table please!" Technology has certainly changed the world we live in... And the Internet has changed the way we shop!

One of the questions I'm asked most often is "how do we buy Jewelry?" My answer has been the same for many years now. I tell my clients to go on-line and research what you're looking for. Learn about value factors; learn about what different Grading Reports mean. When you've found what you're looking for, print out the information with description and price. Then, take the information to your local Jeweler. As a past "local Jeweler", I support my local stores as best as I can. So, bring the information to the local Jeweler and request that the Jewelry get you the same item. Now... the local Jeweler is going to charge a few points more. Not because they simply want to make more money, but rather, to make sure they will be there for you later on down the road. Unlike buying on the internet, the local jeweler will be there for sizing's, cleanings, repairs, etc. If you need anything done on your purchase, the Local Jeweler will be there for you... So a few points more over the Internet price is quite acceptable!

Here's the catch. When you buy on the Internet, in most cases, they offer a 30 day "unconditional" money back guarantee... Simply put, if, for ANY reason, you want to return the item, you can, within 30 days. The only exception is if you are buying a "special order" item. In that case, you would normally not get a money back guarantee. The internet offers a 30 day money back guarantee... mostly because of the shipping time. Because there's no shipping, the local Jewelers should offer 2 weeks! Be careful though... if the guarantee states "if this item doesn't appraise for more than you paid, you get your money back!" That's a condition... take the condition out! The Guarantee should read..."if within 14 days, you are unhappy with your purchase for ANY reason, you can return the item for a full refund."

So, "how do we buy Jewelry?" Carefully, and always try to get it appraised. With this being said... You're ready to go out and start your holiday shopping... Have a great Holiday.