Maybe you’re looking for the wedding rings you plan to wear forever. Or you’re shopping for a birthday or anniversary gift, maybe a pendant, bracelet, or earrings. You may have broken jewelry that needs repair.
Virtually endless selection and insured shipping have made purchasing jewelry online possible, but comparing gemstones and trying on jewelry is still best done in person. And while you can ship your worn or broken jewelry to a repair shop, communicating exactly what you want done can be a time-consuming challenge.
Read on for a list explaining why developing a relationship with your local jeweler makes sense.
1. See what it really looks like.
Diamonds look different in person than they will on a computer screen or in a photograph. Even if you know the difference between “D” and “J” on the diamond color scale, having an expert show you appearance and quality comparisons will help you make informed value decisions. In person, you will be able to see how different shapes and dimensions can make a smaller less expensive diamond appear larger and more attractive than a more expensive diamond with a higher carat weight.
2. Compare stone colors and qualities.
Colored gemstone photos can have similar descriptions and be hard to tell apart. When you see two blue sapphires displayed next to each other, one will always look more vibrant or beautiful.
Some stones are durable enough to remain beautiful in an everyday ring, and some are so fragile they should be treated like pearls—the last thing you put on before you go out, and the first thing you take off when you get home. You could research differences in durability, but a knowledgeable sales associate will help you understand why a ruby or sapphire will hold up well in a ring you wear every day, and that beautiful purple Tanzanite will last much longer if set into a pendant.
3. Hands-on experience.
Your local jeweler has the expertise to help choose jewelry you can be happy with for a lifetime. Whether it’s a durable attractive ring design that fits your active lifestyle or a heavier chain that will protect your grandmother’s pendant without sacrificing beauty, your jewelry coach can help you avoid unnecessary and expensive surprises. If your chosen design is fragile or likely to need repairs or refinishing, your jeweler will suggest an affordable jewelry care plan to protect you from future expenses when visiting the service department.
4. Advice.
Your local jeweler will become your trusted advisor. Should you choose yellow or white gold, platinum, silver, or an alternative metal? Will your stone hold up in a Tiffany style setting, or will a bezel setting protect it better from everyday wear and tear? If you love white gold your jeweler might suggest choosing either a near-colorless diamond or a colored stone because white metal will accentuate the color of any stone. And if you love yellow gold an expert may show you larger, less expensive diamonds because a little color is less noticeable in a yellow gold setting.
5. Service.
If your favorite chain breaks right before you’re going on vacation or you just want your wedding set to look great for your high school reunion, the full-service local jeweler has the solution. A service department with an on-site master goldsmith can handle anything from simple watch battery replacements to completely rebuilding broken or worn jewelry.
With an on-site goldsmith, there’s no need to ship jewelry to another jeweler for repairs. Estimates can be created quickly, and emergency repairs can be completed while you run a couple of errands.
If you chose the perfect diamond in step one and the ideal setting in step three, the sales associate may be able to have the stone set and the ring ready by the end of the day.
In conclusion, while online jewelry stores may have vast selections and discounted prices, shopping at your local jewelry store has several advantages. In person, you can accurately compare shapes and colors. An experienced sales associate can suggest the best options for your jewelry needs and provide expert advice to help you enjoy your jewelry for a lifetime. And a service department with an on-site goldsmith can provide timely and affordable maintenance and repairs so you can continue to enjoy your jewelry.