topic Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels in Jewelry

QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Dogtrainer1 — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:22:27 GMT

I have only purchased jewelry through QVC and a little through HSN. What are your opinions on the quality of the pieces (especially gems) sold on QVC vs. the other shopping channels, specifically ShopHQ and HSN? It seems their prices are a bit lower and ShopHQ has a wider selection of gemstones.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

stevieb — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:33:19 GMT

I tend still to think QVC's jewelry, overall, (and not saying this is the case for every single piece or every single line they offer), is a cut above the others, though certainly not the full step up it used to be. I'm also not saying the variety is what it used to be, by a long shot.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

SANNA — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:36:25 GMT

ShopHQ is still best. Used to be amazing. Now not as good ,but still better. JTV is getting better now.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:39:44 GMT

I'm like the OP. I only shop at QVC (mostly) and some at HSN. That's it!

In my opinion HSN has gone way down hill in the past 2 to 3 years. I still like Victoria Wieck's jewelry.

I used to buy a lot of jewelry from both but prefer it to be in gold and a little in silver.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Black Cat Back — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:55:18 GMT

On 7/16/2014 annabellethecat said:
I'm like the OP. I only shop at QVC (mostly) and some at HSN. That's it!

In my opinion HSN has gone way down hill in the past 2 to 3 years. I still like Victoria Wieck's jewelry.

I used to buy a lot of jewelry from both but prefer it to be in gold and a little in silver.

I totally agree, there was a time when HSN had beautiful gemstones and the prices were outstanding (especially their sale/clearance). I haven't bought much from them in years jewelry wise, but the last few things I got were not up to par. I used to collect Nicky Butler pieces, but the last few I ordered were not good quality and the silver was cheaper.

I haven't bought many gemstones on ShopHQ, except for black spinel once and recently some items from their Tuscana Italiana line. The items I do have are of nice quality and are saturated well.

I agree with annabelle... QVC overall has the best quality gemstones most consistently. I've rarely returned a QVC gemstone item because of the stone itself.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

EastCoastViewer — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:28:23 GMT

I prefer QVC over HSN for jewelry and for most things. I didn't always think this but I agree, HSN's quality has really gone down. I have some beautiful pieces from HSN and I 'm grateful but the Q gets my money now.

I purchased so much today.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Goldengate8361 — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 05:11:28 GMT

On 7/16/2014 SANNA said: ShopHQ is still best. Used to be amazing. Now not as good ,but still better. JTV is getting better now.

I agree with sanna. For jewelry and watches, ShopHQ is best. For everything else, I believe QVC is best.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

addiegal — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 05:45:35 GMT

At one time I bought lots of jewelry from HSN but then I found Value Vision ( ShopHQ) and they blew HSN out of the water. I liked Shop @ Home for some things...like tanzanite and pearls. I have never bought jewelry from QVC. I do buy more from QVC than in the past and I still buy from HSN. I don't buy jewelry from either one.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

depglass — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:00:12 GMT

The jewelry market has changed. Single large stones in gold are no longer affordable for the casual collector, they are now once in a lifetime pieces. Rubies, emeralds and sapphires are marketed in lesser qualities than the "old days." So a new world of stones and metal treatments has been opened to us. QVC is no longer the TV style leader, they seem to wait until others create the demand before they get on board, usually at a higher price. That means my casual impulse purchases are going elsewhere, usually Shop HQ, but also HSN and even the cut rate LC. What jewelry I have bought from QVC lately has not been gemstones, its been Carolyn Pollack silver and Honora pearls.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

stevieb — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:16:27 GMT

SHQ certainly beats the pants off the Q with regard to the volume and frequency of jewelry shows, it seems, but I remain unconvinced they offer higher quality these days. Of the several pieces of jewelry I've ordered from SHQ almost all of them appear more 'costume-ish' in nature than I would have expected... I don't think today's QVC offers nearly the nice jewelry they used to, but unless I've missed something elsewhere, I'm not convinced either of the others are doing it better...

As for Gem Day, I guess I wasn't as wowed by it as some seem to have been. I didn't buy a thing. Clearly, they had some lovely (and pricey) pieces but very little available for us seeking more middle of the road items and prices, it seemed. As usual, they also were stingy with Easy Pay. While they certainly covered both ends of the spectrum, and offered some beautiful jewelry along with some real low-end stinkers, those traditional and mid-range gemstones seemed to be completely lacking... I also don't care for multi-gemstone jewelry at all, and they seemed to have quite a bit of it.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

addiegal — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:49:46 GMT

I have never care for multi-gemstone jewelry either. Micheal Valitutti had a design a coupe of years ago I liked but I am just not buying jewelry now...too expensive for what you get.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

JavaQueen — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:13:23 GMT

I think it's all about the same, regardless of network. They all do the same thing. I tend to think QVC has the priciest and shop has better designers.

They all sell too many CZ and brass/bronze pieces. Even JTV had started to do that.

This was all in response to market changes. If you prefer Q jewelry, you probably would shop there anyway. You can get great pieces on JTV if it's shopping TV jewelry you like.

If you want lovely. collectible pieces, expect to pay in the thousands.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

addiegal — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:19:35 GMT

On 7/17/2014 JavaQueen said:
I think it's all about the same, regardless of network. They all do the same thing. I tend to think QVC has the priciest and shop has better designers.

They all sell too many CZ and brass/bronze pieces. Even JTV had started to do that.

This was all in response to market changes. If you prefer Q jewelry, you probably would shop there anyway. You can get great pieces on JTV if it's shopping TV jewelry you like.

If you want lovely. collectible pieces, expect to pay in the thousands.

I agree, JTV has some very expensive pieces...collectable pieces.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Kalli — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:30:11 GMT

I used to shop ValueVision (shophq) back in the day for the hands-down, best price per gram on 14K. I sure wish I'd spent $ on some of their large tanzanites sold by the Ramseys and the nice pieces by designer S Bitton.

I'm really picky about gemstones and loupe every one I buy. I want them to have nice, uniform color and NOT have scratches, pits, etc. It doesn't matter which network I buy gemstones from, all have sent me nice pieces and all have sent me pitted, scratched gemstones that I've returned. One of the venders I do not care for at all is C. Clemency. Just don't care for his stuff. JMHO

-Kalli

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

Shelbelle — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:50:10 GMT

On 7/16/2014 SANNA said: ShopHQ is still best. Used to be amazing. Now not as good ,but still better. JTV is getting better now.

ITA, been wit the Q for 20 years, have never been impressed with their gem selection. usually very generic settings and small stones. high prices.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

addiegal — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 15:46:37 GMT

On 7/17/2014 Kalli said:
I used to shop ValueVision (shophq) back in the day for the hands-down, best price per gram on 14K. I sure wish I'd spent $ on some of their large tanzanites sold by the Ramseys and the nice pieces by designer S Bitton.

I'm really picky about gemstones and loupe every one I buy. I want them to have nice, uniform color and NOT have scratches, pits, etc. It doesn't matter which network I buy gemstones from, all have sent me nice pieces and all have sent me pitted, scratched gemstones that I've returned. One of the venders I do not care for at all is C. Clemency. Just don't care for his stuff. JMHO

-Kalli

I watched the Ramseys and Sonia B. but didn't buy from them...I remember the huge Nigerian tourmalines and rubelites...and I wish I'd bought more gold pieces. I have some that are worth so much more than I paid. Heavy gold. Remember 18Kt Elegance? I think Chuck C. had much better pieces back when...I have several of his pieces which I love, a Ceylon sapphire ring, salmon tourmaline were very nice. I don't much care for his things now.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

jeanlake — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 16:40:00 GMT

I enjoy several Q gemstone pieces: CP, Ripka, Honora and Israeli artists. A friend in the jewelry business boasts about my pieces from Q. A favorite ring is a London blue topaz, Wieck, HSN. I call it my birthstone ring and use this instead of sapphire. I enjoy the more subtler Victoria Wieck pieces of art. Recently purchases an expensive, SHQ, 14K moissanite anniv ring. Took a chance, but love it dearly. The five stones represent our nuclear family. Makes me smile when I look at it. I searched for a combo mother's ring / anniv ring for over a year in jewelry stores and online and couldn't get excited about my findings. I paid a lot for the 14K, white SHQ ring but consider it an investment. Love the 6 payment option. I'm not a diamond girl, don't know why. I get compliments over my sterling silver bracelet from JTV - a favorite bracelet, but haven't purchased much @ JTV beyond this. I do more online looking than TV watching on these channels. I absolutely read reviews.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

stevieb — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 17:23:36 GMT

Related, did anyone ever hear them put a number to how many of the TSV they sold? I noted Jane mentioned several times during the finale that it was still available and yet there were OTO's throughout much of the evening, which might well have meant they gave up on it, rather than it being limited. Honestly, not to insult anyone who got it, but that bracelet, to me, was extremely unappealing and frankly, looked like 'play' jewelry. From the high polish silver to the too many garish gemstone colors combined in one piece... I'm glad I managed to miss a full presentation. I'd probably have needed sunglasses... and not in a good way.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

blackhole99 — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 17:42:21 GMT

I recently purchased a ring from MV on SHQP that was a TSV, it is a sleeping beauty stone with small white zircons on the shoulders. The ring is beautiful and the price was right, but I don't care for their other jewelry lines. Most of my jewelry comes from the Q, I did not purchase any thing on GEM DAY because any thing I really liked I couldn't afford.

Re: QVC gems vs. other shopping channels

VegasBusinessWoman — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 18:08:59 GMT

I've bought jewelry from the Q, HSN, Overstock, Amazon and JTV. Overall, I've probably bought more from the Q than anyone else, with Amazon coming in a close second. It seems to me that HSN used to have better quality jewelry years ago, but it's hard to remember. After my first husband passed away, I was incommunicado for a very long time. JTV is OK, but they don't have the same quality stuff they had years ago--lots of fashion jewelry, plate and bronze, none of which interest me. I dunno what is so great about ShopHQ. Everytime I check them out, the prices seem high and the gold settings skimpy. Also, they have a lot of plate, which doesn't interest me.

I've looked at LC, and you can't beat their variety of gemstones, but almost everything is in silver from what I can tell, and I'm not into silver much.