Jewelry

[Lavenderjunkie]

No matter where you buy jewelry you need to be informed and get answers to the questions that will help you make a good decision.  First step is not to give the 'sales' pitch too much credibility.  Beautiful, great value, fine quality, white diamond, sparkly,  are not precise terms.... it's best to just ignore them.

Check out the specifications to the extent you can.  See what information is given and what is left out of the written description.  In general,  if you don't find specifics,  it usually means it's better to assume  below average quality for that characterisitic.

And be sure you understand the return policy... including time frame, shipping and handling, and any restocking fees.

Price isn't the only thing we need to compare.  Focus on all the details.

[VegasBusinessWoman]

I agree with Chrystaltree as far as lack of selection and high prices at B&M stores.  Even the local jeweler I've purchased from for years is a shadow of its former self in that regard.  I've never purchased from Evine, ShopLC and only occasionally from HSN, but there are other resources out there and I shop them all when I'm looking for jewelry.  I LOVE the stuff!

As to the question of who to trust, it depends on what I want to buy.  Descriptive information like gram weight, karat weight and size go a long way in letting you know what you are truly buying.

[songbird]

All of them.  Although they will NOT sell you a non natural gem stone without telling you.  Otherwise they can get convicted of mail fraud.  I trust Gem Shopping the most. They offer GIA certificates.  So technically all the shopping networks have to show exactly what they advertise.  A heck of a lot better then SOME jewelry stores that can really rip you off.  You're better buying from the shopping channels.  But you might pay more. 

[blackhole99]

I like artisan crafted jewelry so I would say QVC and Samuel B on Evine. I quit buying gold jewelry years ago when the prices jumped so high. My niece worked for a jewelry chain for a short time and she mentioned that they marked all the jewelry up 400%. My niece knew nothing about gems or gold and she said no one else who worked there did either.

[chrystaltree]

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@Carolm wrote:

If I want something special, none of the above.  I will purchase a gemstone from a gem cutter, and then send it to a master gold smith to have the setting designed and made.  I've done this several times and get quality pieces of jewelry and do not pay overly high prices.

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      Not many have the money for that.  It's a $$$ process.     I know because many, many years ago I bought a custom cut morganite from the old Shop At Home.  It's a long oval, not calibrated.  It won't fit into a standard ring setting.  Which I did not know when I bought the stone.   So, we needed a custom made setting which called for a drawing first and that was going to cost several hundred dollars and then they would have to make a wax mold setting and that would cost several hundred dollars and then, once I'd approved the setting, they make the gold setting and that was going to cost few thousand because that big stone would need a heavy setting for practical and aesthetic reasons.  And there would be the labor costs.  I remember as our local jeweler was explaing this to us, hubby just started laughing and he couldn't stop.  I was speechless.  The stone cost $900 years and years ago but it would cost us at least  $6000 for a ring setting.  More if I wanted diamond accents.  So, that morganite will never see the light of day again.  

[Allegheny]

@Carolm

I am planning getting a custom birthstone ring made for myself and would like to purchase an amethyst.  I already have a gold smith/designer in mind.  Do you think it would be better to purchase the stone thru a cutter vs trying to purchase thru the gold smith?  If so, can you recommend a name of a cutter?   Thank you.

[CalminHeart]

I like Michael Valitutti's gems.  Most are very good.  

I never buy from Chuck anymore.  His gems and quality tanked a few years ago.   I used to love watching his shows but haven't in several years now.  

Sonia's diamonds are usually very good.  Her quality has remained high even though most others resorted to cheaper.  She also charges more per gram of gold than most others.

I do not trust HSN or JTV for any jewelry.  Their niche leans more toward costume jewelry than the other channels.  Their gold and gems are poor quality too.   

I like sarrafdotcom for gold jewelry.  Their price per gram is lower than the shopping channels and their quality is excellent!   

[AngelPuppy1]

I haven't purchased any "good" jewelery in eons because it has just gotten so darn expensive that I can't afford to buy any of it!  Makes me sad because I am a true jewelry lover.  As time has gone on, gold, gemstones and even silver, has skyrocketed.  I used to purchase a lot of jewelry from Q.  A lot!  I also kept a long wish list for pieces that I wanted to eventually acquire.  But, as time went on, the jewelry became so high, I couldn't afford any of it.

I also used to buy a few pieces here and there from several local jewelry stores.  A couple were like mom and pop places.  They were very nice to deal with and since they were used to seeing me oogling their jewelry, they allowed me to charge things there -- unofficially or lay-away -- whatever I wanted.  However, I did after awhile see items that they carried sold in other stores for way, way less.  So, I felt kind of duped, but I realized that since they were small stores, they were just trying to make a profit.

I don't know who I would trust now if I could buy jewelry.  It's been so long!  I have only purchased faux baubles in the last couple years or so. 

[Shanus]

I’m fortunate to attend crafts fairs & gem shows where I trust the vendors. They’ve been at these shows throughout the US for many years. We sell discounted to each other...unset stones or finished pieces. 

I also look for jewelry store closings that sometimes have as much as 75% off on a good selection. I don’t need more jewelry, but at that price, will purchase pieces, take out stones to redesign and resell the metal. 

[CalminHeart]

My favorite gold retailer is sarraf.  sarrafdotcom.  I've purchased several things from them over the years.  Their price per gram is better than anywhere else I've shopped.  Their customer service is outstanding!   They often have a promotion code on their website to help save some money too.