Buying jewellery for someone is no easy task. Most of us don’t have the money to shell out on something extravagant, but none of us want to look tight-fisted either. Finding the balance between good quality and good pricing requires a little bit of work. Here are a few ways to ensure you find that special hidden gem.
Shop around
Don’t just stick to one jeweller. Shop around various jewellery shops to get an idea of pricing – you may find that a similar necklace or brooch goes for half the price in one store than it does in another. Consider pawn shops, auctions, flea markets and antique stores too. Second-hand jewellery can vary widely in price, so know what you’re looking for.
Personalize your gift
The best way to make your piece of jewellery special is to personalize it. There are all kinds of ways of doing this. There’s engraving, which can allow you to personalized jewellery with a name or a message. There are birth gem stones, in which you can match the stone to the month the person was born in. Pendants, earrings and bracelets meanwhile can be customized to fit the person’s interest or be themed around their favorite animal such as a butterfly or a dolphin.
You can even personalize your own diamond ring when looking for something to pop the question with. Everyone has their own particular favorite style and material and with enough shopping around you may be able to find that ring that’s best suited to them.
Know when to negotiate
Don’t be put off by jewellery that’s just out of your price range. Most jewellers are open to negotiation, so you may be able to barter the price down. Generally, the most effective way of doing this is to state your budget to the seller (set it just below the price of the item that you want to buy). Leave some room to meet the seller half-way.
If you’re shopping with the person you’re buying for, you may want to lay off the negotiation, or come back at a later date and then negotiate.
Get their measurements
When it comes to rings, gaging the right width to fit their finger is always the hardest part. It’s often worth borrowing a pre-existing ring of theirs to work off of. Getting a ring enlarged is very expensive, with some designs even impossible. Keep receipts in all cases – many jewellers will be happy for you to return and make a swap if the item is too small.
Be wary ordering online
There are some great deals online and your options are greatly increased. However, not always being able to see the item can sometimes result in something disappointing. Photos can sometimes be deceiving, the result ending up tackier or smaller than you imagined. Always check the information that comes with the jewelry. If measurements aren’t stated or you need another photograph, you may be able to ask the seller for these details. Make sure to read user reviews too as these will give you a good idea of the quality to expect.
I haven’t bought jewelry in a long time but your tips would be very helpful in the future.
You’re right about how expensive it is to get rings enlarged. My sister recently had two rings upsized and I darn near croaked when she told me how much it cost. I didn’t know you could negotiate with a jeweler. Good idea to keep in mind for next time.
great tips,,i dont buy jewerally very often but when i do i make sure i get a good deal