The jewelry market had an estimated global worth of $278.5 billion in 2018, and it’s growing! Yet, how many people do you think who contributed to that staggering number are happy with their purchases?
We don’t know the answer, but we’ve all known friends who have bought jewelry and have never even worn it even once. Most of the time, a bad jewelry purchase winds up in a trinket draw, forgotten.
You can make buying jewelry a simple or super-annoyingly difficult task. This is especially true when buying online too, but it can be quite the challenge when buying from a walk-in store too.
And, the mistakes in buying jewelry are too many to count. But we have seven of the most common mistakes you could make with your next jewelry purchase to explore. Let’s do this!
1. Not Doing Your Homework
It’s good practice to research the piece you’re after and the retailers that offer it before leaping in for the purchase. If you’re not decided on the exact piece of jewelry you want, you should at least narrow it down to a handful of contenders.
If you haven’t done your research before entering a store, you might fall victim to savvy sales tactics. If your mind is to open to the sparkles and lure of random pieces, you could forget about comparing jewelry costs and realize you got a bad deal later on.
Furthermore, buying jewelry online and purchasing from the first store you come across isn’t good practice. Take a little time to find other store prices, and you might be surprised how much you can save. However, if a jewelry piece’s price seems too good to be true, it could be a fake.
2. Failing to Check Online Customer Reviews
Product reviews are a godsend these days, as they reveal so much about what you are buying from verified users. They can save you a lot of hassle in the long run, and all you have to do is have a glance at what people have said about a product.
Also, it’s important to check such reviews on platforms that you trust. This is because there have been many instances where people have sold jewelry fakes or items that don’t match the seller’s image.
3. Forgetting To Set Your Budget
If you forget to set a clear budget, your jewelry costs could spiral out of control. We know, it’s all too easy to become carried away and spend-happy with some beautiful little jewelry pieces.
So, be firm and realistic about what you want to spend, and try to stick with it. One great tip is to first set a clothes budget, and then your jewelry budget. This way, you’ll have a rough estimate of how much you have to match with certain outfits.
Think about the types of jewelry that will match your intended outfits. Then consider how much the jewelry pieces might cost. It’s nice to mix and match price-wise.
For example, you might want a sterling silver bangle to match up with some boho bracelets for a unique look.
4. Not Paying Attention To Product Descriptions
Many of us have seen photos or videos of “internet shopping disasters,” in which customers failed to read product descriptions. The result is they received something remarkably different than what they expected.
If you’re shopping for jewelry online, pay close attention to the product description. If an item was taken on a tabletop, like a necklace, for instance, it may appear to be much longer in the photo. However, you may be shocked when you receive your necklace in the post, because it is rather short!
Thus, read the product details carefully, including the dimensions. It’s useful to look at the reviews at this point too, and see if there are any complaints about the sizing in real life compared to what the product description mentions.
5. Always Following the Latest Jewelry Trends
It’s super easy to become influenced by your favorite celebrities when it comes to choosing clothes, jewelry, and whatever else takes you fancy. But, this might end up being the classic case where you buy something gorgeous but never wear it.
As much as you might admire a particular look, in your day-to-day reality, will you wear it? It makes more sense to look for items that suit you and your style. If a jewelry trend fits your style, then sure, that’s great – go for it!
6. Not asking for Help
If you are new to buying jewelry or are unsure what you think will be best for you, ask for help. If you’re shopping online, ask a friend with experience buying jewelry. This friend, and others, may be able to give you style tips to help enhance your look.
Also, if you are shopping in a store, it’s always worth asking an experienced jeweler what they think. It may be they are completely off about what you want, but they can sometimes push you to try on things you never thought would have suited you.
7. Not Providing a Receipt With a Jewelry Gift
In a traditional sense, providing a receipt with a gift is a no-no. But, with some gifts, it might be a wise idea.
If you are buying jewelry for others, it’s a nice touch to add the receipt in with the gift. This is so they can change the jewelry item if it doesn’t fit, or doesn’t quite suit them. It might even be the case that a person is allergic to nickel, which happens to be in the jewelry piece you give them.
Mistakes in Buying Jewelry Covered
We’ve now run through some of the key mistakes in buying jewelry that you could make. We have to stress that research is key, and try to think in a more practical sense about your jewelry purchases. The last thing you want is a load of necklaces and bangles hidden away in drawers for years to come!
So thanks for checking out this quick guide. If you liked it, why not click over to our blog for more helpful tips and advice of this nature?
