Online vendors have made all kinds of shopping easier, and they’ve opened up a huge marketplace of merchandise that would have been inconvenient or impossible for a typical consumer to access before. As a result, people are shopping online for items they once would have only purchased in person, like fine jewelry. Online shopping has revolutionized the fine jewelry market, and it’s a great way to find beautiful pieces if you follow some simple tips.
Tip #1: Decide what you’re looking for before you shop
If you just Google “fine jewelry for sale” you’re going to end up with an avalanche of useless search results. Are you looking for a pair of diamond earrings? A birthstone pendant? A vintage bracelet? If you focus on exactly what you want, you’ll be able to narrow your search.
Tip #2: Know who you’re buying from
Buying online means you’re unlikely to ever meet your seller face-to-face, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn about who they are before you buy. Is the site a reputable vendor? Are they an established business with a history of specializing in what you’re looking for? You should be able to contact them directly via email, phone, or web chat and have your questions answered (whether about them or the item you’re interested in).
Tip #3: Research before you buy
Once you’ve narrowed your search and you’ve found an item or two that fits what you’re looking for, shop around a little more. Do you find similar items elsewhere for comparable prices? Keep in mind that the online branch of a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer may be helping to fund the additional overhead of maintaining retail locations, so you can expect higher prices if you choose to shop there. Online-only retailers will typically offer better deals. The best deals to be found will be at auction sites, especially those that feature live auctions of seized or abandoned goods, where there is no wholesale or minimum cost to be met.
Tip #4: Get certification
Fine jewelry is often pricey, so you’ll want to know that what you’re buying is the genuine article. Reputable sellers will provide third-party certification that will detail the features and quality of the stone(s) and setting and the overall condition of the piece. If the seller hesitates to provide this information, or asks you to pay for it, look elsewhere!
Tip #5: Understand the terms of sale
Shopping online isn’t always like shopping in a store, especially if you are buying from an individual listing a piece on Craigslist, say, or if you’re buying at auction. Make sure you’ve taken into account any fees, taxes, or shipping charges for your purchase. Knowing what you’re agreeing to ahead of time will avoid any misunderstandings afterward.
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Tip #5½: NEVER BUY ON IMPULSE!
If you’ve read all the tips above, this is a no-brainer. The best way to be satisfied with the ruby ring or tanzanite pendant you’ve bought is to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting, from whom, and how it compares to what’s out there before you ever lay down money.
Online jewelry shopping offers great opportunities, so it should never be a source of regret. If you’re looking for incredible deals on high-quality fine jewelry, sign up for an account at Auction King. They have a regularly updated inventory of high quality fine jewelry for auction, with minimum bids starting as low as $1. Check it out today!
