Avoid These 7 Common Online Jewelry Shopping Mistakes

E-commerce and online shopping have basically changed the trend of purchasing jewelry and other related accessories. By clicking the mouse button, you can now easily look for thousands of designs from all around the globe.
But there are certain drawbacks that can make your online jewelry purchase a disappointing experience. Below are the seven major mistakes frequently committed and how to avoid them:

Key Takeaways

1. Reviewing the Description & Photos 2. Not Checking the Returns Policy 3. Buying Pieces You Won’t Wear 4. Getting the Wrong Size 5. Buying the Wrong Materials 6. Shopping with Fake Businesses 7. Avoiding Customer Reviews

1. Reviewing the Description & Photos

Details Matter A Lot

It is very vital to read and understand the product description, especially when buying jewelry online. These descriptions provide important details such as the type of material used, the size of the particular piece, and other useful facts regarding the design. Overlooking these aspects can lead to being given something totally different from what one wants.

View All Images

Do not limit yourself to only one or two images. Review all the pictures given above. This will allow you to obtain a round 360-degree view of the jewelry and give you a confirmed picture of its size and the way it looks. Sometimes, in order to avoid misunderstandings of size, websites offer additional images and pictures of the jewelry worn, potentially helping to estimate its size.

Understand the Major Product Terms

For instance, distinguishing between “carat” and “karat” can help avoid misunderstandings regarding gemstone weight and gold quality. Understanding more about terms such as “plated,” “filled,” “solid,” and “natural” versus “man-made” can also enable you to make better choices.

2. Not Checking the Returns Policy

Know Your Policies

Before purchasing any item, it is smart to read thoroughly the store’s return policy. This can be very helpful if the above item fails to live up to expectations once it has been received. Every store has some policies concerning returns, exchanges, and refunds, and knowing these policies saves you all the ordeal that may come later.

Fair Policies

Another important thing to consider is the returns policy. Any good online jewelry store should have a fair and easily understandable returns policy. This makes you feel relieved knowing you can take back the item to the store and ask for a replacement or refund if desired. Look for those policies that permit the return of the products within a limited period of, say, 30 days and check for hidden costs like restocking fees.

Shipping costs

At times, consumers have to incur the extra cost of returning the products. They have to bear the shipping costs. Make sure that it is possible to return your purchases for free or if you will be charged for the shipping cost. Furthermore, you also need to know the steps involved in the return of the item, the necessary packaging and any other formalities that must be fulfilled.

3. Buying Pieces You Won’t Wear

Practical Decisions

So often, one can spend hours in front of the computer, mesmerized by gorgeous jewelry pieces. However, care must be taken to determine whether the pieces in question are appropriate for your daily use and your closet space. This is a very basic story of a beautiful ring or a necklace being bought, only to be left untouched because there are no events to wear it to.

Consideration

Before purchasing the jewelry, consider where and when you will wear it. You should ask yourself if it is for your personality and whether you possess apparel to complement it. Do not purchase items regularly that you may never use at any one time. Rather, it is better to build some basic essentials that you imagine will be worn frequently.

Lifestyle

Daily and hourly activities should determine your jewelry. For instance, if you have an active lifestyle, or if you work in some kind of job that requires you to use your hands a lot, delicate pieces just may not work. Choose strong types that are able to endure different conditions that may be associated with daily use.

4. Getting the Wrong Size

Accurate Measurements

This is one common problem that people encounter when purchasing jewelry online: you get the wrong size. When it comes to a ring, bracelet, or necklace, ensure that you have measured yourself correctly.

Use sizing guides

Many stores provide sizing guides and tools that should be used in order to find out your actual size. For rings, use a ring sizer to ascertain the correct size since rings cannot be returned for resizing.

5. Buying the Wrong Materials

Quality Matters

Jewelry can be produced from various materials, all of which have their own attributes and longevity. If you are wearing on a daily basis, authentic metals of gold, platinum, and sterling silver are preferable to plated or base metals.

Understand Gemstones

If your jewelry features gemstones, check if they are natural; synthetic; or imitation. They are all distinct and hold different values.

Comparison of Jewelry Materials

Material	Durability	Maintenance	Common Uses	Cost
Solid Gold	Very high	Low	Rings, necklaces	High
Gold Plated	Moderate	Medium	Fashion Jewelry	Moderate
Platinum	Very high	Low	Special rings	Very high
Sterling Silver	High	Medium	Everyday jewelry	Moderate
Brass	Low	High	Cheap jewelry	Low
Nickel Silver	Low	High	Cheap fashion jewelry	Low
Lab-Grown Gems	High	Low	Ethical jewelry	Moderate
Natural Gems	Very high	Low	High-value jewelry	High

 6. Shopping with Fake Businesses

Check for genuineness

You get fake stores and scams on the web, especially when it comes to more expensive items such as jewelry. One should always take a few minutes to ensure that the store being used is genuine.

Check Reviews and Ratings

Pay attention to the number of positive and negative comments and their overall rating. Respectable stores generally do not have dissatisfied customers most of the time. Also, use tools such as the Who.Is. Check with the domain checker and the Way Back Machine to determine how long the store has been in existence. 

7. Avoiding Customer Reviews

Read Reviews

This is important because the experiences of other customers can be of great help in determining the quality of the jewelry and the efficiency of the store. They can also show how the store deals with the concerns and what you are likely to get from the products.

Focus on Trends

Do not let yourself be influenced by an individual negative review. Rather, try to find the patterns in the feedback that is given. The repeated complaints, which are discernible throughout several reviews, are more credible than single complaints.

Conclusion

Online jewelry shopping can be a real joy if the concept is approached correctly. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you can guarantee that you are selecting the proper pieces and spending money on furniture that will be appreciated and loved. Happy shopping!

FAQS

1. How can I make sure I'm buying the right size?
Use sizing guides and tools provided by the store, and measure accurately.

2. What should I check before buying jewelry online?
Always read the product description and reviews carefully.

3. How do I know if the online store is trustworthy?
Look for customer reviews and verify the store’s contact information and history.

4. What materials are best for everyday wear?
Choose solid precious metals like gold, platinum, or sterling silver for durability.