where to purchase jewelry

[swtlilgrl105]

i am interested in purchasing a ring but i''m not sure where to do it. i was on the bluenile website and love what they have on there but i am hesitent to purchase such things as jewelry online. i would like to go to a store where i can actually look at the item. does anyone know where i can go in the bay area in ca that can do custom jewelry like the bluenile website? please help......

 

[pqcollectibles]

My sister is a "feel" person when it comes to rings. She may love a certain look, but won't buy unless it feels good on. When they did her ring, Sis and Bro-in-law bought the diamond on-line. Once she had the stone and knew what size set she needed she went around trying on rings. When she found the set that she liked the look and feel of, she had the diamond mounted.

Just a thought for you.

 

[Griffin]

Being able to look at what you are purchasing is indeed a benefit of brick and mortar stores, but you have to look at whether or not the markup is worth the ability to hold it in your hand first, which most of the time you can do from internet purchases anyway.
As a manufacturer, most stores I sell to use better than a triple markup on my mountings and whatever they feel like on stones. Think about that.
That isn't the ripoff it sounds, it is necessary to cover the overhead of a brick and mortar location. Unless they are doing custom work or some other major value-add, you have to ask yourself if 300% is worth it.

Buying a stone online is one of the most graded and verifiable purchases you can make. Mountings can usually be returned without any issue if they are not to your liking.

Most people don't realize the power they have if purchasing with a credit card, as the merchant agrees to a number of stipulations and consumer protections if accepting a transaction on a card.
You can return anything for a guaranteed refund if it is not as advertised, that isn't even up to the store. That's a Visa/Mastercard thing. They refund the money immediately and then charge the merchant.

Buying online is safer than you might think, as long as you know exactly what it is you want. Local stores are only a help if you don't.