What are the Pros & Cons of Shopping for Jewelry In Store or Online?
At Gems Are Forever, our Beverly Hills staff are Graduate Gemologists (G.G.) from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) who purchase and sell fine jewelry, diamonds, gemstones, and luxury timepieces.
That means we are always looking for the next beautiful piece of jewelry that fits our clients’ styles. Whether it is pins and brooches, earrings, rings, bracelets, or necklaces, we appreciate beautiful jewelry in all styles, including Antique, Art Deco, Retro, Vintage, and Contemporary.
The bigger question is, where do we find them? Where do master jewelers shop for luxury jewelry? The answer is, both online and in stores. Each process has its pros and cons, and depending on your needs, either — or a combination of both — could provide an exceptional solution for your personal style or to give as a gift.
Here is what you need to know.
What are the Pros and Cons of Shopping for Jewelry In Store?The most obvious and positive aspect of shopping for jewelry inside a store or showroom is that you can look, hold, and try on the piece before you buy it.
Holding a watch, ring, or even earrings in your hand allows you to examine its heft, size, and color. Most importantly, you can see the way it looks on you.
Another positive attribute of shopping in store is the reliability factor. Shopping with a reputable jeweler will provide confidence that your luxury jewelry piece is authentic, which is reflected in its value.
That confidence is provided by the human connection that comes with shopping in person, because all your questions are answered in real time while you enjoy the knowledge, wisdom, and service that online retailers cannot provide.
The downside of shopping in store is that it can be difficult if you do not know what you are doing. Certainly, everything inside the store is beautiful in its own way. But is it worth the price?
Is the salesperson authentically meeting your purchasing needs? Or just trying to make a sale?
The other con of in-store shopping is the selection is limited to the merchandising of that single location, which means you may have to visit several retailers before finding the piece that fits your unique needs.
What are the Pros and Cons of Shopping for Jewelry Online?Jewelry shopping online has come a long way in the past decade, as reputable jewelers increase their online presence to share their beautiful pieces with the world.
Shopping online has many positive points, including speed, convenience, and variety.
Online shopping also allows buyers to browse for jewelry on their own time – from anywhere.
That convenience allows consumers to delve into the details of the piece he or she is interested in by gaining immediate access to education, reviews, comparison shopping, and other resources that can help guide their purchasing decision.
Conversely, one important con of shopping for jewelry online can be product overload.
With literally millions and millions of search results for “engagement rings,” buyers can be overwhelmed quickly by the process — especially if they do not know what they are looking for.
The other cons of online jewelry shopping can include security concerns. Any time you enter your credit card number and personal information online, there is a chance it may be compromised.
In addition, the wait time and shipping and/or insurance costs can be astronomical.
Gems Are Forever Provides Both Customized Online & In-Person Jewelry Shopping Experiences for All
At Gems Are Forever, we provide complete transparency — online and in person — about our jewelry expertise and provide customized shopping experiences online, virtually, or in person, so we can meet each of our important client’s purchasing needs, which allows them to spend less time looking for the perfect piece and more time wearing it.
Contact our master jewelers in Beverly Hills to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment today.