Jewelry Stores

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Blingy, bling, bling. For some this is a dream come true, for others, a crazy expense that is unjustifiable and annoying as heck. We won’t reveal your scribe’s true feelings on jewelry. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a nice-looking watch or a necklace that really pops (are the kids still using that word)? Jewelry is as old as time, a way to personalize oneself, a differentiation from the masses and something to make you feel good at the end of the day. Now, if money is of no value to you then you can buy, buy, and buy so more without a thought in the world. There are plenty of jewelry stores out there and the sky is literally the limit. But if money does matter to you then prior to hitting a jewelry store there are some things to consider.

First, avoid prestige names. This might be bad advice to those who love prestige names, and if you do, then ignore this first tip. But do know that brands like Cartier and Tiffany spend a ton of time, money and effort in creating a reputation for quality. This is something that resonates with their clientele and maintaining this is crucial for holding on to market share over the long-term. Take a silver bracelet for example. Adding the name “Tiffany” to said bracelet can add another 80% more in terms of price. Does this mean the bracelet is better with the name “Tiffany?” Well, from a pure manufacturing point of view, the answer is no. But buying jewelry is 100% emotional, and the brands Cartier or Tiffany make us feel good. After all, this is what most are seeking after an expensive purchase. Jewelry stores like Jared or Zales are excellent options to Cartier and Tiffany. They typically feature very attractive sales (around holiday times), and again, if brand is less important, these two stores are fabulous options.

Second, silver is in! Products marked “sterling silver” are roughly 92.5% silver, and while gold and diamonds will always be gold and diamonds, fine sterling silver is a gorgeous option and should always be considered for yourself or as a gift. Beware, the phrases “German silver” and “nickel silver” are not silver at all. If you are a gold person, any quality jewelry store should be able to explain the difference between 24k gold, 18k, 14k and 10k. The first is pure gold (24k), and the rest are simply percentages of gold – 18k is 75% gold, 14k, 58% and so on.

Third, give pearls a chance. Somewhat affordable, always a classic, pearls come as natural, cultured and imitations. Natural pearls are tough to find and are becoming rarer by the day. Imitations are the most common, look just like cultured pearls, and if the pearl is large it will be more expensive than the smaller ones. If the jewelry store you frequent can show you pearls that have what’s known as “luster,” that’s a good thing. This will feature a shiny surface and the pearl will also appear to have depth. Cloudy and dull pearls are no good and should be avoided.

Lastly, whatever jewelry store you hit, shop with someone you trust. It is easy to get locked into what you think might be a great deal, or even if it isn’t, you could easily fall in love with the piece and then need to figure out how to pay for it. This is normal and a trusted companion will bring you back to earth. Falling down a rabbit hole is normal, just make sure someone is there to catch you.