If you have an abundance of jewelry stores near where you live and you’re looking to find the perfect engagement ring for your true love, it may start to feel overwhelming if you don’t even know where to start. For many, an engagement ring may be the largest jewelry purchase you’ll ever make. It’s incredibly important to find a jeweler that offers a personalized experience to ensure you make the right choice.
As a local jewelry store in Raymore, Missouri, we know how important it is to choose the right jeweler. A quality jeweler will provide you with all the information you need to make an educated engagement ring purchase. That’s why we’ve put together a list of what to ask yourself as you begin researching jewelers in your area.
Table of Contents
- Is there an expert jeweler on staff that you can meet?
- Do they offer warranties or good return policies?
- Do you know anyone who could recommend a jeweler?
- How are the reviews?
- Do they have any certifications?
- What kind of styles do you need a jeweler to carry?
- How do you feel about their customer service?
Online vs. Local Jewelers
Before we dive into the things you need to do to find the perfect jeweler, let’s take a minute to address the elephant—or giant diamond—in the room: online retailers. Engagement ring shopping online has become a popular trend due to its ease and convenience. Buying online allows you to browse hundreds of different stone options that you can either buy loose—and take to a local jeweler—or get already set on a band of your choice.
Buying an engagement ring online may seem like the better option, but there are some serious disadvantages to making a large purchase on this platform. Many websites may not provide clear information or images about certain gems, making it hard to judge the 4 C’s of diamonds or other stones. Additionally, there is always the potential that a website might scam you after you’ve already sent a large sum of money.
If you decide to purchase an engagement ring online, do so very carefully. Always read the official grading of the stone and look for listings that include a 360-degree video where you can check for any imperfections that would otherwise be hidden in photos. Also, you should check the credibility of the website you’re buying from to ensure it is secure and the jeweler is of high quality.
As a local jewelry store, Noe’s always recommends purchasing from a trusted jeweler in your community. Local jewelers can talk with you face-to-face to really understand what you’re looking for and offer a larger range of handmade or custom ring designs. You can also pick out stones and settings separately when shopping in person. No matter what, you’ll be engaging in a transaction that’s more familiar and personal.
In general, we always recommend making any large jewelry purchases from a business you know. Buying an engagement ring at a local jewelry store helps to ensure that you’re investing in something trustworthy, and you are supporting the local economy.
7 Things to Consider in a Jeweler
As you shop around for a local jeweler in your community, keep these questions in mind as you decide on which company you trust to give your business to for your engagement ring purchase.1. Is There an Expert Jeweler on Staff That You Can Meet?
If you don’t exactly know what to ask a jeweler when buying an engagement ring, an expert on staff will be a vital resource for you. All staff members at jewelry stores should be able to answer each of your questions with confidence, or at least direct you to someone else at the store who can.
An expert jeweler will guide you through the entire engagement ring selection process. They should also provide knowledge and information, such as the 4 C’s, jewelry appraisals, or other matters that should be covered, so you fully understand the quality of any particular diamond or other stone.
Most jewelers will have a trained gemologist in-house to assist you with your engagement ring purchase. These staff members specialize in the knowledge of loose diamonds and fine jewelry. As you’re working with the jeweler, consider asking:
- If you can be shown the diamond under a gemological microscope.
- If a full-spectrum diamond light is available so you can observe color grading.
- If there are other similar stones you can compare the diamond to for color grading, clarity, or other qualities.
2. Do They Offer Warranties or Good Return Policies?
Just like any other large purchase, you should always read the jeweler’s various policies surrounding an engagement ring purchase. You’ll want to understand the jeweler’s return and warranty policies so you know what the business can offer to you as the customer, especially if anything ends up going wrong later.
As you look for the right jeweler for your engagement ring purchase, make sure to vet each business’s policies carefully. Hassle-free returns, lifetime warranties, and cleaning services are all important policies for jewelers to offer you. Any jeweler that doesn’t have strict guidelines or allow returns should be avoided since they don’t offer any long-term value for your money.
3. Do You Know Anyone Who Could Recommend a Jeweler?
Word-of-mouth is one of your most valuable sources for finding a jeweler that you can trust. If your friends or family have had positive experiences with certain local jewelers, they may recommend those businesses for you to try. Jewelers recommended by others in your life also tend to be more reputable in the community, meaning they are more likely to offer great service, products, and policies.4. How Are the Reviews?
Just like how your family and friends will tell you the truth about their jewelry-buying experience, online reviews can be just as useful. Social media is a great tool for seeking out recommendations or reading reviews. If a prospective jeweler has an abundance of followers or likes on their social media page, this is a good indication that they’ve been endorsed by many people, giving the business more credibility.
Reading reviews on certain jewelers can also give you a sense of how long they’ve served clients in the community. Many local family businesses are passionate about establishing friendships with their customers, so these are the type of jewelers to look for. Jewelers that have been around for a long time are more likely to support you in the coming years with regular ring maintenance and cleaning.
5. Do They Have Any Certifications?
When shopping for local jewelers for your engagement ring purchase, always ask to see their certifications from unbiased third parties to ensure they’ve been officially endorsed. Respected third parties, such as independent gem labs or leading jewelry institutions, include:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- International Gemological Institute (IGI)
- Gemological Science International (GSI)
- American Gem Society (AGS)
- The European Gemological Laboratory
- Jewelers of America
Certifications from the above organizations will confirm that the jeweler has the right credentials and is trained properly. These jewelers can be trusted for engagement ring purchases, repairs, and custom jewelry designs.
Many diamonds will also include certifications to guarantee that the stone is natural and one-of-a-kind. Professional diamond certifications will tell if any treatments have been done to the stone, as well as provide ratings on quality, color, and carat.
6. What Kind of Styles Do You Need a Jeweler to Carry?
Professional jewelry stores should offer a wide selection of quality merchandise. Whether you’re looking for a classic, modern, or vintage style, there’s an engagement ring designer that’s right for you.
Before choosing a jeweler, take some to browse and research what products they carry. This will help you get a sense of what brands you like and what styles you connect with the most. Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a jeweler who communicates with you about what you like and offers customizations based on what you’re looking for. With a little guidance, you’ll be able to find the perfect engagement ring among the abundance of products they have.
7. How Do You Feel About Their Customer Service?
Customer service can make or break a business. When customer service is positive and personalized, customers walk away feeling satisfied. Great customer service at a jewelry store will help you trust the jeweler more and build a relationship with them, especially if you end up doing more jewelry shopping in the future.
No jewelry store should let you walk away feeling overwhelmed because your questions weren’t answered. Whether the jewelry store is a large chain or a small, family-owned business, the customer service should go above and beyond. This means offering informative answers to your questions, providing you with the right knowledge so you can make an educated purchase, and not trying to upsell another product.
Noe’s Jewelry is a local Kansas City jewelry company that offers a wide range of engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. If you’re looking for a local jewelry store you can trust for your engagement ring purchase, visit our store today. For more information about our line of products, contact us at 816-322-7227.