Common mistakes when purchasing jewelry online
More and more aspects of our lives are moving online, and so is the purchase of jewelry. A growing number of shoppers are forgoing a trip to a physical store and prefer to sit in front of their computer and examine the vast array of jewelry that unfolds before their eyes on the screen, and buy the piece of jewelry at a time and place that is convenient for them.
Although one cannot underestimate the wonderful ability to see the jewelry and measure it before buying, for example, a pair of gold earrings , the disadvantage is still the inconvenience involved in traveling to the store and choosing from the limited selection offered by the specific store.
When you only look at the offerings offered by the physical store, you miss the beautiful jewelry designs created by designers who focus on selling in online stores only (like us, on Stav's website).
If everything is so good, then what should you be careful of? Well, with all the benefits of buying gold jewelry online, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid. Avoiding these mistakes will allow you to have a positive shopping experience and enjoy purchasing your new jewelry, whether it is gold earrings , gold rings or gold necklaces , that will adorn you for many years to come.
Let's discover some of the common mistakes so you know what to watch out for!
Skim through the descriptions and pictures of the jewelry.
We all prefer to see and feel an item before we buy it. The same is probably true for the jewelry we want to buy. We would prefer to see how those shiny gold bracelets flatter our wrists, or how those sapphire earrings brighten our faces and decide if it’s the right choice for us. Except that’s not possible when buying online.
If this is your first time looking for a gold necklace or engagement ring online , you may feel like you're missing out on the measuring step! Instead, the detailed description and photos of the jewelry replace the physical measurement and should help you make the right choice.
Whether you are looking for white gold necklaces or diamond engagement rings, it is always recommended to shop at a reputable online jewelry store that displays relevant information and images about each piece of jewelry for sale. Just reading the jewelry descriptions will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect from your chosen piece of jewelry. This description provides clear information about the materials used to make the piece (lack of this information is a red flag about buying from this site) and the measurements of the piece.
For example, see here a detailed description of a 'Chain Necklace Engraved Within a Gold Heart', alongside images of the necklace from several angles.
Whether you are looking for wedding rings or gold necklaces , before buying the jewelry, carefully examine all the pictures of it displayed on the website page, and look at it from all sides. For example, if you are interested in a solitaire diamond ring, you can examine it from all sides and make a more informed purchasing decision. For example, see here .
Experience shows that too many buyers skim through the jewelry description without reading it thoroughly, or don't delve into the jewelry photos. This way they miss crucial details that can sometimes influence their decision. This is a mistake that should definitely be avoided!
You might also be interested in:
- Everything you need to know about lab-grown diamonds
- Engagement rings up to 2000 NIS
- Jewelry for Women – Choosing the Perfect Gift
- Engagement Rings with Gemstones – All the Most Spectacular Styles and Designs
- The difference between gold grades, 14 karat vs. 18 karat
Buying the wrong size jewelry
Imagine that instead of being excited about the two-tone diamond ring (white and black) that you ordered online (like the one you can see here ), you are disappointed because the ring is too big. If the online store has a fair return and exchange policy, you probably won't have a problem exchanging the ring for the correct size, but it's still no fun to wait for your jewelry and then discover that it's the wrong size.
To prevent this, carefully check the size of the finger you want to wear the ring on. Checking the size guide will help you do this correctly. See an example of the guide here !
The size of the jewelry is especially important when it comes to rings, but it is also important in cases of gold and diamond bracelets that do not fit the wrist or a gold necklace that turns out to be too short.
To avoid this problem, read the item description carefully. A quality online store offers:
- They are a size guide for rings.
- And it is possible to order the ring in the size that suits you, such as EU46 (inner diameter 14.3 mm) or EU51 (inner diameter 16.2 mm), see an example here
When it comes to gold necklaces and bracelets, you can use a measuring tape and check the length that is right for you from the choices listed on the site. See an example here : A gold necklace with a Star of David pendant is offered in a length of 45 cm, with options for other lengths, such as 40 cm.
Buying jewelry made from the wrong materials
Metals and finishes
If you're looking for a timeless piece of jewelry that will stand the test of time, you should avoid coins made from base metals, including brass and nickel silver (which contains no silver and can be toxic). For a piece of jewelry with sentimental value, you should opt for gold or platinum, but sterling silver can also be a good choice. When it comes to jewelry you'll wear every day, it's a good idea to invest in precious metals, such as gold (not gold-plated), which won't tarnish over time.
A reputable online jewelry store can provide you with information about the metals and other materials from which the jewelry is made. What's more, you can choose, for example, a signet ring, and add the desired text for engraving on the page. See here an example of a gold heart signet ring, with the option to choose the color of the gold, the karat grade, and the type of finish (shiny or matte).
If you invest in reading the description of the jewelry and are still not sure what materials it is made of, it is better to choose another piece of jewelry.
Gemstones
A quality online jewelry store should provide a product description that includes information about the gemstones embedded in the piece of jewelry. For example, when choosing a diamond, the store should explicitly state that it is lab-grown . See here for an example of a description and photos of a special classic gold necklace with a lab-grown diamond.
If the meaning of gemstones is important to you, look for information about the gemstones you like. Stav's website has a useful article on 'Choosing a Gemstone Jewelry by Birth Month', so you can use it to choose a piece of jewelry with your birthstone: for example, a sapphire ring or a ruby ring ?
Not checking the return and exchange policy
It is true that reading the jewelry descriptions in depth and looking at their pictures will greatly help you make the right choice, but sometimes when the jewelry arrives at your home it still turns out that it is not exactly what you expected or that the jewelry is not the right size for you.
To ensure that you can return/exchange a piece of jewelry you have purchased, carefully review the return policy before you buy anything. Sometimes, you may be disappointed to discover that returning it is not easy or is not possible at all.
A decent online store will provide customers with a fair return policy, especially when it comes to jewelry, where it is very important to see the item physically. Here , on Stav's website, you will find 'Terms of Use' which also addresses the return policy.
Not checking customer reviews
It is a good idea to look for customer reviews of the items you are considering purchasing or of the company itself, especially if you are unfamiliar with the site. These reviews will give you first-hand information about the quality of the product, the process, the shipping, and the personal service. This will add confidence to your purchasing decision.
Here on Stav's website, you can find "customer testimonials" and be impressed by the opinions left by various customers who purchased jewelry on the online site.
