4 Errors in Buying Jewelry and How to Avoid Them

Every year, the average American spends around $615 a year on watches and jewelry. This jewelry is either for themselves or a loved one. 

That’s quite a lot of money spent on new jewelry considering it can (and should) last years and years. It’s possible that too many people are making errors in buying jewelry, and you might be one of them.

Don’t worry! If you learn what the common mistakes of buying from a physical or online jewelry store are, you can avoid them. Read on to find out what these errors are.

1. Buying the Wrong Metal or Gemstone

This is, by far, one of the most common errors in buying jewelry. Most people see a piece of jewelry and guess what material it’s made from without being certain.

If it’s a yellow gold color and looks expensive, then it must be real solid gold. And that red stone must be a ruby, right? Wrong!

Always check the jewelry store website description or information card to find out for sure. If they don’t have the material or gemstone listed, then you could ask or assume it’s low quality.

Top tip: If you see “925” engraved on silver jewelry, that means it’s sterling silver.

2. Failing to Compare Prices and Reviews

You must start comparing jewelry prices on different online stores before you click “add to cart.” Unless the store makes their jewelry, you can likely find the same item cheaper elsewhere.

Always check independent online customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot before you buy. This is to make sure you’re buying from a reputable store and will be able to return the item if there is a problem.

3. Choosing the Wrong Size

This is one of the most common errors in buying jewelry like rings and earrings. When you buy in-store, you can try rings on to see if they fit. But whether you buy earrings online or in-store, you cannot return them for hygiene reasons.

That’s why you need to invest in ring sizers and discover the gauge of your ear piercings. That way, you’ll know exactly what size to buy if you cannot try on the jewelry first.

4. Not Picking the Right Style

Of course, you know whether you like a piece of jewelry or not. But when you’re buying for a loved one, you need to understand their style before you buy them anything. Ask yourself these questions:

• What occasion can they wear this jewelry?
• Do they prefer silver or gold metals?
• Do they tend to wear statement jewelry?
• Do they prefer delicate pieces of jewelry?

Jewelers like johnstonjewelers.com have collections for different styles like bridal and fashion. So if you are buying a gift for a bride or have a fashion-forward friend, you can use these collections as inspiration.

Avoid These Common Errors in Buying Jewelry

You are not alone in making errors in buying jewelry because these are very common mistakes. But now that you know what they are and how to avoid them, you can enjoy spending far less on better jewelry in the future.

Knowing how to buy jewelry is a life skill you don’t know you need until you do. Browse our lifestyle articles to learn more useful tips and tricks!