When shopping for fine jewelry or looking for a place for repairs or cleanings, it’s important to find a store and a professional that will give you all of the things that you need in order to have a positive experience. Jewelers have the ability to create just about any piece that you could imagine, but you need to be sure that you are working with the right one so that you can determine that you are getting treated fairly and honestly. Before you begin your jewelry shopping, be sure to shop around for the right jeweler as well.
Reputation
If you are new to an area or haven’t visited any jewelry stores lately, then a good place to start would be to ask around to people you trust. Check with your friends to see where they purchase their jewelry or where they go for repairs or cleaning. Most jewelers rely on word of mouth, so if there are good things being said about them they are likely to have more business. If there are any questions about a certain jeweler’s reputation, the safest bet is to avoid shopping there. Because you will likely be spending quite a bit of money or trusting them with some of your most precious items, it’s important to have a level of trust.
Options
Some jewelers may specialize in one type of jewelry or craft, but if you think you’ll have the need for more options, you may want to look for someone who offers a greater variety. Looking for unique pieces like moissanite will require that you work with a jeweler who is familiar with lots of different stones. Charles and Colvard and other online jewelers can provide a lot of options for shoppers who are looking for more than just one style or one certain piece of jewelry.
Cleanliness
Before you take your pieces to a jeweler and before you make any purchases, it’s a good idea to stop into a potential jeweler to take a look at their store. While you probably can’t expect red-carpet treatment from a small, local jeweler, you should expect the place to be clean and tidy. Jewelry should be displayed in a manner that is both attractive and functional. You wouldn’t want to leave an important antique piece at a store where the floors were dirty or things looked disheveled, because you might not know how well your things will be treated. If a jeweler takes the time to keep their shop looking nice, you can probably bet that your jewelry will be safe with them.
Interview
It’s a good idea to take a chance and talk with the jeweler you are thinking about using. If you are planning to have something made custom for you, then you can ask them about their techniques or have them give you ideas for how they would build your jewelry. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions, since they will be dealing with you quite a bit in the future. You will probably want to foster a positive relationship so that you can both work well together, communicate fully, and be happy with the results that you both get.
Jen is a lover of all things fashion, beauty and shopping
