Buying online seems like such a no-brainer these days. It’s easy to do, there are plenty of sites to choose from and it’s convenient. Buying items such as clothing and shoes seems pretty simple and straightforward. But what about expensive jewelry? If you’re going to plunk down hundreds to thousands of dollars on a piece of jewelry, how can you be sure you’re getting the same quality you would expect at a brick-and-mortar store? Is buying jewelry online even a good idea?

Let’s tackle the last question first. Yes, it is a good idea to buy jewelry online. Overhead is expensive and online Photobucketretailers have an inherent advantage over traditional stores because their overhead is typically low. This means they can sell their jewelry at significantly lower prices. In fact, you could see as much as a 50 percent savings. So buying jewelry online makes sense from a cost perspective.

Another online advantage is that they generally have a wider range of options available. This means you may discover something truly unique and different that might not be available elsewhere.

Ordering is easy . . . a few mouse clicks to select what you want, a bit of payment information and you’re finished. Online ordering is also convenient – no crowds, no pushy salespeople, no driving anywhere. And, of course, you can shop in the middle of night if you want to – in your pajamas.

But how do you determine if an online jewelry retailer is legit? Probably the best way to know for sure is to ask around to see if anyone you know has purchased jewelry online and from whom. Word-of-mouth referrals are a great way to gain comfort with buying jewelry online.

You can also visit the online Better Business Bureau to investigate them more thoroughly. If the online retailer has an offline location, you can also investigate them using the traditional BBB website, too.

The final piece of the puzzle is your own education about what you’re buying. There is a lot of information on the Internet about how to buy diamonds and other precious stones. You can also check out the Glitterbug Parties Blog to read about diamond anatomy, clarity and carat and cut and color if you’re diamond shopping. Being a savvy consumer will go a long way to helping you find the perfect piece of jewelry at a price you can afford and appreciate.

In Part 2, you’ll learn what to look for when buying from an online jewelry retailer.

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