Buying Jewelry online
 

Would you do it? Would you spend £1500 on an item from an online site if you knew it seemed safe?

Or would you go to a shop and get less item for your money, but have a face to talk to and discuss things?

I can get a better item for my money by going online, but then if theres any issues, then its hard to chase up.

Would you?

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Had a similar discussion in college once, our tutor had done something similar, but surely its just the same as buying a TV or something online, ok jewlery isnt a TV but its the same sort of money.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Have done before, didn't make any difference (apart from price)...still had the desired effect.

Just double check the website is safe. I've had people who've been ripped off before tell me they bought from a website that 'seemed safe/legit' and when I set eyes on it it certainly wasn't.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

I bought my fiancee her engagement ring online - looked for what I wanted in the shops and then bought it online. I used a reputable website and paid by credit card. The valuation is for nearly double what I paid and she's thrilled with it. I couldn't have afforded such a ring otherwise.

BTW I used blue nile

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Good call Aidan...

Yeah, its one of "those" items.

Currently looking at Samara James, and thebeautifulcompany so if anyone else can advise of safe sites to view i'd be gratefull.

I just know I can get a lot more value for my money. I looked in a jewelers the other day and the diamonds just looked tiny for the money as to what I can seem to get online.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Only from here http://acdiamonds.co.uk/Home.php mate. But thats because i know the owners of the site :) He rides and R1 and she is my ex g/f little sister.
So if you're looking to buy with confidence you can be assured this is the place you wont get ripped off at. But generally if you pay buy credit card then you are insured and covered by them to a degree anyway.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

IMO it really depends on what the item is... if it is a watch for example, and you know it's exactly the same model, then you may as well go t'interweb route.

If it is subject to quality i.e. precious stones/diamonds etc, where craftsmenship comes into it, then it is less clear what to do...

Even in a high street shop (particularly in current economic climate), the price you see isn't necesserily the price you pay... Partic in what is considered a luxury market such as jewellery. And partic when you are spending around £1500.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

What can he do a long standing org discount wise ;)

Edit, nope, tell him he needs to expand the site, no mention of the rings im after at all.

All the other sites are simplier to find what I want ;)

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Discounts are avilable, i'm sure i can argue something for you ;)
I know they've both been very busy updating and redesigning the website so if there is something specific you're looking for let me know and i can ask them for you if you like.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Also depends where you are in the country mate - I would personally try the jewellery quater in Birmingham (or there is an equivelant in London area I believe??) - Lots of diamond specialists in close proximity make it a lot easier to negotiate the product/price that you are after....

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

TBH going into Goldsmiths they couldn't match the quality of diamond either and it was only assesed in the setting, whereas the diamond I bought was certified before being set. Having learnt about diamonds on the internet I found the quality of the high street diamonds were fairly low anyway (i.e bad cuts and flawed stones).

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Yeh that'd be Hatton Garden in london, but from experience they are some of the most unfriendly shopkeeps i've ever encountered. The area is surrounded by city types in suits too so i'm sure they have massive mark ups for the local wildlife and any discounts they give only really brings it in line with retail prices anyway.
Saying that we are in a reccession and they all need you money so no reason not to take a day out, go up there and do some hardcore haggling.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

You have obviously been researching in the wrong place if you were looking into diamonds...

Try here for an eye-opener...

Then try here and read the comments - some are funny...

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

That Blue Nile site is really really good, and the prices are great. Seems its cheaper abroad to get a top cut finished quality diamond.

But the rings arn't what I want, i wanted a twist at the top and they don't offer them in the build your own :(

But I could have a .6 carat, J scale, VVS1 for £1200 (Plus ring cost etc)... :(

Not finding quality half that on UK sites :( For more money.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

I think anything over £500 to me I would rather go and buy it in a shop and possibly pay a bit more. Personal preference really.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Sorry, I don't get your point. I looked into diamonds from goldsmiths and for even double the money, the diamonds were of a lower quality cut (i.e. reflected less light), were of lower clarity and were slightly coloured. On blue nile I could chose the diamond first and therefore have chosen a better quality diamond then the ones I was shown on the high street.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

See when I went into the shop (I over-heard the staff saying to a customer they cannot do any more discount than the sale price), the diamond was medium quality, medium cut, .30 carat, but cost £1500 in the SALE....


£1500 buys me a LOT of ring on the internet... .50, high end scale, high end quality, high end colour.....

I just got to find a site like the above, but which offers a greater selection of base rings to choose from.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

If its any help, both of our Wedding Rings came from The Beautiful Company.

Only cost about 20% of what you are looking to spend tho.

Vixis isn't into Jewellery, and doesn't like diamonds, so we didn't see the point in spending loads of cash on her ring.

So we went for this pair.

http://www.thebeautifulcompany.co.uk//images/T226.jpghttp://www.thebeautifulcompany.co.uk...s/TIB006-7.jpg
They are identical in colour, ony difference is that hers is 5mm wide, mine is 7mm, the pictures dont really show the difference...

In the end my wedding present to her cost more than both rings together, paradoxically after the statement about not being into jewellery, it was a necklace with a bat on it, as she does like animal themed jewellery (especially bats)

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

My point being that the whole diamond thing has, for the last 200 years been a scam perpetuated by a cartel, based on artificial scarcity upheld by some clever social engineering...

Which is why is one of the reasons I chose not to get suckered in, fortunately I have a wife that agrees with me...

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Fair enough - you're the lucky one! At least I've been excused from buying her a present ever again - don't see that lasting long.

Re: Buying Jewelry online
 

Of course, ever again = this week :)