Online Jewelry Shopping?

The popularity of purchasing jewelry online has been growing more and more but with that comes challenges.  The convivence of shopping online is easy and who wouldn’t want to leave their couch while searching for the perfect ring?  We all have a super computer in our pocket with infinite knowledge at our fingertips, but are we asking the right questions?  Recently in the jewelry industry we have been noticing this trend and a rapid decline in quality and increase demand for repairs of Jewelry.  Of course, lifestyle has something to do with this, but there are many factors about the changes in jewelry production for the masses.  As Jewelry professionals, we seek to educate and help you build confidence in buying the precious treasures we all know and love.  There is a hidden factor to the items being produced and sold online. As jewelry professionals, we at J Thomas Jewelers want to share our passion for jewelry and its origins. With a combined experience of over 75 years in the industry, we can respect the consumers desire to be a part of the jewelry world. We are here to help you on your journey to finding the highest quality heirloom that you and your loved ones will have for years to come.
 

Many online stores or small creators are not backed by a trained and certified jeweler professional. There are many short-cuts taken to making the things we all know and love appear much more affordable. The number one culprit  is sourcing cheap product in mass.

The materials are often low-quality mass production metals with impurities that cause irritation to sensitive skin, especially allergies. J Thomas Jewelers only uses the higest quality of standards for materials in Jewelry industry. 

Material quality standards in other countries are not regulated and claim to be something completly differnt which is often misleading.

You get what you pay for! There is a reason why the item you are researching is so differnt in price!  Item descriptions are often misleading and confusing to consumers.  Hidden characteristics of diamonds are not shown properly or highly edited.  We live in the age of PHOTOSHOP!   Are you SURE that is what you are buying or is it a stock photo?  

Buying a diamond online?  Think you're getting a deal?  THINK AGAIN!  You have to see the diamond in person to make the right choice. Diamonds are an investment. There is no such thing as a better price, they are priced in very specific ways based on their characteristics.  Diamonds are becoming available online from MANY sources and with that we are seeing MANY diamond dealers trying to unload their lower quality diamonds to the unknowing consumer. Diamonds prices vary due to unknown variables that are NOT ON REPORTS!  Did you know that MANY diamonds have characteristics of "Brown, Green, or Milky" hues that ARE NOT listed on reports.  

Lab Vs Natural.  YES there is a price difference and there are characterisitcs even in Lab diamonds that dont show up on reports that HIGHLY alter the price. Lab diamonds are being grown quicker and the source material is not regulated or standardized.  Are you price hunting diamonds? That is totally fair! Lab diamonds are grown in different processes and with alternate time elements which can cause the same "Brown, Pink, Green, or Blue" tints to show up in these diamonds. Again, you should look at the diamond in before person before comitting to purchasing the diamond. 

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If it looks too good to be true, seems too good to be true and sounds too good to be true... It probably is too good to be true!

 

The current price of all precious metals are very high. All jewelry should be marked with the correct metal identification stamp in the manufacturing process. If it is not stated as “sterling silver” or 14k, etc... The listing could be misleading you could actually be plated. True metals would be marked with the correct manufacter stamp. If you are shopping online all metal quality should be listed in the description for transparency. 

Damaged defective jewelry has become the consumers problem. Unfortunately, many online sellers are not required to offer a solution to “fix it” and jewelry is often difficult to return. There is no obligation to offer a refund.  A lot of these jewelry items are presented at our jewelry store and cannot be repaired. 

**Normal wear and tear will occur on all jewelry. We wear it! Relying on an internet source to repair or replace something broken may not happen. ESPECIALLY if the item is sold out.

LABOR IS EXPENSIVE!  it takes a long time to size, set and refinish your jewelry.  It takes an extreamly talented hand to handle your gemstones with care.   

Ask your local jeweler. We love to make that One-of-a-kind durable UNIQUE piece of jewelry. Personally, we specialize in it! We are a part of the community and offer amazing service and knowledge.  J Thomas Jewelers is a wonderful small business that is local and willing to make something high quality and one of a kind. We stand by quality, service, knowledge and even offer information to protect your heirlooms for many years.  This is something no online store can offer. So stop in for a free cleaning and inspection.  We hope to see you soon!