The world of jewelry can be intimidating, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But when you work with a skilled jeweler, your purchasing experience will be more than just transactional – you’ll build a lasting relationship with someone who can assist you with resizing, tightening, engraving, cleaning, and even appraisal estimates. They will also be able to provide valuable insight into the market, as well as recommend new styles and trends before they become popular.
A family-owned and operated jewelry store can offer this kind of expertise, which larger chains cannot compete with. And because these independent jewelers are passionate about what they do, they’ll go the extra mile to make sure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase. They will take the time to explain the details of each piece and its value, and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have along the way.
Jewelry stores offer a variety of styles and designers that you’ll rarely see at chain stores or online. They can often work with you to create a one-of-a-kind piece that’s perfect for your budget and personal style. They’ll also be more flexible when it comes to negotiating a price for an item, as they know that not everyone can afford to pay full price for their pieces.
When it comes to selling your jewelry, you’ll also find that the prices offered by local jewelers are more fair than those offered at pawn shops. This is because pawn shops usually need to cover their overhead and turn a profit on your sale in order to stay open, while jewelry stores are often willing to sell at or below market value for cash or credit buyers.
For example, Kathy Rose, owner of the by-appointment-only jewelry retail establishment Argyle & Valentine in Los Angeles, has noticed that her customers are shopping for heirloom pieces, and they’re picking up sculptural one-of-a-kind designs from design-driven brands like House of Ravn. This year, she’s also seeing demand for sapphire stud earrings and rich 18k yellow gold.
Similarly, her colleague at the Zadok Jewelers showroom in Houston has seen more consumers gravitating toward classic solitaire engagement rings that feature round diamonds accented by round sapphires. She’s also seeing interest in stacked ring bands, bracelets with geometric elements, and rings that incorporate natural gemstones and materials such as agate and onyx.
Precious stones and metals are a commodity, so there isn’t much wiggle room in pricing when it comes to online retailers. However, if you are willing to pay cash, and you are a regular customer of a local jeweler, you may be able to negotiate the price of your purchases based on your relationship with them and their knowledge of you as a customer. In addition, many small jewelry retailers are more likely to discount items for holiday sales or to celebrate milestones and anniversaries, which is something that you can’t typically expect from pawn shops.
