Have you tried buying jewelry online recently?
If you haven’t, you’re missing out on a fantastic opportunity. It can seem a little daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. You’ll likely feel surprised at how extensive the selection of styles and jewelry types are online.
And, for those in search of crystal jewelry for spiritual and physical health, there’s just no better option. So if you’re concerned about taking the plunge—don’t be. Keep reading for 12 great tips for buying jewelry online.
1. Identify Which Jewelry You Want
The first thing you need to do when buying jewelry online is to identify what you want.
This may seem like an obvious step, but it's particularly important when you're looking for crystal jewelry. As with any jewelry, the aesthetics and presentation of the gem or crystal are important. This is a subjective choice, of course, and depends upon what each buyer likes best.
But, there are other factors that enter into buying crystal jewelry. Crystals and gemstones come with various healing and spiritual properties, so it makes sense to consult a trusted crystal book to help you make your decision. It's one of the best tips for buying jewelry online, since it can inform your choice to buy bracelets, necklaces, anklets, etc.
2. Check Out the Description
Part of identifying the best place to buy jewelry online is to find a site with excellent descriptions of its offered jewelry.
A reputable online jewelry retailer will have clear and detailed descriptions of the jewelry they're selling. For example, a good description will talk about the size and nature of the crystal or gemstone for sale. It will also mention the crystal's origin, whether it’s ethically sourced, and it won't be cagey about the price.
When you buy jewelry from an online retailer, you shouldn't have to be uncertain about what you're buying. A detailed description will help you determine exactly what you're getting.
3. Examine the Photo Quality
Buying jewelry online means you have very limited options to actually see what you're buying.
This is why photo quality is so important. A good online jewelry store will have excellent photos that are clear and high resolution, which will help you decide on a purchase.
The key here is to choose an online retailer that provides high-quality pictures from several angles. Remember, low-quality photos can alter the look of crystals and gemstones.
Beware of Photoshop and other editing tricks, as well. A good tip for buying jewelry online is to ask the retailer for a photo of the jewelry in natural light. This will allow you to see colors and qualities of the gem or crystal more accurately.
4. Speak With the Seller
Buying jewelry online is a big leap on your part. It's natural to be concerned about the quality of what you're getting, since it's impossible for you to handle and examine the jewelry beforehand.
Most online retailers understand this, and they're willing to work with you. So you shouldn't hesitate to reach out to the seller, and ask them any questions you have or communicate any doubts you may be entertaining.
Doing so is a good way to test the commitment and seriousness of the seller. A reputable, trustworthy online jewelry retailer won't shy away from answering your questions.
If, on the other hand, the seller doesn't respond at all or isn't very helpful, it's a red flag. Avoid this seller and find somewhere else to buy your crystals and jewelry.
5. Examine the Return Policy
It's easy to overlook return policies when buying crystals and jewelry online.
But, this is a huge mistake. Review the return policy of an online seller before making any purchases. If a store doesn't have such a policy at all, it's a safe bet that it's selling fakes or low-quality products.
The best place to buy jewelry online is one that offers a robust, secure return policy in case you're not happy with what you receive. This gives you peace of mind, and indicates that you're doing business with a reputable seller.
6. And the Shipping Policy, Too
Don't forget to check out an online seller's shipping policy while you're at it.
Shopping online is easy and convenient, but it also means you have to consider shipping costs. Remember, shipping jewelry might mean additional charges and insurance costs, so bear that in mind as well before making a purchase.
7. Read the Reviews
Always check a seller's reviews before you buy jewelry online.
Reviews exist for a reason, and that reason is to help you make a decision about whether to do business with an online retailer. There's a lot you can glean from reading reviews, so be sure to read as many as possible before making a purchase.
Look, every retailer gets negative feedback, and not all of it is genuine. But if there are numerous negative reviews, this is an obvious warning sign. Buying jewelry online can be risky, so if you see reviews warning that a seller is offering fake products, heed these warnings and take your business elsewhere.
8. Check the Pricing
It makes sense to want to find the best prices on jewelry, but some deals are too good to be true.
Crystals and gemstones of every kind are in great demand around the world, and this puts a lower limit on pricing. For jewelry that is authentic and ethically sourced, you expect to pay a certain amount of money.
So, don't be fooled by unrealistic prices. On sites like Alibaba, you can find crystal jewelry selling for only a few dollars—don't fall for this. They're fakes!
Stick with authentic sellers instead, and prepare to pay more for the genuine article.
9. Check Out the About and Contact Pages
If you want to know where to buy jewelry online, look at the store's "About" and "Contact" pages.
First of all, the "About" page will give you some idea of who the proprietor is. Is there an actual name and face attached to the seller? Many times, you'll find a bio and a mission statement for the business on the About page. There may also be links to interviews and other personal sites as well.
The same goes for the "Contact" page. This should include an easy way to get in touch with the seller, as well as information about return policies, terms of sale, etc.
But, if you can't find an easy way to contact the seller, it's probably better to avoid doing business with them altogether.
10. Do Your Homework!
The best way to summarize most of the above tips is to simply do your research.
If you're afraid of fakes and scams, it's understandable that you might be leery of buying jewelry online. But, there's no real reason to worry as long as you do some research beforehand.
This is true when buying anything online. The best course of action is to answer some simple questions. Who runs the store? Is there a face and name attached to the business, or is it completely anonymous? Where are they located?
Another thing to look into is the quality of the seller's site and online presence. Is the site professional, with high-quality photographs of the jewelry and crystals?
A good social media presence is another way to reassure yourself that the business is a reputable one. Positive reviews and engagement on social media let you know you've found a winner.
11. Read a Favorite Seller's Blog
Reading a quality blog on a reputable jewelry site can help you educate yourself about what you need to do.
This is especially the case when you're looking for crystals and other spiritual gemstones to complement your jewelry collection. These blogs often have numerous tips and advice to teach you what to look for, how to find it, and how not to fall for the worst scams.
It's okay if you're inexperienced when it comes to buying jewelry online. But there are plenty of resources available, and among the best of these are quality blogs from reputable online sellers.
12. Buy What You Love!
This is our final tip for buying jewelry online.
Don't be afraid to buy what you love. What are your intentions for your crystal jewelry? Are you looking for love? Maybe you're hoping for relief from stress and anxiety.
These are the entirely subjective markers that are part and parcel of buying crystal jewelry. So find the right crystal for you, and let your unique tastes and aesthetic sensibilities inform your decision.
Buying Jewelry Online Doesn't Have to Be Difficult
There's no reason to be afraid of buying jewelry online.
All that's needed is to do a little research, and find reputable and trustworthy online sellers. If you follow these tips, you'll have no trouble buying beautiful jewelry.
While you're here, why not check out some of the unique and entrancing crystal jewelry we have to offer? At Tru Aesthetix, we have a wide array of crystals for every intention and personality type.
So feel free to contact us and see how we can help.