If you've arrived here, it's because you want your next jewelry purchase, or even your first one, to be as successful as possible, and we understand that!
As in every industry, when purchasing jewelry there are certain tips that we recommend taking into account before buying jewelry online.
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Jewelry sizes and measurements
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Buying earrings, individually or in pairs?
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Brand Reviews and Reputation
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Materials and details
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Compare price and quality
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Safe sites: how to identify them.
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Customer service and after-sales.
We will explain to you one by one these seven keys to buying jewelry online and ensure that your order is a sure success =)
Buy reliable jewelry online without failing in the attempt
It has happened to all of us that when buying online we start to have doubts: Will the order arrive in good condition? Have I got the measurements right? Will it be what I expected? It is normal to ask ourselves this question and that is okay! However, below we will give you several tips (short and VERY effective) that will not fail and will help you complete your online purchase like a pro.
The convenience of not leaving our homes means that we are increasingly buying online (and it is a trend that will always be on the rise). So all we have to do is eliminate the fears that this process generates in us. But how?
Below we will share the most effective tips with you!
7 tips for buying jewelry from an online store
1. Check the measurements and sizes
Buying earrings may seem simple, but the reality is that there are endless options and sizes, so we always recommend our clients measure their favorite earrings so they can get an idea of what size fits them best. Product photos can sometimes be confusing, so it is always best to be guided by the measurements that appear in the description of each piece of jewelry.
Another very important point is to always look at the model's photo. Seeing the jewelry worn on another person will help us a lot to get an idea of how it could look on us.
Probably the biggest challenge in the online jewelry shopping process will be with rings. Checking ring sizes is very important because, compared to other jewelry, such as earrings, each person's fingers have different measurements. That said, the key is to check each brand's size guide to get your perfect size. Important: even if you usually wear a regular size, each brand may work with its own ring sizing, so it will always be best to confirm this step to get the right size.
Don't know how to choose your ring size? Here is an article with all the recommendations on how to know and measure the size of a ring before buying it. In the same article you will find a size guide by country and a size chart to find your perfect size.
Necklaces usually have a standard measurement that varies from 36 to 42 cm (approximately), however, if you would like to get a few extra centimeters, we recommend getting an extender. You will be able to add up to 10 extra cm to your new necklace.
2. Buying earrings online: Individual or pair?
One of the most common mistakes when buying earrings is adding them to your cart without checking whether you are selecting by unit or pair.
It is becoming more common to buy individual earrings since in most cases we do not have the same number of holes in both ears. To make a safe purchase, we recommend that you check the description of the jewelry to make sure if you are buying one or a pair.
Generally, the default option for purchasing a pair of earrings is to select the “unit” option on the product pages of earrings, so if you intend to buy a pair of earrings, you should click on the “pair” option. Below is an example from our website.
3. Research and evaluate reviews before making your purchase
The most important thing is to validate what we call "social reputation." How? By researching well-known websites and being able to find out what the user experience is like through their reviews. TrustPilot is the best-known website for real reviews. The best thing about this website is that merchants or the brand cannot hide any type of comment, so it is very reliable.
An online store is considered to have an excellent reputation when there are more than 500 reviews and the score is above 4.5/5 ★
At By Lia Jewels we are happy to exceed this score with many positive reviews and, more than this, we are also happy to receive advice or feedback for improvements from the user. This helps us to continue improving our service and to continue growing as a company.
4. Pay attention to the materials
When shopping for jewelry online, pay attention to the details. It's important to read product descriptions to make sure you know exactly what you're buying.
When we buy jewelry, the most important thing is that the materials are of quality. For example, it should be 925 Sterling Silver jewelry , to ensure that we are buying quality.
At the same time, if we are thinking of summer jewelry, make sure that it is waterproof stainless steel jewelry . That is, unlike other materials, jewelry made of stainless steel and plated with 1 micron of gold allows us to get it wet without worrying about its care.
5. Buy quality and prices
There is a huge range of possibilities here. Our main advice is that when it comes to jewellery, it is best to buy from brands that are dedicated solely to selling jewellery. The reason? Keep in mind that if a brand known for its clothing releases a specific line of jewellery, its quality may not be the same as a brand that has been dedicated to creating these pieces for a long time. Why? The quality will be similar to that of costume jewellery, so you will be buying practically disposable pieces that will not last you more than one season.
At By Lia, as an online jewelry brand with more than 10 years of experience, we focus on offering quality jewelry at an affordable price so that we can all enjoy quality jewelry in our daily lives without spending half of our paychecks.
6. Buy your jewelry from safe and reliable sites
Make sure you shop at secure websites that protect your personal and financial information. To know you're on the right site, look for a padlock symbol in the address bar of your browser. This means the site is secure and your information is protected.
In addition to what was mentioned above about validating a review site, it is important to determine if other users have been able to trust and buy from the online jewelry store that you want.
7. . Customer service and after-sales
Don't be afraid to ask! Most online stores have a dedicated customer service team that will be available to help you make the best purchasing decision or advise you on any questions you may have.
We mean it, it's important to ask questions. This will give you a clue as to what their customer service is like and how committed (or not) the company is to taking care of its customers.
BONUS: Check the exchange and return policies carefully
It is important to keep in mind that, as they are jewelry, they are still "intimate" items, so on most jewelry websites, there are restrictions on making changes and returns depending on each piece of jewelry. Avoid negative surprises by always checking this point before placing your order.
Buying costume jewelry online vs. Jewelry online
As we have explained before, it is important that when we make an online purchase we know what we are buying. It is not the same as going to a physical store and being able to touch the pieces, try them on and feel how they fit us.
Many customers tell us before their first purchase that they have had a bad experience buying jewelry online and this is where we as experts explain the difference:
The main difference between costume jewelry and jewellery lies in the materials used for their manufacture and their quality.
Costume jewelry is a type of jewelry that is made from less expensive materials, such as plastics, resins, glass, semi-precious stones, less valuable metals, among others. Therefore, costume jewelry is more accessible in terms of price than jewelry.
On the other hand, jewelry is made from more valuable and durable materials. The most common material is 925 Sterling Silver (so called because it is made up of 92.5% silver). Then there is silver and gold, obviously among the most valuable, stainless steel, among others.
Due to the quality of the materials and the skill required to work with them, jewelry is more expensive than costume jewelry and is often considered an investment or an item of value.
In short, the main difference between costume jewelry and jewellery is the quality of the materials used and their intrinsic value. When we buy jewellery we want to feel very identified with the piece and over time it takes on a sentimental value =)