12 Tips for Buying Jewelry This Holiday Season

Shopping for jewelry seems simple at first, like buying clothes or household goods. But in the world of gems and jewels, the stakes are far higher, and you must proceed with caution, especially around the holidays. 

This means using credit jewelers and proven tactics to your advantage, while avoiding pitfalls along the way.

You can indeed make your jewelry wishes come true this holiday, but first, check out these 12 tips from the jewelry pros. 

1. Create Your Wish List

You’re never too old to assemble your ultimate jewelry wish list for the holidays. While these gifts may not magically appear before your eyes, you’ll know what items to prioritize when shopping and which to avoid.

This way, you can shop intentionally and not get thrown off course by flashy ads persuading you to buy something you don’t really want.

2. Set Budget Boundaries

Speaking of intentions, be sure to get your money in order before embarking on a shopping spree of any kind. You can organize your budget by grand total, then allocate smaller amounts to certain categories such as earrings, necklaces, and even miscellaneous trinkets.

By setting up a budget in advance, you won’t have to worry about enduring a holiday hangover in the financial department.

3. Shop With Certainty

Jewelers do their best to keep up with holiday demand in customer service, but it may take longer to make exchanges than usual. Knowing this, try to be 100% certain about the size and style you want before you buy.

This policy is even more important when buying final sale items or giving gifts.

4. Get Educated

Shopping for jewelry is a fun pursuit, but also a chance to learn more about your favorite gems, designs, and styles. 

Don’t pass up the opportunity to discover the history behind your most beloved pieces and enrich your understanding further. This ensures you’ve got the knowledge to match the elegance of each piece in your collection.

5. Hunt for Discounts

This one’s a no-brainer: discounts are your best friend during the holidays. The hard part is determining which deals are truly worth pursuing, and dodging the ones without genuine value.

Don’t hesitate to break out the calculator and see how much you’re really saving compared to the normal prices throughout the calendar year.

6. Try Something Unexpected

Jewelry looks best when classics are mixed with fresh designs and creative flourishes. The holidays offer a chance to step beyond your comfort zone and test the waters with new styles. 

This is how you step into the New Year with renewed confidence and readiness to step up. 

7. Swap Old for New

Are certain pieces in your collection just taking up space and collecting dust? It doesn’t have to be like that. Work with trusted jewelers and exchange those older items for the newer version or something totally fresh.

This approach works best if you’re a loyal customer with a strong track record and trust built over time. With some negotiation tactics, you can replenish your collection every few years with minimal extra spending.

8. Apply with Credit Jewelers

Run the numbers, and you’ll see that many credit jewelers make the financing process quick and pain-free. With multiple paths to approval and reasonable rates, you can make this the best holiday season yet and stay well under budget.

Some jewelers offer loyalty programs built around their credit offers, giving you more of an incentive to shop with one brand.

9. Keep Notifications On

Alerts and notifications via apps and email will be key assets when navigating the holiday sales craze. Since inventory is tight, many of these alerts will be time sensitive, and you’ll have to spring into action no matter where you are.

Set up accounts ahead of time in your chosen apps so that you come away with the deals of the year before everyone else.

10. Don’t Ignore Retailers

There’s some truth to the idea that retailers mark up jewelry and leave you high and dry. 

However, it’s still worth seeing certain items and trying them on in person to explore various styles. With that said, don’t skip the retail experience if you’re serious about buying. 

11. Consider Waiting

Just a bit of delayed gratification can go a long way in your quest for beautiful new jewelry. Holiday prices can be artificially boosted, so you may want to wait until the New Year to sweep up some post-seasonal sales.

Be careful when shopping in February, however, since Valentine’s Day prices will quickly ramp back up.

12. Be Brand Loyal

Whether shopping online or in stores, loyalty pays off in the jewelry world. 

The holiday season is a chance to establish your business with certain brands and build a positive reputation over time. This is how you score the best deals and rates over the long term.

Shop Smart for the Holidays

There’s a lot to learn from holiday jewelry shopping, even if you’re not quite ready to buy. Discover more about the industry and its trends to get quality jewelry year-round.

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