Should I Buy From An Online Jeweler?

The answer is nuanced but, possibly. When I worked in jewelry stores, we would occasionally see a piece that someone bought from an online only jeweler and they wanted us to size the ring. I would examine the ring and sometimes I could see pitting, cracks, and defects. We could not size those defective rings, because improperly refined gold is brittle and will break apart when the heat of a torch and pressure is applied to the ring. Some of these rings are “guaranteed” by the company UNTIL they are sized. Rings are sold in ‘Cinderella sizes” like shoes and are typically sold in a size 7. Few jewelers are willing to accept the risk of resizing a ring purchased from an online company. So, please ensure that when you buy a piece of jewelry from an online vendor, please ask if they will make it in your size and what the guarantees are should the ring need repair.

I learned the hard way many years ago when I purchased a semi-mount engagement ring from a cost effective supplier that my guest selected. When the ring arrived, we attempted to set the diamond and the entire setting broke apart. I, of course, had to have the entire piece recreated at my own expense. While that was a painful and expensive lesson, I’m glad that occurred in my early days. This piece had been manufactured abroad in a location where refining standards were sacrificed to achieve cost savings.

So, if you are shopping for a piece of jewelry, please ask about where their pieces are produced. I tend to be wary of jewelry that is not manufactured in the United States and so Deborah’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry utilizes respected manufacturers in the U.S. or known goldsmiths whose work we trust.