Shopping for jewelry can be both fun and overwhelming at the same time.  That is why you should have someone you trust to help answer all you questions and assist you in making all of your important jewelry decisions.  Here are some things to know when picking out a jeweler.

Referral

The first thing you can do when looking for a jeweler is ask around within your social circle for any referrals or recommendations.  The people that you choose to surround yourself with often know you best and may have similar taste in jewelry, service, and price range.  Also, if you visit a jeweler on a referral, the jeweler may be more personable and helpful because they will want to live up to the good word and continue to get referrals from you as well in the future.

Type and Style of Jewelry

It is important to think of the type of jewelry for which you will be shopping.  If you are looking for certified loose diamonds or more rare shaped stones, you may want to visit a jeweler who specializes in single stones. 

Also think about style; if you like more classic styles compared to more modern styles, you will want to work with someone who has a wide variety of classic styles, and vise versa.  It is good to visit a lot of jewelers and peruse the different selections of jewelry before you start speaking with someone.  In other words, do a little window shopping before you commit to working with a jeweler.

Chain vs. Independent Dealer

There are a lot of benefits for both the chain jewelers and the independent jewelers.  Ultimately, it is just a matter of which suits you best.  At an independent jeweler, you may be able to find more exotic styles and stones as well as get more detailed information about the quality and life of your purchase.

Warranty and Repairs

Make sure you are familiar with the stores warranty and repair policy.  Some jewelers will require you to bring your purchase in every six months for an inspection and cleaning in order to keep the warranty valid.

Also you should ask whether repairs are done on sight or if they will be sent out.  This might be something to consider since repairs not done on sight may take longer and leave you without your purchases during such time.

Knowledgeable Staff 

A jeweler should be very knowledgeable and experienced.  If you are looking for a particular stone or piece of jewelry, such as a diamond engagement ring or another precious stone, they should be able to walk you through all aspects of what to look for with that stone.  The best way to tell if a jeweler is knowledgeable is to ask questions.  If they don’t seem to have the answers to your questions, they probably aren’t the jeweler for you.  You may also want to investigate how long the jewelry store has been in business and ask about how many years experience the jeweler has.

Customer Service and Comfort

Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable when working with your jeweler so you want to make sure they are known for good customer service.  Buying jewelry should be just as much about the experience of the purchase as it is with the experience of wearing your beautiful piece of jewelry.