29 Aug How to Find a local Trustworthy Jeweller
A local jeweller forms an important part of your jewellery shopping experience. True, nowadays you can purchase anything with the click of a button, but what happens when you need expert advice on engagement rings, need to have a diamond set, or old jewellery repaired? It is the local jeweller that comes to your rescue.
Along with a host of other benefits, a local jeweller should come with peace of mind that you have a physical store to reach out to, reliable advice and reasonable prices.
Here are some important tips to help you find a trustworthy local jeweller:
- Ask for recommendations from family and friends.
There is a reason there are so many online recommendation sites these days, it’s because other people’s experiences are the best way to gauge a product or service. If your family and friends highly recommend a particular jeweller, it may be a good place to start.
- Search for jewellery industry affiliations.
Once you have a few jewellers in mind, check if any of them have important industry affiliations such as a membership with the Gemmological Association of Australia, the National Council of Jeweller Valuers or the Diamond Guild of Australia. These organisations require a high knowledge of products, ethical practices, and compliance with legal rules. Some of which require years of study to become members of or are invitation only. While every reputable jeweller may not be a member of these organisations and a membership may not necessarily guarantee a good experience, it is wise to seek jewellers that do have these affiliations.
- Check if they have an online presence.
True, not all local jewellers may be tech savvy, but it is a good indicator of their knowledge of online prices and whether they are innovating as fast as their competitors. An online presence gives you a good overview of their jewellery lines, designers and other essential information, that will give you an idea of whether it will be a good fit for you. Check out their social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and of course their website to gain a better understanding of what they are capable of and also to read the reviews.
- Find out their experience and expertise
Visit their store and see if it is busy and if the staff is patient and understanding. Find out the level of expertise of the staff. Check if they have any certified gemmologists/Diamond technologist or Valuers on site. Ask them if they have a bench jeweller for custom makes, repairs and sizing. Also, be sure to ask them about deliveries, warranties and guarantees. A store with experienced staff will make you feel welcome, answer all your questions and not pressurise you with “limited time only” discounts. You can build a long-term relationship with these stores.
Choose a local jeweller carefully, after giving a thought to all the above-mentioned considerations. A good local jeweller is necessity to make your jewellery shopping smooth and hassle-free!
