Many people these days are interested in investing in gold, and this includes gold jewellery. For some people, buying gold jewellery is an investment, for others it is a fashion statement. Either way, you naturally want to ensure you get the read deal when you buy gold jewellery. However, as with any other items you might buy online, you must exercise caution and take steps to ensure you are getting what you pay for.
When you buy valuable products online, such as gold jewellery, you have to err on the side of caution. We hear many horror stories about people getting ripped off and ending up with fake items that are worthless. Making sure you are careful when buying gold jewellery online can help you to avoid huge headaches as well as financial losses.
In this article, we will provide some tips on buying gold jewellery online and making sure you get the real deal.
Steps You Can Take
Gold jewellery is hugely popular because of its value and stunning appearance. However, many people who think they are buying expensive gold jewellery end up with expensive fakes. This is naturally something you want to avoid, so below are some tips to help.
Buy from Reputable Sources
One of the key things you need to do when buying gold jewellery online is to make sure you buy from a reputable source. There are plenty of online retailers that also have a High Street presence, and many of these might be well-known to you. There are others that operate only online, but also have a solid reputation. Then there are those that are lesser known, and you might have never heard of them before. This is where you have to exercise a lot of caution, particularly if the prices a suspiciously cheap.
Maria Velniceriu, founder of Missmv, recommends buying gold jewellery only from ecommerce sites where reviews are displayed. Shopping platforms like Etsy, Amazon and Folksy are some of the most popular places for buying genuine gold jewellery, but they are not the only options. If you want to buy from an independent brand, research social media for reviews and if there is not enough information, it means the store could be new and it should raise a red flag straight away. This is not to say that a new business might not be trustworthy, but it is not worth risking losing money by shopping from an unknown brand or store.
Check Reviews of Online Retailers
Following on from the point above, you should always check online reviews of jewellery retailers before you make any commitment. Even if you cannot find reviews on the site itself, there should still be plenty of information online if you carry out independent research. Take some time to Google the retailer and see what comes up in terms of reviews from other people who have already made purchases from the site.
By taking the time to do this, you can get a better idea of the quality of the jewellery, the level of service from the retailer, communication, customer service, and the overall reputation of the seller. This then makes it easier for you to determine whether or not to use this retailer to purchase your gold jewellery based on what you read in the other reviews.
Make Sure You Know What You Are Getting
The term ‘gold jewellery’ includes everything from gold plated and 9 carat gold items to 24 carats in some countries. So, you need to make sure you read the description of any gold jewellery you purchase online to ensure you know exactly what you are getting for your money. It is very important that you read the description carefully rather than rushing into a purchase, as you might end up with completely the wrong type of gold jewellery otherwise.
You need to consider things such as the carat of the gold you are buying to ensure it is what you want, whether it is mixed with other precious metals such as silver (for white gold), and whether it also has any precious stones and, if so, which ones they are. These are just some of the key things you need to determine before you make your purchase.
Be Sure to Check the Returns Policy
One of the other things that you should always do before you buy is to check the returns policy of the retailer you are using. If you accidentally purchase the wrong item, the jewellery is faulty, or there are other issues, you need to know where you stand with regard to returning the jewellery and either getting an exchange or getting a refund.
Make sure you read through the policy carefully, and this includes the small print which often contains the most crucial information! If you are happy with the returns policy, you will be able to make your purchase with greater peace of mind. It is also worth considering making your payment via PayPal or credit card, as this then gives you some level of protection in the event problems do arise after you have paid for the gold jewellery.
Buy with Confidence
By following the tips outlined above, you can purchase your gold jewellery online with greater confidence. You can then enjoy looking a million dollars as you step out wearing your finest gold jewellery to complement your outfit.