Why do all non-chain jewelry stores proclaim they are far superior to mall and chain stores?

Question

I am in the market for an engagment ring. So far I have been to mostly chain stores and a few smaller, non chain stores. I am told that I should not buy from a typical chain store, one that you can find anywhere in the country. I should purchase my engagment ring from a non-chain type of jewelry store. One that is independent, etc. Any ideas why? They all claim to have far superior better quality than chain stores for the money.

Answer 1

Typically because they can control the craftmanship of their rings more and are more willing to make changes until you are satisfied. They are also likely to get a ring that isn't going to look like anyone else's because they aren't widely available.

Answer 2

Chain Jewelry Stores

Answer 3

My wife and I decided to marry late Tuesday night and we were married on Sunday, without an engagement ring, just wedding bands.

Several years later, we bought her a nice engagement ring, the main stone was 1 caret, with a very pretty ring guard totaling about 1/2 caret. We paid $2600.00 for in in 1994 or there abouts.

In the search for the perfect ring, we looked at every diamond in the neighborhood of 1 caret in 4 counties, including Jackson, MS. Our search included chain jewelers, and independent jewelers. We ended up buying from a local jeweler who had been in business for nearly 50 years. We didn't buy because he had the best price, we bought because he had the best diamond. Since then, I've bought Marcia several pieces of diamond jewelry, and always from Joe Tonos Jewelers in Greenville, MS.

Here are a few tips from a thrifty Scot.

1. Don't buy the first diamond you see.

2. NEVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, buy a diamond if the seller will not let you examine it with a 10X loupe or a microscope.

3. Look for diamonds without inclusions visible to the naked eye. The price might be good, but the quality isn't.

4. Don't be rushed. Check out diamonds in a variety of stores before making a choice.

5. Be sure to buy from a reputable, and knowledgable jeweler.

6. Don't buy from a jeweler who won't take the time to teach you a bit about diamonds.


You might pay a bit more at an independent jeweler, but you have a better chance of buying a high quality diamond. The chain jewelers buy in bulk, and quality is spotty. Independent jewelers hand pick each diamond for quality, clarity, size, and saleability.

I am not a jeweler, I don't work for a jeweler (not directly anyway), and I don't claim to be a diamond expert. I have spent lots of money on diamonds and other jewelry over the last 20 years, so I do have a little experience in picking diamonds.

Good luck finding a good diamond in your price range. And congratulations on the engagement.

Doc

Answer 4

Small family-owned jewelry stores put a lot more care into the jewelry they make. Chain stores buy in bulk and sell (for example) diamonds of a lower quality for a higher price. The small stores depend on the satisfaction of their customers and word-of-mouth advertisement. They are also willing to negotiate prices, which has personally worked out extremely well for me.
You are also a lot more likely to find a ring that is unique in a small non-chain store. You don't usually get charged for extra labor, either. The place where my fiance got my ring, for example, let him take the setting from one ring and a diamond from another, they put those two pieces together and didn't charge him anything for it. The rings at chain stores are usually very cookie-cutter.
With family stores, you get a lot better quality for a lower price, unique pieces, and top-notch care. I get jewelry protection for life at no cost, too. I think if you look into it a little more, you'll see what I am saying.
Also, in response to the person who said they shopped at a chain store because they offered a credit line--local non-chains often times allow you to make payments interest-free. The store where my fiance got my ring let him take it from the store once half of it was paid off. Then he just kept making payments. They only expect you to pay once a month, and charged no interest at all. I can only imagine the high APRs of a chain jewelry store. Yikes!

Answer 5

Did you know that most of the chain stores are run by and owned by the same company? They just have different names. In the search for my engagement ring I went to the chain stores and kept seeing the exact same boring rings in all of the stores. I looked in their books that let you design your own ring but it was too overwhelming for me, so I turned to the internet. I found the perfect ring for me and showed my honey who is now my husband. He made contact with the company and we decided they were credible. The diamonds are certified (mine is beautiful) the price was alot lower than what he would have spent trying to have one of the chain stores design one that looked like what I found on the internet, in fact all of them said they wouldn't be able to make it look just like I wanted but very similar, and for about 3 times the price the company on the web was asking! I didn't want a similar ring, I wanted the exact one I liked! So, we ordered the ring from the company, which is based in New Mexico, we are in PA so it was a little scary but they were wonderful. They responded promptly through email and phone and even sent a ring sizer. They will fix anything that goes wrong with the ring just like a chain store will and in fact I have already sent it back once to be polished and it was promptly returned. I have yet to see my ring on anyone else's finger, so it really feels special. When so many other women show me their ring I try to ooh an ahh even though I have seen the same one on several other people. Unless your lady doesn't mind that her ring looks like so many other women's, then just get what she likes. If she is like me and wanted something really special without wading through pages and pages of books trying to decide this setting or that setting etc. then I recommend you do a search online and see what's out there. I got my ring at www.crystalrealm.com. Even if they are not your lady's style at this site it will give you an idea of how many awesome rings are out there that you aren't going to find in a chain store. Congratulations on your pending engagement and it's great you are putting the time and energy into such a wonderful gift for your girlfriend!

Answer 6

Because they are usually not in the mall or as easily accessable ast the chain ones. It's a way to get you to go out of your way to shop there. Perhaps the quality is better - perhaps not. The best thing to do is educate yourself on how to tell the value of a ring - it's quality. Then shop around for the best price of the highest quality ring you can afford.

Answer 7

If you can, I would have the ring custom made. My fiance was able to get me a custom made engagement ring with a top quality diamond for a great price. It actually was appraised higher than what he paid. Great quality, orginal design, worth every penny!

Independent jewlery stores often will negotiate a price. Chain store prices are usually fixed.

Answer 8

the only reason my husband and I bought at a chain store was because they offered a line of credit. It we could have afforded it we would have had our rings custom made. But if you find something you like, buy it. Just dont be a complete sucker, make sure to do your research.

Answer 9

I really dont know why that is...I think its becuase chain jewellery stores tend to jack up prices to make more money, but personally, I dont like the privatly owned ones becuase I dont trust them. at least with chain stores, if something goes wrong with my jewellery I can trust them to have it repaired and in a timly fasion (if had stones fall out, neckless clasps break) I dont like to deal with a place that isnt really well known.

Answer 10

On the plus side of a chain store...they have a large reputation to maintain...