Purchasing jewelry should be an enjoyable experience. However, for many, it can be intimidating, particularly if you are purchasing jewelry for someone other than yourself. Your local jeweler is your best source of information on jewelry style, quality, and price. An educated purchase will have you leaving the jeweler both satisfied and confident that you made the right choice. At Guida Jewelers, one of our goals is to provide such an education to our customers.
- Set a budget for your purchase.
Knowing how much you plan to spend before shopping helps to narrow the selection and makes decisions easier. At Guida Jewelers we have a wide variety of jewelry to fit any budget. We will never pressure you into purchasing something that exceeds your budget. - Not everyone has the same taste in jewelry.
If you are making a purchase for a loved one, you will need to keep their personality in mind when making your selection. If you are still not sure, our amazing staff can help you make a selection for that special someone! - Always purchase jewelry from a trustworthy LOCAL jeweler.
A jewelry purchase can represent a big investment both financially and emotionally. So skip the impersonal online retailer and get the personalized attention you deserve from an expert who will stand behind his/her product! And while nobody does malls like New Jersey, - Have an exit strategy.
Before making your purchase, it is important for you to understand your jeweler’s policies on returns, repairs, replacement, and any warranties that he or she may offer with the purchase. One of the benefits of shopping at your local jewelry store is that our staff is accessible and will explain these policies and answer any questions you may have about them prior to making a purchase. And we’ll stand behind the product and ensure your satisfaction. - Shopping for a diamond? C’s the Day.
Diamonds are graded on the 4 C’s (color, carat, clarity, and cut). As an educated consumer, you will be happier with your purchase. You can read more about these here. - Get your paperwork.
When you buy diamond or gemstone jewelry, you should always ask for the stone certificate as well as your payment receipt. It will provide you much-needed peace of mind knowing that you are getting your money’s worth. - Inspect your stones.
Your jewelry’s gemstones should be properly polished and symmetrical. Our staff of highly trained and experienced jewelers can point this out to you on any piece from our showroom. - See it in a different light.
If you are purchasing a gemstone that has color change characteristics, be sure to check it under different lighting scenarios. Alexandrite, for example, can change from a pink hue under incandescent lighting to a green hue in sunlight. Since there is variation from stone to stone, you will want to make sure the one you purchase meets your expectations. - Gemstones can come either natural or treated.
Stones that have been treated or enhanced are generally less expensive than their natural counterparts. If the stone is treated, ask what methods were used and how that affects the value and performance characteristics. - Test your Metal.
All precious metal (platinum, gold, silver) should be clearly marked with the appropriate stamps and/or hallmarks. Ask your local jeweler to show these to you before you purchase. - Have Gold Standards.
Gold jewelry comes in several different karat ratings. The higher the number, the more pure the gold (24 karat is the purest). The most desirable are 12, 14, and 18 karat gold. 24 karat gold is less desirable because it is much softer and more expensive. By the way, don’t get confused between the two terms, ‘carat’ and ‘karat’. ‘Carat’ denotes stone weight whereas ‘karat’ is used to describe gold’s fineness or purity. - Expect to inspect.
Good jewelry comes from fine craftspeople. Look for quality in your purchase. If you are not sure what to look for, ask your jeweler and he or she will show you the marks of a well-crafted piece of jewelry. Examine the jewelry you’d like to buy, to ensure that there are no visible blemishes or imperfections on the metal. You should also check to make certain that fasteners, clasps and catches work properly and are secure. A quality local jeweler, like Guida, will do this for you before sending you home with your purchase. - Don’t feel pressured.
You should never feel pressured to purchase anything at any jewelry store. At Guida Jewelers, we pride ourselves on educating our customers so that they feel comfortable and confident in their purchases. If you are not comfortable with purchasing an item, trust your instinct, and ask us to show you something else!
At Guida Jewelers, we want you to be thrilled with your purchase! As your local jeweler, we can provide you with personalized service and education that no online retailer or big chain can – and with more expertise than the sales people at the mall stores. When you purchase from us, you can be confident that we will stand behind our jewelry. Visit us at our Denville, NJ location for personalized service. Or, contact us or call (973) 625-1225 with any questions before heading out the door!
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