Purchasing jewelry is a major investment for most of us. Regardless of which type of store you purchase your items from you following these tips will help make your shopping experience a more pleasant and lasting one.

1. Store reputation: Make sure you research the store and their past history. The Internet makes this much easier with access to online review sites, Better Business Bureau records and relevant industry organization memberships and ratings. (JA, JBT, JVC).

2. After sale service: One of the most important times a shopper needs a reliable store is when something needs to be fixed, exchanged or returned after the purchase. If your research indicates some unresolved problems in this area, then beware. Remember, the fact that a store had complaints is not necessarily a negative, but if they did not respond to the complaints properly that is a big red sign. Good businesses actually invite reviews of all types and use these to improve their processes – nobody is perfect!

3. Website: Take a look at the store’s information on it’s website or other sites for the phone number(s), email or online contact form, return policy and warranty. If the store is missing one or more of this information make sure you obtain them from the store in writing (ex: email, or receipt) before your purchase.

4. Excessive and ongoing discounts: This can be a sign of a business that is continuously overpricing its products to give the impression of a good deal. Bottom line is, everyone has to make a profit and a lot of the raw materials that go into making jewelry have industry-wide price guidelines so beware if you see a store is consistently giving 60% plus discounts.

5. Authorized dealer for brands: If you are purchasing a designer brand from a store make sure they are officially affiliated with that brand- or risk not having warranty and service after the sale. This information is easily found online.

6. Payment method: Most of the credit card companies provide aggressive protections for consumers whereas using your debit card will not provide these benefits. Check your credit card’s specific terms for specific information before making your purchase.

Some specific tips on the jewelry:

1. Gold: Gold jewelry is identified by Karat. This can be actually imprinted on the piece (ex: “18K”). Pure gold is 24 Karats so an 18K gold ring has 75% pure gold and 25% other alloys.

2. Silver: In pure form pure silver has a 99.9% composition which makes it too soft for use in jewelry. The most common type of silver used in jewelry is Sterling Silver which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% Copper. Silver jewelry provides the ‘white’ look which is desirable for many people and is similar to white gold but at but at a lower price.

3. Gemstones: Make sure you know what treatments have been applied to any gemstones on the pieces you are purchasing. The FTC requires clear disclosure to consumers.

Please note some of the tips only apply to the USA market. Please check your local regulations or business practices if you live outside the US or if you are shopping from an international store.

What is drop shipping? Drop shipping is where the company/person/website selling you the items does not actually hold them in their inventory. So the person is basically marketing products in other company's stock to you and in return making a profit. This is also called an intermediary. The products are automatically shipped from the company that has the items in stock direct to you, the shopper without the company you purchased the items from ever touching them.

Important points to remember in this case are for after-sale issues such as returns, warranty, service and safety/recall issues.