Jewelry Top Gift for Holidays

Clearwater, FL - November 5, 2013 - Jewelry is on the wish lists of a quarter of respondents in a 2013 holiday survey by the National Retail Federation. Is it on yours?

Choices are many when it comes to gifting your guy or gal with necklaces, earrings or bracelets. If you’re shopping for costume jewelry, there are no rules. This generally low-priced option allows you to pick pieces without being concerned about being ripped off.

But if you’re shopping for real bling – diamonds, gemstones or pearls – you’ll want to wade carefully into the jewelry aisles to be sure you’re not taken for a ride. Start by doing your homework. Several websites outline differences between 24K gold and 14K gold, diamonds vs. cubic zirconia, natural gemstones vs. laboratory-created gemstones and cultured pearls vs. imitation pearls. Doing this research will also help you determine what you can reasonably afford.

Another key to buying the perfect piece of jewelry is to know what the recipient likes and wears. Does she wear mostly colorful and chunky costume jewelry? Or does she opt for gemstone pendants? Does she (or he) wear studs or hoops? Does he prefer tungsten or copper?

When you’re ready to shop in earnest, Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida advises:

• Location. If you're interested in trying a new or unfamiliar online merchant, ask the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so you can check its BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org; or through BBB’s online mobile app accessible on your Smartphone at m.bbb.org.
  
  
• Know their policies. Determine the company's refund and return policies before you buy. If online companies can’t offer concrete commitments on how they will handle any potential problems you may have with their products or services, reconsider doing business with them.
  
  
• Understand all the charges. Be sure you have a thorough understanding of everything involved before placing an order. Be clear on the total cost of the transaction, including tax, any shipping and handling and other related charges. Know the terms of any product or service guarantees, including any known delays or shortages of stock. Find out how long it will be before you receive your order.
  
  
• Guard your personal information. Only provide your credit card number online in a secure environment. Look for the prefix “https://” in the URL box listing the website’s address to be sure that the site you are using is secure. Review the company’s Privacy Policy to understand how your personal information may be used.
  
  
• Ask about post-holiday policies. If you’re buying as a gift, ask whether it will accept returns when the season is over. If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.
  
  
• Third party seals of approval. Make sure any third party seals of approval are current and can be verified to confirm the company’s commitment to those standards.

To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit BBB.org.

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