It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it.
There are range of emotions that I come into contact with when I meet new clients. A few that seem to be pretty universal for men are fear and trepidation (men) and excited and impatient for women. Now, there are also many others but these are the ever present ones I see A LOT. I think that all of these emotions can be controlled and fears can be allayed by doing a little homework, and I suggest these things to every single client that I meet with. So, read on:
Step One: RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION.
I encourage my clients to research. I like to use digital pin boards with clients. I use pinterest, but there are many sites you can share files. I create files with clients where we can both pin things that we like for them. Below is a link to my Pinterest boards. I have boards for every shape stone, vintage, modern, halo settings, and also random things like "Jewelry that Rocks," because some pieces of jewelry are so fabulous there are no categories other than "It Rocks."
Step Two: TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.
I encourage my clients to try anything they want to create. You might think "OH I LOVE THAT BIG 2 CARAT ROUND." and then you put it on your hand and well, it's not fabulous on YOU or your beloved. Maybe a pear works better and looks amazing on long elegant fingers. Maybe a smaller stone is better for smaller hands? Maybe you prefer a prong set stone versus a Halo, but you won't know till you try several on. It's a good idea to see what you love IN PERSON and then create something that's perfect for you. Even if there is a HUGE ONLINE FIRE SALE. A deal isn't a deal if you don't absolutely love it.
Step Three: CONSIDER TRENDS VS. A CLASSIC.
Just like fashion styles come and go, so do many jewelry styles ... they are simply fabulous and then a year or so later, "not so much." So, when you are going to pay thousands of dollars on jewelry - try to make sure you will love it for a very long time, if not a lifetime. I can speak from experience on this. I have changed my engagement ring THREE times, before I settled on a classic design that 14 years later I still love.
Step Four: QUALITY STONES and WORKMANSHIP.
I meet a TON of people that are so about PRICE. Yes, of course price is important. But you know that saying, "you get what you pay for?" Well, it's oftentimes true. Make sure that for your money spent you are getting a quality piece. Are the diamonds SI 1-2 and better? How are the diamonds cut? Do the prongs look larger than the actual stones? (Uhhhh RED FLAG.) Is the piece made well, so that it will be durable or is the shank of the ring thin? Is it comfortable to wear? Look at the inside of the ring, the side that no one but you sees - is it sloppy? Because good workmanship is visible on the inside as well as on the outside of a good piece of jewelry.
I recently did a ring very similar to a ring a client found online at a huge big box jeweler, my price was very close to the big box jeweler, but my quality was a world apart. Their diamonds were full of inclusions visible to the naked eye (I 1-2) and the diamonds I used? VS 1-2, not to mention workmanship, (it was made by master craftsmen not overseas for pennies on the dollar.) YUGO vs. VOLVO, you decide what you want. Then find a jeweler that won't ever use Included stones on any pieces they carry, you are now going in the right direction.
You might be like, "I'm PANICKED because I don't know how to tell these things." Yes, you can learn quickly - just start researching. Start reading. One book I read and still recommend is by a Gemologist, it's in it's 7th edition:
A book written by a Gemologist that isn't trying to sell you anything is a good place to start.
Step 5: RELATIONSHIP.
Buy from someone that was recommended to you. Someone that has many clients that love them. That come wholeheartedly recommended. That you can see past work from. That stand behind their product. I am the one bugging my clients yearly to let me clean their rings. Because jewelry is for a lifetime and I want my clients to maintain jewelry in excellent condition. Make sure that the service doesn't stop at the sale. If you doubt any of that have them put it in writing.
Good luck and try to enjoy the process!
gemgal001@sbcglobal.com |