Jewelry Bargains and Discounts: Let the Buyer Beware
Part I

No one will dispute the lasting beauty, psychological overtones, or intrinsic and lasting value of fine jewelry. Perhaps it is because jewelry is such a desirable product that it falls prey to the unscrupulous wheeler-dealer looking to catch the unsuspecting customer. We are, after all, each of us looking for the buy and the bargain.

We would like to make you aware of some of the more common promotions which can, if you let them, turn a pleasurable buying experience into a costly one with unpleasant results.

1. Brand names count. Recognizable and reputable firms stand behind their products. When you buy a piece of jewelry in part because of the manufacturer's name, make sure you are getting the genuine article. There are several ways you can judge whether an article is real or you are being duped into buying a counterfeit. If the price is too good to be true, it probably isn't true at all. Respected brand names carry appropriate price tags. Make sure the marking or stamping of the brand name on the article you are purchasing is clear and spelled correctly. Check to see that the karat gold mark is clear and legible. What's most important is to buy from a reputable jeweler you can trust, like Kingston Fine Jewelry!

2. Don't be tempted by percentage discounts, unless they are legitimate. Check to see if the item was ever sold at "regular" price. Ask for how long that regular price was in effect. There certainly is nothing wrong with legitimate discounts, but there is a great deal of deceptive pricing in the jewelry market, so beware. Shop around and compare prices, but make sure that you are comparing the same item to item. One necklace may look just like another, but with a weight difference, the price will be different. Shop at a jeweler whose reputation you trust, like Kingston Fine Jewelry, where you know that a discount reflects a real not a concocted price decrease.