As with so many other products, jewelry sales are increasingly taking place online these days, rather than people going to traditional physical stores. Buying online is quick and convenient, and it allows you to shop in places far from our location. And of course, while it's great to be able to see a piece of jewelry and try it on in person, the downside is the hassle of having to go to a store and being limited to what's available there. You may also miss out on handcrafted jewelry created by independent designers who often don't have brick-and-mortar stores. However, although there are many advantages to buying jewelry online, you need to be careful and pay attention to a few things to avoid pitfalls. Even if you feel like a seasoned pro at buying jewelry online, it's still a great idea to remember how cautious we should be.

If you avoid making the top 7 mistakes when buying jewelry online that we outline below, you will be much more likely to have a very positive experience and love wearing your beautiful new pieces for years to come.

1. Don't Check the Description and Photos

In an ideal world, there are some things you would prefer to see and feel in person before purchasing. Jewelry is likely one of them, because it's nice to be able to try it on and decide if it looks good on you. Of course, this is not possible when shopping online. A new online jewelry shopper may be worried about missing the “trying on” stage of the purchasing process, but that’s where detailed descriptions can help.

If you are shopping at a well-managed and reputable online jewelry store, the product listings will contain detailed information and notes about each piece. You'll have a good idea of ​​what to expect just by reading this information. In particular, the description must provide clear information about the materials used to make the piece (otherwise it is a red flag to purchase the jewelry) and the dimensions. Also check out all the photos made available by the online store to see the piece from different angles and get a better idea of ​​its size. Many buyers don't read the description, don't look at the technical characteristics carefully or don't look at all the photos. So they miss crucial details that could influence their decision. This is definitely a mistake to avoid.

2 - Select the wrong Size

It's often frustrating that we get excited about ordering a piece of clothing or an accessory online, only for it to arrive... and not fit.
If the online store has fair return and exchange policies, you may be able to resolve this, but it can still be discouraging and it can feel like you've wasted time and effort. Many online jewelry shoppers fail to measure correctly and get pieces that don't fit. This is especially seen in the case of rings, but it is also an important factor in bracelets, necklaces and anklets. To avoid this problem, the first step is to simply read the product description well, as described in the point above.
A well-run online store will give you clear measurements for each of your products and you should make use of this information. For necklaces and bracelets, you can simply use a tape measure to check how these measurements will look on your body. Take a look at our articles "How to know your bracelet size", "How to know your necklace size", and even "How to know exactly what your ring size is".
At Lusijoia, many of our necklaces, bracelets and rings are adjustable in length, providing some flexibility. But taking the time to measure correctly is especially important when ordering rings. A ring should be easy to put on your finger, comfortable while wearing it, and a little more difficult to take off. It is highly recommended to know the ring size for each finger you want to wear rings on. Check out our ring sizing kit to help get it right. Please check your measurements and compare them to the listing details to make sure you always get the right size.

3 - Not checking the Return Policy

Although reading the descriptions correctly and seeing the photos helps a lot, you may receive your purchase and it may not be exactly as you expected or may not be right for you.
There is a limit to what even the best description and photographs can convey about a physical object. I'm sure many of us have purchased something online and then felt like it wasn't the right thing when it arrived. This is often when we check the return policy of the website in question. Sometimes we are disappointed to discover that a return is not that simple or not possible at all. A good online store should offer its customers a fair return policy, especially when it comes to items like jewelry, where seeing the piece in person is very important.

At Lusijoia we have a money-back policy for returns that meet the requirements. The best time to check the return policy is always before purchasing. This way, you will know where you stand when it comes to making returns or requesting an exchange. Before making a purchase, you should feel confident that you can resolve the issue if the item arrives and is not suitable. Not reading the return policy before shopping online is an easy mistake to avoid when getting into this habit.

4 - Buying the wrong Material

One of the best things about jewelry is that it can have all kinds of meanings that make it personal and special to the wearer. The last thing we want is for us to make a beautiful, meaningful statement but choose the wrong materials.

Metals and finishes

Not all metals are created equal. If you're purchasing a sentimental piece that you want to stand the test of time, then you definitely need to avoid base metals, including brass and nickel silver (which doesn't contain silver and can be toxic). Ideally, you'll choose gold for these pieces, but sterling silver will also work well.
For pieces you'll wear every day (especially rings, bracelets, and bangles that see a lot of wear and tear), you should invest in solid precious metals rather than plated ones.
A reputable jewelry store will provide clear information about the metals and other materials used in their designs. For example, just because a piece of jewelry has “gold” in the name does not mean it is actually made of gold and the description should make this clear. If you have read the product information and are still not sure what exactly the jewelry is made of, then it will be best to avoid it.

Precious stones

Making a statement through jewelry can be achieved through specific types of gemstones incorporated into the design. For example, birthstones are a popular way to honor a loved one and keep them with you whenever you wear the piece. A good online jewelry store should provide information about the gemstones in their jewelry in the product description. You must inform whether the gemstones are natural, simulated or grown in a laboratory. You must also indicate whether the stones may differ from those photographed (this may be the case with natural stones). Be sure to consider this information. We also suggest you think about whether there are ethical implications to your gemstone choices, which is especially important when it comes to diamonds and other high-value stones. We prefer lab-grown stones when available, as they are more ethical than many mined stones, as well as generally being cheaper. If the meaning of gemstones is important to you, do some research to get information about which stones you like. We have a helpful article on gemstones and their meanings to help you.

5 - Buy from Fake Companies

Unfortunately, one of the biggest downsides to shopping online is the abundance of scams and fake deals designed to steal your money.
The good news is that there are a number of clues to look for and some tools you can use to help you feel confident about who you're shopping with. For example, lately we've been seeing online stores advertised on Facebook with a wide range of very varied designs and surprisingly low prices (both of which are a clue that something won't be right), along with sad stories about how they're closing. When we look closely at one of these online stores, we discover that they were only created in the last few weeks or months. At best, you will receive low-quality jewelry that doesn't look like the photos, but at worst, you will get nothing for your money.
One of the most important things you can do is practice safe online shopping habits and do your research before making any purchases. There are several other ways to check whether or not a company is legitimate and whether it is worth the effort to do these things. A little extra research time can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

6 - Buy Parts that you will not use

Shopping online means you have easy access to many different types of jewelry. For some buyers, this can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.
It's great to be able to see a wide variety of what's out there and be able to find something we really love while browsing, but it can also be distracting. It can be very easy to add items to your cart without thinking too much when shopping online. For some people, this means they are more likely to buy things on a whim or simply to catch your eye. This type of impulse can lead to adding pieces to your collection that don't really fit your style or lifestyle and that you won't wear often.
Before finalizing your purchase, think about your selection and consider where you will use the pieces.
Are they for special occasions or for everyday use?
Do you have specific clothes that suit them?
Do they match your current jewelry collection or are you looking to make a change?
Do they say something about who you are as a person?
A quick consideration before finalizing your purchase is a great way to avoid buying jewelry that you might later regret.

7 - Not checking other Customers’ Reviews

It's a good idea to look for customer reviews online about the item you're considering purchasing or about the company itself, especially if you're buying from a company you've never dealt with before. These reviews can provide a first-hand account of product quality, the shipping process, and how the company handles any issues. You will be able to find a lot of relevant and useful information in these reviews. It's a good way to help you feel more confident in your purchase. If you are buying from a small business, you may find that they have far fewer reviews online than the big box stores. This is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Customers are more likely to spend time leaving bad product reviews or poor customer service than positive ones. A lack of reviews will likely indicate that there have been few problems if the business is well established. If you see negative reviews about a business, look for a pattern rather than taking a single negative review seriously. Consider that sometimes people can also be malicious without a good reason.