You’ve been saving for a new piece of jewellery for a long time and you finally have the funds to snag yourself that dreamy pair of pearl drop earrings. But before you start spending your hard-earned cash on an investment piece, check out our top tips on how to save money when shopping for fine jewellery.
Do Your Research
Always know what to look for in a piece of fine jewellery. If you have your heart set on a gorgeous diamond piece, make sure to learn about the 4Cs (Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat) that will allow you to assess the quality of the stone you want to buy and ensure that you don’t overpay for a lower quality diamond. Also, choosing a stone with a lower colour grade, from G – J (diamond colour is measured on the scale D, the purest to Z), could help you save a lot when shopping for jewellery.
Shop Local
Let’s face it, we all love to window shop at Tiffany’s and Cartier, especially in the winter holiday season, when on the hunt for new Christmas outfit ideas and sparkly gifts for loved ones. Those stunning designer pieces showcased in their storefronts give us all the royal vibes, but they definitely cost a pretty penny. If you are looking to save money on your fine jewellery, avoid shopping at brand names and opt for a local jeweller instead, as it will give you a much better chance of finding great deals.
Avoid Popular Designs
If you are serious about saving money on your fine jewellery, make sure you stay away from trends and very popular colours. Instead, stick to the classics and less in-demand designs. If a particular diamond shape or a special jewellery design is trending on social media or popular amongst celebrities, that piece will generally cost between 10% and 25% more.
Know When to Shop
Knowing when to shop can help you save a lot of money on your fine jewellery. Avoid shopping during major holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, as the prices are higher during peak season. Instead, wait until March, April and the beginning of May, when you have a better chance to get good deals. This period comes after the holidays but before the engagement ring season starts, so prices will be lower.
Compromise on Carat Weight
If you want to save some real cash when shopping for fine jewellery, be open to choosing a lower carat grade. If you are looking for a diamond piece, choose a 0.90 carat stone instead of a full 1.00 carat. By doing so, you can save as much as 25% only by staying right under a full carat, and you won’t even be able to tell the difference. If you prefer gold jewellery, opt for 14K gold, instead of 24K gold as they will look the same, but the price of the 14k piece will be much lower.
Negotiate
Although brand name jewellery prices are often non-negotiable, your local jewellery seller might be open to offering you discounts, if you know how to ask. Some sellers can mark up their prices even 70% which gives you plenty of room to negotiate. So, be prepared and know all the details about what you are looking for if you want to have a chance at a better deal.