Before laying down your 'plastic' to buy a string of pearls or bracelet or cheap claddagh ring, read all you can about it so you are a well education purchaser. Match up the quality, customer service and price of competing offers. d. Be sure you understand and can live with the store (or websites) exchange and return policies. f. Don't buy without getting a warranty or guarantee with the item being purchased. If you are purchasing precious gems, obtain a gemological report and also get in writing any information you relied upon in your purchase.

We can't think of another purchase category beyond jewelry where the reputation and honesty of the seller is more important. Do all you can to investigate the business practices of the jeweler whether you are buying precious stones, gold, platinum or cheap claddagh ring. A store's 'standing' in your community is an important factor to consider prior to making a purchase. Professional trade organizations set 'standards'. Determine if your jeweler is a member of any such organizations. Get a BBB report on your jewelry store prior to making any purchase. You will want to deal with a store that has a well trained staff to include gemological education.

If you do buy that ring, bracelet, watch or cheap claddagh ring online, before you do so, see if the site posts a Better Business Bureau Reliability seal on their site. Document the details related to your purchase for future use, if necessary. A conversation with a sales person from the online store as you want to 'get personal' as if you had visited a 'bricks and mortar' store. In addition to the phone conversation, get everything in writing. With all that accomplished, wear that jewelry or cheap claddagh ring as often as possible.