Before laying down your 'plastic' to buy a string of pearls or bracelet or cowry shell necklace, read all you can about it so you are a well education purchaser. Be sure that you comparison shop for quality, price and customer service. d. Be sure you understand and can live with the store (or websites) exchange and return policies. b. Review any guarantees or warranties that come with the purchase. Be sure to get, in writing, on the sales receipt, any information you relied on when making your purchase, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewelers will supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

Finding a jeweler that you can trust is of utmost importance. Regardless of whether you are buying a pendant, watch, necklace or cowry shell necklace. Get to the bottom of the store's reputation by asking those that have purchased from the store. Be sure the store has a long-standing, solid reputation in the community. Professional trade organizations set 'standards'. Determine if your jeweler is a member of any such organizations. Obtain as much information as you can about the store you are entertaining using from the Better Business Bureau. Determine if the store's sale people have any gemological and appraisal education.

For online stores, look for their Better Business Bureau Reliability seal whether you are regardless whether you are buying a bracelet, a string of pearls, a watch or cowry shell necklace. Always get the particulars related to your purchase documented in case there is a dispute. Pick up the phone and speak with a representative of the web based site to reconfirm purchase details. Having written that, paperwork trail is extremely important when making an online jewelry purchase. Last thought - enjoy your beautiful cowry shell necklace purchase.