We wouldn't be surprised if you are sitting there thinking or doubting shopping online for jewellery. We know, it is a bit different than shopping for clothing and it is certainly different from buying jewellery in store; however, there are ways to battle the world of online shopping with these do's and don'ts!

  1. DON’T be blinded by a brand name

There is no right or wrong when shopping for jewellery and we have all, at some point, purchased name brand jewellery. Often times, however, the price of the jewellery is more dependent on brand name than material. It is worth to consider looking at pre-owned gold, even white gold which resembles silver, before buying that expensive brand name silver. For example, a £530 .06 carat belcher link bracelet from a well-known retailer could also get you a 9CT white-gold .25 carat diamond tennis bracelet with £81.00 to spare. Look for options beyond the high street to save yourself from spending much more than you have to.

*Top tip for shopping for watches online: if you’re looking for a specific make, model or year get in touch with the individual retailer selling it instead of purchasing on marketplaces where you may be charged an additional handling and/or delivery fee

tennis bracelet William May

NEW 9CT WHITE GOLD 0.25 CARAT 7 INCH DIAMOND TENNIS BRACELET Code: 0103217 £449.00

2. DON’T forget to do your research

Shopping for jewellery does not require you to be a gemmologist; however, understanding the basics, like the classic 4 C’s (colour, cut, carat, clarity) when it comes to buying diamonds or the variations between gold carats may be the difference between you paying more than you should and a bargain. In the age of the Internet, opinions and reviews are contributing factors to ultimate decision making. A quick Google search can reveal a lot about what previous customers think of a brand. Trustpilot is also a recognized host for customer reviews. Read what customers have to say about William May here.

3. DO know what you’re looking for

As a subset of the above tip, knowing what you are looking for can help tailor said research to best fit your specific needs and price point. Looking for ‘engagement rings’ is a very different experience to looking for a 2 carat, platinum solitaire ring. Let the information you researched help pave the way to form narrower idea. That way, when shopping online for jewellery, you can accurately compare different prices on the market and don’t feel overwhelmed by choice. Though, in turn, that is a positive of shopping online. You have access to everything that’s on offer on the web instead of store hopping a small selection!

engagement ring

 

4. DO ask questions

We aim to put up as much information as possible on the website to help you get a clear understanding of the cost, the materials and the condition of every item; however, if you want to know something we may have missed or just want to double check for your own peace of mind we welcome phone calls, emails or messages into our chat system. We have direct contact with all the jewellery sold online; therefore, if you want a picture of the item in real time or perhaps you want to compare similar items we can help you out. After all, buying online is a bit different to buying in store so we want to bridge that gap between consumer and product.

5. DO buy from an accredited jeweller

Make sure you are looking out for any information or validity that you are buying form an accredited jeweller. The National Association of Jewellers is a group of professional jewellers that have had to apply to be accepted; therefore, generating consumer confidence for you while you shop. Look for the NAJ logo on the retailers' website-typically found on the footer of the page, like this one.

      6. DON’T forget the minor details

Shopping online may appear less transparent in terms of the finer details like shipping charges, warranties and returns policies. Though minor, they could make a host of difference in your online experience. In addition to all of the above, here at William May customer service, security and care is of our utmost priority and we understand the importance of you loving your jewellery; therefore, all online orders are subject to a 30-day hassle free returns policy. We deliver purchases of £150 and over next day (before 1 PM) for free. The shipping charge for purchases under that value are £7.50 for next day delivery.

Save yourself the time and shop online with all of the benefits of shopping in store.