Why choose independent jewelers when shopping engagement rings in San Diego?

Buying an engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. There is more to consider than just the financial aspect. You want this piece of jewelry to be a representation of enduring, lifelong love. There’s an entire succession of decisions to be made – the size of the shank, the choice of the center gemstone (a diamond or a colored gemstone), the size and color of any diamonds, the shape of the stone, etc. You can’t redo a proposal, so you want to make sure to plan each detail and avoid the typical mistakes. But before you dive into to the specifics, the first thing to decide is where you will buy the ring. There are some important things to consider before you choose where to shop, such as the unique advantages of opting for an independent jeweler over a chain store. Where is the best place to buy engagement rings in San Diego? We’ll compare your options for you and hopefully enlighten you to the many benefits of buying local.

The Value

The major selling point of jewelry chain stores are low prices. Price is undoubtedly the biggest factor to bear in mind when buying an engagement ring, but so is value. What can you expect to get for those apparently low prices? Non-GIA-graded, lower quality diamonds and precious stones in uniform settings. Their inventory typically offers a limited number of styles and designs, meaning your choices are few. Most of these chain stores look like exact replicas of each other, with very few distinguishing features. In short, being offered a low price at a jewelry chain store does not necessarily translate to long-term value. It is crucial to consider the quality of options as well as the actual product itself. With independent jewelry stores, you’re dealing with a business that survives on repeat customers and referrals. This means that they will strive to make their patrons happy and build a positive reputation within the community. With their lower overhead expenses, independent jewelry stores give you better value for the money spent. Plus, they usually offer discounts and special promotions that other retailers don’t. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Rings Store, we have special offers for our customers every month. Plus, we offer special financing options. But most importantly, when you shop with an independent jeweler, you get quality – GIA-certified diamonds, warranties, and custom work done by an in-house team of jewelers and Graduate Gemologists.

The Integrity

Jewelry chain stores carry a vast inventory of mass-produced items. They work to get these items sold quickly to make room for new incoming product. That means that the salespeople are encouraged to embellish information and spin fairytales about engagement rings to prospective customers. They can be as aggressive as car salesmen and have a reputation for misinforming buyers about ring flaws and characteristics. Part of their gimmick is branding stone cuts and using proprietary grades, making the stones difficult to compare to other brands. The GIA diamond-grading system is the industry standard. The fact that chain stores by and large steer clear of GIA certificates speaks volumes about their sales tactics. At the risk of repeating ourselves, we’ll emphasize the fact that independent jewelers serve the community and their service strongly underpins their reputation. The quality jewelry they offer comes with certificates that meet industry-standards. And the terminology they use in describing their jewelry adheres to the terms and definitions of the trade. Additionally, the service you receive is also of higher quality and more personal.

The Selection

You would expect a chain store to have a huge selection because of their buying power, but that’s not commonly the case. Chain stores focus on and promote their proprietary brands and lines (which are almost always mass-produced) and don’t carry many designer collections besides their own. They sometimes carry collections signed by celebrities, and though we may admire certain celebrities and their styles, they are neither jewelry designers nor artisans. If you want to buy something that’s custom or unique, you’ll most likely be hit with a hefty price tag and have to pay in advance for them to order it for you. Independent jewelers have a varied selection of numerous designer lines which you can see in person and try on before you make your purchase. At Leo Hamel’s, not only do we have the largest selection of jewelry of all of the independent jewelers in the San Diego area, but our selection is also wonderfully diverse. We carry new and vintage engagement rings from designer names like Hearts On Fire, Venetti, Tiffany, Tacori, Vera Wang, Beverley K, and Simon G. We are the largest San Diego buyer of estate jewelry, which means that you can find heirloom-quality jewelry for sale at amazing rates.

Leo Hamel – Best Place to Buy Engagement Rings San Diego

Many San Diegans trust Leo Hamel’s as the best place to buy engagement rings in San Diego. Reading our reviews, you’ll see the difference in quality that we provide to our shoppers and the community of San Diego. A considerable portion of our customers are loyal, returning clients who trust our prices, service and expertise. Do yourself a favor and visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue, where our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will show you how easy it can be to find a ring that perfectly matches your taste and budget. We hope to see you soon!