Friday, March 24th
2023 Jewelry Store Reviews
Helzberg Diamonds
- 4,000 items to choose from
- In business for more than 100 years
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Free standard domestic shipping on orders over $99
- 30-day return policy
Any jewelry store that's been operating since 1915 knows a thing or two, and that's what you'll find when shopping at Helzberg Diamonds. There are more than 200 retail locations nationwide, in addition to their online presence. That could give you some options for ordering online and having your jewelry delivered for in-store pickup - a great way to get exactly what you want and keep it top secret until the big reveal or occasion.
Website is easy to shop
The jewelry inventory at Helzberg Diamonds isn't as extensive as some of their competitors, but you've still got around 4,000 pieces to consider. It's not hard to find what you're looking for, either: use the dropdowns at the top of the site to zero in on the category you've got in mind, from men's jewelry to gifts under $300, shop by birthstone or by diamond shape, or go right to your preferred brand.
Lab-grown and natural diamonds available
At each retailer we rated, we wondered what the most high-end pair of diamond solitaire stud earrings would be. For Helzberg, those are the 6 ct.tw. lab-grown in 14k white gold for $19,999 (and we chuckled a little seeing that the header said "wow - our best price!" ). Most of the diamond studs Helzberg sells are lab-grown, but we spotted a few options for natural stones too. And, using the "shop similar styles" button helped us find comparable pairs across the full price spectrum.
Luxury jewelry found here - but not too extravagant
Those studs also happen to be the most expensive jewelry in Helzberg's online store. You'll find a few pieces priced between $10,000 and $19,000, like an engagement ring or a Miami Cuban link chain in 14k gold, but (fortunately?) most of what this jeweler offers is not in that upper echelon of luxury you may see with a few of their competitors.
Good options for on sale, clearance, and pre-owned jewelry
If you happen to be shopping with a price limit in mind, you can always sort the jewelry you're looking at by price from lowest to highest. Another option is to click on the Sale and Clearance tab and see what pops up. Helzberg Diamonds is one of the only stores we rated that has a "preowned" section, but that inventory tends to be limited to rings (and mostly wedding/engagement ones at that); there were only two dozen pieces on offer at the time of our most recent visit.
Not the most customer-friendly shipping or returns
Helzberg is a little less generous with their shipping than most jewelry stores we check out: you'll only get free delivery if your order is over $99. But, realistically speaking, unless you're buying a bargain piece, this minimum amount will probably be easily met by your jewelry purchase. They've also downgraded their return policy by half: in the past, you had 60 days to return your jewelry in new, unworn condition, but now it's just 30 days.
Defects covered for a year after purchase
On the other hand, Helzberg guarantees the material and workmanship of their merchandise for a full year after purchase. That doesn't include normal wear and tear or damage caused by abuse, but any manufacturer defects will be covered at no charge.
More shopper feedback, please
Helzberg Diamonds has been around for a long time, and we weren't surprised to see that the Better Business Bureau gives them an "A+" rating and accreditation. There were only a handful of complaints registered there, and they were all handled professionally and pleasantly by company representatives. However, there wasn't much feedback on the online shopping experience here: even the jewelry itself rarely had ratings from shoppers.
Reliable but not hugely impressive
Our takeaway from our most recent look into Helzberg Diamonds is that it's still a good place to buy jewelry, and that their online selection will give you much more to choose from than shopping at one of their retail locations. They don't quite live up to their rivals who offer more pieces to choose from, and we're sad that they shortened their return policy, but you don't have to worry about buying jewelry here.
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Where's the Best Place to Shop for Jewelry Online?
You might be wondering if you should buy your next piece on the internet. Is it safe? Will I get something that's not good quality? Can I trust buying jewelry online? Rest assured - not only is it safe - it's actually a great idea to buy your jewelry from an online store! In fact, it's one of the most common purchases that shoppers are making, while they transition from brick-and-mortar retailers to digital storefronts.
Why the big increase in popularity? It's for all the reasons you would expect. First, there's no local jeweler who can compete with the inventory of an internet retailer: you'll simply have more options online, and that makes it more likely you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Plus, your neighborhood jewelry store has overhead costs that get passed along to you in higher markups, while an online-only retailer can often give you significant savings. That's a win!
Jewelry Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Another obvious reason is convenience. Do you have time to visit several jewelry stores on your days off from work, driving from one to another in the hopes you'll spot something you love? We don't either. Like every other thing we all shop for online, jewelry is faster and more fun to buy whenever we feel like it, in our jammies at home or on-the-go between errands. Why not?
There are a lot of possibilities for getting jewelry online. Where should you start? Your primary consideration may be whether or not it's important to you to have a physical store nearby: maybe you want to have your fiance's engagement ring shipped there for safekeeping and not to your home (where she might spoil the surprise), or you feel more comfortable buying online with the backup of in-person returns if needed. If those aren't a factor for you, don't hesitate to buy your jewelry from an online-only retailer - as long as the business has an established, positive reputation, of course.
What other criteria can guide your decision as you buy jewelry? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Selection. The more a jewelry store has, the easier it is to get something amazing. Check first to see if the retailer that interests you has a solid range of options for the type of jewelry you need.
- Value. Notice we didn't say "price" . That's because you can find really expensive but poorly-made jewelry - as well as affordably-priced pieces that will stun you with their quality and sparkle. When possible, consult shopper ratings of the items you want to buy and see if they hold up over time and wear.
- Return Policy. What happens if your jewelry arrives and you don't like it? How much time do you have to send it back? Can you bring it back in person? Will you pay return shipping costs if not, and/or any restocking fees?
- Reputation. This is probably the most important factor. The prettiest pendant or most beautiful bracelet will feel like trash if it starts to turn your skin green or if gemstones fall out within a week or two. It happens, but the best online jewelry stores go to great lengths to choose good-quality pieces - and, more importantly, to take care of their customers no matter what. Have other shoppers said positive or negative things about the retailer you've got in mind? What does the BBB say?
To help you find all of the earrings, watches, bracelets and other jewelry you're looking for, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and rated today's most popular online stores. We're confident that this information will make it fun and easy to add to your collection or choose a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special!
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