Why You Should Shop at a Locally-Owned Jewelry Store

Most people know that shopping locally is good for your community, but far fewer people know how much shopping at a local jewelry store can benefit them personally. There are numerous advantages to shopping at a local jewelry store rather than at a big box store, including that you can often get a better value on much more high-quality jewelry. Curious to learn all the benefits of buying your jewelry from an independent jeweler? Read on to learn five reasons you should shop at a locally-owned jewelry store. 

Better Value 

People tend to associate big chains with getting the best prices and value, but that’s typically not the case for big chain jewelry stores. In part, this is because big box jewelry retailers have substantial overhead costs that smaller jewelers simply do not. Big box stores generally put quite a lot of money into marketing campaigns, such as magazine advertisements and digital ad campaigns, whereas most small businesses rely on word-of-mouth promotion. Chain jewelry retailers also tend to have very expensive shop overheads and high staffing expenses due to constant employee turnover, which is rarely an issue at an independent jeweler. On top of all this, the jewelry sold at a big box store generally passes through more hands before it reaches the customer, which means more middlemen and more markups. To pay for their extra expenses, big-box retailers mark up their jewelry anywhere from 300% to 500%. 

Like all businesses, an independent, family-owned business will still have overhead expenses to pay. Yet, these expenses are nothing like the bloated overhead expenses tied to big box stores. This means that those who shop small generally end up getting much more bang for their buck, especially when you factor in the higher overall quality you get at a local jeweler. 

Higher Quality Jewelry 

When you shop at a family-owned jeweler, you get access to much more high-quality jewelry than you’ll find at large chain jewelry stores. Big box retailers focus far more on quantity than quality, but independent jewelers care deeply about the quality of every piece and gemstone they carry. Since small jewelers are focused on building relationships with their customers and maintaining an excellent reputation in their community, they know that providing customers with superior quality is crucial for the life of their business. Therefore, an independent jeweler is much more mindful of quality when choosing designer jewelry to carry in-store or creating in-house jewelry designs, as they know that providing customers with exceptional quality is a must. 

More Unique Jewelry

In addition to offering higher-quality jewelry, independent jewelers offer more unique jewelry. Large retail jewelry stores stock their jewelry cases with mass-manufactured pieces that are the same at every single chain they operate. This means that they have the exact same engagement rings, wedding bands, and fashion pieces as hundreds (or even thousands) of other stores. A local jeweler, on the other hand, has a unique selection you won’t find anywhere else. Local jewelers often carry truly one-of-a-kind pieces, like bespoke in-house designs or gorgeous estate jewelry finds. If you’re looking for a unique piece of jewelry that’s truly your own, a local jeweler is the place for you. 

Trust & Accountability 

Independent local businesses are run by real people that live in your community, rather than by board members or algorithms. This means that customers at a local jewelry shop have much more access to the owners of their local jewelry store, which ultimately creates more accountability and a higher level of trust. 

Say, for example, that you have an issue with something you purchased from a major chain jewelry store. You may find yourself having to hunt for a way to contact customer service, then find yourself waiting for ages to speak to a customer service representative on the phone— that is, if you can get in touch with anyone at all. But if you need to get in touch with your local jewelry store, you’d have no issue doing so. You could call or drop by any time and speak to someone who can resolve your issue right away. 

Better Service 

You can rest assured that the service you’ll receive from your local jeweler is better than what you’d get at a major chain jeweler. First and foremost, know that staff members at big box stores often have only a bare-bones knowledge of fine jewelry. Big box jewelers typically have high rates of employee turnover. Then, when they train their new employees, they generally focus more on sales tactics than on jewelry education. In comparison, family-owned jewelers have long-time employees with an expert level of knowledge about fine jewelry, diamonds, and gemstones. This means that a local jewelry store staff member can provide you with in-depth, honest knowledge about things like diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry styles, and more, helping you become a more informed buyer. 

In addition to providing you with more knowledgeable service, a small business owner will offer you more personalized service. Local jewelers want to create long-lasting relationships with their customers. As such, they go above and beyond to serve their customers and make sure they’re happy with both their final product and their shopping experience. 

Last but not least, keep in mind that local jewelers tend to offer a variety of services for their customers. For example, many independent jewelers offer a lifetime of free jewelry cleanings on the engagement rings and wedding bands their customers purchase from them. Local jewelers are also a trustworthy place to go for jewelry repair, watch repair, appraisals, and more. 

If you’re interested in seeing just how much a locally-owned jeweler has to offer, we encourage you to stop by Frank Jewelers. Our expert jewelers would love to help you find your perfect piece of jewelry and answer any questions you may have about fine jewelry, diamonds, or gemstones. If you’d like to schedule an appointment before visiting our showroom, click here. To learn more about our history as a family-owned jeweler, click here.