Jewelers

Brick and Mortar Jewelers is generally used as a pejorative term for traditional jewelers and jewelry stores. It means the kind of place that has a location downtown or at the mall with a sign overhead identifying them as a jewelry store. Lots of inventory and commission salespeople. It’s what people tend to think of when they think of a jeweler. They get a bad rap.

In the end, nearly everyone who buys jewelry ends up using a jeweler. Even if they buy the primary engagement stone or even the whole ring somewhere else, they go to a jewelry store when they have an issue. That’s where they want to get it appraised. That’s where they get it sized, cleaned, stones tightened, and so on. It’s where they get watch batteries and graduation gifts. It’s where you end up with a relationship. James Allen, the namesake of a big Internet diamond house, doesn’t get invited to a lot of weddings, but local jewelers do.

With engagement rings in particular, jewelers can be very helpful. Contrary to what people have learned by shopping on Amazon, most things are not commodities. Including diamonds. There’s value in having a secure place to look and see. A place to compare. They might even have what you want. Nearly everyone has had bad shopping experiences online that they would NEVER put up with from a local retailer. It makes sense to follow the low prices but pay attention to what you are giving up in the process.