Congratulations! If you're here right now, it's either because you're about to make a big purchase for someone you love or for yourself. Either way, treating yourself or the ones you love is worth celebrating. If it's worth celebrating, the process should be as stress-free as possible, so you leave the experience happy and satisfied.
Jewelry is an investment, and like all investments, it should be carefully considered before purchasing. At Fink's, we know that you're shopping for someone extraordinary, and they deserve the absolute best.
Before you even begin your jewelry search, you first have to find a jewelry store, which can be a significant undertaking on its own. So, we created a list of questions to ask when choosing the perfect jewelry store to meet your needs.
Choosing the Perfect Jewelry Store
Shopping for jewelry can be overwhelming, especially if you are shopping for someone else. You have to decide on size, shape, metal color, and design. It has to be a piece of jewelry you are drawn to, but the recipient also has to love it. It can be exhilarating and exhausting simultaneously - but most of the best things in life tend to be.
So, the first step is to take a deep breath. At Fink’s, you’ll find an incredible collection of diamonds, gemstones, and pearls in everything from earrings to watches. We also have an experienced team of stylists that will work with you to ensure you find the perfect piece that your special person will fall in love with.
Before committing to a piece of jewelry, it's essential to make sure the jewelry store you choose is a high-caliber and trustworthy business. The best jewelry store is the one you come back to for future celebrations or when you need a jewelry repair and a place that you excitedly refer your friends to. Like the love you have for your special someone, you want the jewelry you thoughtfully pick out to last a lifetime, and the jewelry store you choose will reflect your jewelry’s quality and care.
Top 5 Questions to ask Your Jewelry Store
- Are their diamonds GIA certified?
- Do they offer jewelry repairs and cleaning?
- What is their return policy?
- What insurance and warranties do they offer?
- Can you personalize your piece?
What is Diamond Certification?
Diamond certification is a scientific analysis of your diamond quality from an independent and credible association; the Gemological Institute of America is the most well-respected. The GIA is the foremost authority on diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls in the world. They are most famous for creating the first - and now globally accepted - set of standards for judging diamonds, more commonly known as the 4Cs.
What are the 4Cs of Diamonds?
- color
- clarity
- cut
- carat
If you're shopping at Fink's, there's a 5th C - Clif. In addition to passing all of the GIA criteria for a high-quality and beautiful diamond, all diamonds must pass the Clif test. For 30 years – yes, 30, you heard that right - Clif has been personally inspecting every diamond before it enters a Fink's display case.
Every diamond purchased in a Fink’s jewelry store or online at Finks.com has been hand-inspected by Clif. The Clif approval means they have all been graded and awarded the Superior CutⓇ and Superior QualityⓇ standards.
You took the time to get to know the person you love and make sure they’re the right one for you, and they deserve a diamond just as wonderful and beautiful as they are.
What is their Jewelry Repair and Cleaning Policy?
While we never anticipate that a high-quality piece of jewelry will need repair, every jeweler knows that life and mishaps inevitably happen. So, ensure that you choose a jewelry store that can offer jewelry repair; bonus points if they can do this on-site. On-site jewelry repairs mean you get your jewelry pieces back quicker.
Fink’s has highly skilled specialists on-site and available to service your pieces. What if you bought your jewelry somewhere else? No problem, we’re happy to give you a jewelry repair quote and complete the jewelry repairs on-site in most cases.
What Jewelry Repairs Does Fink’s Offer?
- changing batteries
- polishing and cleaning
- ring sizing
- adding and removing watch links
- extending necklace lengths
- restringing pearls
- clasp repair and replacement
- manufacturer’s warranty jewelry repairs on items purchased through Fink’s
All jewelry repairs through Fink’s have a guarantee. If for any reason you are unhappy with the jewelry repair service, you can bring the item back to the Fink’s jewelry store where you had repairs done within a year so we can make it right.
At Fink's, we don't want you just to be satisfied with our work; we want to exceed your expectations. Contact the Fink's locations nearest you for specifics on jewelry cleaning or jewelry repairs.
What is the Jewelry Store’s Return Policy?
In addition to understanding what jewelry repairs a jewelry store offers, it's also essential to understand the return policy. At Fink's, we have extraordinarily high standards for our jewelry. We want your special someone to love the piece you thoughtfully picked out as much as you do.
However, if your loved one isn't dazzled by the piece you chose, we offer a 30-day return policy for new, unworn pieces in their original packaging. If you would like more in-depth information on our return policy, you can find it here or ask one of our amazing jewelers at any of our Fink's jewelry store locations.
We love what we do at Fink's, and we want to make sure the jewelry, whether it’s an engagement ring or gorgeous timepiece, is as perfect of a match for them as you are. You two are perfect for each other, which is why we want to work with you to make sure you get the perfect piece for the perfect woman.
Does the Jewelry Store Provide Warranties and Insurance Information?
Purchasing jewelry is an emotional decision as much as a financial decision. Ensuring your jewelry pieces have a warranty allows you and your loved one to fully enjoy the jewelry without worrying about the what-ifs.
Reputable jewelry stores will have a lifetime guarantee for their diamonds. However, this warranty typically requires regular inspection and maintenance from the jeweler. After all, the best defense is a good offense. Properly maintaining your diamonds is the best way to ensure they always sparkle and shine and prevent the need for future jewelry repairs.
Wedding ring warranties typically cover the replacement of lost diamonds or gemstones and necessary jewelry repairs and are usually included in the overall price. If you have already purchased your wedding ring and the jewelry store did not offer a warranty, you can still get it insured through a third party. An investment in an engagement ring or wedding band, just like other large purchases, is something you want to protect.
3 Ways to Protect Your Pieces From Needing Jewelry Repairs:
- visit your jeweler for an annual professional cleaning
- keep your jewelry clean at home - most pieces can be cleaned using warm water, a non-abrasive cleaning solution, and a gentle pat dry
- store your jewelry in its original box - if you no longer have the box, invest in a high-quality jewelry box
Jewelry repair is not something you anticipate, but knowing you have the coverage to protect your pieces from being lost or damaged is invaluable. At Fink’s, our experts are happy to share the details on the benefits of jewelry insurance and the preferred third-party companies for trusted jewelry insurance.
Can Fink’s Customize Your Jewelry Pieces?
Yes! Fink’s can absolutely customize almost any jewelry piece to elevate a beautiful piece of jewelry to something personalized and memorable. Of course, all jewelry stores sell jewelry, but a high-quality jewelry store you can trust also has the ability to create jewelry pieces that take your gifting game up a notch.
Customizing jewelry doesn't begin and end with our thoughtfully curated collection. We love when we have the opportunity to take a piece of jewelry that holds special meaning to you and refashion it into a new and exciting piece.
For example, many women love to be involved in the planning process with engagement rings. Incorporating heirlooms or diamonds, stones, or bands from beloved family members is a sweet and thoughtful way to always keep them nearby. We guarantee that working with any members of our team at one of our jewelry stores will create an unforgettable experience.
Top 5 Ways to Customize Your Jewelry:
- customize your diamond engagement ring
- repurpose sentimental items
- monogram jewelry
- engrave jewelry
- birthstone jewelry
Having a customized engagement ring isn’t just for celebrities. More and more couples are realizing that when they find a high-quality jewelry store they trust, they can work with skilled professionals and create magic. So, whether you build and expand off a current design or develop a completely new and unique plan, we are ready and excited to help execute your ideas.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with finding the perfect ring in a display case at a jewelry store. After all, these diamonds and settings were masterfully crafted for a reason. But, if you or your soon-to-be Mrs. want to exercise your sentimental and creative muscles, designing an engagement ring together can be an amazing bonding experience.
Repurposing heirlooms is easily one of the favorite requests our designers get. It’s one thing to trust a jewelry store with your purchase or your jewelry repairs but trusting them with a priceless memento is not something we take lightly. So, if giving new life to a favorite piece of jewelry is something you're interested in, let us help you realize your vision.
Learn About Repurposing Sentimental Jewelry Pieces
Another creative way to customize jewelry is, instead of having old jewelry repaired, to have your jewelry refashioned into a new piece. For example, if you search through your jewelry box, you might find some hidden gems in your collection that need some TLC. Having these pieces transformed into something new instead can breathe new life and create a new staple piece to your jewelry routine.
Customizable Jewelry for the Mom who has Everything
We cannot forget the classic monogram when it comes to personalized jewelry. Fink's has necklaces, rings, and bracelets, all available in your custom monogram. A favorite among new moms is our Made With Love engraved necklace. Because she's not a regular mom, she's a cool mom. Fink's Made With Love necklace is beautiful and displays all the newborn stats we love.
Made With Love New Mom Necklace Details:
- child’s name
- birth date
- birth time
- weight
- length
Giving birth to a new life is a miracle, but it is also a lot of work and involves significant surgery for some women, so a push present is always a good idea to give to your partner. Birthstone gifts featuring the month the baby was born and she became a mom are also an excellent idea to show admiration and appreciation to the woman who does it all.
The Right Jewelry Store Leads to Finding the Perfect Piece of Jewelry
Shopping for any piece of jewelry can feel intimidating. You want to know that when you make this investment in your future, it is with a jewelry store you can trust. At Fink's, we know that whether you're buying for your sweetheart, best friend, or yourself, that quality matters. If you can't trust the jewelry store, then you can’t trust the jewelry they are selling.
The person you are shopping for is lovely, funny, and full of that je ne sais quoi that makes life beautiful. The story of how you met, how you proposed, and your first vacation together are all stories you want to tell over and over again. Jewelry is one of the most beautiful ways to represent the feelings you have for each other and the many moments you experience together.
Shopping for their engagement ring, birthday gift, or push present is part of your story, and it should be full of happiness and as stress-free as possible. So let us at Fink's help you find the perfect piece of jewelry.