It's a simple fact that most fashion jewelry purchases are made at large stores, both online and in the 'real' world, but you should go directly to the source for the best deals and newest original pieces. There are several important reasons why you should take a closer look at websites for online jewelry designers.

They Make the Jewelry

Well duh, right? Actually, this is a critical difference between buying from a jewelry designer directly and picking up a piece in a big shop. Most online designers make the jewelry that they sell themselves, as opposed to delegating the work (i.e., making production pieces). This means that you can expect consistently high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, which leads to increased durability and value.

You Can Get a Great Deal

Many online jewelry designers do not have physical retail locations. Yes, they may sell to galleries and stores, but if they don't maintain their own shops, they will have fewer expenses regarding employees, retail space rental, etc. Lower overhead means great savings for the consumer. Sometimes you can purchase a designer's piece at a gallery or big online jewelry store, sometimes at the same price, but you may pay twice as much as if you purchased from the designer! Also, it is a sad fact that most jewelry designers and other craftspeople lower their prices or cost for time in order to compete with cheap production work.

One-of-a-Kind

If you really want to make a fashion statement, you want a piece as unique as you are! Big stores, both on the Internet and with physical locations, like to purchase large quantities of a small number of designs that will appeal to many people. This makes good business sense for them, since it takes a lot of time and effort to individually describe each product. Therefore, if you want unique jewelry, you need to go to the source. Many designers do custom work, so if you don't see what you are looking for, it can be designed for you. Making one-of-a-kind jewelry is what designers DO. They can't help but design! The freshest jewelry is just off the designer's workbench, not sitting in a store.

They're Small Businesses

This is great for consumers! Small businesses have higher overall customer satisfaction than bigger businesses because they take a personal interest in you and your order. You will get consistently great service and personal service. Yes, there is a lot to be said for big name stores. I buy from them too, but if I want a signature accessory I want personal attention!

Shopping Tips

There is no better place to get a great deal on unique fashion jewelry than directly from the designer. Here are some tips to ensure you have the best shopping experience.

• Contact the Designer There are a lot of websites that haven't been recently updated. Play it safe and e-mail a designer before making a purchase.
• Get Insurance Protect the designer and yourself and get packages insured for their full value.
• Never e-mail credit card information This applies to all Internet purchases, not just jewelry.
• Get Guarantees in Writing Ask about returns, guarantees, and repair policies. You can print off policies from a website or from e-mail. This is good advice for all Internet purchases.

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