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Top Ten Amazon Registered Wish List Jewelry
The most wished for items on Amazon.com (in jewelry bangles & bracelets) is as follows: (as of October
15, 2011)
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Shambhala Jewelry - The New Wave
How many have heard of a Shamballa bracelet? If you shop on Amazon, there's pages of these bracelets being sold. One can find them under the following names/titles:
Shamballa
Shambala
Tibetan Shambhala (correct spelling)
Unisex
Hip-Hop Bracelets
Yes, a good salesman can sell just about everything (and anything) if he or she can promote a product line to the hip-hop community and also appeal to those with a need to connect with the Tibetan community.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding one's inner peace and certainly don't mind wearing a symbol of my devotion - especially if it's encrusted in diamonds. Many may purchase this style ... << MORE >>
Celebrity Faux Jewelry - Crossing the Line?
This brings up the question of who licenses such products and/or are the products actually licensed or, just inspired. We know what they say about inspiration and perspiration, however, how much perspiration does it take to attach a celebrity name to a piece of jewelry and wait for the cash to come rolling in?
In 1998, the Franklin Mint produced products bearing the likeness of Princess Diana. In response, the estate of Princess Diana sued the Franklin Mint and won. In a nutshell, it was found that the Mint did not have the consent to use the identity and trademark of Diana to profit from her death.
However, the law can be a tricky ... << MORE >>
Top Ten Jewelry Best Sellers on Amazon
Those in the know bookmark the Top 100 Amazon Jewelry Sellers and check it daily, while others may not even know a stats page for the Top 100 even exists. As an extra example, I have posted the Top Ten Sellers in the bracelet category.
Star ratings and reviews are posted by Amazon customers and reviews can be helpful in deciding whether or not a product may be right for you.
The ten most popular (best selling) jewelry products on Amazon (as of October 5, 2011) area as follows:
Kabbage - A Leaf or the Whole Head?
Payday loans are simply a bad thing (on every level), however, what if you could take a payday loan and reinvent a payday to the point where you could sell it to merchants who do business on Amazon, Yahoo and eBay?
I have an opinion about the site known as Kabbage and I have a feeling that this site may be nothing but bad news for anyone seeking a funding source for their online business models. It's basically a lending site with a program that decides if your business lives or slowly dies
Kabbage offers merchants what amounts to a loan against their future receivables. This might not be a bad idea for some of the big boys out there, however, the small fries might want to think twice about factoring their invoices. ... << MORE >>
To Buy or Not to Buy a Synthetic Gem
Buying gemstones online can be exciting and akin to a treasure hunt! However, how to distinquish between a synthetic and natural gemstone is part of the detective work treasure hunters have to take into consideration before clicking on the "Buy it Now" or "Place Bid" button.
This Quick Reference Guide will assist you in what too look for in purchasing gemstones. First, if the description states the gem is "lab created" there's not much guesswork involved. If what you're looking for is a Lab Created Gemstone and the description states "Lab Created" then you know what you're buying.
However, sometimes you really have to read the description (line by line) in order to truly know if a gem is Lab Created. Read the description carefully as the words "Lab Created" may be present however, if the description of the item is extremely long, you might just miss the words "Lab Created".
Remember that some lab created gemstones can cost the same (if not more) than a genuine gemstone!
Lab Created gemstones are exactly what they are (created "grown" ...
<< MORE >>BOGO Jewelry Deals on Amazon
Jewelry BOGO deals are somewhat hard to come by as one would think it's a bit difficult to offer jewelry products at an affordable price. In addition, it's even more difficult to find something you might want (or need) two of - except for earrings but, their often sold in pairs!
One seller on Amazon, is offering two for one deals on European bracelets and on beads and charms. The beads and charms fit on any major brand bracelet. The seller ID is Windsor Sterling and while I was referred to their products on Amazon - by a friend who recently purchased a bracelet, I could not find an ... << MORE >>
Declasse Gem Sales on the Rise..
Declasse gems are hitting the market in high numbers as the holiday season kicks into gear. Jewelry sellers seeking to make a quick buck are flooding the market declasse gems. While these gems are normally sold at jewelry and gem trade shows, the true end purchaser is the consumer. Because declasse gems can be purchased at gem shows for just a few dollars a piece (the huge profit margins are the driving force that keeps them on the market). In fact, they can purchased by the bucket load.
Declasse = NO CLASSIFICATION
A declasse gem isNOT hard to identify (nor is a smashed glass diamond) however, a picture is worth a thousand words...
Below is a picture of a Declasse Emerald Ring...
Notice that the Emerald has absolutely NO LIFE! The color is flat and the stone is NOT highly polished).
It looks like a mottled piece of stone (which is what it is). However, there are those who buy these stones (that's really what ...
Cadmium - The NEW Jewelry Industry Nightmare
In an odd move (and announcement) the U.S. jewelry industry has agreed to voluntarily place limitations on the amount of toxic cadmium that can be used in the manufacture of children's jewelry defined and/or described as trinkets. What exactly a trinket is has yet to be determined. I think the big question should be who are those speaking on behalf of the jewelry industry?
No doubt, the best way for the Chinese to keep up exports of children's trinkets to United States is to voluntarily limit the amount ... << MORE >>
Sample an Auction House Find
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<< MORE >>The New Gold Rush? The Pawning of America..
I don't know about the rest of the gold selling world but, I would NOT trust ANY of the ads that being touted on television on how to strike it rich - quick - by selling your gold. In fact, in most cases, no one is receiving the true value of their gold and the margins these present day pirates are making can range from 30% to 60%. The pirates earning 30% to 60% are the ones located in every ... << MORE >>
Proxibid Live Auction Platform Expands
One alternative to hitting the malls or, visiting the river to shop your holiday away might be a site known as Proxibid.
While there are still a few auction sites on the net, live auction sites are far and few between, especially live auctions that have a reputation for being the best and offering up a real time auction format that works on every level. Proxibid has been around for many years and in fact, is one of the few live auction platforms still in operation.
Proxibid offers time auctions as well, however, its live auction format offers more of a good time than waiting for lots to count down.
... << MORE >>
The Tiffany Experience
What in the world makes Tiffany stock worth $84+ a share? For one, Tiffany's has been consecutive in its dividend payments (for years) and its growth rate appears to be unstoppable.
While I do not consider myself affluent (Tiffany's target market), it is the affluent who recover quickly. Those who have money to burn, may burn a bit less in a down economy (and reduce their burning of cash down into a modest campfire - from ... << MORE >>
QuiBids - Bidding or Betting?
On the other side of the coin, it would appear that there are those out there thinking that QuiBids is worth their time studying. I read one post in which the author called the site a scam and accused the site of using bots to place bids. Whether this is true or not, the question becomes can you really buy "X" for as little as "Y". One author claims he was banned from bidding for a period of time, as he won three times in as little twenty-four hours. Yet, another author stated that his "loss" is a "gain" as QuiBids lets one roll their bids toward the purchase of a product.
In other words, if you lose, you still win.
The only ... << MORE >>
The True Pirates of the Caribbean...
Yes, shopping is on the list - as one of the most popular things to do while vacationing on many of the Caribbean islands...
St. Thomas is a popular destination in which to shop, as they claim it's Duty Free! Not really, as jewelry that arrives into St. Thomas (for sale in the endless stream of jewelry stores) has been taxed upon arrival into St. Thomas. So, while everyone advertises Duty Free "this" and Duty free "that" - the simple fact is that the tax has been passed through to you!
St. Maarten is an interesting place for shopping as well. However, the price of finished diamond jewelry in St. Maarten can vary from one store to another (even if that store is one of three stores - all owned by the same company). Go to store number one - get one price and then go to store number two and the price may be 50% higher for the same item as store number one. Go to store number three and the price may be 100% more than at store number one and two!
This practice is known as "hit and miss" sales tactics...
What makes it even more confusing is that many of the jewelry stores in St. Maarten have different names and unless you have the time to dig deep into the identity of the parent corporation (the owner), you would never even know that store number three - owns store number one and two.
If you arrive to St. Maarten on a cruise ship, you're there to see the sights, go to the beach, have a nice lunch and shop. However, shopping for jewelry might be the one activity you may consider leaving off of your list of things to do.
First, if you arrived on a cruise ship, you're there for a limited number of hours. There's very little time for comparison shopping. Second, if you buy an item, get home and find out you overpaid for the item - what is your recourse?
There is very little protection for the buyer of gems and jewelry in the Caribbean. Once you've bought an item, you bought it. The range of excuses of the seller to NOT take the item back may be varied. Here are just a few of the reasons you may be told by the seller, as to why the item may not be returned.
- How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?
- We offer a store credit however, we do not offer refunds.
- We gave you an appraisal with the item and the item is appraised for more than what you paid!
These are just three of the reasons why you might not be able to get a refund. Let's look at the reasoning behind the answers:
How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?
This is one of the best excuses for not taking the item back! If you purchased a 10 carat diamond tennis necklace then the seller may make this statement to you.
You purchased the item (outside of the United States) got back on a ship, cruised back to U.S., went through Customs, paid Duty, got home, went to your local jeweler and he told you that the diamonds were I-1's as opposed to SI-1's.
You contact the jeweler in the Caribbean and he states "How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?".
Essentially, the seller in Caribbean can claim that the diamonds you received were SI-1's and now you're claiming that the diamonds were graded as I-1's. The seller may possibly claim that diamonds were switched out.
We offer a store credit however, we do not offer refunds...
This is probably the most utilized excuse to not offer a refund. The seller (in this case) has compromised. He has offered a 100% store credit! However, you have to go back to the store to complete the transaction (and the likelihood of you getting on a plane in California and connecting through three flights - to get a Caribbean island - is highly unlikely).
The seller knows that there's more than a chance that you will opt to keep the item, as you won't travel back anytime soon. However, he might also state "next time you're here, bring the piece back to us and you can upgrade the item through a store credit." Another compromise and the potential of another sale!
We gave you an appraisal with the item and the sale was final...
Yes, you received an appraisal however, according to your state side jeweler - you overpaid for the 10 carat diamond necklace by $4,000.00. The seller may then state "appraisals are subjective and are just opinions. Read the terms and conditions of your appraisal and you'll find that we state as much on the appraisal."
Appraisals are a funny thing. They are simply opinions (as to value) and may be based upon estimated retail value and not actual replacement value. However, what's worse is if the appraisal was provided by the jewelry store that sold you the item!
Never, ever, accept appraisals from jewelry stores which offer "in-house" appraisals as the appraiser works for the seller - NOT for you!
The cruise ship lines want YOU to feel comfortable when purchasing jewelry. They offer "port of call" lectures and direct YOU to jewelry stores they endorse as "trusted" merchants.
You've seen the signs in front of these jewelry stores - touting the name of the ship you're on and welcoming you with open arms...
In addition, you may have been provided with a map, which lists all of the cruise ship "trusted" and/or "recommended" jewelry merchants.
Now, do you think the cruise lines are just being "Good Samaritans" recommending merchants who they simply "trust" and passing on this vital information to you?
No. The cruise line is NOT the one making the recommendation, it's the on board "port shopping guide/lecturer" making these recommendations. Remember, the cruise lines protect their "brand" at all times. Shops on board a cruise ship are leased to a Duty Free provider and the sales people in these shops are NOT employed by the cruise lines.
The cruise lines are always "one-removed" away from the actual sale...
While they (port shopping guides) appear to work for the cruise line (as they have a name badge with the name of cruise ship and a title) they more than likely do NOT work directly for the cruise line. They work for a company (as a contractor), which attempts to control and/or steer you to specific stores on land (in the various ports of call).
In exchange for your trust, you'll receive a "guarantee" which states that you can return the item for various reasons except for "Buyer's Remorse". In exchange for the port shopping guide sending you into a recommended store, the port shopping guide company receives a percentage of every sale generated by the recommended merchant.
Here's the rub...
The only way for the port shopping referral company to ensure compliance (on behalf of the seller/merchant - to collect their percentage of the sale) is to get the passenger to complete a form, which activates the "guarantee". This in turn, acts as an inventory control system for off-ship sales. This process ensures that the cruise ship port of call shopping guide company gets paid.
The system (while not complex) ensures compliance of both the seller and buyer. In addition, the jewelry store not only pays a percentage to the port shopping guide company but, also pays (in many cases) a fee for inclusion in the port shopping guide.
However, if you purchased an item from a jewelry store, which was NOT recommended by the port shopping guide - you're on your own! Does this mean that the mom and pop jewelry stores (which are NOT a recommended merchant) should not be trusted? No. In fact, the deals at the mom and pop stores are more reasonable, as they're NOT paying to be included in the port shopping guide and/or paying a commission on every sale.
This is how this business operates - plain and simple! No one knows just how many items are ever returned (under the guarantee) offered by cruise ship port shopping guide organizations. The number is unkown.
Is it wrong? You be the judge! If you don't buy it on the ship, you'll be referred to a store on land. Remember, you are in a venue which is known as a "captured audience".
The best bit of advice is to NOT to buy jewelry on Caribbean islands. In fact, if you just have to buy something "anything" to remember your trip (and you really want to buy that 10 carat diamond tennis necklace in the window) go to an internet cafe on the island, spend a few dollars for net time and do a search on eBay to compare prices!
Roku, Jewelry & You!
Millions now own a Roku box and if they don't own a Roku box, they more than likely own a Blu-Ray player, an Xbox 360 or an internet ready television in which to capture programming ... << MORE >>
Trade Shows Allowing Counterfeits
Believe me, when I say, I'm not against anyone trying to make a living in these poor economic times. However, I simply can no longer stand by and say nothing, when I walk ... << MORE >>
Cruising for a Bruising..
Yes, shopping is on the list - as one of the most popular things to do while vacationing on many of the Caribbean islands...
St. Thomas is a popular destination in which to shop, as they claim it's Duty Free! Not really, as jewelry that arrives into St. Thomas (for sale in the endless stream ...