I abhor HSN and QVC, but there’s something mesmerizing about jewelry on television. They zoom in on it to make it look a lot bigger than it is and the lights they use make it look so much more shinier and bolder than when you actually get it. And when you do get it, it’s a huge disappointment.
Well, at least that’s what happens when you order from GemsTV. I ordered what appeared to me as a gorgeous ruby ring to only be magnificently disappointed by it. It wasn’t red, it was like a pink tourmaline. A translucent, included, pink tourmaline. It was a huge disappointment and I will never order anything from GemsTV again. No matter how much their foreign, British accents tell me to otherwise. (Their return policy is amazingly efficient though, so getting my jewelry refunded was a breeze.)
On the other hand, JTV is fantastic. They have the lowest prices of all the jewelry networks and they have a review system that allows you to determine if the piece is worth your time and money. I’ve purchased two pearl necklace sets (14kt gold, necklace and earrings for under $50), three pairs of CZ earrings in 14 kt gold ($25), and a 2.1 kt garnet ring in gold ($60). I haven’t had an unsatisfactory purchase, especially at these prices. The jewelry, for the price, is perfect and you don’t feel guilty wearing it to work or losing it.
Both channels have amazingly friendly customer service and ship via a tracking system. JTV, however, has lots of coupons for free shipping or 10% off in magazines and online, so you can save even more. And because they keep the same styles in stock and put them on major sales periodically, you can get an even greater deal around every holiday out there. JTV doesn’t have the mesmerizing production effects that GemsTV does, so in that perspective, JTV sucks. But in terms of quality and price, JTV wins by a long shot.
UPDATE: JTV ships via UPSMI, which works really well. The first order I ever had from JTV I had to sign for, but ever since then, they have slipped the jewelry through the mailslot in my door. I live in the city and have a hard time signing for packages with my commute, so it’s nice to not be inconvenienced to receive packages.
