Maddie Gets Advice She Can Trust from J&J Diamond Jewelers

I'm getting married this fall and I've immersed myself in everything wedding-related.

The staff at J&J Diamond Jewelers have been so helpful, because of course, your jewelry decisions don't stop with the engagement ring. Many couples choose wedding bands, necklaces and earrings for their bridesmaids, watches or similar items for their groomsmen and special jewelry for the mothers. Now's a great time to shop as all in-stock diamond at J&J Diamond Jewelers are half off this month!

J&J Diamond Jewelers' Danielle Vieira and Sharon Vieira recently gave me some great tips on shopping for wedding jewelry:

1) Don't get too hung up on the Google machine. You might try to Google advice on buying diamonds and other jewelry before you go shopping, but search engines won't alway produce the best information. Instead, talk with a trusted professional and shop around.

2) Start with the budget. There are beautiful engagement rings at any price point, but if you search for the best of the best online, you might experience some sticker shock when you get to the store. And rest assured, J&J Diamond Jewelers is a smaller shop but they can compete with much larger retailers in both quality and price; they also can create custom pieces.

3) Create a Pinterest board for inspiration. It's helpful for future brides to share with their boyfriends, if a couple isn't shopping together.

4) If you're undecided, pick a timeless design. For diamonds, that's a round shape. Settings and shapes, like anything else, have fads but round diamonds have stood the test of time.

5) Don't let inexperience get in your way. Guys often aren't used to wearing jewelry and fear their wedding band is too tight when professionals present a perfect fit.

“Too many times have I heard of grooms losing their band in the water during their honeymoon because they wanted the wrong size," Sharon said. "Trust the professionals.”

I felt really comfortable talking with Sharon and Danielle, and they assured me that building those types of honest relationships with customers is how their business thrives.

"Being a small business in this industry works in our favor, because we are able to connect with our customers on a more personal level," Danielle said. "Our customers are often repeat customers, and our new customers are typically referred by our regular ones. We take the time to form a relationship."

So whether you're shopping for wedding jewelry or a Mother's Day gift, I can't recommend the professionals at J&J Diamond Jewelers highly enough. They have a great selection of diamonds, as well as the birthstone and family-themed jewelry moms love.