The next big jewelry holiday is Valentine's Day - Heart shaped pendants, pink and red earrings, lots of different Valentine themed jewelry comes to mind. If you are shopping for a special jewelry piece this Valentine's Day, you may want to take some advice from the Better Business Bureau:

" Before you make a jewelry purchase:
Educate yourself about the special features of the particular jewelry (pearls, gemstones, gold, platinum, etc.) you are considering. The federal trade commission (www.ftc.gov) offers an online booklet on buying jewelry, as does the BBB (www.bbb.org).

• Shop around. Compare quality, price and service.


• Ask about the store's refund and return policy. Carefully read all warranties and guarantees and ask questions if the terms are unclear.


• Make sure the jeweler writes on the sales receipt all the information you relied on when making your purchase, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewelers will supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

The BBB offers more advice about buying jewelry both on and off line in this article published on the Citizen-Times website: " BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: Tips on buying jewelry"