Secrets is having their 10th birthday sale. I was in the Doncaster store and one of the girls told me that there is 10% off all chains at the moment.
Apart from that, it's 5% - 40% off all items; but there's no printed list.
Also, because the store's are franchises, I don't know if all stores offer the same discount.
There's a list of before sale chain prices here.
One Example
At Doncaster, VIC, that means that a 14 ct yellow gold 16" sparkly chain which normally costs $100, is $90 at the moment.
I don't know what the discounts on the other items are (eg rings, pendants , ear rings)
Who would be interested in this?
People already planning to make a purchase from Secrets might want to buy during the sale
People who are looking to get some jewelry as a gift.
About Secrets
They specialize in what they call "diamond simulants". Others call them cubic zirconias.
I think some of the pieces look very nice.
Why Secrets?
To my eye (I'm a hetero if slightly artistic male), they have some nice pieces.
From Googling people's opinions it's suggested that, you can find cheaper jewelry out there that has cubic zirconias, but Secrets has nice fastenings, clasps, settings etc.
If you want cheaper OR don't like the styles at Secrets, there are other jewelry sellers out there.
Replating for White Gold
http://www.secrets-shhh.com/care-maintenance
Only $20 to replate their white gold items.
I was also told, by the people in Doncaster, that the first white gold replating (for rings at least) is free. (But you may want to confirm before you make any purchases)
Despite that, another reason to go with Secrets is, if you are getting say, a white gold ring, you can get your first replating done for free, and it's about $20 a replate after that. (That's what Doncaster confirmed for me, check with your store before you make your purchase decision).
Complimentary Cleaning
http://www.secrets-shhh.com/care-cleaning
Lifetime Guarantee
They also include a lifetime guarantee against discolouration or loss of brilliance of the stone. Though I can't tell you if cubic zirconias do or do not lose brilliance or discolour when in contact with people (skin, sweat, oils, etc).
A nifty thing is that you can look up the prices on the Internet (at least the pre sale prices) for various pieces and see what happens as you change the size of the stone and/or the metal. Generally I found changing the metal didn't change the price but changing the size of the stone(s) did.
They also have a quick 3 item suggestions on other items that could form up a set. I found that helpful and um … ended up getting more items for a friend :)
Warning 1
If you are buying it as a gift, it can be a good idea to bring the intended receiver to the store. I read on the Internet that some girls do not like cubic zirconias at all, so it's a good idea to find out of the intended recipient:
- likes what they see
- likes the styles there
Also, note that necklaces are not sold as such. There's the pendant and then there's the chain. The people in the store can help you match and identify for you which styles of chain can match. (I think that chain page had names, lengths, metals and prices but did not have pictures)
Warning 2
Not all combinations from the website will be in stock. I'm not sure if you can get a discount, if they have to specially order in an item or not. If it's not in stock, you probably want to check if there is a discount and what the after discount price will be.
Also, if you intend to lay-by or part pay, you might want to confirm that the discounted price will still be the total price, if your later payments are after the sale is over.
Store Affiliation?
No. I am not affiliated with the store. I am a customer.
But I am really thankful that, I had ordered in a chain, and when I got there to pay for it, the people at Doncaster told me the birthday sale had started, that it's 10% off all chains in store at the moment and so, they were giving me 10% off too :)
Note: I don't think they have to offer sale discounts to all items ordered in; they may have just been really nice to me :)
Chains usually aren't ordered in items; Sam, there, was able to help me out with a modification to a chain I'm giving a friend :) … so that had to be specially ordered in
Why'd I put in a "Why Secrets"?
I was influenced by some of the stuff I found out there, I figured that:
- not everyone will want cubic zirconias so that should be mentioned quickly
- there are other places people can get cubic zirconia jewelry, possibly cheaper (if not the same items or appearance) so, this might not be for the shopper looking for the cheapest prices for a generic category of jewelry
- no one seemed to mention the bits about cleaning or replating, that I happened to find. Not even my friend, who I was getting the jewelry for, knew about the cleaning and replating :) She was happy about it
- it can be easier for me, when I Google later, to find the links to the cleaning and replating. If you try to find it via the website, I think it's under, "Our Designs", "Care", then the appropriate category. I don't know why it doesn't have it's own "Care" category :P
Note: My experience of/with Secrets only goes back a few months and what I've gleaned from friends.
I believe they don't normally have discounts, ever.
So either this is the start of a new era for them or it's a rare opportunity.
I'm thinking it's a rare opportunity :)