Order jewelry online: get the size right, exchange, avoid mispurchases

Ordering jewelry online: find the right size, exchange, and avoid bad purchases. In short: When buying online, three measurements determine success: finger circumference for rings, wrist circumference for bracelets, neck circumference for necklaces. Taking these before ordering saves you the return shipment. Under German distance selling laws, a right of withdrawal of at least 14 days applies.

Status: September 2026. By Phil Oberlaender, Corelune Jewellery, Düsseldorf.

Jewelry is cheaper online because there are no store rent or consultation costs. The trade-off is that you cannot try anything on. This can be solved with a strip of paper and three minutes of your time.

The three measurements

Ring: Place a strip of paper around your finger, mark the overlap, measure the length in millimeters—that is the German ring size. Bracelet: Use a measuring tape around your wrist, plus an extra one to two centimeters. Necklace: Measure your neck circumference, then add the desired drop length; 40 centimeters sits at the neck, 45 on the collarbone, 50 below it.

What to check before clicking

Is the base material stated, not just "metal"? Are there measurements in millimeters instead of "dainty"? Is there an address in the imprint that can be identified? Is the final price including VAT and shipping costs displayed before completing the purchase? These four points separate reputable shops from the others; more on this under Buying jewelry online safely.

How to return items correctly

Trying items on is allowed, just like in a store. Anything beyond that, such as wearing it for a week, can lead to a demand for compensation. Keep the original packaging, leave the labels on, and everything will go smoothly. At Corelune, there is a 14-day return period, shipping from the Netherlands, and free shipping on orders over 59 euros. This makes exchanges practical because you can combine two sizes in one order. How to determine your exact ring size is in the ring size chart; for bracelets, the length calculator helps. The current models are in the Corelune collection.

Examples to which this applies: Dolphin Fuchsia pearl necklace made of stainless steel and Braided flower necklace light green made of stainless steel. You can find more necklaces in the category the necklace collection.

Fittingly: Ordering jewelry online: delivery time, returns, and how to recognize a German retailer.

What jewelry can handle in everyday life and what it cannot

Stainless steel handles water without problems, yet there are situations where taking it off is the wiser decision. Chlorine and salt water are not critical for stainless steel, but they are for coatings and glued stones. Everything beyond that is unnecessary for stainless steel.

Which bad jewelry purchases can be avoided?

If you ask yourself one question before buying jewelry, you can rule out half of all poor choices: How often will I really wear this? Anyone who doesn't know the size will guess, and guessing with rings almost always leads to the wrong size. This significantly reduces the probability that the piece will end up sitting in a drawer after two weeks.

How do you recognize quality in jewelry?

The workmanship can be checked without needing to know anything about alloys or manufacturing processes. The clasp is the most common weak point, followed by eyelets and solder joints, in that order. If one of these points fails, the rest is secondary because the piece will break exactly there first.

How do you care for jewelry correctly?

If you invest two minutes once a month, you can keep jewelry in its original condition for years. Store it in a dry, dark, and separate place—never permanently in the bathroom. What cannot be removed this way is usually abrasion, not dirt.

How do you wear jewelry without it looking cluttered?

A harmonious look is created through gradation, not through as many pieces as possible. Rose gold combines well with yellow gold, but with silver only through a bicolor link. Two coordinated pieces look more thoughtful than five random ones.

What do you get in which price range?

The question is less about what a piece costs, but how often you will wear it. Those who order several pieces at once lower the unit price much more effectively than by choosing a cheaper variant. In this price range, you are buying utility, not an investment, and that should be the expectation.

Material, measurements, and prices at a glance

Showering, swimming, and sports do not affect stainless steel; it does not tarnish. For reference, here are the values from the Corelune assortment.

Frequently asked questions

Can you send jewelry back online if it doesn't fit?

Yes. For distance selling orders in Germany, a right of withdrawal of at least 14 days from receipt applies, without providing reasons. Individually made pieces, such as those with custom engraving, are excluded. Checking and trying on is permitted; constant wearing can reduce the refund amount.

How do I find my ring size without a ring sizer?

With a strip of paper about one centimeter wide. Wrap it tightly around your finger, mark the overlap with a pen, flatten the strip, and read the length to the mark in millimeters. 54 millimeters in circumference is ring size 54. Measure in the evening, as fingers are at their thickest then.

Which necklace length matches which neckline?

40 centimeters sits tightly against the neck and matches turtlenecks and high necklines. 45 centimeters falls on the collarbone and works with almost everything; this is the most common order size. 50 centimeters and longer hang lower and look best with V-necklines and when combining multiple necklaces.

Is it worth buying several of the same pieces?

Yes, if you wear a piece daily. Two identical pieces worn in rotation last significantly longer together than one used continuously because the stress is distributed across the clasp and contact surfaces.

Discover stainless steel necklaces

About the author

Phil Oberlaender runs Corelune Jewellery in Düsseldorf and has been working with stainless steel jewelry daily since 2024: pattern checking, complaints, everyday wear tests. The information in this article comes from his own assortment and from customer feedback. Where Corelune does not offer something, it states as much here.

Which categories fit this topic?

Matching pieces:

• Adjustable rings
• Women's bracelets

Two pieces cost 20% less, three 25%, four 30%, five 35%. Shipping is free from 59 euros. Two coordinated pieces provide more styling options than a single one.

View adjustable rings at Corelune

At Corelune: Free shipping from €59, 14-day return, shipping from the Netherlands.

→ View waterproof jewelry at Corelune