February jewelry sales are a mixed bag. You'll see some deals before Valentine's Day, but not everything's on sale. And the word "sale" alone doesn't automatically connote your best deal, says Sharon Banfield, public relations director for PriceGrabber.com.
Her advice: Be cautious, and do your homework. Because Valentine's Day is largely an impulse-buy holiday, you can get good deals if you shop around and compare prices starting around Feb. 4, Banfield says. Some items will be discounted 30 percent to 50 percent.
Expect better deals: August and September are the best times for getting a deal on fine jewelry, says Hillary Mendelsohn, author of "thepurplebook" online shopping series and founder of ThePurpleBook.com. That's when you can find more discounts, often in the 30 percent to 40 percent range.
What is on sale in February: Valentine's Day candy -- starting Feb. 15. So if you love chocolates and don't mind a heart-shaped box (or other Valentine's Day trappings), this is your kind of month.
Look for holiday-themed goodies (such as candy and cookies) at up to 75 percent off, Banfield says.