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Will The Jeweler Switch or Steal My Loose Diamond??
One of the most common stresses and anxieties for consumers when bringing a piece of jewelry or diamond engagement ring to a jeweler for setting/polishing/sizing etc., is that he may swap the diamond for a fake cubic zirconium.
Indeed this very same anxiety and angst is also prevalent when buying diamonds and jewelry, regardless of whether or not the purchase is made in a jewelry store or on the Internet.
We get this question all of the time with consumers who call us looking for diamonds and jewelry. Sure, there is a ton of information, documentation and diamond grading reports that accompany each stone. Still, consumers are often nervous.....and wonder whether the "diamond they receive is going to be the same as the one they actually ordered".
"How do I know it's gonna be the same diamond", they ask?
Certainly, this is a reasonable, fair and legitimate question for any consumer when buying diamonds and jewelry locally or over the net.
These are high ticket and valuable items and consumers would like some assurance on their purchase.
The answer to these concerns which apply to all consumers and for all methods of diamond and jewelry shopping (Internet and locally) is as follows:
"Knowledge is Power"
There is nothing worse and more unfortunate than a diamond and jewelry shopper without a proper education, grasp and knowledge of what he/she is buying. These guys/gals are like "deer in the headlights" and are an open invitation to all manners of trickery and unscrupulous salespeople.
It always amazes me when I see people investing more effort and attention on educating themselves before buying a tux or gown for the wedding, than on a far more valuable diamond engagement ring.
Folks, diamonds are not all created equal!
Some look brilliant and are of excellent cut quality, specifications and documentation. Others, are of poor cut quality, dubious "grading" and minimal brilliancy.
When you empower yourself with the knowledge and education to be able to discern and appreciate the differences, you will be in a much better position to recognize and resist the charlatans and snake-oil salesmen.
Research, Research, Research
Do your homework on the jewelry store or Internet website you are thinking of spending money with. Find out what their previous customers have to say. If it's a local retail jewelry store, scour the papers, neighborhood, family, friends etc. Most likely, these stores will have an affiliation and alliance with some well known "confidence booster" entities, like the BBB, JVC and others.
This same method of research applies to Internet diamond stores as well.
In fact, the Internet is an excellent resource of education and information. Do a Google or Yahoo search on the local jewelry store or Internet diamond store you are contemplating. In all likelihood you will get scores (maybe even hundreds..etc.) of results from various places in cyberspace where consumers will have posted feedback and testimonials regarding these companies.
You will see the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Diamond Laser Inscription
A specific laser inscription with the diamond grading report number or logo, inscribed on the girdle of your diamond, goes a long way towards protecting yourself from a jeweler with "sticky fingers". The laser inscription which can be viewed under a high power magnifying glass, although not entirely foolproof (it can be removed and/or inscribed on a different stone), is nevertheless a very effective and inexpensive way of insuring that your diamond isn't swapped out for something else while it is in the temporary care of a local jeweler.
Diamond Gemprint Technology
The Gemprint technology is also a very effective way of protecting your valuable loose diamond against swapping or theft.
Proper Diamond Documentation
Make sure you get comprehensive scientific qualitative and quantitative documentation on your valuable loose diamond. Information like a valid and independent Diamond Grading Report, MegaScope, BrillianceScope, and other such accepted metrics of your loose diamonds quality and specifications will all help you recognize and protect your diamond against theft and switching.
Independent Diamond Appraisal
Always make sure to get a proper independent appraisal on your loose diamond or diamond engagement ring before / after you buy it, as well as a possible re-check (by the same appraiser) after your ring has been serviced and away from you for an extended period of time.
A truly independent diamond and jewelry appraiser, is someone who has absolutely no vested interest in supporting/promoting the purported value of the item, nor does he have a vested interest in bashing and devaluing the item. These are competent and reputable professionals who do nothing other than appraise diamonds and jewelry for a living. They do not sell diamonds and jewelry and do not work for the company who sold you the merchandise in the first place.
Therefore, you should not accept an appraisal from a person who sells diamonds and jewelry for a living and who offers his own "in-house appraisals" with the merchandise he sells. Nor should you bring your merchandise purchased elsewhere to an "appraiser" who also sells diamonds and jewelry as his primary source of income!
Why?
Simply because in one instance there is a conflict and a vested interest to validate the purchase price and more, to make you feel like you got a great deal and to ensure that you keep the merchandise. In the other scenario, a jewelry store that offers "Free appraisals" etc. will often do so, with the sole intention of bashing a competitors merchandise undeservedly, in order to pull the rug out by stealing a sale and getting the customer to return the item in order to sell the unsuspecting customer one of his own items in return. A classic approach for these scum is when they say.."oh I can get you a much better stone at a far better price...you totally overpaid...etc"
Both of these types of appraisals are worthless and unethical.
The people, stores and jewelers who engage in these types of shenanigans are exactly the hooligans who create the fear and angst on the part of the consumer in the first place.
Remember, a diamond grading report is not the same as an appraisal for this very reason. Whereas a grading report talks about the diamond with respect to what you should have and hopefully paid for...the Independent appraisal report actually confirms it for you. Both are crucial and important.
Reputable Jewelers Value Their Reputation Over Everything
This point is an often overlooked consideration when dealing with the stresses and anxiety involved in purchasing a loose diamond and/or submitting your diamond ring to a jewelry store for cleaning, polishing, setting, re-sizing etc.
That is to say that if after all of the extensive research you have done on the company...and you are still nervous, you need to consider the following:
A reputable jewelry store or Internet websites' largest and greatest asset is their REPUTATION!
In the final analysis, you need to understand and appreciate the fact that once you have found a clearly reputable company and jeweler, the proverbial "buck stops with them".
To be certain, you need to find your own comfort level. However, consider that regardless of what the value might be for the diamond or diamond engagement ring you have purchased (or are having serviced), the bottom line is that the hard fought, hard earned and well deserved reputation these jewelers have established over the years, is worth much more "money" than any one isolated sale and transaction and they would never do anything to jeopardize that.
So go out there, do your homework and due diligence, arm yourself with proper knowledge, buy informed and rest assured!!
I wish you all the best of luck!
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Comments
Today we just had a women come into the store she had spent $4,100.00 at a jewelry store in our area left the store with out so much as a receipt showing that she spent that money in the store. Sorry to say this is a common story we are getting around here. She wanted to up grade with us even though she bought the ring from another store she told us when she was asking around every one she talked to pointed to our store for customer service, selection, and above else honesty. Reputation is 100% the most important place to start, and if I may make a little suggestion look, look, and then look again at your stone under a loop know your stones birth marks no two stones are the same. Before you leave any store ask to see their loop and look at your stone bring all your paper work with you. Show the jeweler that you know your stone look at it before you leave it with the loop and then again when you get it back.
Posted by: njdiamonds on July 20, 2007 7:47 PM