Things Your Jeweler Won’t Tell You

Slide 1Overview
Shopping for a new accessory can be stressful. Oftentimes, unless you specifically
ask, jewelers aren't going to volunteer up information about which pieces may
turn your skin green or how to tell the difference between cubic zirconium and
the real deal. Unfortunately, not all jewelry pieces come with a “handle with care”
booklet to fill us in on how to best care for what could be the most expensive
pieces in our lives.
might be fake
Think you got a great deal on that beautiful ruby? It may not be real. A number of
jewelers nationwide have been caught selling “composite rubies,” which are as
much as 40 to 50 percent glass, for the price of the real thing.
Diamonds aren’t
the only stone
your
engagement
ring
There are many precious, natural stones that make gorgeous engagement rings;
sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and more. Talk with your fiancé about these alternative
options to diamonds.
If you still want a diamond center, there are other ways to incorporate colored stones.
Create a halo or pavé set colored stones around the band. Both are great options for
that splash of color.
There’s a way
craftsmanship
A sure sign of bad craftsmanship: rough edges on the back of the piece. If it’s not
finished underneath, they’ve probably cut corners somewhere else.
Clarity isn’t
everything
If you’re buying a diamond on a budget, don’t get stuck on the clarity grade. You
can come down several clarity grades and in most cases will see absolutely no
difference with the naked eye, especially once it’s set in a piece of jewelry.
Be skeptical
If your jeweler tells you that none of his emeralds are treated in any way, he’s
probably either ill informed or dishonest. Almost all emeralds today are treated.
Don’t dish out
cleaner
Clean your gems in warm water with a mild liquid detergent and a toothbrush. For
some extra shine on your diamonds (as long as they’re not fracture filled), spray a
little Windex on them, then wipe it off. That’s actually what a lot of jewelers use,
even the ones who sell expensive cleaner.
Skip the
extended
warranty
Extended warranties from jewelry stores typically aren’t worth the money. If you
have a rider on your homeowners insurance for your ring and it’s lost, damaged, or
stolen, or if a stone falls out, your policy will usually cover it.
Our big
gimmick
The “60 or 70 percent off ” sales you sometimes see? Not possible. There just isn’t
enough margin in what we sell today that you can discount like that and run a
business and pay your bills.
Steer clear of
expensive
lasers
Here’s a word to watch for on that diamond’s certification report: laser. If your
diamond has a high clarity grade, but under Comments it says laser path or laser,
that means a laser beam was used to get rid of a flaw, and it should cost 15 to 40
percent less than an untreated diamond of the same grade.
There's no such
thing as a
diamond sale
Your local jewelry store is advertising a "blowout sale" -- what better time to
splurge on that diamond bracelet that seemed too pricey at Valentine's, right? Bad
news: True sales don't exist, at least not with diamonds. If (a sale) ever happens,
that's the end of the diamond business.
You can make
expensive
Want your ring to look better than rings that are far more valuable? There’s a simple
formula: Keep it clean. A clean imperfect diamond is much more attractive than a
dirty flawless one.
better
People tend to think that stores that do a lot of volume can give you the best price,
but the reality is that the markups at national chains are often a lot higher than the
markups at independent jewelry stores. Always check and compare.
Check before
you buy
If you’re paying big bucks for a diamond, always get a certification report from a
major lab such as the GIA or AGS.
Be wary of
stores that
buy gold
To cope in this economy, a lot of jewelers have transformed themselves into buyers
of scrap gold because it’s a way to make quick money. But many have let their
merchandise selection slip as a result.
Don’t blame
them
Sure, there may be some jewelers who don’t tell their customers the diamond
they’re buying is fracture filled. But there are also a lot of husbands and boyfriends
out there who don’t tell their loved one that the diamond they’re getting is fracture
filled. The woman brings it to me to clean or alter it, all the filling comes out—and
I’m the one left in the lurch.
Get
documentation
If you’re buying something expensive, ask your jeweler to put the details of your
piece in writing on the sales receipt. Then take it to a gemologist appraiser who
holds a respected credential (MGA, CGA, or CMA). Never deal with a jeweler who
doesn’t have a generous return policy.
Know the lingo
Your diamond has been “clarity enhanced,” it basically means it had fractures that
we filled with glass.
tricks
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry, then return it with the smell of perfume all over it
and say, “My wife didn’t like it.” At least clean it first.
They can make
Grandma’s old
jewelry look
good again
If you have a ring that was passed on, but it’s not to your taste, bring it in and have
me take the stones out, rearrange it, put it in a new setting. Don’t let it just sit in
your jewelry box.
You aren’t
stuck with an
ugly birthstone
Before you complain about your birthstone, find out whether it comes in other
colors. Most do. November’s topaz, for example, can be blue, yellow, green,
purple, or pink.
“Real” doesn’t
mean much
Just because a stone is a genuine diamond, ruby, sapphire, or emerald doesn’t mean
it’s valuable. They can show you some that aren’t worth 50 cents a carat because
they’re cloudy or dull, but they can still sell them to you for a big profit
Mixed
all the rage
The biggest trend in jewelry right now? Sterling silver jewelry mixed with gold
accents. Because gold and platinum prices are so high, we’re selling a lot more
silver. Get a polishing cloth to keep it from tarnishing.
Conclusion
Not all jewelers are out to deceive you! There are many wonderful jewelers who
provide great information, expert guidance, and outstanding customer service. As
the saying goes, “if you don’t know jewelry, know your jeweler”!