Trusting a jeweler

[Bree]

This may sound dumb but..........

Does it ever happen that when a ring goes to get repaired, the jeweler will switch the diamonds for something of a lower quality? For instance3.... how do I tell the between VS1 or VS2 and SI1 and SI2 without being an expert on it. Sure, I can buy a VS1 and have the certificate, but if there the differences arent distinguishable to the naked eye, then I'm really at the mercy at a jeweler.

Is there anything in place that keeps jewelers honest? Is there anything that can empower ME to keep somthing like this from happening?????

Thanx

[candigirl78]

no it's not a dumb question at all, i think the same thing everything i drop off my ring lol ......................... i would ask them to take pics and measure for you i hear thats the best way to check like if there are flaws or what have u then u know where to look and from the pic u can check and the measurements are like a double check

[ukmarkyj]

Fortunately, instances of this type are few and far between, but sadly this is an understandable concern. Whether it be intentional or accidental, mix-ups are not unheard of.

Make sure you know your piece of jewellery. If it is a solitaire ring, invest in a 10x loupe and study your diamond. By being aware of even the most subtle characterisics of your own jewellery, you will instantly recognise the stone.

Make sure the jeweller is a part of a professional organisation and is experienced with diamonds. They should be able to reassure you by disclosing the work involved and how you can rest assured that your diamond will be returned as it was submitted.

It is important that you feel you can trust this person who is caring for your jewellery. If you have any doubts, go elsewhere. Depending on where you are located in the world, there are national organisations (such as the BJA in England) who can recommend a reputable jeweller.

[timsharpe]

Is there anything that can empower ME to keep somthing like this from happening?????

Thanx

The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.

[Sarah]

I have had trouble with unreliable jewelers in the past as well, and I was pretty nervous about who to trust when my husband and I were looking into buying a new and expensive diamond necklace for our 10th anniversary. I have been doing some research and the American Gem Society, (www.americangemsociety.org) says that certified diamond retailers are the best and most reliable way to get quality diamonds. Its really risky to buy a diamond online we've heard so we stuck to retailers. Do you agree?

[Yosef]

Hi Sarah I don't really agree. First of all I hope you will allow me to correct a few things:

#1 Certified - most diamonds are never certified, they're graded and given a lab report. So while the lab's grade is very helpful especially from a very reputable one like the GIA or AGS, it's not "certified" because that implies a guarantee, and labs don't guarantee grades, only retailers do that (sometimes). We happen to certify our diamonds, another words if we say it's VS1 we guarantee the accuracy of the grade for as long as you own it.

#2 Online dealers - I agree with you to a certain extent, buying a diamond online can be risky, but that's only if you don't know what to look for, and in many ways the same can be said about offline dealers as well. I run a store and a website so I'm neutral. If you buy paper instead of diamonds (another words you're buying a diamond solely based on a grade written on some report) this is where you run into problems. It's very easy to buy an innacurately graded diamond online. It says VS1, G color and Ideal cut so what's the problem right? Well if it's not accurately graded, from a reputable lab there could be lots of problems. But there are stores in the mall that sell stones graded by shady labs just as well.

The bottom line is to establish many levels of trust.
A. Trust your jeweler by making sure they stand behind their grading regardless what the report/paper says.
B. Trust your eyes and make sure to compare many diamonds graded by different labs, to get a feel for what an SI1 or a VS2 looks like.
C. Trust the lab grading report by making sure it's a top tier lab and accurately graded (GIA, AGS).
D. Trust your independent appraiser to make sure after the purchase you got what you paid for.

Never put all your faith in any 1 of the above. This is where people run into problems, whether it be offline or online. It's very easy to fall into the "buying paper" trap online because it's so easy to sort a list of millions of diamonds online and pick the cheapest.

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

This may sound dumb but..........

Does it ever happen that when a ring goes to get repaired, the jeweler will switch the diamonds for something of a lower quality? For instance3.... how do I tell the between VS1 or VS2 and SI1 and SI2 without being an expert on it. Sure, I can buy a VS1 and have the certificate, but if there the differences arent distinguishable to the naked eye, then I'm really at the mercy at a jeweler.

Is there anything in place that keeps jewelers honest? Is there anything that can empower ME to keep somthing like this from happening?????

Thanx

When you leave a stone mounted in a piece of jewelry for repair, any trustworthy jeweler will give you a receipt for it. Be certain you watch him measure the diameter and depth closely and write it on the receipt. Then do the same when you pick it up. Since very few diamonds are the same measurements you should be able to spot a change. Besides it wouldn't be worth the expense or effort to replace one with another after having to sort through so many to find the same measurements.

[GroomDude]

The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.

Ya I agree, only buying from a jeweler you trust will ensure that they are honest and someone you will go back to year after year