Expert Advice on How to Find a Reliable Jeweler
Buying a diamond ring or any expensive jewelry can be an overwhelming task. There are so many things that you have to consider such as the quality of the jewelry, price, metal, gemstone, and so on. One help you can get is through the Internet, as there are various advice and information regarding this topic online.
However, after you have mastered the factors to consider when buying expensive jewelry, you also need to find a reliable and reputable jeweler who will give you not only good quality jewelry but also an honest and efficient service.
With so many jewelers that have proliferated in the market, it can be confusing when you are about to a choice. Of course, all of them will be saying that they are excellent jewelers. Many will even claim that they are the best but you know that not all of them are telling the truth.
Finding a reputable and trustworthy jeweler can actually be tricky. For one, buying from a huge expensive store will not guarantee you the best product or service. Even if you buy from a jeweler who has certification or diploma on being a gemologist, you cannot be assured completely that the person will give you the best advice or the best value.
Keep in mind that many jewelers out there have gained wealth over unscrupulous practices such as giving bad advice, selling at inflated prices, offering low quality diamonds or switching diamonds. This means that you cannot simply trust the first jeweler that you bump into. You need to have a critical eye and discerning judgment.
So how can a diamond or jewelry shopper identify if a jeweler is reputable, efficient and trustworthy? Here are some effective ways on how to do that but remember that there is no single absolute way of determining a jeweler’s reputability so your best option is to employ two or more of these techniques.
1. Observe how the jeweler handles business. Right from the beginning, scrutinize closely how the jeweler would deal with your queries and concerns. A reputable jeweler should be more interested in giving expert advice and consultation than being a salesperson.
A good jeweler would listen carefully to your needs, help you find what you are looking for and not force you to buy something that you do not want or need. It is also imperative that you observe the degree of knowledge that the jeweler has. Be careful of those who seem to have memorized every detail of the tag attached to the jewelry but are flustered when you ask questions about the jewelry.
2. Look for a certification. If you are going to buy diamonds like for engagement rings for example, be sure to ask for a diamond certification or grading report from top independent diamond grading laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society (AGS).
A diamond that has a grading report has been scrutinized, evaluated, and measured using a jeweler’s loupe, microscope, and a professional jeweler’s eyes. A certificate should include analysis of the dimensions of the diamond as well as its color, symmetry, cut, polish, and other attributes.
Some small diamonds may not come with diamond certifications but a reputable jeweler will always emphasize on the importance of buying diamonds that have grading reports. It is only with a grading report that you can be assured of the quality of the diamond.
3. Beware of jewelers who use appraisals as a selling tactic. Appraisals involve establishment of the estimated retail replacement values of the diamond that is typically connected to insurance purposes. This should have minor bearing on the retail price of the diamond. Also, take note that an appraisal is not the same as a certification, which some jewelers would insist. It has no dollar value but it should still be prepared by an independent laboratory.
4. Look for a jeweler that offers 30-day returns policy. This is to ensure that if ever you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can always give it back. However, to be certain that the jeweler will not give you a hard time about it, opt for a jeweler that has reasonable conditions for asking returns. This means that the jeweler will accept your returns if the jewelry is returned in good condition and if within the 30-day period.
5. Do a little background check on the jeweler. If you type a jeweler’s name on the Internet, you will get your hands full of bits and pieces of information about the person. One piece of information about the jeweler that you will find very useful is feedback from past clients.
It would even be better if you can get in touch with the jeweler’s past clients so you will have an idea on what kind of service the jeweler gives to customers. It would also be a smart move to call up the Better Business Bureau and ask if the jeweler has faced some complaints in the past and if he handled each of these accordingly.
6. Be wary of a jeweler’s lifetime guarantee. Sometimes, jewelers would include this in their promises just to convince you to buy from them. Eventually, you would be upset to find out that the services that are covered with this guarantee may have little or no value for you. It is always better to rely on insurance to protect your investment.
7. Ensure a store’s security if you are buying online. If you choose to buy expensive jewelry like wedding ring from an online store, one thing you have to make certain is if the store has a secure system for handling credit card transactions. A website should contain a closed padlock symbol or the letter ’s’ after http on the web address as indications that the store is secure.
Buying expensive jewelry is a huge investment so it is only right that you do your homework, research thoroughly about this, and do everything you can to find a reputable and trustworthy jeweler.
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