Jewlery stores shopping
tips that
could save you money on your diamond ring purchase
Just about any piece of jewelry made with precious metals
and gemstones is an instant heirloom, whether it's a gift or purchased for
one's self. The recent explosion of e-commerce means that jewelry buyers are
confronted with more options. Need less to say with more options sometimes
comes more pitfalls. And on the internet you must be wary. Shoppers should
know that the laws that apply to shopping in a bricks-and-mortar retail
store also apply to the Internet.
We have listed the shopping tips we have discovered. If you know of more
please email them to us, and we will list them on this page.
1. Buy from someone you trust.
Shop from a well-established professional jeweler. Ask a friend for a
recommendation just as you would for a doctor, or check with the Chamber of
Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Look for a jeweler who is affiliated
with a professional trade association, such as Jewelers of America (JA),
that requires high ethical standards of its members and provides them with
ongoing education. Look for a sticker on the door or a certificate on the
wall. If you don't see one, ask. Get an itemized receipt and the return
policy in writing.
2. Buying on the Web.
First, only shop on Web sites that list a phone number, address and/or
"Contact
Us" e-mail option. For on-line purchases, always use a credit card rather
than
a debit card. This way, if anything does go wrong, no money has actually
left your
account, and you have a greater chance of having recourse. Look for a
liberal return policy with a full refund. Be sure to note the window of time
in which the jewelry may be returned! This can sometimes be hidden in tiny
print. Ask for the original packaging and an itemized receipt. When buying
diamonds, ask for a grading report from an independent gemological
laboratory. With regard to buying watches on-line, be aware that some
manufacturers' warrantees won't be considered valid if the watch was not
purchased at an authorized dealer. It's a good idea to check out the watch
manufacturer's site first, which will direct you to authorized e-commerce
sites.
3. Don't be dazzled by discounts.
If a venue is routinely offering unbelievable discounts of 50% or more, the
sale
is probably just that--unbelievable. Savvy shoppers may find that the
"drastic
discount" price is actually the normal retail price elsewhere.
4. Ask about the quality mark and registered trademark.
With gold jewelry, the karat mark or quality mark indicates the purity of
the piece:
"14K" means 58.3% pure gold; "18K," 75% pure. In other words,
in a piece of 14k gold jewelry, 14 of its 24 parts are pure gold; the other
10 are
alloy, which could be any number of different metals, added for strength and
sometimes to change the color (to rose gold, white gold, etc.) Platinum -
the hardest and most rare metal - is most often marked "PLAT" or "950 PLAT."
Sterling silver pieces are usually stamped "925." For pieces manufactured
in the U.S., if the quality mark appears, the piece is required by federal
law to
also be stamped with the manufacturer's trademark, which ensures that the
manufacturer stands behind the authenticity of the piece.
5. When buying gemstones, find out if the stone has been treated in any
way to improve its beauty.
Gem treatments such as oiling and heating are accepted industry practices.
However, FTC guidelines require that these treatments be disclosed to the
buyer because they may affect the care and cleaning of the stone. Exercise
your rights and be informed.
6. When buying diamonds, look for the 4 C's.
They are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Cut is arguably the most
important,
because a skillful cut is what will unleash the fire and brilliance in a
diamond.
Cut, which refers to the faceting, is not to be confused with shape - such
as marquise, oval, princess (square), etc. With regard to color, grading
begins at D; the deeper into the alphabet one goes, the poorer the color. In
a store, ask to see loose diamonds on a sheet of pure white paper and note
any contrast, which of course is undesirable. Clarity refers to the presence
of - or lack of - imperfections such as bubbles, spots or lines called
inclusions. Clarity is graded on a scale ranging from flawless (FL or IF) to
imperfect (I).
7. Italian charms look on the back
You will want to look on the back of your charm to make sure it is what the
salesman told you it was. If it is a nomination or zoppini charms, the name
will be inscribed on the back of the charm.
7. Cultured pearls.
Look for surface cleanliness: an absence of any scarring or pitting. Also
important
is the pearls' luster: they should be glowing with iridescence, not chalky
or dull.
When purchasing a strand of cultured pearls, be sure there is a knot between
each pearl. This insures that if the strand breaks, the pearls won't skitter
across the floor. In addition, the knots keep the pearls from rubbing
against each other. Before you purchase, check to see that the pearls are
well matched in color and lustre, and that they graduate gracefully in size,
growing smaller toward the clasp. Roll the strand of pearls on a flat
counter top to be sure they don't wobble; this will
tell you that the pearls have been drilled exactly through their centers and
that
they will lay beautifully around one's neck.
Fine jewelry is unlike any other purchase. Jewelry that is wisely bought and
well cared for will be treasured for generations to come.
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