| Jewelry industry brochures usually tell you to | | | | are. |
| choose a jeweler by getting recommendations, by | | | | 4. Can you tell me something about the cut of |
| checking credentials and length of experience and | | | | this stone? It's not sufficient for a salesperson to |
| by finding out if they're affiliated with trade | | | | simply describe the shape of a stone and tell you |
| organizations. This is good information, but it's no | | | | it's a fine make, if it is. You need specific |
| adequate. Just because a jeweler is a member of | | | | information about why it's a fine, average or poor |
| trade and has diplomas displayed on the wall does | | | | make. For example, they should be able to point |
| not guarantee he or she is ethical and | | | | out if a stone has a strong window, a very thick |
| well-informed. Conversely, some of the most | | | | girdle, a unique faceting design, etc. You could also |
| knowledgeable people in the industry do not have | | | | ask the salesperson to show you one of the |
| gemology diplomas. In addition, it's easy to lie | | | | best-cut gemstones in the store and to compare |
| about your experience and educational | | | | it to an inferior one. Not only will you learn more |
| background. | | | | about cut, you'll also learn if you're dealing with a |
| Getting recommendations from someone you | | | | knowledgeable salesperson. Keep in mind that |
| trust is not always easy or possible, especially | | | | rubies, sapphires and emeralds are normally not as |
| when you're traveling abroad. More often than | | | | well proportioned as most diamonds. |
| not, you'll need to judge yourself if a jeweler is | | | | 5. Will you show me the piece (or stone) under |
| reliable. To make a good judgment, you'll need to | | | | magnification? If they aren't willing to provide you |
| know some basics so that you'll be able to | | | | with a loupe (hand magnifier) or a microscope, |
| understand and assess the salespeople. When you | | | | consider shopping elsewhere. |
| choose a jeweler or salesperson, here are some | | | | 6. Are you willing to put in writing what you've |
| things you should consider. You should then be | | | | told me verbally about piece (stones)? Reliable |
| prepared to ask some of the following questions: | | | | jewelers will say yes. |
| 1. Could you tell me about this piece (or stone)? A | | | | 7. What's your return policy? It's a good sign |
| salesperson who can compare it to other pieces | | | | when jewelers back up their merchandise and |
| and who can tell you about the background and | | | | claims by a 100% money back guarantee. Some |
| quality shows more expertise than the one who | | | | jewelers only allow exchanges in order to prevent |
| can tell you the price, the weight and the identity | | | | customers from "borrowing" their merchandise |
| of the metal and stone(s) by reading the tag. | | | | for special events. When you buy jewelry away |
| 2. Which one of these pieces (stones or strands) | | | | from home, though, exchanges become |
| is more valuable and why? Two of the | | | | impractical. There are many jewelers throughout |
| advantages of buying jewelry in a store rather | | | | the world who offer a 100% money-back |
| than from a catalogue or the internet is that you | | | | guarantee on jewelry that is not custom made. |
| get to see the merchandise before buying it and | | | | It's the best deal with one of them. |
| you get the free services of a jewelry consultant, | | | | When buying expensive jewelry abroad, have the |
| provided that the seller is knowledgeable. When a | | | | salesperson give you a written copy of their |
| jeweler can explain quality differences to you, this | | | | return policy or have them write it on the receipt. |
| indicates he's a more competent consultant and | | | | Then pay by credit card, not a bank debit card. If |
| he's probably a better buyer of merchandise for | | | | there's a problem with the piece when you get |
| his store than a jeweler who can't. | | | | back home, it will be easier to get your money |
| 3. Are these stones treated (and point to the | | | | back. |
| stones of your choice)? If sellers tell you that | | | | 8. How would you rate the quality of your |
| none of their emeralds, for example, are treated | | | | jewelry craftsmanship? Why jewelers that sell |
| in any way, this is a strong indication they're | | | | well-made jewelry often like the opportunity to |
| either ill-informed or dishonest. If sellers tell you | | | | explain why their mountings, settings and finishes |
| that an individual stone is not treated ask how | | | | are better than those of competitors. You can |
| they know it's not treated and ask if they're | | | | learn a lot about workmanship by listening to |
| willing to write this on the receipt. Untreated | | | | them. Salesperson must know something about |
| stones can be worth more than those that aren't. | | | | pearl jewelries or jewelry craftsmanship in order |
| The way in which jewelers disclose treatments is | | | | to help you select a well-made piece. |
| one of the best indications of how ethical they | | | | |