- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 9,159
1) Buy only stones graded by a lab you trust. The burden is on the grader to convince you that their opinions have merit and the default answer is no. Research the lab first, before you rely on them. Do not try and convert results. Crap is crap. If you find a lab’s opinions to be misleading or deceptive, don’t discount them, ignore them.
2) If you find a lab to be deceptive, don’t just hold it against the lab, hold it against the jeweler who is asking you to rely on them.
3) Buy from a jeweler you have reason to count as reliable, not just the one who quotes the lowest price. Research the jeweler before you spend serious money with them. The jeweler who is taking your money is the person making the grading claim, not the lab they are referencing. They are who is fundamentally responsible. The reason for the lab is to support the trust you are placing in the jeweler. It is not a substitute for it.
4) Notice the refund policy. No refunds means no sale. All terms and conditions should be in writing. Read them.
5) Use a credit card if you don’t already have a relationship with the jeweler.
6) Use actual offers from competitive sellers to compare prices and qualities, not just a price guide or samples that the jeweler has to show what ‘regular’ stones look like. If you want to know what the jeweler across the street or across the country is selling and what they charge for it, go directly to the source. Ask THEM.
7) Resist time pressure coming from the dealers. There are lots of diamonds out there. If you miss one, another will come along. It’s your money, you’re the one in control. You may need to decide quickly before they offer it to someone else, but no is a perfectly acceptable answer.
Do not go into a diamond deal expecting to ever see your money again. This is not a bank account. There are some terrific reasons to buy diamonds but in nearly every case they are a bad financial instrument.
9) There is no magic key to getting the best. Not everyone agrees on what is the most beautiful design and it’s possible for people to have different opinions and still all be right.
10) Trust your gut if it’s telling you that the people you’re working with aren’t treating you right. There are lots of jewelers out there. Politely thank them for their time, head for the door or click away, and find another one.
2) If you find a lab to be deceptive, don’t just hold it against the lab, hold it against the jeweler who is asking you to rely on them.
3) Buy from a jeweler you have reason to count as reliable, not just the one who quotes the lowest price. Research the jeweler before you spend serious money with them. The jeweler who is taking your money is the person making the grading claim, not the lab they are referencing. They are who is fundamentally responsible. The reason for the lab is to support the trust you are placing in the jeweler. It is not a substitute for it.
4) Notice the refund policy. No refunds means no sale. All terms and conditions should be in writing. Read them.
5) Use a credit card if you don’t already have a relationship with the jeweler.
6) Use actual offers from competitive sellers to compare prices and qualities, not just a price guide or samples that the jeweler has to show what ‘regular’ stones look like. If you want to know what the jeweler across the street or across the country is selling and what they charge for it, go directly to the source. Ask THEM.
7) Resist time pressure coming from the dealers. There are lots of diamonds out there. If you miss one, another will come along. It’s your money, you’re the one in control. You may need to decide quickly before they offer it to someone else, but no is a perfectly acceptable answer.
Do not go into a diamond deal expecting to ever see your money again. This is not a bank account. There are some terrific reasons to buy diamonds but in nearly every case they are a bad financial instrument.9) There is no magic key to getting the best. Not everyone agrees on what is the most beautiful design and it’s possible for people to have different opinions and still all be right.
10) Trust your gut if it’s telling you that the people you’re working with aren’t treating you right. There are lots of jewelers out there. Politely thank them for their time, head for the door or click away, and find another one.
great tips! This should be a sticky for newcomers seeking tips/advice to buy.
300x240.png)