Call me paranoid

[star2323]

Ok I pick out a diamond and have a respectable company receive it and verify it for me. Everything is good. Then they send the diamond to me and I go and have it mounted at a local jewlery store. When I come back and get the mounted diamond how do I know it is my diamond in the ring? When the wife takes the ring in for cleaning and polishing how do I know they do not swap out the diamond?

Am I just being over paranoid here?

Is there anyway the average Joe can make sure it is his diamond after being in somebody elses hands?

 

[mrssalvo]

the chances of someone swapping your stone and risking serious jail time is small. I would suggest asking your jeweler to teach you ways that you''ll be able to identify your own stone. Many people know their inclusions and they can know it''s their stone by finding them with a loupe.

 

[star2323]

Whats a loupe?

 

[denverappraiser]

Joe,

Get it appraised between the time when you buy it and when you set it by a capable appraiser. This will document the details of your stone, probably include photomicrographs of some of the recognizable features etc. The appraser should then be able to recognize it again in the future. To really lock this in, get a Gemprint (www.gemprint.com) and anyone with a gemprint machine can tell if it's the same stone.

You should practice looking at your stone under magnification and learn it's unique properties. Most are actually pretty distinctive if you look carefully. Usually the jeweler will be happy to help you to do this because they are even more worried about being unjustly accused of switching a stone than you are about them actually doing it. They want you to feel comfortable and, has been pointed out above, your risk is really quite low. Good documentation protects both of you. Examine the stone with them when you drop it off, point out the interesting things and write it down on the job envelope. When you pick it up, recheck it, again, in their presence and possibly even with their assistance. Many jewelers have a microscope in the showroom that is very helpful for this purpose.

A loupe is that little magnafier that jewelers use. You can buy them from many jewlers, many appraisers, most diamond dealers and even ebay. You don't need an expensive one. $10 is a fine budget. Any jeweler will have one that you can borrow while your in the store but it's a pretty handy thing to own anyway.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Some stores have "styling events" where they bring in a big selection of settings. You choose the setting you want and then you can watch them set your stone. You might want to see whether any stores near you will be having an event like that. If not, maybe they''ll let you watch them set your stone if they keep a craftsman on the premises.