Jeweller etiquette question

[D2B]

OK, this is another one of those questions you could only ever ask on PS.

I am getting my prongs checked tomorrow by a local jewellery store who also designs jewellery and has loose stones on hand. Last time I did this, the lady took it up the stairs to their workshop, disappeared for ages and returned with the verdict. All OK

The only thing is I feel really uncomfortable that they dont check it in front of me, or ask me to come up. I mean, who knows they could swap stones for all I know. I dont seriously think that, or else I wouldnt go of course, but I still dont feel comfortable. I guess, would it be rude to ask if I could come up and meet the jeweller and be able to ask him questions, or for him to come down (if they dont want me in their workshop)?? I just think from a customer perspective, they would do it all in front of me, so that I could also ask questions or meet him/her. what are your thoughts. Anyone in the business would you be offended by my request? The town where I live they really are the only option, the rest are mall type chain stores with sales assistants rather than jewellers on hand - IYKWIM.
Thanks
D2B

 

[stebbo]

Date: 9/18/2007 5:04:28 AM
Author:D2B

I Last time I did this, the lady took it up the stairs to their workshop, disappeared for ages and returned with the verdict. All OK

Nothing to worry about - they would have swapped it last time so you've got nothing to lose this time.They might even put your original stone back in?

Seriously, it's really not worth risking the store's reputation for (assuming there's reputation to begin with). Nonetheless, it's always a good idea to become familiar with the individuality of your diamond to give you piece of mind in these scenarios. Grab a cheap 10x loupe, locate the inclusions with the help of your cert.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

No - the truth is last time they worked out what sized CZ to have ready for the quick swaparoo the next time you come in!

The fastest operator would need 15 minutes to get that one past you.
So next time, walk in and say "I want to interupt your bench jeweller and have him come and talk to me. So I am giving you this $100 note for his interuption and your trouble to call the client whose job he is focused on to say sorry Sir, you will have to put your proposal off for a week."

 

[stebbo]

Date: 9/18/2007 7:02:06 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
No - the truth is last time they worked out what sized CZ to have ready for the quick swaparoo the next time you come in!

But look on the bright side, you get a free upgrade in color and clarity.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 9/18/2007 7:45:25 AM
Author: stebbo

Date: 9/18/2007 7:02:06 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
No - the truth is last time they worked out what sized CZ to have ready for the quick swaparoo the next time you come in!

But look on the bright side, you get a free upgrade in color and clarity.

You could always sell your D IF CZ to http://www.gordonmax.com.au/ who will resell it for $500 a carat

 

[pyramid]

Is it not true also that jewellers are not insured to have customers come into their surroundings, e.g. a customer could come in and lift another customer's ring to look at it or may even be the sort to remove it from the premises? The local jeweller I use is downstairs from the showroom, so all his tools, bench would be down there, I could not imagine him coming to the counter to tighten prongs because I assume he has padding to protect your ring and tools to lean on or clip the ring into at his bench which are not at the counter.

I know I want a hearts & arrows stone which I cannot get locally and the prices are much better from the vendors on this site than in the UK , however I would definitely trust our local jeweller and know he would not be swapping stones.

 

[lyra]

I agree with what others have said. It may just be an insurance issue, not allowing customers behind the counter. I''m very sure they are not messing with your diamond.

When I recently had my diamond reset, the bench person actually removed the stone from the old setting right in front of me at the counter, weighed it in front of me, and put it in a sealed envelope. That was just their way of ensuring that the customer is sure there is nothing shifty going on. However, they have 4 bench people, so my guy was also a floor person. I think it would be an imposition to ask the bench person to come down, but you could ask if it made you feel better. At least you''d get to meet him, and maybe that would make you feel better for the future. No harm in asking.

 

[niceice]

Date: 9/18/2007 5:44:08 AM
Author: stebbo

Nothing to worry about - they would have swapped it last time so you''ve got nothing to lose this time.They might even put your original stone back in?

I''m absolutely falling all over myself... "they might even put your original stone back in?" Brilliant

At the very least D2B, your jeweler should initially examine the ring in front of you - if nothing else, for their own protection! "By the way Mrs. D2B did you know that your stone has a small chip on it?" is much easier to explain BEFORE one walks away with a customers beloved engagement ring than it is to explain after any work has been done on the piece, especially when it is done out of the presence of a customer... Smart jewelers do everything that they can to reduce the possibility of that type of liability and customer doubt in advance. So ask your jeweler to do an initial examination of the ring in front of you at the take-in counter, it is reasonable to expect them to assist you with identifying the inclusions within your diamond, plot them on a piece of paper (or job envelope), measure the diameter of your diamond, etc. before leaving your presence AND to do the same when bringing the item back to you. If the jeweler takes issue with being asked to eliminate the concerns that you have, then find another jeweler who is more focused on addressing the needs and concerns of their clients. The odds are that the jeweler would not risk their reputation by switching a stone, etc. (truly) however it only takes a second to ease the concerns of a client, it takes a lot longer to try to resolve any issues that might resolve by a client thinking (even for a second) that they might not have received "their diamond" back or that it might have been damaged while in their care... Heck, we have a clarity camera just for this purpose in our take-in area and yes, it has saved us a time or two! "This is the file photograph of your diamond when you dropped it off yesterday AND this is how it looks under the same magnification - see your inclusions here, here and there? It''s the same stone, it just ''looks different now'' because we cleaned it (and you''re used to it dirty)" - oops, did I say that out loud