jewelry store lighting

[2babycarrots]

I have noticed that jewelry stores have the most amazing lighting that really compliments diamonds. I know this is the whole point of the lighting but I''m wondering how this translates when you leave the store with the diamonds?

 

[flowerladytoo]

Date: 11/19/2008 6:07:43 PM
Author:2babycarrots
I have noticed that jewelry stores have the most amazing lighting that really compliments diamonds. I know this is the whole point of the lighting but I''m wondering how this translates when you leave the store with the diamonds?

Last year, (before pricescope), hubby bought me this beautiful (we thought at the time) RHR from Osterman''s in Mall of America. It sparkled, it glowed, it was just GORGEOUS (in the store). Funny thing is, once I got it away from the store lights, it didn''t look so great, anymore.

The diamonds are dead and lifeless, very little sparkle. Pricescopers describe some diamonds as frozen spit...and that is accurate so far as this ring is concerned. It now stays in my jewelry box most of the time, and will probably get sold on eBay one day.

Never trust how a diamond looks under those lights. Shade them with your hand if nothing else, when examining a diamond. Or ask to take the ring to a spot that isn''t so brilliantly lit. They lights are very deceptive, which I guess is the whole point when selling a diamond.

 

[honey22]

It means that the diamond that looked fabulous in the store, doesn''t look as good when it leaves. A common tactic to make not-so-great cut stones look fantastic.

If you are looking at diamonds in a store, cover the stone from direct light with your hand, or put the stone under a bench somewhere out of direct light to see what the stone really looks like. Even better if you can see the stone in natural light (again not direct strong light, but out in shaded daylight). This can be virtually impossible in most B&M stores, they don''t like you taking the goods outside without paying for them for some reason

 

[NewRockHunter]

The lighting phenomenon has been a problem for me also. I did find that the benefit of buying from a store is the simplicity of returning the stone if unsatisfied. I am in the process of returning a stone I purchased online, and after the $50 shipping charge to insure the 21K package, it will take 5 days to get there, then another 7-10 days for them to put the refund on my card or process an exchange... so my replacement shopping has to be put on hold for a bit. So I take comfort that if the diamond doesn''t perform up to my liking, a return is a short drive away! I am new to the whole diamond purchasing process, so what do I know anyway

 

[neatfreak]

For bad diamonds you notice they are bad once you leave the store. For good diamonds, they often look better IMO.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

The above posters are generally all correct in their assessment: jewelry store lighting is designed in such a way that it makes the merchandise look at its best. Some jewelers are better at this game than others.

Nothing wrong with that: I also heard that many clothes-stores also use mirrors that make you look slimmer and taller. Same tactics, I suppose.

Generally, the retailers who are organized for cut-quality will make sure to show you the stones also in less beneficial lighting. If they do not offer it automatically, they will be happy to accommodate you in organizing this for you. No co-operation on that front would mean a red flag.

Live long,