longtimelurker
Shiny_Rock
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PS mentioned in latest issue of Consumer Reports!
- Thread starter longtimelurker
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Kaleigh
Super_Ideal_Rock
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kcoursolle
Super_Ideal_Rock
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RE: Buy from a certified gemologist belonging to a group such as the GIA, Jewelers of America, or American Gem Society.
I am glad that Pricescope was mentioned, but I would have been much more impressed if the writer had done a little homework to find out such simple things as the fact that GIA and Jewelers of America do not certify gemologists, it is in fact a title held only by qualified AGS members who have passed testing to earn the title.
I would have been a lot more impressed also if they had not lumped Pricescope in with DT, but that is probably my personal bias speaking. I vastly approve of the open forum here where vendors are not allowed to hawk their wares in the forums to the atmosphere at DT where selected vendors are approved to say what they want and the unchosen are carefully muzzled or banned.
When I was banned from DT for the eggregious sin of being an EightStar vendor I was offered the opportunity to rejoin if I would close my EightStar account and recant my sins, but I chose to be able to look in the mirror instead. I remain grateful that I chose correctly to stay banned at DT and devote my efforts to this much more open consumer oriented forum.
The discourse and quality of information here is much more to the consumer''s benefit as all sides of a gemological question are open to discussion and it is amazing the depths to which these discussions are taken. I would hazzard to guess that I am not the only professional here who has learned and elevated the quality of my knowledge intensely by the very fact that being here requires me to study harder and more often if I want to stay abreast of the information available.
Wink, in a reflective and babbling mood while doing paper work at the office on a windy Sunday
I am glad that Pricescope was mentioned, but I would have been much more impressed if the writer had done a little homework to find out such simple things as the fact that GIA and Jewelers of America do not certify gemologists, it is in fact a title held only by qualified AGS members who have passed testing to earn the title.
I would have been a lot more impressed also if they had not lumped Pricescope in with DT, but that is probably my personal bias speaking. I vastly approve of the open forum here where vendors are not allowed to hawk their wares in the forums to the atmosphere at DT where selected vendors are approved to say what they want and the unchosen are carefully muzzled or banned.
When I was banned from DT for the eggregious sin of being an EightStar vendor I was offered the opportunity to rejoin if I would close my EightStar account and recant my sins, but I chose to be able to look in the mirror instead. I remain grateful that I chose correctly to stay banned at DT and devote my efforts to this much more open consumer oriented forum.
The discourse and quality of information here is much more to the consumer''s benefit as all sides of a gemological question are open to discussion and it is amazing the depths to which these discussions are taken. I would hazzard to guess that I am not the only professional here who has learned and elevated the quality of my knowledge intensely by the very fact that being here requires me to study harder and more often if I want to stay abreast of the information available.
Wink, in a reflective and babbling mood while doing paper work at the office on a windy Sunday
- Joined
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This is just one more example of the loose useage of the term Certified Gemologist. It is the equivalent of the term Wholesale to the Public. Whenever you see either term, just say to yourself that these phrases are more often misused than properly used. Wink pointed out the proper context for the relatively few Certified Gemologists who are AGS members. There is no such thing as Wholesale to the Public unless you see pigs flying or some place very hot freezing over.
We have many good consumer protection laws, but there is a great deal of puffery, looseness, in what a firm can say in their advertising. Don't believe everything you hear or read. If someone says they are a Certified Gemologist, ask to see their AGS firm membership plaque and their personal CG plaque. One more thing to keep in mind is the a Certified Gemologist title from AGS is not a difficult thing to accomplish. Its a course beyond a GIA Gemologist title along with a relatively easy annual exam. This is not rocket science, but an indication to AGS that the member still read, writes, comprehends and breathes. There is no title in the USA in the gem trade which is "better", but don't get bowled over by the word "certified". It has meaning, but it isn't earthshaking stuf, either.
Like all organizations and trades, we have our relatively small number of fine practitioners and many sort of regular members who limp along from year to year without learning or thinking a whole lot. Look at resumes,, get some word of mouth recomendations, see what the expert has contributed which you can read and learn from. Then you can make your own informed judgment about the expertise and quality of an individual practitioner.
Magazines, even Consumer Reports, has to entice readers with headlines and hype. Read the messages between the lines to see what its all really about.
We have many good consumer protection laws, but there is a great deal of puffery, looseness, in what a firm can say in their advertising. Don't believe everything you hear or read. If someone says they are a Certified Gemologist, ask to see their AGS firm membership plaque and their personal CG plaque. One more thing to keep in mind is the a Certified Gemologist title from AGS is not a difficult thing to accomplish. Its a course beyond a GIA Gemologist title along with a relatively easy annual exam. This is not rocket science, but an indication to AGS that the member still read, writes, comprehends and breathes. There is no title in the USA in the gem trade which is "better", but don't get bowled over by the word "certified". It has meaning, but it isn't earthshaking stuf, either.
Like all organizations and trades, we have our relatively small number of fine practitioners and many sort of regular members who limp along from year to year without learning or thinking a whole lot. Look at resumes,, get some word of mouth recomendations, see what the expert has contributed which you can read and learn from. Then you can make your own informed judgment about the expertise and quality of an individual practitioner.
Magazines, even Consumer Reports, has to entice readers with headlines and hype. Read the messages between the lines to see what its all really about.
mrssalvo
Super_Ideal_Rock
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“Be aware that chain stores are likely to charge less than local jewelers, but their salespeople might be less knowledgeable.”
What chains and what local stores were they shopping at? Local jewelers, assuming that this means stores with a single location, regularly offer better products, better service, better education and attractive prices when compared point-for-point to some of the large chains. The chains offer a very predictable and homogeneous experience and there’s something to be said for that but I think it’s incorrect to say that customers can expect to pay lower prices for comparable goods by shopping with them. Stores vary a lot from one to the next both in products and in the shopping experience. Consumer Reports should know better than to make such a blanket statement.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
What chains and what local stores were they shopping at? Local jewelers, assuming that this means stores with a single location, regularly offer better products, better service, better education and attractive prices when compared point-for-point to some of the large chains. The chains offer a very predictable and homogeneous experience and there’s something to be said for that but I think it’s incorrect to say that customers can expect to pay lower prices for comparable goods by shopping with them. Stores vary a lot from one to the next both in products and in the shopping experience. Consumer Reports should know better than to make such a blanket statement.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
Cehrabehra
Super_Ideal_Rock
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They said the chains are likely to charge less. I disagree. They often sell rather different merchandise but in cases where the goods are genuinely comparable, the big chains normally seem to cost more than the more Mom & Pop type stores.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
Cehrabehra
Super_Ideal_Rock
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we''re both right LOL I was focused on the "know less" and you were focused on the "charge more" - Status
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