Purchasing jewelry, especially diamonds, should be a very thorough process to make sure you know exactly what you are getting, the quality of the jewelry, and the history of it. There is a story behind every item at your local jewelry store, but is it something positive that you would actually approve of? Without a doubt, you never want to complete a purchase without first being educated on the piece of art and whether or not people were exploited in the process of creating it. Next time you walk into a jewelry store, be prepared to ask the following five questions to ensure you know exactly what you are purchasing.
1. How do I know it is not a conflict diamond? Your main concern when purchasing a diamond will probably be the source of the diamond. No one wants to purchase a conflict diamond that was mined using slave labor. Many African nations exploit their laborers and operate an extremely poor work environment with little or no pay, especially compared to the value of the gems they are mining. When you visit a jeweler, ask if they can prove where a diamond came from, if the mining is environmentally friendly, what the labor conditions were, and if they are positive that the diamond is absolutely conflict free. Many gemstones are certified “fair trade” which guarantees the source and process of acquiring the gems. The jeweler may not have all of the answers up front, especially if the gem came from a third party, but they should be willing to find the answers for you and provide some sort of proof.
2. How does the diamond grade in the four C’s?
a. Diamond color: Unless you want a specific diamond color, the ultimate goal is for a diamond to have no color at all. The closer it is to clear, the more brilliant it will look under light.
b. Diamond cut: The quality and shape of the diamond cut affects the gem’s brightness and how much it sparkles under light. You will likely be wearing the diamond for a long time so getting the cut you want is very important.
c. Diamond clarity: Every diamond has its unique imperfections, most of which can’t be seen with a naked eye. But, there is always a rating of the clarity that examines the imperfections at 10x magnification. The better the rating, the more brilliance and sparkle it will have.
d. Diamond carat weight: The main determinant of a diamond’s price and often the first matter of concern is the carat weight of the diamond. A jeweler will usually have anywhere between .03 to 2.5 carat diamonds on display and the price exponentially increases with the increase in carat weight.
3. Who made this jewelry? Understanding the story behind your jewelry means you should know the source and the designer. Designing a fine piece of jewelry is a form of art and the artist should be proud of his or her work. If the jewelry doesn’t have an artist name affiliated with it, you might be skeptical of the quality and legitimacy of the source. A quality jeweler will always be able to tell you exactly who made the item you are looking to purchase.
4. How can I protect my investment? This is an extremely important question that is often asked too late. You should find out about the return policy and warranties that come with the jewelry. This is especially important with engagement rings that need to be returned or possibly exchanged. A good warranty is good to have in case something goes wrong like a jewel falls out or the jewelry doesn’t meet the quality that was promised. Purchasing jewelry is an important process that should have several forms of assurance to give you piece of mind long after you leave the store.
5. What type of service is offered for the jewelry? It doesn’t matter what type of jewelry you are looking for; all types will need consistent servicing. Shining, polishing, repairing, and resizing are a few of the common services that you should check to see if they are included in the total price, and for how long. A reputable jeweler will provide free service for many years or even the lifetime of the jewelry. Over time, you save a lot of money by purchasing from a jeweler that provides free servicing.
