| Buying diamonds is hard enough. But then you | | | | say it's worthless or not the quality that you paid |
| have to wonder if you got duped into paying for | | | | for. In any case, they will tell you where to buy |
| something that is less than what you thought. | | | | one, or to buy from them. Buyer beware. What |
| Diamond scams can still be found in "fine" jewelry | | | | they may be doing is low-balling or downgrading a |
| stores across the country. Minor frauds are very | | | | perfectly fine stone to induce you to buy from |
| common and exist in almost all of the major | | | | them, or from such store where they will profit. |
| jewelry chain stores to some degree. So how do | | | | Instead, look for an independent, unbiased, |
| you know if you're getting swindled? Here are | | | | certified gemologist/appraiser who does not sell |
| some common scams and how to avoid them. | | | | diamonds and is not associated with anyone who |
| What You See Is Not Always What You Get | | | | sells them. Make sure the appraiser has been in |
| If they can, every jeweler will hide flaws under | | | | business for at least 5 years and has no |
| the prongs. On the other hand, you would | | | | outstanding complaints with the BBB (Better |
| probably do the same thing after you have | | | | Business Bureau). |
| examined and purchased your stone. For that | | | | Bright Lights Can Alter Gemstone Color |
| reason, you should be aware that all jewelers will | | | | The use of light is one of the most common |
| camouflage any flaws under a prong if possible. In | | | | diamond scams. This is because bright lights make |
| many cases, this can make an I1 clarity look like a | | | | every diamond look better. While every jeweler |
| VS2 if you look at it in a setting. To avoid this, | | | | wants to show their diamonds in the best light, |
| always look at loose stones, out of any kind of | | | | there are some lighting tricks you should be |
| mounting if you wish to examine it properly. The | | | | aware of. Some bulbs have a strong blue |
| stone can one day, turn in it's setting and you | | | | component, such as fluorescent lights, and this |
| could be very surprised to see suddenly, a huge | | | | makes yellow stones look whiter. Special bulbs will |
| new black spot that was actually there the whole | | | | often be used with strong ultraviolet wavelengths |
| time. | | | | which makes most stones fluoresces blue. This |
| Carat Total Weight (ctw) Is Not The Same As | | | | also has a whitening effect on stones with lower |
| Carat Weight (cw) | | | | clarity. In this case, ask if the stone has any |
| Some jewelry stores use tags that only list the | | | | fluorescence and ask to see it under darker |
| carat total weight of diamonds in a ring and do | | | | conditions in another part of the store. Additionally |
| not list the center stone separately. You won't be | | | | ask for a certificate from an independent lab. This |
| able to compare prices if you don't know the | | | | report will always mention any fluorescence. |
| weight and quality of the main stone. This is very | | | | Modified Lab Certificates |
| important because one large diamond is worth | | | | The grade of a gemstone can be altered on the |
| more than 6 smaller stones of the same weight. | | | | certificate. However, keep in mind that it is difficult |
| For example, if you have a G/VS2 gemstone | | | | to do since all reputable gem labs laminate their |
| that weighs 1.00 carat, it may be worth about | | | | certificates. You can usually tell if a certificate has |
| $5,500. But 10 smaller G/VS2 stones that total | | | | been modified by examining it. If the lamination |
| 1.00 carats could only be worth $1,800. That | | | | looks torn at the corners, or if the front is not |
| makes a huge difference. When buying diamonds, | | | | laminated, it should be discredited and you're |
| always ask for the carat weight and quality of | | | | better off going somewhere else. |
| the center stone, and get it in writing. | | | | Diamond scams can get the best of us. When |
| The appraiser Tells You Your Diamond Is | | | | buying diamonds, be sure you know what to look |
| Worthless | | | | for. You are spending your hard earned cash for |
| After you purchase your gemstone and take it to | | | | this special piece of jewelry, so you should |
| an appraiser for insurance purposes, they tell you | | | | certainly be getting what you paid for. |
| the stone is not what you thought. They might | | | | |