| As you walk along on your quest for the perfect | | | | and price, you are better off walking out the door. |
| diamond for your mate, you hear, "Pssst! Hey mister, I | | | | Don't let them get your hard earned money. Normally |
| hear you're looking for some good rocks. I've got | | | | when you go to a jewelry shop, the gems are lying on |
| some great stones, really reasonably priced. I'll even | | | | a beautiful cloth bed under bright lights. The gems are |
| throw in the ring for free!" Sounds shady? You bet he | | | | so white and tempting. Hold it right there! Most |
| is! Of course, you wouldn't really buy a diamond from a | | | | diamonds really will look whiter especially under lights |
| guy in an alley wearing a trench, right? Bet you'd be | | | | that give off a certain blue component. If you really |
| amazed by how many scams are pulled and in broad | | | | want to check the color of a stone, check it in sunlight. |
| daylight by jewelers who seem absolutely honest. | | | | If they refuse, refuse to purchase as well. You were |
| Some of them even have beautiful shops that look | | | | finally able to find the gem that symbolizes your love. |
| really hi-tech. Beat them at their own game by learning | | | | You ask your jeweler t o know make it into a ring so |
| their scams. The bigger the better, a lot of people say. | | | | that you can propose to your beloved. He said that |
| When a jeweler tells you that you have a five carat | | | | you would have to leave it with him for a few weeks |
| diamond ring, don't get dazzled by the carats. If there | | | | and he'll call you when it's ready. When the ring arrives, |
| was only one stone then you'd have no problem. You | | | | it is beautiful but….something about it just |
| might actually be getting a 1 carat diamond surrounded | | | | doesn't feel right. You can't quite put your finger on it |
| by eight half-carat smaller pieces. An honest jeweler | | | | but this doesn't seem to be the diamond that you |
| will tell you the weight of each stone in the ring | | | | bought. How can you tell? The solution is simple: have |
| separate from the center diamond. In fact he'll even | | | | the diamond checked by an independent gemologist |
| give you a certificate from a reputed lab such as the | | | | certified by a group such as the GIA. Have them |
| Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as proof. If he | | | | compare it to the certificate of your diamond to |
| can't or won't do these, you're better off buying from | | | | confirm that it is a match. After all, no two diamonds |
| someone else. Then there's the bait and switch. The | | | | are exactly the same. Then you'll know and can |
| jewelry store will advertise a diamond at a great price. | | | | demand proper action. Bottom line, to avoid scams you |
| Problem is that when you get there, they'll tell you that | | | | should take the time to educate yourself about the |
| it's already been sold and try to convince you to get | | | | basics of diamonds. Next you'll need to find a jeweler |
| another piece instead. Rarely is this case true. Usually | | | | or gemologist that you can truly trust. Lastly, always |
| there was never such a piece and they'll show you | | | | ensure that you are given the proper certificate for |
| something more expensive that they will try to get you | | | | your gem, one issued by the Gemological Institute of |
| to buy instead. If the diamond that they announced for | | | | America (GIA) or another reputed independent lab. |
| sale isn't available, ask for another just like it. If they | | | | These will save you a whole lot of money and avoid |
| can't produce another one of the same special quality | | | | giving you headaches. |