Avoiding Scams

Buying an engagement ring is not an easy task. Do not rely on the jeweler selling you the ring. Verify everything with your own eyes and use your intellect. 

Some of the common diamond ring sales tactics and scams, alongwith their solutions are being given here:   

       A lot of jewelers list the ‘carat total weight’ of diamonds in a ring. The weight of the center stone is not given separately. It is very difficult to make any comparison when you do not know the weight and quality of the main diamond. This is highly problematic because one large diamond is worth much more than 4 smaller ones that total the same weight.

Solution: Always ask for the weight and quality of the center stone in writing. Avoid a jeweler if he is not willing to do so.

        Some jewelers resort to trying lighting tricks. There are bulbs that have a strong blue element while others have strong ultraviolet wavelengths. All this has a whitening effect, which makes yellow diamonds look whiter.

 Solution: Ask to see the diamond without the bright lights, in another part of the store and also ask for a certificate to verify the grade.

       There are dealers who use laser drilling to burn and clear large black inclusions in the diamond. This makes the diamond weak and more likely to break. The price of such diamonds is quite less.

 Solution: Ask for a certificate. A certificate from any respected gemological lab will clearly specify whether a stone has been laser drilled or not.

        A few jewelers round off the weight of the diamonds. A diamond labeled as 3/4 carat in weight might actually weigh anywhere between .69 and .81 carat. This could mean a significant amount of money.

 Solution: Avoid those stores that are not willing to give you the exact weight.

        All jewelers try to place any flaws under a prong in the ring, if possible. The high pressure exerted by the prong on the diamond can damage structural flaws.

 Solution: Always look at a diamond loose, without any kind of ring or setting. Try to avoid the structural flaws.

        There are several bogus certificate issuers, which pretend to issue official-looking certificates. These are local gem labs and are often owned by the stores and exaggerate the grades.

 Solution: Always ask for authentic certificates from reputed labs such as, GIA, AGS or EGL.

        A new process is being adopted these days to melt some crystal into surface-breaking fractures in a diamond. This method of filling fractures is not recommended because the diamond can be damaged under the extreme heat when it is set into a ring.

 Solution: Any reputed gem lab certificate will note this treatment. Look for it.

        Dishonest jewelers would give you a 2-3x or a 5x magnification loupe. You are not able to see the inclusions through them and are made to believe that the diamond is of high quality.

 Solution: To correlate what you see with GIA diamond grading practices, you must use a 10x loupe.  Ask for a clean black 10x magnification Loupe.

        There are chances that the salesperson may be trying to sell a piece of glass or cubic zirconia, instead of diamond.

 Solution: Place the diamond on a newspaper and if you can see the print, it is cubic zirconia.  If you cannot see through to the bottom of the diamond at all, it is real.  If the diamond is glass, you will most likely see numerous air bubbles at 10x.

        The appraiser might tell you the diamond is worthless or not of good quality. Then he tells you where to buy one, or tells you to buy it from him. Be cautious. He may be downgrading a good diamond to persuade you to buy from him or his preferred store.

 Solution: Always use a truly independent appraiser who is not connected with any dealer. Make sure the appraiser has been in business for at least 5 years and has no outstanding complaints.

        When you leave your new diamond at the store to be set in your chosen ring, the jeweler might switch it and set a cheaper one.

 Solution: Ask the jeweler to put the weight, color and clarity in writing. This would serve as a proof in the event of an exchange.