|
When it comes to
diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are
minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to
time concerning the
buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur
simply because most people who buy
diamonds – for whatever
reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are
easily fooled.
A
common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat
Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring,
only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece,
instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond.
This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece
is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of
the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are
allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler
tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and
¾ carat – but closer to ¾.
Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees.
Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A
blue-white diamond sounds very
unique and special, but in fact,
this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though
the
jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something
special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright
lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a
different, darker type of lighting as well.
Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on
diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased
elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless,
or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off
your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the
cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a
second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any
action.
Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen
and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it
to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be
sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one
trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business
with in the past.
There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on
unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase
your diamonds with the utmost care and
consideration.
| 
