July 21, 2010

Too Good to be True?

Posted in Appraisal, Assurance, Diamonds, Gemstones, Jewelry Myths, Quality, Uncategorized tagged false descriptions, gas bubbles, online buying, online regulations, synthetic at 9:41 pm by garwoodsgal

As you browse the internet, you come across a vendor on eBay selling a perfect diamond ring with the perfect cut, clarity and color. But is it too good to be true? When it comes to buying jewelry and gemstones, we all want to find the best quality for the best price. But often times, in the search for a great deal, we become lured by the numerous online sites such as eBay and Craigslist, selling ”flawless” gemstones and beautiful jewelry for unbelievable prices. While it becomes tempting to grab onto such great deals, it’s important to understand the dangers of making these purchases from unknown online vendors.

Gas bubbles in a synthetic ruby

Gas bubbles in a synthetic sapphire

In an article from Gem Market News, one man discovered how a “too good to be true” purchase turned out to be just that. Kamal Youssef found on eBay various sapphires at a great price from a vendor in Thailand. Although the listing on the site claimed the stones were “Natural Sapphires from Africa,” Youssef soon discovered they were not natural. A closer photograph of one of the sapphires showed gas bubbles, thus being a sign of a synthetic.

It is important to remember that when you buy online, there are no guarantees. The description can be severely exaggerated because people can post anything they want, such as in Youssef’s case. There are no regulations requiring online sellers to accurately represent their goods, whereas the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires retail jewelers to abide by strict guidelines.

What’s more, there is no guarantee of who or where the jewelry comes from. For instance, an online dealer may have a great eBay rating and then get negative feedback. To avoid the backlash, the dealer can just create a new account and sell through that name until the negative responses build up again, and so on.

Remember that they saying ”You get what you pay for,” is almost always true. To ensure that you are getting real, quality stones and jewelry, it’s best to purchase from certified and knowledgable jewelers. Look for jewelers who are members of organizations such as the American Gem Society and their local chamber of commerce or have affiliations with groups like the Gemological Institute of America or the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.

Another telling sign of a quality jeweler is the age of the business. If a store has been around for 50 or 60 years, it’s more than likely a reputable place. Word of mouth can make a store thrive or dive, so you can bet a store won’t stay afloat if they use deceptive or dishonest practices. Sooner or later they will get caught!

In the end, if you purchase jewelry from a well-established bricks-and-mortar store (also known as your neighborhood jeweler), you’ll be happier and content knowing you have beautiful, authentic pieces of jewelry. Even better, you’ll have actual people to take your jewelry to when you want it cleaned for a special party or if you need repair work done.