How to avoid diamond scams at the jewelry store

There are several scams found in jewelry stores. We list the most common scams and tips how you can avoid them.

• Carat Total Weight: Some jewelry stores use price tags that only list the carat total weight of diamonds in a ring, but not the carats of the main stone of the ring. So you have no chance to compare properly the price of two rings if you don’t know the exact weight and quality of the main diamond. Tip: Ask for the weight and quality of the main stone - in writing. If they don’t want to do this, leave the store.
• Bright Light: Bright light in jewelry store can alter the color of a diamond. Special bulbs can whiten lower colored diamonds. Tip: Always ask if you can see the diamond without the bright lights. Also ask for an independent certificate to verify the color grade.
• Laser Drilling: Many diamonds are laser drilled, i.e. that tiny holes are drilled into the diamond in order to evaporate inclusions. Unfortunately the drilling makes the diamond more prone to breaking. Tip: Ask the jewelry store, if the diamond is laser drilled and insist on a certificate.
• Altered Certificates: The grade on a diamond certificate can be altered. Tip: Always look at the certificate if it looks ok. Almost all labs laminate their certificate. Look if the lamination is in good order. If it seems altered or not laminated, walk out the store.
• False Lab Ceritificates: The certificate is issued by an non-existing labratory. Tip: Insist on certificates only from respected institutions as the GIA, AGS or EGL labratories and not from local gem labs.
• Switching of the stone: The jeweller may switch the stone after you have purchased the diamond and left the diamond to be set in a ring. Tip: Ask the jeweller to write down the specifications of the purchased diamond, before you leave the diamond in the jewelry store to have set the stone.