Whether you purchase an anniversary ring or engagement ring, you are likely to be subject to a switching scam. It can happen even when you bring your ring with natural diamonds or lab grown diamonds for a maintenance or cleaning service at a local jeweler. How can you prevent switching your diamonds with alternative gems and confirm that your jewelry is safe? Here, we will share some tips with you to help you avoid the situation.
Know Your Diamonds Thoroughly
Appraisers usually take some hours to appraise and grade diamonds. If they can be thorough with their examination, you should also do the same. Before leaving your diamond unattended for resizing or cleaning, view it through a magnification loupe. Look for unique marks on the stone or unique flaws in it. Learn about the forms of internal and external flaws of a diamond, and use that knowledge to identify the characteristics at the shop. Making this inspection will let the jeweler understand that you pay attention to all details and work as a warning for them to avoid messing around.
Before leaving the store with your ring, be sure to verify its details again. If something seems off, bring it up with the jeweler immediately.
Ask Your Jeweler To Make A Map Of Its Inclusions Before Its Service
An honest mistake can occasionally happen at a jewelry shop. For instance, when a customer brings in a jewelry piece for a setting change or repair, there could be a genuine case of confusion at the location. To keep that kind of issue or a misunderstanding from happening, request the store’s staff to plot the stone on an official receipt before giving it to them for service.
It basically entails the retailer creating a map of forms of inclusions and the locations of the product on the document. You and your jeweler should then keep a replica of that plot for identification as you go back for collection.
Stay Vigilant Always; It Does Not Hurt To Be Extra Cautious
A diamond switching scam does not occur as often as you feel it might. If it happens, it would be because the unsuspecting customer did not use good sense and judgment as they chose a jewelry retailer.
We hope that you will remember these tips when shopping for diamond rings or taking those products for a service/maintenance job.