Trust Only a Licensed Jewelry Judge for Your Jewelry Appraisals!

If you're planning on purchasing a diamond, you should spend some time learning about the "Four C's" - the value factors of a diamond. – Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight. Most know little about these quality pointes. If someone were buying a new car, they'd know what kind of engine they'd want, whether or not leather upholstery was in the cards or a costly CD/GPS system or fancy wheels fit their budget. Looking at a diamond is the same – are you really getting value for the price? Without knowing the "Four C's", one cannot buy, sell or appraise jewelry intelligently.

Protecting Your Investment

When buying a diamond, the prospective buyer should follow these basic steps:

1. Find a Certified, Independent Appraiser of Gems and Jewelry in your area. This is a person who doesn't not buy or sell Jewelry and who is not connected in any way to a retail Jeweler. Be careful! Being a Graduate Gemologist does not make one and appraiser. Being educated in the Science of Gemology does not make a person an appraiser. Your appraiser must be certified by an Appraisal Organization or Society. This certification should be earned through education and testing in the Appraisal Sciences. Most Appraisal Societies have "Accredited" or Senior" Member status which should be your minimum requirement. You should consult either The American Society of Appraisers, the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, The International Society of Appraiser or the Appraisers Association of America for guidance.
2. Select any jeweler you feel comfortable with. Jewelers should be chosen with the same care you use in selecting a Doctor or Dentist. Ask your friends where they shop. Go online... Visit local Jewelers to get a feel for the store and employees. Get recommendations. Choose a Jeweler you trust.
3. Select your jewelry item from your jeweler of choice and get an unconditional money-back guarantee for say... seven days. If the jeweler you've chosen won't give you this guarantee, choose another jewelers... there are plenty of Jewelers who will give you this form of guarantee. But, be careful... Some Jewelers will give you a guarantee that states "if the item doesn't appraise for more than I sold it for I'll give you your money back!" That's a "condition"! Take that condition out of the guarantee... You want to be able to return if for ANY reason!
4. Bring the jewelry item you purchased to your local independent appraiser and have it appraised. If it's what it's supposed to be... Keep it! If not... Return it immediately!