Diamond Expert??
Feb 18 '00
I am curious as to how you give the title of diamond expert. There are many salespeople that consider themselves diamond experts. Was this sales person a Gemologist?
They key question here is did you get a good value? With discount chains like Whitehall, it is possible to not pay too much for a ring. But at what cost to quality? Was the metal light duty? How was the quality of the stone represented? Was the cut quality of the stone represented? Does the store belong to any jewelry organizations that require a code of ethics (American Gem Society)? Do they have a yearlong sale on their goods? Do they mark items up so they can offer them on sale all year?
I know this all sounds skeptical, but a lot of chains stores do this. Going to a privately owned store can give you some advantages. Particularly ones that belong to the AGS. They may have certain "truth in pricing" ethical guidlines that don't allow them to have ficticious sales. Maybe the reason you paid less is that the chain will sell a mounting so light and frail that they can afford to drop its price. Others stores may not sell this price range of mountings because they may be too frail to safely hold your diamond.
Stores that have trade memberships alos have to keep up with their trade education, so they may have diamond experts on hand. Not just people that took a seminar once and live off of that title for ever.
I only want people to think about what they purchase and who they consider to be an authority on diamonds. There is a great bullitin board on diamonds purchases where consumers and dealers hash out opinions, experiences and grievances. www.diamondtalk.com
Try it out. You read some great info.
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Location: Colorado
Reviews written: 4
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About Me:
Independent jewelry appraiser and consultant. Former gemology and jewelry manufacturing instructor at the GIA.
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