| Let me tell you a story. It just happened over | | | | on it, and if she would want I could put her in |
| the course of the past 10 days. A friend of mine | | | | contact with experts. |
| took her diamond ring to a local diamond dealer | | | | She thanked me and said the dealer would be |
| for evaluation. The diamond is a family heirloom - | | | | taking it to some other experts for further |
| it has gone from her grandmother to her mother | | | | analysis. |
| and then down to her. It is over 65 years old. | | | | That was the last I heard of it. |
| The diamond is not very pretty - it is a 1.20 | | | | I just saw my friend the diamond dealer and |
| Carat stone, but is very poor on clarity - it has a | | | | asked him what happened with that diamond. He |
| cloud going through the whole inside of the | | | | told me the whole story of how it was brought in, |
| diamond, along with many chips and a serious | | | | and just that day a large manufacturer came in |
| culet on the side. The diamond is in bad shape, but | | | | right after and he showed it to him to ask his |
| it is a nice size and holds a lot of sentimental | | | | opinion on recutting it and that guy said it is a |
| value. | | | | fake. Then another manufacturer came in and he |
| The friend was looking to have the diamond | | | | showed it to him and he also said it is a fake. |
| cleaned up and cut down a bit so it would be | | | | He then brought it to a series of experts for |
| nicer. So, she takes her diamond to a local dealer | | | | analysis, and they discovered that the diamond is |
| and asks him to evaluate what would come out if | | | | in fact a real diamond and is not a fake. The |
| he cut it down for her and if it is worthwhile. The | | | | diamond was analyzed by separate experts very |
| dealer, in addition to his own opinion, asked some | | | | thoroughly and was given a clean bill of health. |
| other experts. The first two dealers he showed | | | | The confusion was caused because of the poor |
| the diamond to, separately, looked at it and said | | | | quality and the cloud going through the whole |
| the diamond is a fake. | | | | stone, so the manufacturers who looked at it |
| Can you imagine that? You bring in your | | | | quickly just assumed it was a fake but had not |
| grandma's diamond to be cleaned up and you are | | | | given it a thorough analysis. |
| told it is a fake!!?? She must have nearly died on | | | | That is a great story, isn't it? But what's the |
| the spot! She called me up, remembering that I | | | | point? |
| am in the field but not knowing exactly what I do | | | | The point is that the most important part of |
| or what I know, and asked me if this guy is | | | | buying a diamond, either on the internet or in a |
| honest and if this is even possible. | | | | store with a jeweler in front of you, is to get it |
| I explained to her that it is possible - it could be | | | | from someone who is honest and has integrity. It |
| the person who originally sold it was dishonest, or | | | | is so easy to be scammed - unless you yourself |
| anybody along the way. If her grandmother took | | | | are a diamond dealer, you have no idea what you |
| it in to be cleaned at some point, anybody could | | | | are actually getting. You have no idea if the |
| have switched it for a fake. At the same time, I | | | | diamond they put in the little jewelry box is the |
| know the dealer and told her that he is the most | | | | same one you just bought, you have no idea if |
| honest and trustworthy guy I know, and he | | | | the diamond you are looking at is real or what |
| would not be scamming her. | | | | any of those dots mean, etc. |
| That being said, I told her before she does | | | | You have no idea. |
| anything with the diamond now that she knows it | | | | The most important thing is to make sure you |
| is fake, she should get a second and third opinion | | | | are buying from an honest and reputable dealer. |