| e you buy wholesale jewelry, it's important to ask | | | | contract. |
| yourself if these wholesale prices are really | | | | 3. Know that people don't give away precious |
| wholesale. It's easy to be lured by supposedly | | | | gems. |
| cheaper "wholesale" prices or the idea of a | | | | Because of the current gem market, it's very |
| bargain, but you'll save yourself a lot of money by | | | | unlikely that someone is going to give away a |
| being an informed consumer. Before you attempt | | | | particular stone or gem. While there's definitely |
| to buy a wholesale diamond or other piece of | | | | room to negotiate and maneuver, the price of |
| jewelry, read this article for some critical tips that | | | | certain gems tends to be set within a particular |
| can help protect you and your investment. | | | | range. This means that if a deal is too good to be |
| While some wholesalers are honest and legitimate | | | | true, it usually is. |
| sellers, others do misrepresent their products. This | | | | When purchasing jewelry online, take the following |
| means you may buy a diamond that you believe | | | | considerations into account. |
| to have a certain color or clarity grade only to | | | | How can I buy wholesale products safely? |
| unhappily discover you've actually purchased a | | | | Look for a retailer that outlines every facet and |
| lower-quality product that's worth much less. In | | | | aspect of the piece and actually tries to inform |
| some cases, you can wind up paying double what | | | | you, the buyer, rather than dazzle you with big |
| you would pay for a similar quality diamond with a | | | | words and uninformative adjectives. You want |
| traditional retailer. So, how do you protect | | | | sites that offer descriptions of the stones and |
| yourself? | | | | pieces that are written or cleared either by |
| 1. Always look at the product first. | | | | certified gemologists or jewelry experts. |
| Unless the retailer offers a clear and established | | | | Where can I learn more? |
| refund policy in case of a misrepresented sale, | | | | If you're not comfortable with your knowledge |
| never buy a valuable product without first | | | | level, try visiting a traditional, retail jeweler to get |
| examining it in person. Look at it on a dead-white | | | | an idea of non-wholesale prices, but also stone |
| background and be thorough in your examination | | | | terminology and styles. |
| for flaws, like blemishes or internal feathering. | | | | How can I protect myself on auction sites? |
| 2. Get the facts in writing from your wholesale | | | | When purchasing wholesale jewelry through an |
| merchant. | | | | auction site, always read the fine print and study |
| When you buy a precious gemstone, get the | | | | the auction's terms and conditions thoroughly. |
| jeweler to write all the product's details down on | | | | Make sure that you can return the item if you're |
| the bill of sale. This includes the carat weight, | | | | not completely satisfied, and be sure to read a |
| color, flaw grades, cut, clarity remarks and | | | | seller's reviews. Once you've purchased and |
| dimensions. If the diamond or stone is certified, | | | | received the item, take it to an appraiser |
| obtain a copy of any of these reports or | | | | immediately to make sure the stone matches the |
| certifications. | | | | quality assessment given to you by the seller. |
| Also, if the piece supposedly comes from a | | | | What is escrow payment? |
| well-known design house (for example Tiffany, | | | | For large-scale items, you may want to consider |
| Cartier or Arpels), and this affects the price, ask | | | | putting the funds in escrow. This means a neutral |
| for the original designer to be noted on the bill of | | | | third party will hold the payment in tow until the |
| sale as well. | | | | jewelry has been assessed by an independent |
| Once all this is noted, set an approved time period | | | | appraiser. Once the appraisal is finished, the funds |
| to allow you to have the piece appraised and the | | | | go to the seller and the piece goes to the buyer. |
| purchase approved. For example, note whether a | | | | This method typically comes with a small service |
| two-day or thirty-day time period is allowed. | | | | fee, but can be a very effective tool to protect |
| Before you sign anything, make sure you're | | | | against potential fraud. |
| signing an approval form and not a purchasing | | | | |