| When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous | | | | think you are getting something special. Jewelry |
| scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there | | | | stores also like to show their diamonds in bright |
| are some major ones that come up from time to | | | | lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the |
| time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. | | | | diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as |
| Scams occur simply because most people who | | | | well. |
| buy diamonds - for whatever reasons - don't | | | | Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those |
| know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they | | | | who want appraisals on diamonds that were given |
| are easily fooled. | | | | to them as gifts or that were purchased |
| A common scam that most jewelry stores | | | | elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the |
| participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The | | | | diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually |
| tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only | | | | is worth - and offer to take it off your hands or |
| states the total carat weight of all diamonds in | | | | trade it for a much better diamond, along with |
| the piece, instead of listing the total weights | | | | the cash to make up the difference. This is called |
| separately for each diamond. | | | | low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth |
| This leads consumers to believe that the main | | | | opinion before taking any action. |
| diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. | | | | Another common dirty trick is to switch the |
| Ask what the total carat weight of the center | | | | diamond you have chosen and paid for with one |
| stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores | | | | of lesser quality and value when you leave it to |
| are allowed to round off diamond weights. This | | | | be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond |
| means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a | | | | ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to |
| ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between | | | | do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid |
| ½ and ¾ carat - but closer to ¾. | | | | jewelers that you have not done business with in |
| Jewelry stores often run 'fluorescence' scams to | | | | the past. |
| varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a | | | | There are many more scams that jewelry stores |
| blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white | | | | commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just |
| diamond sounds very unique and special, but in | | | | use your best judgment, and purchase your |
| fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality - | | | | diamonds with the utmost care and consideration. |
| even though the jeweler will try to make you | | | | |