Spot and Avoid Jewelry Scam

1. Best defense: Ask questions

Jewelry scam works when the buyer is passive and unaware. Buy fine discount jewelry only from someone who knows what he is talking about. That is, if the jeweler you are buying from doesn’t know for sure what he is trying to sell you, don’t buy from him. Ask direct, pointed questions if you are any bit uncertain. The key to getting full information about your item of choice: ask questions until you are fully satisfied. Be careful of sellers who seem hesitant / unwilling to reveal more about the piece of fine discount jewelry.

2. Avoid buying ‘bargain’ discount jewelry at inaccessible places

While there are certainly bargains to be found at antique shows or estate sales, the risk of jewelry scam is also higher. Be especially careful if the seller would no longer be contactable (eg. traveling roadshows) after you buy your fine discount jewelry; the lesser the reputation of the seller, the more difficult it will be for you to hold him responsible if you later discover any scam or misrepresentation.

3. Verify the facts – with a gemologist-appraiser

This applies especially if you are buying expensive fine jewelry such as diamond engagement rings. The underhanded jeweler may be willing to make dubious claims (even in writing) just to get the sale. Professional verification by a gemologist-appraiser is essential if you are in any way unsure about the jeweler’s credibility and want to avoid jewelry scam.

4. Most bargains are not bargains

You can get fine discount jewelry at very good prices – but within a defined range. When the discount pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Jewelry scam! Often, the quality of the stones will be misrepresented, thus luring the unsuspecting buyer. The same applies to supposed ‘wholesale’ prices. Even within ‘wholesale’ jewelry districts, the inexperienced buyer may end up purchasing compromised quality stones at prices even higher than retail prices.

Diamond imitations: Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Synthetic Moissanite

Cubic Zirconia

Considered by many to be the best diamond imitation available, Cubic zirconia (CZ) can fool even the eyes of experienced jewelers; despite its slightly lesser brilliance, CZ has an even greater fire and is relatively hard, and thus has good durability. So long as you are buying from a reputable jeweler, you do not need to check for CZ in most cases; jewelry stores often use electronic diamond testers to ensure that items such as diamond engagement rings are not mixed with CZ rings.

Nonetheless, there are a few ways for you to detect a CZ and avoid jewelry scam:

1. Weigh the stone if it is unmounted: a CZ weighs approximately 75 percent more than a diamond.
2. Use a pocket-size electronic diamond tester: available for under $160, these diamond testers will tell you immediately whether your stone is a diamond.

Synthetic Moissanite

Much newer than CZ, synthetic moissanite fools even electronic diamond testers. Similar to diamond in brilliance, it is also much harder than CZ and other gemstones (though still less hard than diamond). A convincing diamond imitation, synthetic moissanite may fool the casual buyer, but not the trained gemologist. Unfortunately, it can be identified quickly using only a jeweler’s loupe.

Jewelry Insurance Fraud

Sidenote for the curious visitor who might have been piqued by recent cases of ‘jewelry insurance fraud’. Basically, the most common type of jewelry insurance fraud revolves around exaggerated claims of lost or stolen jewelry, where the reported value can be much more than the actual worth.

Follow the guidelines above the next time you drop by a jewelry store, and you will be perfectly guarded against jewelry scam. Get fine discount jewelry at the best legitimate prices!

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