Buying
jewelry can be a high-dollar gamble.
In an industry that’s plagued
with tales of dishonesty and pretense, discerning the scoundrels
from the saints may seem like a crapshoot. And now, some jewelry
e-tailers offer prices so low, they’re hard to believe.
So how can you be assured that
the pixels on the screen are every bit as valuable (and as
beautiful) as what you paid for them? You can’t. But you can
protect yourself.
“Get an option to have the
sale validated,” says appraiser Patti Geolat of Dallas-based
Geolat & Associates, Inc., and author of The
Professional’s Guide to Jewelry Insurance Appraising
(Vance). “Ask an independent appraiser: ‘Did I get what they
told me I got’ and ‘Did I pay a fair price?’ If not, make
sure you can return your purchase within X number of days if the
piece is not as promised.”
Here are some tips on getting good quality and good deals on
jewelry:
1. Consider the source: Does the jeweler belong to
reputable trade groups such as the American
Gem Society? How long have they (or their Web
site) been in business? Ask friends and family for
recommendations.
2. Secure a certificate:
Without a bill of sale that lists the qualities of a piece, such
as the four Cs of a diamond (color, cut, clarity and carat
weight), you have little recourse to return said purchase if it
is not all it was promised to be.
3. Get a grading report:
For significant purchases, send your item to an independent gem
lab for grading reports. This will provide you with a map of
your stone(s) should you need to return the piece or have it
insured.
4. Get an independent
appraisal: After purchasing an item, do not accept the word
of an in-house appraiser who may have financial ties to a
jewelry retailer.Do not agree to an appraisal where the fee is
based on a percentage of an object’s appraised value. This may
encourage inflated valuations.
5. Do your homework:
Whether you’re buying baubles online, at an auction, on a
cruise ship or in your hometown store, research that 18th
century French enamel snuff box to make sure it wasn’t made in
China last week.
6. Demand liberal return
policies: Expect no less than 30-day money-back guarantees.
Don’t agree to an in-store credit return policy.
7. Negotiate: It never
hurts to ask if they’ll lower the price.
8. Watch out on watches:
Make sure you are purchasing an authentic watch that is
accompanied by all of the appropriate papers, appraiser Geolat
warns. Otherwise you may get a “gray-market piece,” which is
authentic, but not for the U.S. market, meaning you may have
difficulty filing a warranty or getting repair work done in this
country.
9. Brand recognition:
Never underestimate the value power from such established
jewelry houses as Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpel,
Bulgari and Cartier. Whether you buy items online or from a
bricks-and-mortar shop, the name brands themselves assure a
certain level of quality and customer consideration.
Online sources for jewelry
The following sites offer sound refund policies and readily
available customer service. If you intend to purchase anything
online, make sure you fully understand the service guarantees
and return policies.
Ashford.com:
This Houston-based site originally sold watches online, but has
now branched into other luxury goods including designer and
fashion-forward jewelry, fragrances and clothing accessories.
The playful site targets a female audience.
Blue
Nile: This straight-forward Seattle-based site
focuses on diamonds and classic jewelry. It’s strong on
diamond-purchasing guidance for men.
Miadora:
This San Mateo, Calif.-based site specializes in designer
jewelry, estate items and vintage watches. Its sister
site, Jewelry.com,
offers more moderately priced selections and a religious store.
Mondera.com:
Watchmaker David Mouawad started the Manhattan-based Mouawad
company in 1890. In 1998, the company launched its swank Web
site hawking gems, fine jewelry and estate items. Don’t miss
the outlandish online Mouawad “diamond museum,” featuring
some of the company’s jaw-dropping diamond collection.
Sothebys.amazon.com:
In addition to fine jewelry and watches, the site auctions
antiques, objets d’art, collectibles, clocks and more.
eShop:
Buy a diamond — or just learn how to — from this fun site.
