Buying Tips

Shop around. Compare prices of comparable quality jewelry to find the best value. The lowest price is not always the best value as diamonds and colored stones vary greatly in quality and price. A flawless and colorless one caret diamond can be as high as $30,000 and a "promotional grade" diamond as low as $500. So be sure you are comparing prices of comparable quality stones. Also be aware of stores that double and even triple the retail value of the jewelry and then offer a "50% Discount" of the inflated price.
Have the jeweler give you at least a week to return the jewelry you are buying for a full refund after you have it appraised. Get full details of the materials and stone quality on your receipt, plus the fact that it is returnable for a full refund.
Get a jewelry appraisal by an independent appraiser certified by GIA not on the store staff. Find an appraiser that does not buy or sell.
Learn about jewelry quality and prices. An excellent book is: "JEWELRY & GEMS, The Buying Guide" by Matlins and Bonanno, published by Gemstone Press and available at most bookstores.
Review the other categories in this section to find out more about Diamond Grading, Diamond Jewelry, Gemstones, Jewelry Quality, and Best Buys.