Here's a list of the Top 10 ways that people can get ripped off by Jewelers when dealing with Diamonds and
buying Diamond Engagement Rings!
I call them Diamond Frauds and Scams! But do keep in mind, that it's only a Scam if you allow it to be.
These are eye-openers and words of caution! Be careful when shopping for Diamonds in the Jewelry Stores.
A little Diamond knowledge is the number one way to prevent yourself from being Scammed and Ripped Off!
Study Up! Understand the signs to look for. Buying Diamonds could turn what should be an awesome experience into a very expensive nightmare! Beware!
The Top 10 Diamond Frauds are:
1) Diamond Trade-Ins!
It may sound like a good deal, the Jeweler may be offering you a lot of money for your Diamond Trade-in, but is it really worth it? Normally, No! It doesn't matter how sweet the deal sounds, what matters is how much you end up paying for that Diamond Ring. Compare prices of Rings with the Trade-In and without the Trade-In, and you'll see if that "Great" Trade-In deal you got, is good, or a Rip-Off! Read more: Diamond Trade-In Fraud!
2) Certified Diamonds!
People are under the impression that if a Diamond is Certified, it MUST be good!
WRONG! The name "Certified Diamond" can make any poor quality Diamond sound legit and valuable. But that Certificate may amount to nothing. What matters the most, is what the quality of the Diamond is and who Certified it! It really makes a difference. A Certified Diamond with I Clarity and K Color is NOT a good Diamond! Check the Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight first! Just because it's Certified, doesn't mean it's good! And out of all the Certificate Companies out there, I recommend ONLY G.I.A. Read: Why Buy G.I.A. Certified Diamonds?
3) SI3 Clarity!
If you check the Clarity Chart in any Jewelry Store, you'll see there are 11 Clarity Grades: F, IF, VVS1-VVS2, VS1-VS2, SI1-SI2, I1-I2-I3. Looking at that list you'll see that SI3 is NOT one of them! Still Jewelers try and sell SI3 Clarity Diamonds! (Really they are just I1 Clarity Diamonds) Jewelers are just trying to make that Diamond sound better than it really is. Don't fall for it! Check the Charts. SI3 is NOTa part of the 4 C's of Diamond Grading. Read: The SI3 Scam!
4) Approximate Carat Weights!
You'll see this all the time in Magazines, Ads and Jewelry Catalogs. Jewelers are listing Diamonds with "Approximate" Carat Weights! The Ad may say that you're buying "Approx. 1/2 CT", but you may end up only getting .43 Points! Watch the Carat Weights and ask what the exact weights are before you buy! Read more: Carats and Carat Weights!
5) Diamond Retail Price!
Talk about sticker shock! Isn't it amazing how some Jewelers can sell a $15,000 Diamond Ring for only $2999? Sounds too good to be true! Trust me, it is! Fact is: Jewelers can put ANY Retail Price they want on their Diamonds. Then they host elaborate 50-70% off Sales to make it look like they're slashing huge prices and giving out great deals. But always shop and compare before you buy. Don't focus on what the Retail Price was, or what the "Appraisal Price" may be, focus on what you're paying for. Ultimately, that's the only Price that really matters! The bottom line! Read: Sales Fraud!
Diamond Clarity and Color are next on the Fraud List! Read on...
