IS IT SAFE TO LEAVE YOUR DIAMONDS?

Is it safe to leave your diamonds or engagement ring at a jewelry store for sizing or repairs?

Maybe, maybe not!

It all depends on where you take it, and who works on your ring.

If you take your ring to a little hole in the wall, some jeweler down a back alley in the middle of no-where, then you might be taking quite a big risk.

But if you take your ring to a reputable jeweler, then you’re probably pretty safe.

No decent jeweler would want to ruin or tarnish their reputation over a little diamond (no matter what carat weight it is).

It’s just not worth it!

To be fair and honest with you though, every business from small mom and pop stores, to high profile corporate jewelry stores will have people, individuals that work for them, that may not be so trust worthy.

It’s just a fact of life.

It doesn’t mean the jewelry store is dishonest, or out to rip you off. Just that one single person (the bad egg) that’s working for them.

This can be anyone, anytime, anywhere. There is no guarantee when it comes to people or life.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Be prepared!

Know your stone!

Be able to identify it. Be proactive and show the jewelry store that you know your diamond, and are taking measures to protect yourself, your diamond, and the jeweler as well.

It’s playing it smart!

So how do you do this?

Microscoping your diamond!

Looking at the flaws, memorizing where they are, so later, you can view them again and identify them once more.

Draw them out on the repair slip if you must!

You really should do this!

And, if your diamond is laser inscribed, look for the laser inscription on the side of your stone (on the girdle). Match those numbers up with the numbers on your diamond report (certificate). If they don’t match, it’s NOT your diamond!

If the certificate has a diamond plot (a map of the inclusions), then view the plot and view your diamond under a scope to find the flaws and confirm that it’s your diamond.

Inclusions are like fingerprints, every one is unique and different, and no two will ever look alike.

Every diamond created in nature has it’s own identifying birthmarks.

You just need to find them!

And, you don’t even need to find them all, for chances are you can’t (unless you’re a trained professional). You only need to find a few of them. The biggest and easiest ones to identify.

Usually these are lines, pin points, black carbon spots… Things that you can easily spot and say “Yes, that’s my diamond!“

View your stone when you drop it off at the jeweler. Ask them to view it under a microscope. Find your flaws (they will never grow, shrink, or move, they’ll look like that forever!)

This identification is peace of mind!

You’ll know you got your diamond back!

After all, no one who wants to switch out your diamonds are going to do it with a similar quality stone… Nope! If they swap it out, they’ll try to put in a lower quality stone, something that’s low color, low clarity, or a bad cut. Something, in other words, that would be noticeable if you scoped the stone.

It’s all about taking protective measures to keep yourself from getting taken.

The #1 protection…

And just so you know, the #1 way to protect your diamond, is to actually buy a laser inscribed stone (and you can have this done AFTER you buy the stone as well). And usually stones that are under 1.00 are laser inscribed (at least by GIA).

The #2 protection, is insurance. Of course.

Insure your diamond. Insure it for loss, theft, or damage.

And last, but not least…

Trust your eyes and your gut!

If the stone doesn’t look right (granted, your stone WILL look different when you get it back, because it’ll be professionally cleaned, … meaning, not dirty), but it really comes down to YOU.

Most people when they drop off their rings, don’t EVER look at the stone or diamond. They barely even give it a second glance. And then when they get it back, they’ll scrutinize the ring (because everyone is sceptical about jewelers), and of course it’ll look different.

Don’t be this person.

Look at it NOW!

Get familiar with your stone, your inclusions, the cut, the facets…

You have to identify it.

Grab yourself a 10x jeweler’s loupe and study your stone well.

It really is the only way to be sure.

And, don’t forget to have them diamond test the stone (with a diamond tester), just to make sure it’s genuine as well. And not some fake stone or CZ!

There isn’t one store in the world that can always be accountable for all their employees, behaviors, or intentions.

If someone wants to steal your stone, they will.

It doesn’t matter where they work, or what their position is.

It happens, and can happen to YOU!

You just narrow these odds if you shop at a reputable place (ask your friends and family or check the BBB website), and if you are prepared.

Scope your stone!

Memorize your inclusions (99.999% of all diamonds have them).

And do make sure it’s insured!

Just in case!

And if you want to see some GIA certified and laser inscribed stones, GO HERE!

Cheers! :)