6 Most Common Diamond Scams

This article offers tips on how to avoid most common diamond scams. Brought to you from a local jeweler in Southern MD

When it comes to diamond jewelry, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds for whatever reasons don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.

When you purchase diamonds you want to be sure it’s from a Jewelry you trust, one with a good reputation, like the professionals at Rick Jewelers.  Rick Jewelers offers the following advice to help you buy quality diamonds. 

Somestores  like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. 

A common scam that unreputable jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. A reputable store will be able to tell you the weight of the individual stones. 

Some truly unscrupulous jewelers and even some pawn shops target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth ñ and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action if you’re concerned about this.

Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past or that you can’t find good review on.  Read your jewelers website, social media and google reviews. 

There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

The professionals at Rick’s Jewelers are here to make your buying experience top level.  Come in to us for your next diamond purchase.