You may have been happy with your family jeweller. After all, your father recommended him. But can you trust them?
Today, it is hard to know who is just in it for the money. Although a jewellery store is a business like any other and needs to make a profit, you want to know the company you are dealing with has your interest at heart.
1. Is your jeweller a member of the SA Jewellery Council?
Most professional jewellers belong to an industry body. If not, there could be a reason why they are not recognized by the organization that represents our jewellery industry. Stay away from such jewellers.
2. Is the consultant answering your questions?
A trustworthy jeweller will allow you to ask questions and take the time to explain everything. Also, he will ask you a few questions, such as: what you are looking for, what your tastes are, what your budget is, and what the piece is for. This will guide him in serving you better and meeting your needs, not his.
3. A reputation is worth a thousand words.
Word of mouth can be helpful. If your friends and family go to him and keep supporting him, it’s probably a sign they are satisfied.
4. RESPECT, means a lot.
When you tell your jeweller your budget, and he says:Yes, but… then you should pause for a moment. A trustworthy jeweller will respect your budget and not try to justify why spending more or buying bigger is better. A respectable jeweller will show a range of products within your budget and work with you to
ensure a good balance between value and price. A jeweller should respect your heirlooms, regardless of their monetary value.
5. Age before beauty.
How long a jeweller has been in business is a sure sign of trust. If the firm has been around for decades and in the exact location, it means he has the confidence of the community, which means you can trust him, too.
6. Does he explain rather than sell?
Does the jeweller take time to explain the four C's of diamonds? Or show you sapphires and less expensive gems when you ask to see blue stones?
7. Does he know?
When you ask about lab-grown or fake diamonds, can he show you how he differentiates between natural, man-made, and fake diamonds? Most good jewellers will have a pen-like instrument to separate diamonds from fakes, such as cubic zirconia, glass, moissanite, etc., but they still cannot identify lab-grown diamonds. However, the best jewellers will have an expensive testing machine such as the GIA iD100, Yehuda, or Gemetrix, that can separate natural from lab- grown diamonds. If a jeweller sells lab-grown and natural diamonds from the same premises and does not have such a machine, he risks unknowingly swapping natural and lab-grown stones.
8. Does he own inventory or sell what he has to order?
If he offers you a list of hundreds of diamonds to choose from, is it his inventory or an overseas list from which he has to order? When making a purchase of this size and value, it is crucial that you look at the real items, not have to choose from a list.
9. Does your jeweller have a clear and written warranty and return policy?
Do you know what will happen if he designs something for you and you do not like it?
10. Let him show you.
Good jewellers will have a 10x loupe, which is a magnifying glass for inspecting gemstones. And if he lets you check out what he is offering, that is great for many reasons. Firstly, you will be able to see the gem & it’s imperfections and know what you are getting in quality. Secondly, having seen the unique imperfections in your stone, you can always use the loupe to check that you are getting back the stone
you bought or handed in.
11. The best jewellers do not only sell jewellery.
They also clean, polish, and repair items, re-size rings, custom design pieces, and identify and value gems and jewellery. And if he has a functional workshop on his premises, your heirlooms never have to leave his premises. Make sure your jeweller can do all these things and that he keeps a record of
valuation certificates and repairs done. Your future jewellery needs can thus be served under one roof.
12. Trust your instincts.
We all have inner voices that tell us if something is not right. If the owner or staff makes you uncomfortable, the premises look shabby, and the neighbourhood dangerous, your gut will warn you. Listen to it – it is there for a good reason.
If you are looking for a jeweller who ticks all the above boxes, you will find him at:
PRINS & PRINS DIAMONDS, in HUGUENOT HOUSE an historic building in the heart of Cape Town. Visiting them will be like going to see a friend.