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Now you should still only deal with a reputable jeweler who will quarantee your purchase, but you can get a diamond certificate which will tell you about your diamond. The four C's grading system can protect you from being ripped off, but you need to know as much as you can about grading before you can be confident. Many scams are still being used in the diamond industry. You must be aware of them and learn how to avoid them. If you just remember to always get a cerificate from a reputable lab, have the cerificate number engraved on the diamond, and never pay more than 60% of the appraised price or check Rapaport prices, you will have avoided 90% of the scams.

Here are some of the scams to avoid.

Sometimes, the seller tells you the 4C's of the diamond that you are looking to buy. Then when you purchase it, they substitute an inferior quality diamond. The appraisal will have the clarity and color that you bought, but the diamond is not that clarity or color. This happens often when people buy on a cruise while in port in a foreign country. To avoid this scam, you can insist that you get a cerificate from a reputable lab and have the certificate number engraved on the girdle of the diamond.

When you buy a diamond at an auction especially if there is not reserve, beware. Many times, the seller
will substitute an inferior diamond because the auction price was too low. They will give you an appraisal which is the same as the diamond that you bid to buy, but it will not match the diamond. Once again, to avoid this scam, you can insist that you get a cerificate from a reputable lab and have the certificate number engraved on the girdle of the diamond.

Be careful when you take your diamond in for repair or to be cleaned. Many people will switch diamonds. They will give you an inferior diamond back. The best guard against switching is to have your diamond engraved with a certificate number. Have the jeweler give you a recept for the diamond which has the certificate number on the receipt so you have proof that you gave him that diamond. Then check the diamond for the correct number when you pick it up.

Some jewelry stores advertise a 50% off diamond sale. They inflate the prices of the diamonds and then give you a 50% discount. The discounted price is actually the price that the diamond should be priced originally. Usually, I would not pay more than 60% of the appraisal price if it is from a reputable diamond lab. You should be able to pay only 50% or even 40% of the appraisal price.

Do not buy enhanced diamonds unless you get a large reduction in price. Enchanced diamonds can shatter from heat, cleaning, or a sharp impact. A SI3 enhanced diamond may be an I2 or worse before it was enchanced. You should actually pay less than
the I2 price when you buy it. Enchanced diamonds are worth less than before they were enhanced.

The cut of the diamond affects the cost as much as 50% and also affects the appearance. Even if 2 diamonds have the same clarity and color and carat size and shape, the price can vary by as much as 50% depending on the cut. We will discuss cut in more detail in another section.

Alway use these warnings, be sure to get a diamond report from a reputable lab, use the four C's, use cut not shape as one of the C's, and refer to an appraisal (do not pay more than 60% of the appraisal) or Rapaport to aid you in purchasing your diamond.

Always get a guarantee of size, color, and clarity when you purchase a diamond. Demand a diamond
report from a reputable lab. If possible, get the report number engraved on the diamond. Buy only from a reputable diamond dealer who will stand behind their guarantee. Get it in writing.

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