Questions To Ask Before Buying Jewelry

Purchasing jewelry is not just a financial investment. Often, people have an emotional connection to their jewelry. For centuries, jewelry has been used as a symbol of affection for our loved ones. For example, an engagement ring is a symbol of love that represents an exchange of promise and expectations.

Jewelry is the best gift to commemorate weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, and “just because” days, just to name a few. When making these significant purchases, take some measures to ensure that you get the best value for your money. Here are some of the questions you should ask your Poway jeweler before buying.


Do your diamonds come with certificates?

Diamond prices are dictated by diamond quality. Because we are not all diamond-grading experts, there are independent diamond-grading laboratories that issue certificates detailing the essential qualities of a particular diamond that affect its value. Four of those qualities are referred to as “the 4 Cs” - cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. To the untrained eye, differences in some of these factors are unperceivable.

Any significant diamond should be accompanied by a certificate from a diamond-grading laboratory. The very best in the industry is the Gemological Institute of America, with headquarters right here in Carlsbad California. Be very cautious of a jewelry store that produces in-house diamond certificates. Any diamond certificate that is not from an independent body could be biased.


How long has the store been around?

Your ideal Poway jewelry store should instill trust and confidence. And unfortunately, like any business, jewelry stores are known to come and go during troubling economic times. A jewelry store with a history that surpasses ten years shows stability. What good is a warranty if the business won't be around to fulfill it?

You can also review customer testimonials online. This will give you some indication of the rapport they have built over the years. Also, feel free to inquire about the experience of the jeweler or the salesperson who is attending to you. You want to be sure that these are professionals who know their stuff and can provide helpful solutions to any concerns you may have.


How do I protect my investment?

You can never be too secure when it comes to protecting jewelry. Insuring it against loss can be a good safety measure. Since jewelers often deal with insurance companies that specialize in jewelry insurance, they can recommend the best companies to take care of you in the case of a loss.


What are their after-sale services?

Jewelry is a significant purchase, and like any other, it needs regular checkups and maintenance services to keep it in good shape. Inquire whether the jewelry store offers after-sale services such as annual checks, cleaning, polishing, and resizing.

Bring your jewelry in to your jeweler twice a year to have it inspected and ensure that the prongs that hold the precious gemstones in place have not become loose or damaged. And any time that your jewelry is accidentally knocked against a hard surface, take it in to be inspected. Better safe than sorry.

A skilled jeweler serving Poway customers should be able to offer you all these services.


What are their policies for warranty and returns?

Inquire about the store's warranties and policies before you commit to buy jewelry from them. A reputable jewelry store stands behind their jewelry quality with a warranty to cover unnoticed defects. Warranties typically do not cover normal wear and tear.

Also, ask if the jewelry store offers a reasonable return policy. And financing options make paying the bill a bit easier on cash flow.  At Leo Hamel’s, we offer a variety of financing options to fit your needs.

Using the above questions can be a useful criterion to discern whether you are dealing with a reputable jewelry store in either Poway or greater San Diego.