Something For Everyone . . .

Any jeweler in town will be absolutely charmed to professionally clean your jewelry for you at no charge.

While you wait.  With no hassle.  Any time you ask, as long as they’re not swamped with customers.  Take a few pieces at a time, not your entire collection.

Waiting a few minutes for a friend at the mall?  Get your rings and bracelet cleaned to pass the time.

Why would they do this for you?

First, it costs them next to nothing and only takes a minute or two.  They clean their own stuff all the time.  They may get chatty, or offer to show you anything you wish.  Jewelers get lots of window-shoppers; most people don’t just walk in cold and buy something expensive.  If they can get you into their store and be nice to you, that’s a point in their favor when you’re ready to buy something in the future, since it’s obvious you already own jewelry, and now you might feel like you owe them something in return.  That’s why there’s no fee, no hassle, no hesitation.  They’re actually glad to do it for you.

You should NEVER leave valuable gemstones with any jeweler for more than a few minutes unless you have a competitor check it out before and after (a pro can spot most fake diamonds in a second).  While it’s rare, jewelers have been known to swap a valuable stone for a fake that looks just like it (to you and me).  Any jeweler at another store can take a quick look at your stone.  All you want to know is, “Was it genuine before I dropped it off, and genuine after I picked it up?” You don’t want to discover years later that you were duped.

If you’re buying or selling a gemstone, especially diamonds, ask the jeweler to hand you a loupe (pronounced ‘loop’).  You don’t need to stick it on your eye like they do in the movies, just hold it with your other hand.  It’s a small 10X magnifier that will let you see details you cannot even imagine (try this at home with any magnifier).  Almost all diamonds have flaws, but some are better than others. If you’re buying, consider bringing along your own 20X magnifier to see even more (the jewelers’ standard is 10X).  The details determine the price/value of a gemstone and no two are alike, even if they’re the same price.  If you’re looking at it with your naked eye, you’re flying blind.  Once it becomes obvious you’re not a run-of-the-mill customer, you’ll likely get a fairer price on anything you buy.  And you can see for yourself why one stone costs more or less than another, even though they appear the same.  Bigger flaws generally mean the stone is more likely to break in two pieces if you bang it into something (it happens).  You cannot see any of this without a magnifier.  You can also inspect the quality and workmanship of the setting.

If you’re getting an appraisal for insurance purposes, always show the appraiser the nicest, most expensive piece first.  This sets the pace, showing that while you may have some lesser pieces, you also shop at better stores than average.  He will appraise everything higher if you do it this way, since you probably paid a lot for the nicest item.  Show him the cheapest item first and he’ll downgrade everything you have.

Sometimes people find lost diamonds in parking lots.  They get knocked out of their setting by car doors, clothing, etc.  If you want to look for them, check at more upscale malls, and look toward the rising or setting sun to see the glint off the stone between you and the sun.  If you have a stone that’s loose in its setting, have it fixed right away or you could lose it.

Don’t take valuable jewelry on vacation; it’s much more likely to be lost or stolen.  Don’t leave valuables in your car if you use parking valets or full-service car washes – they can be stolen (or sucked into a giant vaccuum cleaner!).  When you travel, always put everything valuable into a hotel safe or put it inside your luggage with a luggage lock.

Charlie Gosh

.

.

Learn a simple trick to take advantage of the next recession . . .  http://www.charliegosh.com/?p=97