Avoiding scams - engagement rings online UK

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Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting and highly expensive business. Because of this it is a good idea to educate yourself a little before you start to shopping. Although retailers are usually honest, they often know less than they think about the jewellery they are selling you. Therefore, the first step in getting the best ring for you money is to check the diamond certificate. If you are being sold a quality diamond, the certificate will verify this. But it will also tell you if the jeweller is trying to sell you a sub-standard diamond.

Some jewellers will go to great lengths to rip you off, and use a number of recognised techniques to do this. The most commonly-used scams are listed below, along with possible ways of steering clear of them.

Total Carat Weight
Some jewellers list the 'carat total weight' of a ring's diamonds, without giving the weight of the centre stone separately. This could greatly affect the value of the ring, as one large diamond is worth much more than two smaller diamonds that total the same weight.
Solution: Always ask for the weight and quality of the centre stone in writing.

Lighting Tricks
Jewellers often use strong blue or ultraviolet lighting which has a whitening effect, making yellow diamonds look whiter.
Solution: Ask to see the diamond away from strong lighting and always ask for a certificate to verify the colour grade.

Laser-drilling
Laser-drilling is used to burn and clear large black inclusions in the diamond. This weakens the diamond and means it is more likely to break.
Solution: Ask for a certificate which, if from a respected gemmological lab, will clearly state whether or not a stone has been drilled.

Rounding Weight Up or Down
If your jeweller is rounding a diamond's weight up or down, one labelled as 1/2 carat in weight could actually weigh anywhere between .44 and .56 carat.
Solution: Ask for the exact weight and check the diamond certificate.

Hiding Flaws
Wherever possible, jewellers tend to place flaws under a prong in the ring. Over time, the prong's pressure can damage the diamond where these flaws occur.
Solution: If possible, look at the diamond when it is loose, without any kind of ring or setting.

Filling Fractures
A new process has recently been adopted whereby crystal is melted into fractures in a diamond. This extreme heat used for this method can be damaging to the stone.
Solution: Check the certificate - any reputed lab will note this treatment.

Cubic Zirconia
Although highly unlikely, it is possible that the salesperson may be trying to sell a piece of cubic zirconia, instead of a diamond.
Solution: Place the stone on a newspaper and if you can see the print, it is not a real diamond.

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Avoiding scams - engagement rings online UK

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