Questions to Ask Your Jeweller Before Buying Diamonds

You do not need to be an expert to buy diamonds well. You need to ask the right questions and notice how they are answered. A good jeweller welcomes them.

About the stone

1. Is it natural or laboratory-grown? Ask for it in writing.
2. Which laboratory graded it? Ask for the report and verify its number online. See diamond certificates: IGI, GIA, SGL.
3. What are its carat, colour, clarity and cut? And polish, symmetry and fluorescence. See how to read a diamond certificate.
4. Is the report number inscribed on the stone? Ask to see it under magnification.
5. Has it been treated? Any treatment should be stated.

About jewellery with many small stones

1. How many stones are there, and what is the total carat weight? See total carat weight explained.
2. What is the quality range for the small stones? See melee diamonds.

About the metal

1. What is the purity, and is it hallmarked with a HUID? See BIS hallmark marks explained.
2. What are the net and gross weights? And what is the gold rate used on the bill?

About the price

1. Can I see the full breakup? Gold, making, stones and tax as separate lines. See how jewellery price is calculated step by step.
2. Is there any wastage charge, and how is it applied? See what wastage is.

About the future

1. What are the exchange and buy-back terms? And what will be deducted? See old gold exchange.
2. Can the piece be resized or repaired, and at what cost? See resizing and repairing rings.
3. What after-sales service is offered? Cleaning, prong checks and polishing: which are free and which are charged?
4. What is the return policy? Time limits, condition and any exceptions for made-to-order pieces.

How to judge the answers

• Clear, specific answers with documents are a good sign.
• Vague answers, reluctance to put things in writing or pressure to decide quickly are reasons to pause.

Take notes

Write the answers down, or take photos of the stone details and the report, so that you can compare with another seller afterwards.

Bring a short version

If fifteen feels like many, the essential five are: natural or laboratory-grown, the laboratory report, the hallmark and HUID, the full price breakup and the exchange terms.

What a good answer sounds like

A good answer is specific and checkable. "It is graded by a named laboratory, here is the report and its number" is a good answer. "It is a very good stone, trust me" is not. When a number is quoted, such as a weight or a rate, ask where it appears on the bill. When a term is unfamiliar, ask the jeweller to explain it and show it on the stone. People who know their craft are glad to teach.

Ready to ask

You are welcome to bring this list to our showroom. Book an appointment and we will go through it with you, or start by looking at the details on our diamond pendants and rings.