Diamond Scams

When it comes to diamonds, there are

numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are

minor, but there are some major ones that

come up from time to time concerning the

buying and selling of diamonds. Scams

occur simply because most people who buy

diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t

know that much about diamonds. Therefore,

they are easily fooled.



A common scam that most jewelry stores

participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam.

The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring,

only states the total carat weight of all

diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the

total weights separately for each diamond.

This leads consumers to believe that the main

diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it

is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center

stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry

stores are allowed to round off diamond

weights. This means that if the jeweler tells

you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is

probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but

closer to ¾.



Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’

scams to varying degrees. Referring to a

diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a

scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very

unique and special, but in fact, this type of

diamond is of lesser quality – even though

the jeweler will try to make you think you are

getting something special. Jewelry stores

also like to show their diamonds in bright

lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask

to see the diamond in a different, darker

type of lighting as well.



Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target

those who want appraisals on diamonds

that were given to them as gifts or that were

purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you

that the diamond is worthless, or worth less

than it actually is worth – and offer to take it

off your hands or trade it for a much better

diamond, along with the cash to make up

the difference. This is called low balling.

Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion

before taking any action.



Another common dirty trick is to switch the

diamond you have chosen and paid for with

one of lesser quality and value when you

leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or

leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only

way to avoid this is to do business with one

trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you

have not done business with in the past.



There are many more scams that jewelry

stores commonly pull on unsuspecting

consumers. Just use your best judgment,

and purchase your diamonds with the

utmost care and consideration.