If you’re looking for a jeweler to purchase a diamond, special jewelry as a gift or investment, you may be unsure where to start. After all, buying jewelry is an important, often personal, decision. When you are planning a jewelry purchase, you may not feel confident in your knowledge about diamonds and gemstones, so you need a jeweler you can trust.
An online search for jewelers produces many results. With so many jewelers to choose from, how do you make a good decision?
Here are some tips to help you locate a trusted jeweler near you.
Look for a credentialed jeweler.
Jewelers who are credentialed belong to a professional organization that denotes their expertise. You should look for a jeweler who is certified by American Gem Society (AGS). AGS is the United States’ preeminent jewelry trade organization dedicated to consumer protection. An AGS jeweler has participated in a peer-reviewed application process and completes an annual recertification exam.
What does this mean to you? It means every AGS jeweler not only has up-to-date knowledge, they also have dedicated themselves to the core fundamentals of AGS. AGS was founded as a consumer protection organization. Since 1934, AGS jewelers have been making it easier and safer to buy jewelry.
AGS jewelers go through a thorough vetting process to become a member. They take annual recertification exams to maintain their credentials, so they are up to date on their gemological knowledge.
Is the jeweler able to answer your questions?
Your jeweler should be able to answer your questions about the jewelry you want to purchase. For example, if you’re looking at a diamond ring, they should be able to tell you if it’s natural or lab grown. What can they tell you about the diamond’s characteristics? Can they explain the four C’s and how they are related to the diamond? If you choose an AGS jeweler, they will have the background they need to answer these questions and more.
Don’t know anything about cut and clarity? That’s ok. AGS jewelers provide expert gemological knowledge. And, since they dedicate themselves to adherence to strict standards of ethics, AGS jewelers are a trusted source for gemstone expertise.
Can they provide a lab report for a diamond?
Diamond certification is an important way to ensure you are making a good investment. Lab reports from a third party can help you determine the stone’s quality and if it’s natural or lab-grown, in addition to other relevant details.
AGS and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have advanced their long-standing collaboration to serve jewelry professionals and offer consumer protection. The two organizations have combined their gemological research efforts. The AGS Ideal® report, available from GIA, is a digital-only supplement to GIA diamond grading reports. This report covers both natural and laboratory-grown round, brilliant and fancy shape diamonds.
The GIA grading report provides information on a diamond’s 4Cs (cut, clarity, color and carat), and the AGS Ideal ® Report by GIA provides a light performance grade by analyzing its ability to find light.
Find a jeweler you can trust.
Ultimately, an AGS jeweler is a wise choice. Finding an AGS jeweler is easy, thanks to our Find a Jeweler tool on americangemsociety.org. Simply input your location and the tool will present a list of AGS jewelers in the desired radius you select (5, 10-, 25-, 50- or 100-mile options).
If you’re in the market for a diamond or other gemstones, you should enjoy the process! Finding the right jewelry for you or your loved one can be a memorable experience. Make a smart choice by selecting a jeweler you can trust. Look for a skilled and trustworthy AGS jeweler near you.
