IS YOUR JEWELER CERTIFIED?

There is a misconception out there, that you should only shop at a jeweler that’s certified.

Where this began, I don’t know.

What do people actually mean when they say “certified jeweler“?

I don’t know that either…

The whole idea is vague and abstruse (does this mean the jeweler has a badge? A plaque on the wall?

A special kind of hat?)

Who knows?

Here’s my educated guess:

When people wonder if their jeweler is certified or not, what they actually mean is this: “Is your jeweler a pro at diamonds?” Are they trustworthy? Are they a certified diamontologist? (expert in diamonds)

Or… (What I really believe it means) “Is your jeweler GIA certified?”

That’s a diamond expert certified by the Gemological Institute of America.)

It’s GIA

I have a hunch it’s GIA that most people are referring to. Being GIA certified is where this concept begians.

So let’s take a look at jewelers, diamond certification, and what it all boils down to.

First off…

Jewelers don’t need to be certified.

They don’t need any certification to become Jewelers whatsoever. They don’t even need certification to sell diamonds. Nothing. There are no rules or regulations that say a jeweler needs to be a diamond expert in order to sell them, or run a jewelry store (although it greatly helps).

Heck, mom and pop jewelry stores have been selling diamonds for centuries and have never been certified.

(Certifiable maybe, but certified; No!)

Fact is, you don’t need to have any qualifications to sell diamonds. You don’t need to become an expert. You don’t even need to know about diamonds (Really?) Yes! You need no certification to carry certified diamonds… Nothing.

But don’t you get better deals?

If you’re thinking that “certified jewelers” offer you better deals on diamonds, you’d be wrong too.

Being certified (again, an expert in diamonds, or one that sells GIA) might give jewelers an extra edge. They may be able to discuss technical terms and detailed information better, but trust me, you won’t get any better diamonds deals from them.

No cheaper diamonds. No deeper discounts (go to James Allen to find those).

Zilch!

Certification won’t lower the price in the least.

All diamonds are NOT certified:

Also keep in mind, even if a jeweler WAS diamond certified, that doesn’t mean that all the diamonds they sell are certified.

Because when we’re talking about certified, the only certificate that truly matters is the GIA diamond report (And not the appraisal a jeweler gives you).

So why aren’t most jewelers certified?

Because jewelers get into the jewelry industry for the LOVE of jewelry. They have a passion for jewelry and gems.

Most jewelers are creative and artistic, and love custom designing rings and mountings (or the store is handed down from generation to generation).

Most jewelers love gemstones and adore diamonds.

Education is a choice:

If store owners or managers want to learn more about diamonds and become experts in the field, that’s a huge bonus. After all, most customers feel more comfortable buying from knowledgeable people than ignorant salespeople.

So what can a certified jeweler give you?

Knowledge!

Certified jewelers can give you tons and tons of knowledge. They can give you the pros and cons to any diamond. They can help you educate yourself, so you learn all about diamonds too.

They can fill your brain with so much about girdle thickness and culet size and dimensions and angles and facets…

But when it all comes down to it, does it really matter?

No, not really.

It’s still NOT cheaper.

It won’t drop the price of the diamond or make it sparkle any more. It won’t keep you from chipping your diamond, or even from getting ripped off by the jeweler. Knowledge means nothing when you talk about a certified jeweler. Scary, eh?

But when it comes to diamonds, well, with diamonds certification means everything.

Diamond certification:

Diamond certification means that the actual diamond is certified. In My book…

Diamond certification is a MUST!

Any jeweler, certified or not, should carry certified diamonds. Certified diamonds are loose diamonds that have been sent to an independent diamond certification laboratory or institute (like these awesome GIA certified diamonds HERE), and tested, graded, and sent back to the jeweler with a laminated report. This report usually lists the diamonds quality, laser inscription numbers, and the 4C’s: cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

The bottom line is:

It doesn’t matter in the least if the jeweler is a mom and pop jewelry store or some big, glitzy million dollar showroom of diamonds. They could have a little information about diamonds and sell based upon romance, or they could be a huge encyclopedia of knowledge and talk your ear off.

It doesn’t matter.

You’re not buying the jeweler, you’re buying the stone.

Remember that.

Whatever you do, make sure the diamonds are certified.

In fact, I would never even consider buying a diamond that wasn’t.

You want those certification papers.

Certificates are important and guarantee the quality of a diamond and the peace of mind of your purchase.

Now as far as the quality of the jeweler goes…

That’s something that no one will certify.

See some great deals on certified diamonds HERE at James Allen.

Cheers! :)