Diamonds aren’t as easy to come by as they are in the grocery. Diamonds are bought as souvenirs or gifts to commemorate key occasions or individuals in your life. However, not everyone is aware of diamonds and can easily become a victim of a con. When it comes to diamonds, first-time purchasers have little understanding, thus it is up to the vendor or jeweler to provide them with information or advice on the gems they are considering.
Unfortunately, this lack of knowledge provides scammers and unethical jewelers with several opportunities to defraud innocent customers and leave them with lower-quality diamonds or fakes. Some sellers are even selling lab-grown diamonds as mined diamonds. If you’re thinking about buying a diamond ring or a diamond bracelet, there are a few things you can do to avoid being taken advantage of.
Check The Authenticity Of Diamond Certificate
Many dealers will try to persuade you that you don’t need the certificate because you’re buying the diamond. This is incorrect, as it is a long-standing fraud in which numerous con artists attempt to deceive consumers into purchasing diamonds using forged certificates. Scammers will use flowery language and jargon to make diamonds appear unique and valuable when they are not.
They’ll try to provide you with fraudulent credentials from unidentified labs or institutes claiming to know the diamond’s rating. However, you should make sure that the diamond certificate is issued by GIA or IGI; two of the most reputable gemological labs in the world.
Look Out For Fake Diamond Scams
If the diamond you want does not have a certificate that authenticates its quality from a reputable third-party gemological organization, the seller is most likely trying to sell you a fake. They are taking advantage of your lack of information about what distinguishes a genuine diamond and are attempting to dupe you into accepting fake or synthetic diamonds.
Diamond Switching Scams
Assume you’ve ordered and purchased an engagement ring with the exact cut and shape of the diamond you like, as well as the ideal setting for it. You will be notified after payment for the ring that the engagement ring you desired is no longer available and that you will be offered a nicer, similar-looking, and more “valuable” engagement ring as a replacement. If this happens to you, don’t fall for it. The best course of action is to request a refund and spend your money elsewhere.