Islands Shopping

[Jeff A.]

A new tactic being used in some island jewelry stores...
The customer is told that the diamond they are purchasing is
"SI" quality. That's it!
The problem being that they turn out to be "SI3" which is almost
always an "I 1" (imperfect clarity) diamond.
I have been seeing this disturbing trend on a regular basis from
island travelers returning to the states with "buyers remorse."
It just amazes me that a consumer would make a large purchase
without any documentation from an independent lab...and then
return home only to hear the real truth. Consumers would be wise
to buy a diamond here in the U.S. from a professional and reputable jeweler.
Buyer beware...and yes, we DO have much better consumer protection
laws.

Jeff A.

[JLPJ]

Will be leaving after posting this on a cruise trip through the islands.

Assuming that I have the opportunity, I intend to observe jewelry-selling practices in the Carribean, take notes later, then post what I've seen here.

;)

[Jeff A.]

Enjoy your cruise!
The one thing that drove me crazy....
Glossy island magazines showing all the
hot spots...you get there and the places
are either shacks or "closed."
The power of advertising.

Drink and be merry.

Jeff A.

[AlphaGemLab]

I just did an appraisal on a 1.80ct fancy color diamond. The paperwork from the jeweler didn't include the measurements, a plot, or have a certificate for origin of color. I can't imagine plopping down $17,000+ and not even knowing where the color comes from!
Joyce

[GGJoe]

It can be concerning, what is brought in for my consultations. Subjectivity, given how subjective it can be, can quickly cause rough seas. Granted, I've seen some excellent deals resulting from "island shopping." Usually from the client, who goes on a cruise every month and knows the business owner on a 1st name basis (business owner knows the client's first name!). I've seen some real snowjobs too. After I run comps (market data) for appraisal, too many times the client replies "but that's about what I paid for it and "they" assured me it was worth three times more than I paid."

I'll never forget the Tag Huer watch purchased from "the islands" where toilet paper fell out after I removed the back (with my friend's permission). Reminded me of that scene in "Animal House" when Otter took the bra off the grocery clerk he escourted to the toga party!

GGJoe

[GGJoe]

One other thing on the subject of island shopping. . . I wonder how many shoppers, when down there, remember the words on TV shopping networks saying things like "how rare Tanzanite is" and "the mines were flooded and there's just not much out there" and perhaps get a good laugh how much tanzanite there is to be purchased.... down there that is. ;)

GGJoe

[Joselyn]

Speaking of Tanzanite, I had a customer who bought some Tanzanite on a cruise recently. She was so excited, but she wanted to make sure she got what she was told so she brings it in for us to look at. I know never to "sight ID" anything and that you really can't, but after 5+ years in this business and specializing in colored stones, we've seen a TON of Tanzanite. There was just something "off" with these stones. They didn't look right.

So I started testing. RI is wrong, no pleochrism, no detectable birefringence, etc, etc. The more I test, the more I'm thinking Glass. So...we take it to an "Independant Gem Lab" for a second opinion/verification. $45.00 for this guy to tell me that it's "Synthetic Tanzanite." I laughed so hard when the paper came back into the office seeing as there's no known synthetic tanzanite, only simulants. I called the guy and started questioning him. He couldn't get me off the phone fast enough after I started proving him wrong. Him telling me that the RI / SR combo is what tells him it's Synthetic was laughable and maddening at the same time.

Moral of the story, always be careful shopping in the islands. Of course buy trinkets and souveniers, even gems/jewelry that's inexpensive as a remembrance, but if you're looking for something expensive (over $1,000) your hometown jeweler can usually get you nicer materials, the actual materials you're supposed to be buying, and for a better price!

[Jeff A.]

An individual stops in a week ago and wants me to appraise 100 cts. of tanzanite that she purchased from a television gem channel. Paid $129.00 for the lot. "Get Real."

"Got Real."
"Real Real Pale Pale."

Jeff A.
GG/Appraiser
www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

[denverappraiser]

A new tactic being used in some island jewelry stores...
The customer is told that the diamond they are purchasing is
"SI" quality. That's it!
The problem being that they turn out to be "SI3" which is almost
always an "I 1" (imperfect clarity) diamond.
I have been seeing this disturbing trend on a regular basis from
island travelers returning to the states with "buyers remorse."
It just amazes me that a consumer would make a large purchase
without any documentation from an independent lab...and then
return home only to hear the real truth. Consumers would be wise
to buy a diamond here in the U.S. from a professional and reputable jeweler.
Buyer beware...and yes, we DO have much better consumer protection
laws.

Jeff A.

Jeff,

It often is even worse than you describe. In their return policy they will say that the stone must appraise at least 2 grades away from what was represented in order to be a valid return. The idea is that since grading is not an exact science and the appraiser is grading the stone mounted, one ?buffer? grade is reasonable. In some since this is true but if you are buying a diamond simply described as an SI quality stone thinking that you are buying an SI1-F (because that?s what the salesperson said), they can say that they are close enough with an I1-L. Topics surrounding the cut can be completely glossed over as if they were irrelevant.

Not all Caribbean dealers are a problem but there are definitely sharks in the water down there.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver (http://www.gemlab.us)

[oldminer]

It isn't as if Island Shopping was impossible. It can be a decent experience, but you have to be a good haggler, somewhat street smart, a very good shopper and read everything before you agree to it.

Truthfully, the same can be said for domestic purchasing, but in the USA you have excellent consumer laws to protect your interests. Don't be foolish about buying costly gems and jewelry where you have little to no opportunity to get it right if you fouled up the first time. Learn your lessons at home where you have a degree of legal protection.

[panachegems]

Joselyn,
I don't know where you live but around my City we kind of all work together. We would never charge another Gemologist $45.00 for a second opinion, even a written one for just an ID.
I would have had to pick the stones up personally and ask him to show me some refference material on the match of the RI he came up with.
Sounds to me like he has received some Gemological Information on "Tanzalite" from the Home Shopping Network.

Also I have been seeing the "Returns only" thing if the stone is more than one grade off results lately. I have looked a some nice size goods bought off of EBay that had a grade of SI1 and G in color. The color was pretty much the call but the clarity was from I2 to almost Pique.'
This brings up a question for you old timers, Whoops! I meant well rounded . What do you think about this new grade "SI3." ? Personally I act like I never heard the term.
AC

[oldminer]

SI3= GIA I1.

No dealer would let a lab give a diamond SI3 if it deserved a GIA SI2 rating. Since only GIA I1 is next under SI2, then SI3 is the upper part of I1. All of this depends on using SI3 properly. For the most part SI3 is just used to replace I1 on reports.

Just read I1 when you see SI3 and you'll be fine....Sorry, but I can't be delicate about this particular clarity grade. It has a potential use which is quite satisfactory, but in practice, it is much abused.

[ACE]

On Vacation - Feelin loose ,Drinkin durin the Day :) Ckin out the Gorgeous Scenery :D - Hey Maybe I will Go Parasailing Today , Cliffdiving and a little Volcano Bungee Jump Sounds Good- But Buy My wife a Big ole Tanzanite Ring I no Nothing About :eek: -

Thats Where You Should Stop and Think ,Maybe When I get back Home -To my local Jewler ,who I can see again Whenever I want to without taking a plane .Who Will Back up his Product ,Who has Been in Bizness For many years , etc etc etc --

Ace -

[Jeff A.]

...another rum swizzle...and another...and another...and another "SI" diamond sold.
You need a clear head to make a purchase of thousands of dollars.

Jeff A.