Tricky Wording and Terms

Sellers will attempt to use tricky wording to convince you of one thing then you read over the title or description, but they actually mean another.  I am an experienced jewelry salesperson writting this guide for you to let you know what sellers will say, what they really mean, and what the federal LAW allows them to say.  Yes, saying something is real when it isn't when it is a gold, gemstone, or diamond item is a federal offense.  Don't get caught up in an auction that uses tricky wording, bookmark this guide.

I don't buy things that sellers say are "real."  The correct terms in the jewelry business are "genuine," "synthetic," "created" (AKA "lab" or "lab created") "imitation," and "natural."  (Genuine and Natural mean the same thing).  Using an unorthodox term like "real" means either don't know what they're doing or there is a reason they are not using the word "genuine" that they're hoping you don't notice.  Perhaps it's because they haven't done their homework; I don't know but I certainly steer clear.

Titles and description with "Syn," "Sim," "c," "cr," or "*" after the item's titles are not geniune.

The term "created" refers to the fact that a scientist took the components of that diamond or gemstone, and created a chemically identical counterpart in a lab setting.  For example: a "created sapphire" is chemically a sapphire but is less valuable because it was made by man and not found in the earth.  Died glass, and other convincing stones should NEVER be listed as "created _____".

"Synthetic" or "Simulated" are terms that describe glass, dyed glass, plastic, dyed quartz or other stones made to look like a geniune stone.  If a stone is not geniune, it should always say so. "Synthetic Emerald" would be glass died green, or green plastic, or a quartz injected with green dye so on and so forth.  Sellers need to state that it is glass or plastic and if they do not know what it is actually made out of, they need to say so. 

Is it Actually Genuine?

For auctions that claim that the diamonds are "genuine", you can take them to your local jeweler like Zales or Shaws.  They have a "diamond tester" that tests the unique heat conduction of diamonds which will say with some certainty if the diamond is real.  For emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, look for inclusions.  These gemstones are rarely ever clear, they ought to have some inclusions in them.  Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies with no inclusions are usually created, fake, or if actually geniune, they would be worth more than a diamond.  Never purchase from a seller that claims something is genuine but does not have a return policy.

Buying out of the country?  If a foreign seller is claiming something to be geniune and has no way to prove it, make sure you are aware of that county's policies on selling jewelry.  Is there a penalty for selling "fakes" ("created," " "imitation," "simulated" etc) as geniune (ie. in the United States it would be a Federal Offense)?  If there is none, do not buy unless you want to risk losing money.  If there is a penalty, make them give you a reciept with the item description and that it is in fact geniune with their initials next to it.  If this cannot be printed, they need to write it on the receipt next to the price and initial it.

Dealing With the Big-Guys

Corporate jewelers.  Unfortunately, salespeople tend to be well...salespeople.  Make sure you are getting the facts!  Always ask if a piece is geniune or created.  They are required by law to be truthful.  After you purchase, look on the reciept.  Items that are created will have "cr" after or before their description on the reciept.  Does your "geniune" item have a "cr" next to its description on the reciept?  Return the item and ask to speak to the manager.  Contact their corporate customer service immediately.  When purchasing a diamond, ask to see a GIA scale in front of you and for the salesperson to point out specifically what the diamond(s) rank on the scale.  DO NOT LET THEM TELL YOU THAT ONLY CERTIFIED DIAMONDS HAVE RATINGS.  This is simply a ploy to get to you purchase a more expensive certified diamond.  All diamonds are rated on the tag, and corporate jewelers can type out the four C's for you on insurance forms.  You do not need a cert card.

Know the Four C's 

Cut:  Refers to the style of cut.  Is it round, princess (square), marquis, oval, emerald, horsehead, trillion (triangle) etc?

Color:  Refers to the color.  "F" refers to "fancy" these are BRIGHT yellow (NOT dull yellow) diamonds known as "canary."  These are also blue, pink, green so on and so forth.  Always have fancy diamonds appraised and return them if they do not appraise for the value you purchased them at.

Clarity:  Refers to the inclusions and carbon spots in the diamond.  Most diamonds have these.  Good jewelers know how to hide them in prongs and settings.  Surface inclusions put a diamond at risk to crack.

Carat weight:  refers to how large a diamond is.  Some jewelers will use Carat weight to describe the size of a gemstone.  This is incorrect (gemstones should be measured in millimeters), but a generally accepted practice.

Color and Clarity are the most important, I think, for a diamonds value.  I find for budget buyers that a clarity of SI1 is acceptable, and a "G" color is also acceptable.  Do not let anyone sell you anything less than that without a SERIOUS discount.

Zale Corporation stores (Zales, Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Gordons etc) use the four C's.  Sterling Corporation stores (Shaws, Kays, Jared etc.) use some weird scale.  The four C's are STANDARD and they ought to be aware of them.  Make them use the four C's when explaining the merchandise to you to keep the "sales game" in YOUR side of the court!

Gold and Silver.

Sterling Silver refers to "925" silver.  It ought to always be stamped "Sterling" or "925."

Gold that is geniune ought to always be stamped with its karats "14k," "10k," so on and so forth.  "Solid gold" is gold that has been mixed with an alloy and will be stamped with a karat weight that is below "24k."  "24k" is "pure" gold and has not been mixed with an alloy and are more soft.  Don't pay more for a ring just because the prongs are done in "18k" or "24k" which is a more pure, expensive gold.  This is another ploy to get you to pay more.  Prongs with purer gold are SOFTER and more likely to break.  Meaning, you'll have to come back in and buy another diamond.  I advise no greater than "14k" in a prong; platinum prongs if at all possible.

Big Tip:  With corporate jewelers, feel free to haggle.  If you need to, ask for the manager.

OOPS!

Did an ebay seller sell you an jewelry piece claiming it was genuine and you can prove that it isn't?  Get a refund, contact ebay and paypal (if you used paypal) about it immediately.  ic3.gov is my resource for reporting internet fraud.

Imortant Note From the Author:

Hope this helps with your jewelry buying experience.  Remember this is my personal experience and opinions only.  I will not testify as an expert in suits against fraudulant sellers.  This is friendly advice, I am not responsible for bad purchases made when using my guide, purchase at your own risk.

This guide has almost 1,000 views!  That's great, but I only have 28 votes :-(  I spent a lot of time typing this jewelry information out for free.  It would ne nice for votes if you found it helpful or used the guide.