People don't generally think of their jewelry unless it breaks or gets stolen. To many, their jewelry is almost a part of their person. I've known people who haven't taken their wedding rings off in over 30 years. So where do you go when you need to have your jewelry repaired?
We have frequent patrons at our store, some we can expect to see at least every other week. Obviously we know each other and trust has been established, so there's no hesitation when their bling needs a little TLC. But what about other people who haven't set foot in a jewelry store? Or are new in town?
As much as I hate to admit it, there are people out there that will swap your stones, or do poor repair work. It's a scary thing, entrusting your jewelry to someone else. So how do you know if they're the right person for the job?
Unfortunately there is no cookie cutter answer that will eliminate risk altogether. My suggestions aren't going to be fool proof, sometimes you're just gonna have to go with your gut.
If you're looking for repair work, don't be afraid to ask the person what their qualifications are. Don't be a jerk about it, just politely ask if they went to school for it or have some sort if certification. Personally, I would be happy to answer that question for someone, if it helps give them confidence in me and feel more at ease, I'll absolutely cater to that.
If you're not new in town, ask your friends or people you trust who they take their jewelry to. Online reviews for jewelry stores aren't as big as reviews for restaurants or other retail establishments, but it couldn't hurt to do a quick Google search on a prospective repair shop....
While some shops may allow you to watch them work on your piece, don't go in with that expectation. Keep in mind that there are a lot of chemicals and sharp pointy objects in the repair shop, and it's a liability having patrons back there. It's not personal, and it's not necessary a sign that something shady is going on, it's just the rules.
Lastly, if you've asked all the questions and STILL feel uneasy about having your jewelry worked on, I suggest you do one of two things:
1: Take your jewelry to an appraiser and have them write out a detailed appraisal of your bling. They'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your jewelry and more. AND it's in writing. On paper. From a pro. If you suspect something is amiss after the repair is done, the appraisal will be able to prove or disprove your concern.
2: For diamond jewelry 1/2 carat or larger, I suggest both a laser ID, and a certified grade. The laser ID is a tiny sequence of numbers that will be etched into the girdle line of your diamond. These numbers are Specific to YOUR diamond. It won't be visible with the naked eye, so don't worry about it marring the appearance of your stone. The ID's aren't necessarily cheap, you should anticipate to shell out a few hundred dollars for the service.
The certified grade is also a great thing to have on your side if you worry about stone swapping. I recommend it being done by GIA because they're amazing, they're reputable, and a certification from them is recognized world wide. Your stone will be pulled from its setting and observed in a very specific environment geared for grading. Any inclusions or characteristics will be mapped out and noted, and in the end, you'll know more about your diamond than you knew existed. Keep your jewelry safe :) thanks for reading.
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