Buying Guide
10 Questions to Ask Your Jeweller Before You Order
A short list that separates a jeweller who'll take care of you from one who won't. Ask these before any deposit changes hands.
About the stone
Is the centre stone certified, and by whom (GIA and IGI are the recognized labs)? Is it natural or lab-grown, and can I see the grading report before I commit? A jeweller who can't or won't produce a report for a diamond over about half a carat is a jeweller to be cautious with.
About the price
What exactly is included in this quote — stone, setting, certification, sizing? Are there any fees added after I approve the design? What are the deposit terms, and is the deposit credited toward the final price or kept as a fee? Get the answers in writing.
About the process
Will I see a 3D CAD render before anything is cast? How many revisions are included, and what does an extra one cost? Who physically makes the ring — in-house, or sent out? These answers tell you how much control you actually have.
About timing and guarantees
What's the firm delivery date, not the best case? What does the warranty cover and for how long? Is resizing included, and are there designs (full eternity bands, tension settings) that can't be resized later? Surprises here are the most common source of regret.
About after the sale
Do you handle repairs and re-tipping of prongs down the road? Will you provide an appraisal document for insurance? What's the care routine for this specific piece? A jeweller planning for year five is a jeweller who expects to still be around.
A note on how answers are given
The content of the answers matters, but so does the manner. Clear, specific, unbothered answers are a good sign. Vagueness, pressure to decide today, or irritation at being asked are all information — and it's better to learn it before the deposit than after.