13 Things Your Jeweller Won't Tell You

It may not be real. A number of jewellers nationwide have been caught selling “composite rubies,” which are as much as 40 to 50 percent glass, for almost the price of the real thing.

Rough edges on the back of the piece. If it's not finished underneath, they've probably cut corners somewhere else.

I'm going to try to sell you the most expensive stone in that colour, probably a sapphire. But many other stones—including spinel, tanzanite, and tourmaline—also come in blue. You just have to know to ask.

They hold them to a high standard of knowledge and a code of ethics.

I can't help but think, That's disgusting. To leave it on when you clean the house, lotion up your hands yuck. You should take it off.

To get your ring off and then hand it to me.

Don't get stuck on the clarity grade. You can come down several clarity grades and in most cases will see absolutely no difference with the naked eye, especially once it's set in a piece of jewelry.

If your diamond has a high clarity grade, but under “Comments” it says “laser path” or “laser,” that means a laser beam was used to get rid of a flaw, and it should cost 15 to 40 percent less than an untreated diamond of the same grade.

He's probably either ill-informed or dishonest. Almost all emeralds today are treated.

In warm water with a mild liquid detergent and a toothbrush.

If you have a rider on your homeowner's insurance for your ring and it's lost, damaged, or stolen, or if a stone falls out, your policy will usually cover it.

Not possible. There just isn't enough margin in what we sell today that you can discount like that and run a business and pay your bills.

“If you don't know your jewels, know your jeweller.” It really does come down to trust.

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