You can't understand why your local jeweler won't talk to you anymore. You can't understand why he isn't just thrilled that you bought this 2 carat round diamond for $100.00 on Ebay and you need him to appraise it. After all you wouldn't trust anyone else with your prize except him.
I learned a long time ago that only people that like me and the way I present my store trust me enought come to ask my advice. Whether it's to buy something or just share a great story like the one above. Every jeweler has overhead, employees, training and the big one...insurance, so he can't sell it to you for $100.00. (By the way, $100.00 for a 2 carat is ridiculous, I made that up. Even Ebay folks aren't that dumb.) The point is you just cost him a sale. And now you want to get free advice from your jeweler. Come on, people, don't you have any heart left?
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Ebay. Obey. Ebay. Ok, so you bought a diamond on Ebay. Your local jeweler won't talk to you anymore and your insurance agent wants a real appraisal not Dr. Ebay's Feelgood appraisal. I call it that because it made you feelgood about your purchase. but it has very little to do with reality. Don't feel bad. There's still hope. You can use the National Association of Online Appraisers (and I'm a member!) to get what you need to help you get in good hands with your agent.
There's more.....
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One of the questions I am asked most often is "When do you open?". Just kidding. No, really it's "how do I clean my jewelry at home?".
The best way to clean a piece of diamond jewelry mounted in gold or platinum is to boil some water. Pour the boiling water into a teacup. Squirt a tad (define tad yourself!) of Dawn Dishwashing Detergent into the teacup. Put the piece of jewelry on a teaspoon and lower it into the teacup. Let it sit about 15 minutes.
Now, this is real secret. PLUG UP THE SINK! No kidding...plug that drain. Take an old clean toothbrush and gently brush the stones. Rinse. If the stone is still dirty, repeat. Now here are the caveats.........
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