The diva has been on a journey to complete a business plan for Way-Fil Jewelry. This has caused much research into the jewelry buying habits of, well, you, of course. In my travels I found this alert from the Federal Trade Commission. I am posting it for your reading pleasure although there are some items of point I found need further research. So for today...here you are The FTC Consumer Alert on buying Jewelry from February 2008.
Puttin’ on the Glitz: What to Know When Shopping for Jewelry
Whether
you’re looking for sparkle and shine or something subdued, shopping for
jewelry can leave you dazzled, and doubting whether you’re getting the
right piece at the right price. The Federal Trade Commission, the
nation’s consumer protection agency, has some tips to help you get it
right.
Take time to compare prices and quality at
several retailers. If you’re not sure where to go, ask family members,
friends, or co-workers for recommendations. When you’re unfamiliar with
the seller — particularly if you’re ordering online — check its
reputation with the Better Business Bureau or the state attorney
general's office.
As you shop, ask your salesperson to write down
any information you might rely on to make your purchase. And before you
buy, ask for the store's refund and return policy. If you’re ordering
online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about the
transaction, including refund and return policies if you're not
satisfied.
Some additional pointers for jewelry shoppers in the market for gold, watches, gemstones, pearls, or diamonds:
Gold
– The word gold, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold.
Because 24K gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to
increase its hardness and durability. But there's a big difference
between 14K karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. A piece of 14K jewelry
contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded
to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away; how quickly
depends on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.
Watches
– Consider more than the price tag when you shop for a watch. Ask if a
warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts
and repair problems it covers. Ask how and where you can get the watch
serviced and repaired under the warranty.
Gemstones
– There’s a difference between laboratory-created gemstones and natural
stones. Stones created in the lab are practically identical (visually,
physically, and chemically) to stones mined from the earth. The big
difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive
than mined stones. Because they look just like natural stones, they
must be identified as lab-created. Imitation stones, on the other hand,
look like natural stones, but may be glass, plastic, or less costly
stones. If you want a natural stone, ask if it has been treated.
Gemstone treatments, such as heating, dyeing, or bleaching, can improve
a stone's appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some
may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect the
stone's value.
Pearls – Ask whether
pearls are natural, cultured, or imitation. Both natural and cultured
pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks; imitation pearls are
man-made. Naturally-occurring pearls are fairly rare and expensive, so
most pearls you’ll see are cultured pearls — pearls made by mollusks
with human intervention. An irritant introduced into the shell of the
mollusk causes a pearl to grow. A pearl’s cost depends on the size,
usually stated in millimeters, and the coating or "nacre", which gives
natural and cultured pearls their luster. Imitation pearls are man-made
with glass, plastic, or organic materials.
Diamonds –
When you buy a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity,
and weight, which is usually stated as carats. Each factor affects the
price. Color and clarity typically are "graded" on a scale. The most
common scales are those established by the Gemological Institute of
America (GIA). On the GIA scales, color is rated from D to Z, with D at
the top, and clarity is rated from flawless to I3. Make sure you know
how a particular scale and grade represent the color and clarity of the
diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless"
only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when
viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.
The
FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair
business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to
help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY:
1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft,
and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
February 2008
