You’ve decided to propose to your significant other. You’ve been practicing “popping the question” on a daily basis. Now, you need to decide where to purchase your diamond engagement ring. The more important question is, how do I know if they are reputable?
Furthermore, how do you know the price and value of the diamond engagement ring are justifiable? It is possible that the jewelry store at your local mall may not have the ring that best conveys your sentiments.
You might be surprised to discover that the nearest mom and pop jeweler is still operating, provides great value, and can capture the expressions of your heart perfectly.
In addition, a mom and pop jeweler has the ability to offer you a better value and a better quality of diamonds. Allow us to explain further.
Diamond Size and Quality
In many cases, popular jewelry stores purchase diamonds for their size rather than their quality. It can be hard to believe, but it’s true! With that being said, your diamond ring may appear stunning and flawless but the grade and clarity may leave something to be desired.
When purchasing your diamond engagement ring, you’ll want to ensure that you hold on to not just your receipt, but the GIA certificate. This is the standard of diamond grading. If your chosen establishment cannot offer you a GIA certificate, chances are it may be best to walk away.
Mom and pop jewelry stores take pride in the diamonds they buy and sell. Each diamond is hand-selected and chosen with the 4c’s (clarity, color, cut, and carat weight) in mind.
Mom and pop jewelry shops can afford to provide greater value, invest in you, and find the diamond engagement ring that sends the right message to your soon to be betrothed. They also benefit from cost-savings in low overhead costs.
As a customer, this works to your advantage because you’ll obtain a top-quality, possibly one-of-a-kind diamond engagement ring at a great rate.
The Mom and Pop Personal Touch
The stores that you may be used to sometimes rely on what is called “Virtual Inventory”. A Jewelry store with virtual inventory can have an incredibly large network of diamond producers, which makes supplying customers’ needs easy and convenient.
Virtual Inventory allows a jewelry store to sell the same type of engagement ring to anyone around the world who may be seeking it. While this option seems like a brilliant choice and offers an array of possibilities, It certainly lacks uniqueness and that feeling of obtaining something that is unique and all your own.
Instead of simply choosing a mass-produced design, you can commission a local jeweler to create a custom piece or choose from their exquisite selection of unique options. This is something that most major jewelry retailers are unable to accommodate. Purchasing your diamond engagement ring from a local jewelry shop will bring you that much closer to a diamond that is not only beautiful, but exceptional.
Unmatched Customer Service
When it comes to shopping around for that perfect princess cut diamond engagement ring, you’ll want to find a jewelry store that will provide you with a spectacular product as well as great customer service.
The beauty of most mom and pop jewelry shops is that their establishment is usually made up of a small staff, perhaps even a group of family members, therefore, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity with their customers.
The atmosphere of a smaller family-owned establishment tends to offer a quaint and intimate aesthetic, this makes its customers feel more at ease than they would at a typical large scale jewelry store, thus, creating a sense of trustworthiness and respectability.
Instead of treating you like a mere walking dollar sign, you can expect a mom and pop jewelry store to provide you with the best customer care and answers to all of your questions, comments, or concerns.
In addition to giving you superior customer service and the benefit of their jewelry knowledge, a private jeweler will take the time to find out exactly what style of diamond speaks to you and your betrothed.
Perhaps, you always thought that you would purchase your intended’s engagement ring from one of the stores that you’ve seen on tv commercials year after year.
While some of them have perfectly great reputations, the diamond ring that you’ve always dreamed of may be housed in the mom and pop jewelry shop that’s just around the corner from your home complete with over 35 years of experience.
In the case of exquisite diamonds, bigger and perhaps, even more popular is not always the better choice.
Conclusion
If you are considering purchasing a spectacular and eye-catching diamond engagement ring, we encourage you to take your time to do your research. Your ring should be hand-selected keeping in mind the 4c’s (color, cut, clarity, and carat weight).
In addition, you want to be sure that the diamond comes with a GIA certificate. This certificate is imperative. Remember, if your retailer cannot provide you with a GIA certificate for the diamond of your choice, run the other way!
Most importantly, purchasing a diamond engagement ring for that “special someone” should be a wonderful experience that you’ll never forget. Please take into account that great customer service goes a long way! Don’t settle for anything less than the very best.
About the Author
Vasco Assets Inc. is a privately held international investment firm located in Newport Beach, California. Vasco Assets has over 35 years of industry expertise from investing, lending, buying and selling of luxury items to collaborating with charities in developing custom offerings and much more. At Vasco Assets, we create and cultivate long-term, multi-generational relationships with our clients.
Vasco Assets’ diversification in the global economy helps maintain our position as an independent international institution that is not subject to the fluctuations in the market conditions. In recent years, we’ve been making significant investments in our patent-pending technological platform and applying them to lending, investments, and fostering our client relationships.