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Diamonds: The Love Affair Continues…
It has endured centuries…stood the test of time…and has become the most respected of all gems…the diamond. Diamonds have an extensive history on our planet. In ancient times they were used as an indestructible resource for general living purposes. But, as time went by the ancients grew to respect the diamond in a different way. They discovered that diamonds exuded an inner sparkle that was revealed when cut, so they spent countless hours cutting and shaping them to reveal the true beauty of the substance. It was at that moment when we realized diamonds deserved a more sophisticated purpose in our lives.
Centuries have come and gone between then and now. A lot has changed in the world, but throughout time one fact remains—humans continue their love affair with diamonds. Every girl fantasizes about that beautiful diamond engagement ring, or a pair of to-die-for diamond stud earrings. It has become the most sought after wardrobe staple and the ultimate symbol of eternal love and commitment.
When it Comes to Fashion Trends, a Diamond is Forever
Fashion trends come and go, but jewelry has stood the test of time. It’s been around for centuries and it continues to dominate the accessory industry. For as small as they are, diamonds make a big statement…particularly when accessorizing. Outfitting your bridal party with accessories can be a stressful undertaking…not to mention it can be expensive if the bride is providing the accessories for her attendants. With that said, however, giving jewelry to your bridal attendants kills two birds with one stone, essentially. While the jewelry is utilized as their matching accessory, it also doubles as their bridal attendant gift. Accessorizing your bridal party with jewelry is a sure way to provide a cohesive look and you don’t have to break the bank to provide them with such a great gift. Ask your jeweler if they provide low-cost alternatives.
Diamonds are a Great Investment
While jewelry may not have its own line item on your budget, don’t feel guilty about indulging! Diamonds remain a very rare substance. They’ve been on the earth longer than you can imagine and have endured a very arduous trip from the interior of the earth all the way up to the surface. What's more, diamond rarity will continue to compound as time goes on and our delicate earth continues to be plagued with new infrastructure and the destruction of the natural environment. As time moves on, so will diamond scarcity and that will continue to increase the value of your favorite indulgence! So, buying a diamond at today’s price will be worth many times more as decades pass by. Furthermore, as jewelry trends and styles change over the next several years, you can have your diamonds reset to match your changing preferences.
Insure Your Engagement Ring
Take a good look at your Homeowner’s or Renter’s policy. If you haven’t noticed, your policy will have a limitation of coverage in the area of personal property. So, the newest edition to your personal property, your engagement ring, is not fully covered under your typical policy. Most policies generally pay a maximum of $500-$1,000 for jewelry theft (check with your agent to get specifics). It’s also important to find out if your policy covers loss. Some policies only cover theft, which is why it may be in your best interest to purchase additional coverage for your most valued pieces of jewelry. If you decide to purchase this extra coverage, consider asking the following questions:
• Is there a deductible?
• Is replacement required or can I opt for a cash settlement so that I can choose my own jeweler?
• Does coverage apply worldwide?
• Is an appraisal required?
• Does the policy cover repairs to damaged jewelry?
It’s a wise decision to consider additional coverage, but make sure you know what you’re paying for and if the policy meets your requirements.
I Know What I Want, Who Can I Trust?
The art of grading and selling diamonds comes with years of experience. Choose a jeweler that is local and not only knowledgeable in the area of diamonds, but takes pride in diamond expertise. Be sure to choose a jeweler that has the insatiable desire to provide top quality service and jewelry lines. Use their knowledge to learn about your investment and to see if they provide the type of customer service that makes you feel comfortable to ask questions. For instance, at LaBosco’s we encourage our clientele to take advantage of our 30 years of experience in diamonds and other facets of the jewelry industry. Your jeweler should enjoy what they do and be happy to share their knowledge with you.
It may be helpful to ask the following questions when choosing a jeweler:
• Do you have Master Jeweler on the premises? Any reputable jewelry store will have at least one.
• Will I get an appraisal or authenticity guarantee on my purchase? This is very important, especially if you are going to insure your jewelry; plus the jeweler is putting his name on the item guarantying it to be authentic.
• What is your trade back policy? This is a delicate subject among jewelers; most will allow you to upgrade your diamond. At LaBosco’s we will always give you full purchase price back on your diamond when purchasing a larger or better grade diamond. Some retailers will have a set requirement on how much you need to spend to get full value back.
• How many years of expertise does your sales team have in dealing with diamonds?
All of these things are essential in finding a credible and established jeweler.
Shopping around to find the best value for your buck is always a good idea when investing your hard-earned money. However, keep in mind that price is not necessarily a good indicator of quality. At LaBosco’s we have discounted our jewelry in a manner that our competition cannot match. With that said, though our prices are low, we rely on the most reputable vendors around the world and take pride in our reputation in providing high-end quality at low-end pricing.
Consider all of your options. Don’t let the salesperson talk you into a specific style or price level that does not suit your means. Go in with high expectations and leave with them having been exceeded. If you’re budget is not on the higher end of the spectrum, ask your jeweler for low cost alternatives. At LaBosco’s we know that consumer preferences and budgets are vastly diverse which is why our jewelry collection includes a wide variety of styles and price levels. Beyond our wide selection featuring diamonds, we also provide a diverse selection of colored gemstones, white and yellow gold and platinum jewelry.
Choosing a retailer that enlists a GIA educated sales staff is a wise decision because you’re guaranteed to get your questions answered accurately. But, why limit yourself to a salesperson that is just educated in the art of selling you a nice piece of jewelry? In addition to being an educated salesperson, it’s beneficial to choose a retailer that educates their team in the buying of their jewelry lines. While buying knowledge requires extensive and thorough training, the result is a GIA educated salesperson with the capacity to buy the latest trends based on their extensive knowledge of all available product lines, brands, styles and designs. This, in effect, gives the staff the ability to forecast future trends and keep you informed of what’s in style.
Once you’ve chosen your jeweler, ask them for payment options and alternatives. Most reputable retailers will provide financing options based upon approved credit. You may want to take advantage of this option if you’re in the market to spend more cash than you have on hand! But, be careful! First ask your retailer if there are any other lower-cost alternatives to help decrease the bottom line. They may provide layaway options as well.
We could go on and on about what to buy and who to buy from, but the most important thing to remember is to just choose a local retailer with an excellent working knowledge of style and design. Learn from them and ask them questions because, after all, it’ll take a team effort between you and your salesperson to find the very best value for your preference and budget.
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