When you’re ready to purchase a new piece of jewelry, you have a lot to consider. In addition to all the different features and aspects of the piece itself, you also have to think about insuring the piece, sizing it properly, learning how to care for it, and much more. And buying a piece of jewelry isn’t a common occurrence, so you need to ensure you’ve done your homework and are prepared to make the investment. 

Having a trusted jeweler on your side is vital to ensuring a smooth transaction and a good jewelry-buying experience. Knowing how to choose a jeweler will help you as you research your options and ultimately make the best decision in choosing a jeweler. 

Tips to Ensure You Choose a Reputable and Trusted Jeweler

As you explore the best local jewelers and do searches for “reputable jewelers near me,” be sure to take these tips into account to select the best choice for your new jeweler. 

Tip 1: Read Reviews 

When it comes to any big decision, like how to choose a jeweler, it’s always a good idea to read reviews and get recommendations. Ask your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, and do some online searches for the best local jeweler. You can look on Google, Yelp, The Knot, Wedding Wire, and more to get ideas for reputable jewelers near you. 

Once you find some options, read reviews and get some honest feedback from former clients. You should also check the dates on the reviews and any ranking sites to make sure they are recent and reliable.

Tip 2: Check What Associations They’re Part of 

Not all jewelers are the same, and even if one is incredibly helpful and kind, they also need to be reputable, certified, and legitimate. You should ask for diamond certifications for each piece you purchase and look into what associations the jewelers are a part of. The American Gem Society, the Gemological Institute of America, and the European Gemological Laboratory are all quality organizations that any reputable jeweler is likely to be associated with.

Tip 3: What Does Their Inventory Look Like? 

Even if you want something extremely specific in terms of jewelry, you want to know that customization and various options are always available. Ideally, a relationship with a reputable jeweler will be long-lasting, so you will want someone with a large inventory that will serve you beyond just one specific purchase, like an engagement ring. Quality jewelers will have substantial inventories that contain items across many different budgets. They should also offer a wide variety of natural diamonds and gemstones, along with customizable options, high jewelry, estate jewelry, and more. 

Refer to the 4Cs of Diamond Quality

The 4Cs of diamonds are the measuring stick by which diamond quality is measured. They consider four different aspects of diamonds, creating different levels of diamond quality, sparkle, and more. When looking for the best local jeweler, they should offer various options across different levels of quality as measured by the 4Cs. The 4Cs include cut, clarity, color, and carat. 

Cut

A diamond’s cut refers to its facets and proportions. It’s not about the diamond shape, though many people often use the two terms interchangeably. Cut impacts the sparkle and overall look of a diamond, and it is regarded by many as the most important C of the four.

Clarity

Diamond clarity is about the number of inclusions, or natural imperfections, that are present in a diamond. Being “eye clean” is the goal with most diamonds—that is, ensuring you can’t see visible conclusions when looking at it with the naked eye. Diamonds may have certain inclusions based on where they come from and what elements were present when they were created.

Color

The color of a diamond focuses on its level of colorlessness, or lack thereof. Diamond color is purely preferential and based on individual desires rather than indicating a certain level of quality or beauty.

Carat

The weight of a stone is its carat. It does indicate how big it looks, but carats are based on weight rather than size. Certain stone shapes will look larger or smaller compared to similar carat weights in other shapes based on how the stones are cut.

Tip 4: Trust Yourself

Knowing how to choose a jeweler does take some time, but trust in yourself is one of the most important aspects. Once you narrow down your options, call your top choices or stop in for a visit. Then trust your initial feelings about each jeweler. Did you have a great experience? Or do they seem a little sketchy? Did they answer your questions thoroughly? Or did they make you feel unwelcome? 

Taking all of these things into account will help you narrow down your options even more and get you closer to selecting the best jeweler. Knowing how to find a good jeweler will take some work on your end, but it will be worth it when you feel comfortable with your selection and trust their insight and advice. 

Tip 5: Can They Answer All Your Questions? 

If you’re wondering how to know if a jeweler is reputable, start asking them questions. Not only should you always feel comfortable asking your jeweler questions, but you should feel like their answers are sufficient and legitimate. They should be more than willing to answer your questions thoroughly and thoughtfully. 

Additionally, your chosen jeweler should be open to educating you on your options and walk you through your decision-making process to ensure you’re satisfied with the result. They should be willing to teach you about 14k vs. 18k gold, the difference between lab and natural diamonds, how to choose the best metal for your jewelry, how to resize a ring, and much more. 

Choose the Diamond District’s Most Reputable and Trusted Jeweler

At Roman Malakov, we set ourselves apart by providing a professional, inviting experience for every patron that visits us in-store or online. We strive to create a welcoming environment and build friendly relationships with each person we interact with. We want to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect piece of jewelry. 

When you’ve researched and landed on Roman Malakov as the most trusted jeweler near you, book an appointment with us for an online or in-person consultation. You can also stop by our store in NYC’s Diamond District and begin forming a lifelong relationship with the area’s best jeweler.