When we leave a piece of jewelry to be repaired, or purchase a special ring or bracelet from a jeweler, we are putting a great deal of trust into that professional. So, think twice about who you can trust by following these steps below.

Difficulty Level: easy      Time Required: 1-2 hours

1. Just as you would when looking for a good doctor, ask friends and family members for recommendations. Specifically find out their experiences. Were they positive and, if so, why?
2. Find out how long the jewelry store has been in business and if they are affiliated with any local organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
3. Call the BBB and ask if there have been any complaints.
4. Talk to the jeweler and ask him about his background and how he runs his business. Where did he study? How long has he been a jeweler? Does he send out his work or is it done there? Does he do any of the work or does he have someone there doing it?
5. Ask about the jeweler’s return policy and see if he has this in writing.
6. Ask if they offer any certification to accompany pieces with stones such as diamond rings.
7. Find out how he prices his jewelry. Does he sell the gold by the weight or is everything pre-priced? If he sells it by the weight, find out how much he charges per gram.
   

1. Don’t feel weird about asking all these questions. If you’re going to spend a lot of money, then it’s worth it.
2. If the jeweler doesn’t want to answer your questions, then you don’t want to do business with him.
3. If you do purchase an expensive piece, then it’s worth the extra money to have it appraised.