Brad and Colbi Congress own Bradley’s Jewelers in Fort Myers, FL. Brad is a GG-GIA and third-generation jeweler. They can be reached at (239) 337-2723 or bradandcolbi@gmail.com.
EVERYBODY IN THE DIAMOND BUSINESS is aware of diamonditis. If you’ve ever experienced a diamond that doesn’t match the document provided, that misrepresentation is called diamonditis. We coined the term to encompass all types of diamond misrepresentation: overstating color, clarity; ignoring fluorescence; failing to report fracture filling or HPHT enhancement; and not disclosing synthetics.
The cost of this deception to our industry is incalculable. We at Bradley’s Jewelers have seen a kind, single mother devastated when we discovered her 2 carat was fracture filled, with a trade value of worthless, after paying more than $15,000.
Recently, we had a young veteran with an undisclosed fracture-filled diamond also with erroneous documentation and matching appraisal with no mention of reality.
Consider the human element. We claim to be in a business that brings great joy, but we’ll bring nothing but headaches to our customers and ourselves if we misrepresent diamonds.
Remember when selling a diamond rarely required accompanying documentation? Jewelers would teach a client under a gemscope. We were their advocate and qualified expert regarding price, quality, durability and desirability. And, there was always trust.
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In our opinion, the advent of “paper mill certs” gives the unscrupulous jeweler a tool to shift liability from selling honestly, creating an uneven playing field.
If you’re a gemologist working in a store selling questionable diamonds, and you sign appraisals supporting them, maybe it’s time to ask yourself a question: Is this what I was trained to do?
In November 2014, Martin Rapaport took a stand in the right direction. Delisting EGL International was a good first step.
Be a part of the solution. Take a “No diamonditis” stance, and be the expert you were trained to be. Don’t hide behind a document to sell a diamond!
This is a short list of ways to protect yourself and clients from unfair business tactics:
- Represent what you know to be true. If you don’t know something, don’t speak as if you do.
- Trust but verify. Don’t rely blindly on any laboratory with your reputation.
- Analyze and reanalyze every diamond. Remember, chances are that diamond will be re-graded by another jeweler.
- Remember, loupes are not adequate tools to give clients a full understanding; they simply aren’t trained. Gemscopes should be used to show clarity, cut and polish.
So as individuals and as a collective unit, let’s get motivated! Question more, grade with a skeptical eye, be an impetus for ethics, and earn your client’s trust.