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Can You Help Me Find a Jeweler?
One frequent request GIA receives is, “Can you recommend a reputable jeweler?” The jewelry-buying landscape offers so many options: buying online, through retail chains, neighborhood jewelry stores, and even independent sellers. Establishing a relationship with a jeweler can seem daunting and confusing. GIA is here to help. While it can’t recommend specific jewelers or businesses, it does offer tools and tips to help you navigate your way through choices.
Why doesn’t GIA endorse specific businesses? As a nonprofit, research and educational institute GIA operates outside the realm of everyday commerce. That means that GIA doesn’t price, sell or trade in diamonds or any other gems, nor is it affiliated with any retailers, industry groups, trade associations, or lobbyists. GIA’s mission is to protect the gem buying public, and it does so by remaining completely independent and unbiased.
However, GIA has services available to help you identify potential jewelers during your diamond or gem-buying process. The Retailer Lookup tool found on the GIA website, will direct you to jewelers in your area who have opted to list that they carry GIA-graded diamonds or employ GIA-trained staff..
You can also use GIA’s global online Alumni Directory, to verify a retailer’s GIA credentials. The directory is elective, so it doesn’t list every graduate, but it can provide another check point if you want to confirm that the jeweler you’re buying from is GIA-trained.
Finally, you can use the Report Check tool to confirm that the data of a GIA report matches the information archived in GIA’s global database. A GIA grading report provides a scientific and impartial assessment of the 4Cs of diamond quality, and discloses any known treatments used to alter the stone’s appearance. You can learn more about how GIA conducts diamond grading.
This is just one of the questions most frequently submitted to us, please let us know if you have any others! We’re here to help you through your diamond or gem purchase.