1. Don’t believe everything you read.
2. Ask someone who you know and trust where to shop - someone that you know for sure who has really shopped at that company or purchased an item or items from that company.
3. Shop around. Listen to your own instincts and the feelings you get from the associates of that store as well as the general feeling of the store itself. This may be your best guide as to where to shop and what the best products are.

Built back in 1935, the Kalakala was used off and on in our ferry system and was even voted the second biggest attraction of the World’s Fair after the Space Needle.

If you haven’t seen the Kalakala or don’t know much about it, I’d encourage you to check it out at www.kalakala.org  

Steve Rodriques has been working for many years to have this amazing ship restored to its original magnificence. If after checking it out, you agree that the Kalakala should not be lost to us, you can even help save this incredible vessel.

So you want to be sure that the company you buy from is going to be there for you down the line. Unfortunately, there are a few misleading practices in the jewelry industry that are fairly commonplace, so you’ll need to be careful when you purchase from many jewelry companies. The following are a few tips to keep you safe.

First off, it is really important that you have complete protection for your purchase. You likely have spent thousands of dollars or more on the ring(s) so it is very important that you have adequate insurance coverage from a respected and well rated insurance company.

Many jewelry companies including most regional and national chains will offer an enticing free lifetime diamond and/or jewelry guarantee. Some companies even try to sell you their Warranty for several hundred dollars or more.  However, the problem with these warranties is that they lead you to the false impression that you are fully covered. The reality is that the number one most likely issue you will face in the future is the loss of the ring. Loss accounts for the vast majority of all jewelry insurance claims. Diamonds can crack and they can fall out of the mounting. However, these are not common occurrences. Much more common is mysterious disappearance where he or she simply misplaces the ring. And I doubt you’ll find any jewelry company warranty that will replace a lost ring for free.

The next most likely occurrence and reason for a jewelry insurance claim is that of burglary or theft. These are also not covered by any free warranties given out by jewelry companies. Thus, it is vital that you obtain an insurance policy for your cherished diamonds and jewelry. Chances are that you might not be covered under your basic homeowner’s policy. I thought the same thing until I found out last year, that for the past ten years or more, my wife’s diamond engagement ring was not covered under our homeowners and it turns out that her diamond engagement ring has been at risk all this time. When you have the proper jewelry specific insurance policy, you’ll not only be fully covered, but you’ll also have little need for one of these misleading lifetime warranties. They may sound great, but may have you believing that you don’t need to have insurance for your ring and/or diamond. These insurance premiums for jewelry are usually quite affordable and give you excellent protection for loss, for damage to your ring or diamond and most other possible. Where your jewelry company’s warranty can come in handy is with the free cleanings and inspections. Some company’s warranties will cover minor repairs and maintenance at no cost, which can save you money over the life of your ring.

Another very important point to consider, especially in today’s challenging times, is how long your jewelry company will be around. You may want to make sure that they are not already in Chapter Eleven or some other form of impending bankruptcy. This is unfortunately becoming quite common in the jewelry industry just as it is in many other industries. One major jewelry company with multiple locations here in the greater Seattle area just went out of business and another well known company is in Chapter Eleven as you read this, with more on the brink. The bottom line is that you want to think about the company you’re buying your diamond jewelry from. Are they going to be there for you after the sale? Do they stand behind their products? Is theirs a solid business that will still be around in the years to come? One thing I’ve learned, is that you find out what kind of company you are doing business with, not when you are buying the product, but when you have a problem.

Hopefully, wherever you decide to spend your hard-earned money, you’ll choose wisely.