No other consumer product on the planet is examined and analysed in greater detail than diamonds. We have colour grades with imperceptible differences, clarity grades that take into account inclusions that are invisible to our eyes. We measure cutting to…
Lab created diamonds have borne the brunt of bad media coverage due to undisclosed stones showing up at major gem labs. Diamantaires and jewellers express concern of synthetic diamonds infiltrating the supply stream of natural stones due to a combination…
You just got back from the show. It was great trip; you found new suppliers and bought a lot of new items for your store. Maybe you even invested in the newest technology for your shop. Now all you need…
The lack of gemstone disclosures is a growing concern in the jewellery industry. Any treatments that affect a gemstone’s value, durability and stability or that create a need for special care require disclosures. A good, plain-language summery of the US…
Some may call them Frankenstones, but Lead-glass and Ruby Composite stones are finding their waysinto many of the most respected jewellery establishments and are being sold without proper disclosures. Lead glass composite stones are created by treating very low quality,…
Synthetic diamonds are always stirring up controversy in the media. Recently there have been a couple of articles that really got me thinking about the future of these man-made gems and their impact on the consumer diamond market. The first…
I can’t resist walking into jewellery stores, just to check them out. I try to forget my knowledge of the business in order to see a store from a customer’s point of view. Is it inviting? Did I receive a…
Social media is a powerful marketing tool. A good social media campaign can bring increased traffic to your store and build positive brand awareness but there are pitfalls that can create serious problems. Improper posting might alienate new and existing…
Shoppers love diamonds that have laboratory grading reports. A report gives them a feeling of confidence while making a buying decision, especially when thousands of dollars are at stake based on a slight difference of grades. A diamond that is…
The American media is flooded with books, articles and reality shows about how to get the best bang for your buck when making a purchase. Most of them focus on flea markets, pawn shops and tags sales where haggling for…
