What are the most important tips for buying gemstones safely?
If you are planning to invest in a valuable gemstone, keep these rules in mind to protect yourself:
- Always ask for a Certificate: Never buy a high-value stone without an independent, third-party gemological report from a trusted lab (like GIA, Gubelin, or the NGJA in Sri Lanka).
- Verify Treatments: Always ask the jeweler, “Has this stone been treated or heated?” An unheated, natural stone is significantly more valuable than a heated one of the same color.
- Check the Lighting: Gemstones look different under bright jewelry store lights versus natural sunlight. Always ask to see the stone in daylight before buying.
- Use Licensed Dealers: Stick to established, licensed jewelers rather than buying from unlicensed street vendors.