Three whole exclamation marks. This had better be good then.
So spring has definitely sprung and a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of courtin’. Or if your born in the last 80 
years, the weathers getting nice and maybe we should finally get around to buying a ring before our parents give up on us. That initial thrill quickly turns to abject despair as you trudge from shop to shop trying to find the perfect ring but its never quite right. What you have to remember is that theres nothing perfect in this world. The ring becomes a bit more perfect every day as its worn. But don’t despair. The process needn’t be so painful. I know this from the experience of 18 years in various shops (I sold as well as valued). While not the greatest salesman in the world I could tell the couple that were becoming exasperated. They had been from shop to shop with no luck and you could tell the process was quickly turning sour. So to my first point…
1. Plan ahead: Do a little bit of research. Look through some magazines, have a look on some websites and even look at what other people are wearing. If you see someone wearing a style you like, discretely ask them where they bought it (guys don’t attempt this as you may get arrested). All you need to know about the four C’s can be found on any good website (I’ve put a pretty comprehensive guide to it on my website click here), so you’ll have a bit more confidence when talking to the sales consultant.
2. You’re buying a ring NOT a diamond. I fully believe that ladies who refer to their engagement ring as their ‘diamond’ can never truly love their ring the same way the lady with the little three stone who says ‘we didn’t have much money then but I’d never trade it in for something bigger’. Choose a style of ring you really like first, then worry about the diamond. I’ve noticed from what people bring to me to value that more and more of them are choosing fancier settings, especially those with lots of small diamonds set into the shoulders, rather than some big rock in a very plain functional setting. In this respect it may be an advantage to have the ring custom made by someone who carries a large range of settings rather than limit yourself to the stock the jeweller carries in his window. Make sure when you try on a style of ring that you try it on with a wedding ring. Theres nothing worse than buying a ring that looks great on its own but awful with the wedding ring.
3. The diamond. Or the sapphire, ruby, emerald, tanzanite, alexandrite or whatever takes your fancy. Make sure you take the time to choose the right one for you. Get the right balance of quality and value (refer back to point 1: do your research). If buying a diamond its always an advantage to choose one with a diamond report from an independent laboratory, known more commonly as a Certificate. For guide on certificates, click here. Most jewellers offer both and the good jewellers will also give an independent valuation on the final piece. When buying anywhere, but in particular abroad, ask if the diamond has been clarity enhanced. This is where there has been treatment such as laser drilling and glass infilling to remove inclusions and improve clarity. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with this process as long as the client is informed of it before the item is shown to them (full disclosure). Unlike some scare stories that have been published in the national press in Ireland, they are not worthless, however their value is considerably less than an untreated stone of similar appearance. If the sales consultant is not willing to state the diamond is not clarity enhanced and put it in writing on the sales receipt then walk away.
4. Ask questions: A good sales consultant is trained to ask as many open ended questions as possible. That way they can find out your true motivation. But try and find a well trained sales consultant these days. If they don’t ask, you’re going to have to. If nothing else it gets the conversation flowing and may encourage them to find out more. Ask what styles are popular, whats good for everyday wear, what do ‘they’ like. But again, if they don’t make the effort to find out about you, try the one next door.
5. Your paying a King’s ransom so don’t be treated like a pauper. The trades going to hate me for this one. So why pay €500 for a business class seat when you can pay €100 for economy. Because of the service! When you go to a 3 star restaurant what do you expect for the huge bill you pay… unbelievable service (as well as some good grub). So if you’re spending €5,000 what should you expect, red carpet treatment OR to be made stand at a counter near a draughty door while some disinterested clock watcher shows how little product knowledge they have. For the amount of money you’re spending they should be indulging your every need. Why are the Americans so successful at retail? The prices are good but its the service that people remember. Its the tea and coffee offered. The champagne when the transactions completed (and not just after you’ve left). This is one of the most important days of your life so its nice when the retailer makes it a day to remember (for all the right reasons).
6. Care and attention: Always bear in mind that an engagement ring will be quite unlike any other piece of jewellery you have ever owned. You’ll start of with the best of intentions, cleaning it and carefully putting it away every evening into its box. Then one afternoon while lifting weights in the gym you spot the ring on your hand and think ‘sod it… it will be ok’. So always be mindful to choose something thats going to withstand the rigours of everyday life. But beware, all jewellery is delicate (even platinum). Always get a jeweller to check it at least once a year. If it needs work done, get it done straight away. Keep the setting clean with some warm soapy water, but never fall into the habit (as a lot of people do) of getting the scratches polished off the metal every few months. Its going to get scratched. Live with it. All polishing does is remove a layer of metal and can wear out your setting a lot quicker than just normal wear will do. Have it done every few years but not every time it gets marked. For a full guide to care and attention of jewellery click here.
7. The shameless plug (come on… I’m trying to run a business here!). 
If you buy a ring in Ireland ask the retailer for a valuation for insurance. Click here to see what one should look like (but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t… they’re sales people, not valuers). If you buy it abroad it will need an Irish valuation before an insurance company will cover it (CALL ME). There are a number of different types of cover but I’d always recommend ‘all risks’. Its like fully comp car insurance as opposed to 3rd party, fire and theft. Plug finished (now that wasn’t too bad, was it?).
David Dupuy
Irish Jewellery Valuation Services
