BUYING JEWELRY ON VACATION

If you don't know your jewels, you should know your jeweler. That's why most people tend to form a long-term relationship with a jeweler who is knowledgeable and fair in all their dealings.

Vacationers often want to bring a souvenir from their trip and often think they can get a good deal on jewelry purchases outside the United States. Our advice is to buy something that you want or like and forget about buying something as an investment.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, everybody wants to make a profit. You may be buying a piece that is flawed in some way. And often, you won't be able to discern these imperfections without some serious training and specialized equipment.

We recommend using a credit card for the purchase so you have some recourse in the event that the item was misrepresented. Be sure to verify the value and authenticity of the piece when you get home.

After years of experience with vacation buyers, we must tell you that more often than not, you can buy a similar piece for a similar price right in your own back yard.