SAFETY TIPS

• Always deal with a member of the Jewellery Council of South Africa. Council members display a gold decal sign on their windows, stationary or advertising to indicate their affiliation to the organisation.
• Ask the jeweller for as much information on the article as possible.
• Make sure that you receive an invoice or receipt that describes the article and the amount paid.
• Insist on the valuation certificate for insurance purposes with a slightly higher replacement value than the original purchase price.
• Try to establish a good on-going relationship with the individual jeweller.
• If there are large diamonds set in the jewellery you are buying, request a laboratory certificate on the stones which details the colour, clarity, cut and the carat weight.
• In order to keep your jewellery in a spotless shape you should give it to your jeweller for a professional cleaning and polishing at least once a year. Home washing methods will only improve the lustre temporarily, however will not remove deeper scratches and abrasions which worn jewellery is usually subjected to.
• When giving jewellery for cleaning or repair, make sure that you receive a remittance slip which gives full details of the article.
• If there are diamonds or other precious stones set in the article, request that the jeweller inspect it, so as to clarify that the stones are in fact precious stones.
• Confirm with the jeweller that the person who is going to handle your jewellery is a qualified craftsman. There have been instances for example, when a simple ring sizing job was ruined, because an unqualified apprentice was allowed to perform it.