There are so many jewelry stores and almost every store has the same pieces of jewelry. It’s almost impossible for an amateur buyer to determine if the store sells authentic jewelry or not. Some stores trick their buyers into buying fake jewelry, so here are some helpful tips in spotting an authentic jewelry store.

Watch for the papers

Authentic jewelry comes with a price for a reason. They are genuine and some are even rare. So if you were to buy a real diamond ring, don’t buy it without the essential papers. These authentic pieces of jewelry come with a product registration card and signed certificate of authenticity. Carefully read the papers given to you and look for signs that they are the real thing. Things to watch out for are the signature, stamp, and the quality of the papers given to you.

If the store fails to give you these papers, they might be selling fake or imitation jewelry.

Beware of online stores or eBay

Don’t be fooled by the sweet words given to you by online stores or eBay sellers. What they say may be what you might not get. Sure, there really are honest sellers on the Internet, but its tough to take on the risk by buying something you’re not sure of. Talking to someone who has bought off the Internet would be a good gauge to finding out if the seller or online store is honest.

Be observant

The appearance of a jewelry store tells a lot about what it has inside. Observation is the key. Look for a security guard in front of the store if it’s not inside a mall. The personnel should be well-trained and know what they’re talking about. Then look at the pieces of jewelry with a critical eye.

Also determine if the shop is associated with any well-respected organization in the area.

Price relative to the make

Not all pieces of jewelry fetch a high price. Of course, it depends on what its make is or how many carats the diamond has. So if a store is selling a 1-carat diamond for a low price, be suspicious.

Finding authentic jewelry stores may be a big challenge for an amateur, so asking around or consulting a professional jewelry maker will help a lot. There are a lot of shady tactics and strategies in selling someone fake jewelry, so watch out. Don’t be lured by words or sweet-nothings, but certainly watch out for these tips in finding an authentic jewelry store.