Diamonds & Gemstones

When it's time for you to purchase that special item for yourself or a loved one, it's very important to choose a jeweler that you can trust. Buying a fine piece of diamond jewelry should be a joyous and memorable event, not a stressful process.

Your best protection is to buy from an established, well-known jeweler with a glowing reputation. Ask for credentials and the store's guarantee policies. A legitimate, qualified jeweler will always be happy to show their educational certificates and discuss all aspects of your purchase, putting into writing anything they have told you verbally.

As you shop, you’ll soon find that a large percentage of diamond sellers are not accredited gemologists. Insist on dealing only with jewelers with industry-standard titles such as Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and Certified Gemologist Appraiser (C.G.A.).

Tracy Jewelers has served eastern Washington and northern Idaho families since 1950 and is proud of their trained staff which includes Certified Sales Associates, Graduate Gemologists and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser that are full-time and on site.

We’ll happily explain current market trends and factors that determine a gem's true value and give solid information that will help you avoid the "highly inflated retail price/deeply discounted bargain game." Untrained sellers and Internet sites are infamous for this type of selling, which in most cases allows no recourse should you be unhappy with your purchase.

The combination of education, a qualified staff and a true passion for the jewelry industry has been the foundation for Tracy Jewelers long-term dedication to helping each unique individual make their diamond purchase fit not just their lifestyle, but also their desires and budget.
 

How to Choose Your Jeweler

Before you shop, be aware of the different laboratories and their reputation in accuracy of grading diamonds. The most reputable, consistent and demanding jewelers have been accredited by the American Gem Society (AGS) and have studied with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Tracy Jewelers manages the only AGS Accredited Gem Lab in the Spokane and surrounding area. In fact, only 5% of jewelers, designers, appraisers, and suppliers nationwide have met the exacting standards for membership in the AGS, and all titleholders must be recertified annually.

Only 500 AGS Labs exist in North America. AGS Accredited Gem Labs consist of a well-stocked library of gemological reference books, AGS Master Diamonds used for comparison in grading diamond color and several highly specialized instruments essential in providing complete and accurate gemological services. They offer the finest educational and technological support available for appraising, testing and grading diamonds, pearls and colored gemstones.

Other laboratories include the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the Independent Gemological Laboratories, Inc. (IGL). These laboratories specialize in grading large volumes of diamonds sold in mall stores. Tracy Jewelers does not carry diamonds graded by these labs.

Also, be wary of jewelers who overuse the term, “ideal”, as this is often a tip-off to less-then-ideal products. We also recommend that you stay clear of jewelers who offer a gem at a 25-50% discount of what they say is the actual worth. Just ask yourself, “Why would any reputable jeweler do that?” The simple answer is almost always, “They wouldn’t.”