Travel Treasures, Real Value
Traveling is a wonderful time to treat yourself to a piece of jewelry. Whether you're on a cruise, exploring a new city, or visiting a market overseas, there are opportunities to shop everywhere you go. As some of you might know, I used to work on a cruise ship, and I have bought jewelry while traveling myself, including some pieces in Greece.
When I shop abroad, I try to work with established businesses. If I'm really interested in a piece, I take my time while I'm in the area. I have conversations with the owners, learn about their history, ask a lot of questions, and build a relationship before I buy. I also like to look for local artists, because their work is often something you won't find anywhere else.
The most important thing is knowing that what you bought is real and that you paid a fair price. A recent appraisal I did is a good example.
A couple came to me after a cruise celebrating a big anniversary. Between the shops on the ship and the stores in port, they treated themselves to some diamond and gold jewelry. Once they were home, they wanted to make sure the gold and diamonds were real and that they hadn't overspent.
Their first call was to GIA. GIA is a laboratory that grades diamonds, but it does not appraise jewelry or give a dollar value. They needed an appraiser in New York. Because I am a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and associated with the Appraisers Association of America, my name came up as a trusted appraiser. There are not a lot of jewelry appraisers in New York City, and as it turned out, we live close to each other.
They were leaving soon for a trip to the West Coast, so they needed a quick turnaround. We met over a holiday weekend, and I completed the appraisal within the week. My conclusion was that the items were real and that they paid a fair price for what they purchased. They had peace of mind knowing their investment was validated and that no one had taken advantage of them.
So enjoy your travels and treat yourself to something special. You should always feel confident about what you're buying and who you're buying from.
Tip: When you shop for jewelry while traveling, buy from established businesses and take your time getting to know the seller before you buy. Then have your pieces appraised by a qualified appraiser when you get home, so you know exactly what you have.