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Traveler writer Randy B. Hecht gives us some tips and online resources to help travelers avoid buying bogus baubles.
In our April "Personal Shopper," we take a look at steps you can take to be sure the gemstone you bring home from foreign travels is authentic and worth what you paid for it. In the article, we noted that techniques for fabricating synthetic precious and semi-precious stones are so sophisticated that it's easy to be fooled by fakes. Edward Boehm, vice president of the non-profit International Colored Gemstones Association (ICGA), warns, "A lot of people in our trade get burned--not just the consumer."
If shopping for an expensive gemstone is on your travel itinerary, it's a good idea to do some research before you pack your bags. Several online resources can help assure you that you're buying from a reputable dealer.
Boehm recommends requesting a lab report on your prospective purchase. They're not expensive and should be available for high-end merchandise. The ICGA website provides a listing of reputable labs worldwide. In Bangkok, for example, you want to look for reports issued by GemResearch Swisslab, the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences, the Gemological Institute of Thailand, or the Gemological Institute of America. Be sure your retailer offers a report from an organization on that list.
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