1. Never think you can find a bargain—there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Generally speaking, once a gemstone has been sold, it’s non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and no liability is assumed—unless you’ve made prior arrangements with the seller. Jewelry shopping is all about keen eyesight, boldness, and, of course, financial strength. If you end up buying a counterfeit, you’ll just have to bite your lip and swallow your frustration. If you can’t afford to lose, you’ll only invite others to look down on you.

So how can we prevent or reduce the risk of buying counterfeit or second-rate goods? In fact, prevention is virtually impossible—every jewelry enthusiast has already paid a hefty price in learning the hard way. The only realistic approach is to diligently educate oneself and minimize the chances of making mistakes. But what if you’re too lazy to learn yet still love this hobby? In that case, simply pay a trusted, highly skilled expert or friend to help you vet the items carefully.

2. Be sure to make the payment on time.

Failing to pay on time for items you’ve agreed to buy is untrustworthy. This behavior is unwelcome in any industry.

3. Don’t ask about the seller’s costs.

Generally speaking, when you’re shopping in this line of work, don’t bother asking about the cost at which others bought their items. Just pick something that seems right for you and go for it. If you ask about someone else’s purchase cost, it shows you haven’t yet fully gotten the hang of things—and they’ll probably just ignore your question or give you a perfunctory answer that’s completely meaningless.

4. Bidding means making an offer; making an offer means buying.

Making a counteroffer means you’ve already made up your mind—so if the other party agrees, you’re expected to buy at that price. This holds true in other industries as well; generally speaking, it’s not well-received to make a counteroffer and then simply walk away without buying. But this principle is especially emphasized in the jewelry industry. After all, those who dabble in jewelry typically possess a deep cultural background and high standards of refinement. Status matters—a lot. While wealth is certainly one aspect of status, it’s a person’s reputation, sincerity, and moral character that truly define their core identity.

5. Don't haggle excessively.

As for those who deal in jewelry, some may wildly inflate prices, while others tend to offer more realistic quotes. If you’re familiar with market trends, there’s no need to explain further—but if you’re not, you can refer to the prices of similar items on the market that are of the same type and quality, and then negotiate based on a certain percentage reduction from those prices. Alternatively, you could start by asking around at a price that’s 10% higher than the maximum amount you’d actually be willing to pay; in most cases, you’ll still be able to negotiate successfully.

6. No inquiries without a purchase.

The same is true in other industries—wasting your own time also wastes others’ time.

7. If you have any doubts yourself, don't speak carelessly.

But we can’t always be overly suspicious—when prices are low, we doubt the quality of the goods; when prices are high, we worry about being scammed. We end up questioning whether we paid too much for what we’ve bought, yet lamenting how much we’d have loved to have gotten it. This holds true in every industry: If we want others to treat us with kindness, respect, and offer us better service—benefiting ourselves in the process—we must strictly adhere to industry norms and conduct ourselves with integrity and honesty.

8. When others are trading, no matter whether you think it’s right or wrong, learn to keep quiet.

The knowledge you’ve accumulated is profound and vast, boundless in scope. It’s possible that you’re right—but even more likely that there’s simply something you don’t yet understand. Being humble won’t hurt you at all.

9. You must have the ability to take responsibility.

The money is in your own pocket—others are just for reference. So, everything ultimately depends on yourself. The process of collecting or purchasing items is also a continuous journey of self-improvement, enhancing various aspects of your personality, knowledge, abilities, and moral character.

10. You need to adopt the right mindset—there’s definitely a reason why you get what you pay for.