Find out how long the jeweler has been in business, if she/he belongs to any professional associations, and if they are a member of the GIA Alumni Association. Once you have selected your gem or piece of jewelry, it is a good idea to get an independent laboratory report on your stone.

When selecting jewelry, opt for ethically sourced or lab-created diamonds and 18-karat gold and platinum metal. With these, you'll have a clean conscience while you enjoy the best jewelry.

All Jared diamonds come with certification, usually from the GIA, the most reliable lab entity. This certification helps ensure the quality of the diamond you're buying. Jared Jewelers take their diamond sourcing seriously and are committed to offering conflict-free diamonds.

Use a Magnet Using a magnet is a good way of identifying whether your jewelry is authentic or not. If your jewelry sticks to the magnet, it may be fake or not pure gold — this is because real gold is not magnetic at all, and even with a strong magnet it will not be attracted.