Helzberg Diamond's ripped us off as my husband served our Country in Iraq! Mankato Minnesota

On all Helzberg receipts the name of the item, and often the clarity, and color will be listed. If it really says N/A make sure the receipt says Dia (for diamond) and not Moiss for Moissanite, which looks like a diamond or even LC Wsap. (White sapphire). If the item was a diamond look-alike it will not have the 3 Cs. Also, if you need an insurance replacement estimate, you need to go into a store and request an IRE report. They can generate one based on the item number. The Insurance Replacement estimate is available for any item purchased through Helzberg Diamonds. The IRE includes information about the piece of jewelry, and the cost of replacement. That form is signed by a manager of the store, and your insurance will insure it for the cost of replacement. If you want to know the true value (and not the value price you purchased it for at Helzberg (since their price is below highest retail) you do need to go to a appraiser, who will charge for an appraisal. They need nothing except the piece of jewelry. Due to my dealings with Helzberg, and my previous experience as office manager at one of their stores, it seems like there may have been a miscommunication about what you were in need of. If you were asking for an appraisal, they will send you to an appraiser, if you are looking for the documentation to give your insurance company, you need to request the IRE form.

I don't see how Helzberg Jeweler's ripped you off here. I use to work for a different jewelry store, but we all worked the same way. Financing through a company works the same way as a credit card. They don't care if you make excess payment and there is no advanced payment option. If you don't make a payment, just like a credit card, you will get charged late fees, even if you are serving in Iraq. In this case, while he was gone, you should have courteously gone to make the payments for him. They don't care who makes the payments, as long as it is paid. And unless he was approved for an interest free account, there will be interest, just like any other credit card.

You don't get appraisals for every diamond you purchase. Appraisals and certifications for the "4 C's" are costly and will increase the price of your ring were it to come with one. Generally diamonds that do not come with a certification rank about SI2-I1 in clarity and H-I in color. Sometimes you will run into better quality diamonds without certs. Most jewelry stores do not even provide or offer appraisals. You have to take it to a certified appraisalist. The value of the diamond is the original price before any discounts that you probably received.

Word of advice to shoppers. When there is a problem, talk to store associates nicely. I cannot tell you how many rude customers I had, that made me wish I had never sold them anything. Those who had been nice to me...no matter how big or how small the sale was...I was always happy to explain, advise, and help the best way I could.