Middletown transcript., 1921-06-04
V|CT|M|zED IN
BUYING JEWELS
Americans Often Tricked in the
Purchase of Gems From
SWindIers Abroad:
COULD Do BETTER AT home
Poorest Possible Gems and Fltms'est
Kind Of Jewelry Offered to Gui-
libIe Tourists at Ridicu-
IousIy High Prices.

were lost annually before the war Dy
credulous American tourists victimlzed
by irresponsible foreign dealers ID
precious and semi-precious stones. MOI
much was heard of these losses out
side of the jewelfy trade, however, 1or
the travellers, when shown that tney
had been the victims of misrepresenta-
ton, usually had little to say ABOUT
their experiences. Now that fofelgh
travel. interrupted by the conflict,
gives promise even Of exceeding the
pre-war mark, losses incurred IN TINS
way become still larger unless the
warnings given to prospective tourlsts
are needed.
The chances Of deception on the
part Of the foreign dealers referred to,
according to julius Wodiska OF this
city, are greatly enhanced at the pres
ent time by stories, most OF them ex-
aggerated, Of the great flood OF Won
derful gems and jewelry set loose
throughout Europe. In this guise some
of the poorest possible gems and the
flimsiest kind Of jewelry are already
being offered to the gullibie traveller
and when sales Of this stuff are made,
Mr.. Wodiska asserted, the prices OBJ
| tanned by the seller are ridiculously
| high.
1T is a curious thing" he continued,
that while Americans are every
where accredited with being the most
discriminating buyers Of precious
stones and the better grades OF jew
elry in the world, many of them can
readily be victimized abroad. These
unfortunate persons are easy prey for
willy dealers who seek their customers
in the hotel registers Of Paris, Lon
don and similar other big European
cities. i
"In the half century that I have been
associated with the jewelry industry !
have frequently heard men and wom-
l en-, on the eve of going abroad, as
sert confidentially: We are going to
buy our diamonds and jewelry on the
other side.' They did-to their later
sorrow. They found that their bar
gains made a very sorry showing
when compared with jewelry manufac-
tured in this country. In fact, most
Of the stuff they had bought at high
/ prices, and had paid duty on in addi-
tion, was of such character and quail
ity that there was no demand for 1t
here The money invested in it would
| have bought something a great deal
| better right here at home.
I'm no case were these purchases
! made from responsible jewelry houses
in the European cities. There exists
in Europe, however, a large number
Of easy money individuals Of suave
manner and pleasing address who
make it their business to be ready
with q gold brick for American tour
, lists in the form of jewelry bargains.
A not unusual performance of these
; men is to burst into tears because
; their necessities require them to sac
rifice family heirlooms. If the price
is considered too high by the prospec
tive customer, the assertion Is usual!
made that a still higher price hat
been offered only a little while before
J, It is not said, however, that this OF
8 fer was made by a relative or friend
= or that it was made at the request o
o | the seller to enable him to say truth
: | fully that he had had such an offer.
n Alleged Crown Jewels.
e "As for alleged crown jewels tina
4 TOR pScf
o should keep in mind that, while gem
Of great value doubtless have bee
sold as lost by their owners In VAR
GUS countries, anything possessing rea
value and merit is bought up by tn
. legitimate merchants with capita
Z enough to do so. Really valuable al
ticles and stones are not peddle
around by irresponsible dealers. .
great many Of the gems handled b
these dealers are known to the trad
as rejects which because of thei
poor quality are entirely unacceptabl
IS to the American gem-buying public.
g "In every European city there ar
I. responsible jewelry houses Of the higl
(. est repute, and if Americans prefer
buy jewelry abroad they will protet
their own interests if they will patro1
ize only dealers Of that kind. Blu
:" even If they do, where is the economy
y After they have paid the import dut
q on their purchases and the premium
|d for insurance against loss or thief
they will find that they would hav
II done better by buying in this countr.
Not only the price, but the quality, {
the merchandise would he in favor {