When purchasing a diamond with a certificate, ask the sales person to help you to locate and verify the certificate number laser inscribed on the girdle.
Consumer should ask for a detail receipt, it is necessary as an evidence if in the case of dispute or legal case. In accordance to the terms under the "Integrity Pledge Scheme” set forth by the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong; full disclosure and the 4C’s (Carat Weight, Color, Clarity, and Cutting style & shape) for solitaires diamond 0.30 carat and above must be provided.
Hong Kong has a simple and free business system and it does not enforce a compulsory grading certification for jewellery, nonetheless many reputable retailers participate in consumer protection programs (such as "DFHK Integrity Pledge" and "Natural Diamond Quality Assurance" Mark) to ensure customer satisfaction.
DFHK members voluntarily follow the Integrity Pledge Scheme enforced by the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China.
A diamond retailer shall at time of sale, issue to the consumer an invoice or receipt and retain a copy of that invoice/receipt for not less than 3 years from the date of issue.
The invoice or receipt shall contain:
the full name and address of the supplier;
the price of the article;
the date of supply;
the total weight of the diamond in carats or where the weight is unknown to the retailer, a statement to that effect; and
a description of the article as
i. being composed solely of diamond;
ii. being inlaid with diamond; or
iii. being inlaid with both diamond and other precious stones, as appropriate;
A notice of not less than 210 mm x 297 mm shall be displayed at the point of supply informing consumers the definition of "diamond" and the statutory requirements on retailers to issue invoices or receipts for each article of diamond supplied.
The Consumer Council is committed to enhancing consumer welfare and empowering consumers to protect themselves. For more information about consumer rights protection and consumer alerts, please visit the Consumer Council’s website www.consumer.org.hk or contact them at +852 2929 2222.
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm.
During non-office hours, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays leave a message at the above hotline number, and the Consumer Council will contact you on the next working day.
Piracy or counterfeit products
Customs & Excise Department 24-Hour Hotline: +852 2545 6182
Refund Protection Scheme (Registered Shops) for Inbound Tour Group Shoppers
Refund Protection Scheme (Registered Shops) for Inbound Tour Group Shoppers Group visitors who patronize a registered shop arranged by Travel Industry Council (TIC) members are entitled to full refund protection if they are dissatisfied with their purchases. The purchase item(s) shall be undamaged and there shall be no wear and tear because of use. To apply for a refund, visitors may contact their tour organizers or receiving agents. For details of the refund protection, please visit the TIC’s website or contact them at +852 2807 0707.
Monday to Sunday 9am - midnight. During non-office hours, leave a message at the above hotline number, and the TIC will contact you on the next working day.
Only buy from reputable shops and get a proper receipt stating purchase details.
By law, gold and platinum jewellery must be stamped with a purity hallmark.
There are "4Cs" to consider when buying diamonds: carat, clarity, cut and colour. Get a laboratory report for guidance and insurance purposes.
When shopping for pearls, check the origin, lustre, size and brilliance.
When shopping for jade, check the type, quality and origin of the stone.
In general, jade jewellery can be classified into 3 types below:
Type A jade - refers to natural Fei Cui (Jadeite Jade) which is not subjected to any form of chemical treatment. The jade is usually polished with colourless wax, however, its crystalline structure will not be damaged.
Type B jade - refers to Fei Cui (Jadeite Jade) which is chemically treated and resin impregnated to improve its lustrousness, with its crystalline structure being damaged.
Type C jade - refers to Fei Cui (Jadeite Jade) which is dyed to improve its colour.
Type B+C jade - refers to chemically treated, resin impregnated and dyed Fei Cui.
Useful contacts:
For information about diamonds, contact the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China, (tel: 2524 5081).
For Gold and platinum Jewellery - The Hong Kong Jewellers' & Goldsmiths' Association (www.hkjga.hk/eng) at (tel: 2543 9633).
For a list of gem testing laboratories, contact the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong (www.gahk.org/en/background.asp) at (tel: 2366 6006).
For accredited testing organisations for Fei Cui (Jadeite Jade) and diamond, contact the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (www.hkas.gov.hk) at (tel: 2829 4840).
Grading Certificate
Hong Kong has a simple and free business system and it does not enforce a compulsory grading certification for jewellery. If it does not come with a certificate and if in doubt you may request the retailer to refer you to or to submit the diamond to a reliable and accredited laboratory for a grading report. You may request a same day service if needed, be sure to ask for a quotation for grading charges beforehand.
In Hong Kong, DFHK’s subsidiary, NGTC(HK), provides diamond and jewellery grading as small as 20 points. All diamond grading will go thru an authenticity check if it is a natural untreated diamond before proceeding with the quality grading. A report number will be laser inscribed on the girdle of the diamond. Matching of the diamond with the report becomes easy; consumer may easily verify the information on-line. With this the consumer can have an added assurance on the quality of diamond.
Many international brands present in Hong Kong, such as Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI) or Diamond High Council (HRD).
The Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) under the Hong Kong SAR Government evaluate laboratories’ technical capabilities in accordance with the ISO / IEC 17025 standard, and issue accreditation to qualified laboratories. Accredited laboratories perform the follow seven test stipulated in the "Standard Methods for testing diamond for Hong Kong” established in 2008 by Gemological Association of Hong Kong (GAHK).
1.
Authenticity Identification
2.
Measurement of Weight
3.
Colour Grading
4.
Testing for Fluorescence
5.
Clarity Grading
6.
Shape & Cutting Style, Proportion and Finish Grading