If you are planning on purchasing a quality timepiece from a reputable jeweler, make sure you receive the correct box and certificate of authenticity to go with it for resale purposes.

Bust-down watches look cool, sound cool, and draw a lot of attention. However, they make the watch depreciate in value because you are drilling diamonds into surface area; which is even more costly if gold. It also voids the warranty and repair obligation from the manufacturer.

Many serious watch collectors (especially older ones) think busting down a watch ruins it. I personally enjoy bust-down watches depending on the location you are in. For example, the club or a party. Plain Janes look a lot more professional.

Buying jewelry from retail stores is a rip-off these days, unless you understand the price points and know how to negotiate a fair price.

There are marketplaces on websites like Facebook for example, which have groups filled with people who are selling their jewelry for much cheaper than retail since you don’t have to factor in overhead costs to keep the business running.

The only downside to group marketplaces would be the possibility of scammers who steal money through wire transfers. There are reviews in there though, and some groups charge one-time membership fees which pay off in the long run.

Now a very old trick in the book that a lot of sneaky jewelers like to do is take a commissioned Rolex for example, and then swap out the original components with aftermarket parts, just so the jeweler can keep or sell the original authentic components that were stolen.