What are the most reputable jewelry stores?

What is the title or job of the person who acquires stones/gems for jewelry makers or jewelry stores?

• Would that person work for a jeweler or a jewelry manufacturer or both?

• Answer:

  A person who purchases gems professionally would almost certainly be a certified gemologist. The titles I have seen most frequently are "buyer", "agent" and "gemologist". Jewelry manufacturers will employ purchasing agents who are gemologists to do gem buying for them. Many times, particularly with smaller manufacturers or independent jewelers the company owner is the gem buyer. There is also a robust industry of independent gem dealers who perform this role for small manufacturers and jewelers. In these instances a close relationship of trust is required on the part of both parties. It is a tight-knit community and one's reputation, good or bad, will be communicated quickly.