Memo terms are getting shorter as dealers manage cash more tightly

Consignment periods for stones sent out on memo are shrinking as tighter credit pushes dealers to turn inventory faster.

• Memo — sending a stone to a prospective buyer to inspect before committing to purchase — has traditionally run two to four weeks in the wholesale trade.
• With bank credit lines to dealers tightening, several houses we deal with have cut standard memo periods to a week or less, wanting stones back or paid for sooner.
• Fancy shapes and larger certified stones, which take longer to place with a retail buyer, are where the shorter window is being felt most.

If you are buying through a memo arrangement, confirm the return window in writing before the stone travels, and build in time for a second opinion or independent grading check. We hold inventory in stock rather than relying on memo, so browse natural and lab-grown stones ready to ship, or ask us about a specific specification.