"Go to a local jeweler"...

is common advice here. The problem is that plenty of local jewelers are just as unethical or sloppy as any other place you might shop. Especially if I'm doing something like getting a ring custom-designed, I'd like to have a little more security than "local jewelers are good." One of our local jewelers in town has some seriously wonky stuff in the window.

For a non-expert: can you share some ways to vet a local jeweler? Red/green flags?