Buying Guide to Buying Diamonds Online

Buying Diamonds Online

With all of the potential for scams concerning
diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems
unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase
diamonds online, without any problems – as long as
you are careful.

First, think about your reasons for wanting to
purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making
a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most
common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs,
online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer
lower prices. However, you must be careful –
sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication
of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the
unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are
limited to the selection in the stores in your general
area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you
must use a great deal of care and consideration
before handing your money over to someone that
you cannot see and have never met!

Before shopping, learn as much as you can about
diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat
weights. When you are knowledgeable about
diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you
off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be
ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that
you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar
diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to
find the lowest prices. Once you have found the
lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know
about diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you
love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are
still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that
diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as
professional jewelry associations that they belong to.
View and print the seller’s return, refund, and
upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional
services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and
free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on
this particular company around the Internet. Also
check with the BBB Online to see if there have
been any complaints.

Ask for a diamond grading report from an
independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or
AGS. You should see this before making a purchase.
Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar
diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond
appraised while it is in their possession. The seller
sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you
send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow
service. The escrow service has the diamond
appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the
money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect
yourself…again, make sure that you use a reputable
escrow service!