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!