IS IT SAFE TO BUY A DIAMOND ONLINE?

Every day someone makes their very first purchase online and every day a sucker is born.

So the big question is: Should you buy a loose diamond on the web or will you be ripped off?

People are nervous about buying online, and with good reason too. You’re making a purchase sight unseen.

And when we’re talking about diamonds, we’re talking about a big purchase, not some little rinky-dink nickel-and-dime sale. Loose diamonds are a massive chunk of change, normally in the 3-8 thousand dollar range for a 1 carat (1.00 CT) diamond.

Decisions:

So how do you make decisions like this without viewing the product first?

Common sense! Well, common sense and knowing where to shop.

The only two Jewelers that I would recommend buying from are James Allen and Blue Nile.

Check out some of these great diamond deals from James Allen here:

CARAT WEIGHT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT, CERTIFIED	PRICE	VIEW
.50, SI1, E, EXCELLENT, GIA	$1,350	VIEW
.75, VS2, G, EXCELLENT, GIA	$3,150	VIEW
1.00, SI1, F, EXCELLENT, GIA	$6,380	VIEW

That makes it easy for you… Or you could hunt around for weeks looking at all the flashy jeweler’s websites (there are thousands to choose from). And after a while, they all start to look the same.

Prices vary, quality varies, you get confused and sucked into the crazy game of nit-picking a diamond to death.

Every single diamond detail… things like: I clarity, good inclusions, color, diamond girdle thickness, fluorescence, angles, shallowness, diamond chips and cracks, graphs, charts, certificates… missing info… AHHHHH! All this and you still can’t decide.

Why?

Because when it comes down to it, you’re buying from someone you don’t know. You’re handing a stranger cash and hoping that you get the diamond they promised.

Safety checklist:

It’s a scary thing, but I made a quick safety list to check before you make that oh-so-nervous diamond purchase online.

1. How long has the business been in business?

If they’ve only been around for 6 months, you’re probably going to be upset at what you get (If you get anything other than ripped off).

2. Do they have a real store?

Can you actually visit the store or is it just a website presence? If the company is legit, normally they’ll have a storefront as well that you can walk into and view these diamonds (Websites like Amazon would be an exception to this rule). These stores are great because their online website only enhances their market. It opens them up to the whole wide World.

3. Is the price too good to be true?

Common sense tells us that if the diamond you’re looking at is thousands-less than everyone else’s price, then there’s something seriously wrong with the picture. Ask yourself “Why would this jeweler be trying to dump this diamond?” If it’s too good to be true, it usually is!

4. Is there a certificate?

Does the loose diamond come with a diamond certificate? (called a diamond report) And not just any certificate, but one that comes from GIA? If you really want the best guarantee of quality in the business, then only count on GIA to certify your diamond.

5. Is there a return policy?

Can you return the diamond if you don’t like it? (especially after viewing it under 10x magnification) Good online diamond retailers will give you a chance to see the diamond, examine it, compare it, and return it if it’s not up to your expectation. You can check the stone out, look at the certificates, see them closeup, and make a better buying decision.

Also make sure that this is a 100% money back guarantee. And make sure you read all the fine print. Check out their policies and make sure that any diamond you buy from them is returnable for at least a couple of weeks to a month. A week is long enough for you to take that loose stone to a local jeweler and scope it. Compare two similar diamonds side by side. See if it’s better or worse, and see how the deal stacks up.

BBB

Check the company out with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Do a search for the jewelry stores in your area, and online. See what other people are saying about this particular jeweler. People that have been ripped off by unscrupulous people will often complain about it online. Especially now-a-days. There will be plenty of feedback and comments. People will set up entire blogs and rant about a so-called-jeweler, they’ll take it to Twitter and Facebook… Social media thrives! Believe me, if there’s dirt to be found, you’ll find it.

And if you do buy online, make sure there are no hidden charges, handling fees, taxes (unless it’s in your state), guarantee charges… Also make sure there is no diamond switching going on. Jewelers could easily post a diamond’s specs online and switch it with another diamond of similar, but lower quality.

Beware of this!

GIA:

That’s why I will advise to buy a laser inscribed GIA certified diamond. With GIA, you’re guaranteed to get the diamond you’re viewing online.

(And with James Allen, you actually see the real diamond you’re buying, close up and magnified!)

How do you know it’s the same stone?

The inscription!

Markings don’t lie. When you view the diamond online, write down it’s certificate number or print out the page. That number will be inscribed on to the side of the diamond’s girdle (if the diamond is inscribed it will say so right on the diamond report). That number can’t be altered or changed. It’s permanently etched into the stone forever.

Look for it with a microscope or a 10x jeweler’s loupe. Scope it, compare the numbers.

Because that’s the BEST guarantee in the world!

Cheers! :)