Buying Diamonds Safely Online

With scammers invading every corner of the internet you would imagine that buying quality diamonds online was almost impossible. However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.

Begin by thinking about why you are not going to a local retailer first and would prefer using the internet. Is price your only motivation? Online jewelers can offer lower prices due to low overheads. You do have to be careful and remember that a price that is too good may be indicitive of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. Offline shopping brings restrictions to the range since no retailer is able to stock everything. There are no limits to what is available online. Trust is a big factor when shopping online so take care and ensure the seller is at least reputable.

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. Armed with the knowledge about diamonds, you are ready to shop with confidence.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Look at other diamonds and other sellers first. Spend some time comparing what is actually available online. If you discover the ideal diamond, start your investigations. Although you may have found what you think is the ideal diamond, the time to buy is still a little way off yet.

Inquire about the seller, the source of the diamonds, and the sellers reputation. Check the sellers refund and return policy to see how fair they are. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Remember, you can also do a search on the internet to see if there are any reviews or complaints listed. The BBB Online may also have complaints on file so check with them as well.

There are independent services such as AGS or HRD that provide diamond grading reports – ask for a report from one of them. You should one of these reports before making a final decision. Your last step should be to insist on a reputable escrow service that specializes in valuable diamond. Some will organize their own appraisal if requested. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. If the diamond’s appraisal meets the sellers description and everything is above board, they will send you the diamond and the seller the purchase funds. Using a reputable escrow service will ensure you receive your  ideal diamond and that you are not the victim of a scam.