Diamond and Jewelry Articles

The first question people ask themselves is whether buying a diamond �sight unseen� on the internet is a wise thing to do. Most people will probably tell you that you are crazy to even consider it. Don't believe them!

E-commerce has evolved rapidly in the past few years and a broad range of goods and services that once were considered strictly the realm of the �brick and mortar� store are now being traded effectively on the internet. Perhaps no other industry is being revolutionized by e-commerce to quite the same degree as the diamond industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of diamonds are now being successfully purchased by consumers online at significant savings and with the convenience of shopping from home 24/7. The highly competitive nature of the internet marketplace works to the great advantage of savvy diamond buyers who reap the benefits.

Many buyers start out intending only to do their research on the internet before going to the jewelry store to buy. By the time they have seen all the helpful information, made some decisions about what kind of diamond they want, and compared prices with the local jeweler, they come back to the internet to make their purchase.

Certified diamonds -- those with quality reports from respected gemological laboratories -- provide a way to compare diamond offerings among jewelers both online and offline. There are a number of trustworthy websites that provide large inventories of easily searchable certified diamonds. Just plug a shape, size or dollar amount into a simple search form and get a list of diamonds to consider, complete with a viewable scan of the lab report detailing all the gemological properties of each stone. These sites also provide in depth education explaining the significance of the different grades and technical specifications found in the reports. This enables the buyer to select just the right diamond for his or her taste and budget. And a no-pressure expert is usually just a click or tollfree phone call away to answer questions.

In addition to benefit of rock bottom pricing, the internet buyer at this time is not subject to state sales tax if the purchase is made from a company outside their own state. This alone can result in savings of hundreds, even thousands of dollars on a diamond purchase.

Since buyers are generally not looking simply for a loose diamond to admire, most of the better internet sellers have a good selection of mountings and will put together the finished piece. And usually there are no additional charges for things like stone setting, sizing, and appraisal.

By now you might be thinking that this sounds too good to be true. Are there dangers to be aware of? Absolutely, both online and offline. So how can you protect yourself and insure that you have a great experience?

• First of all, pay with a major credit card. If you do not get what you bargained for, call your credit card company and have them reverse the charge!
• Secondly, only deal with a company that provides a full money-back guarantee. Make sure that the return policy and requirements are clearly stated, and that the time frame is ample for getting your own independent opinion if necessary.
• Deal only with a reputable and secure website. Below is a checklist of qualifications that you should insist on.

1. Secure encrypted transactions -- Look for a security seal on the site that will ensure that your credit card information will not be compromised. The seal is clickable to information about the company.
2. Better Business Bureau -- Look for the BBB Online logo on the site. It will be clickable to the current report on the company.
3. 30-day money back returns -- Detailed procedures for returns must be clearly posted, with few strings or fees attached. (Custom orders may be the exception)
4. GIA Graduate Gemologist on staff -- While most customer service reps are trained to answer basic questions, ask to speak to a staff gemologist if you have additional questions or concerns.
5. Viewable laboratory certificates on site -- This helps ensure that the company has direct access to the diamond being offered and provides additional information that may not be posted on the site.
6. Free shipping with tracking -- It�s standard with the better sites.
7. Free appraisal -- Make sure it is done by a GIA Graduate Gemologist. You may still want your own independent verification once you receive your diamond.

Now you are prepared to start your quest. Happy Treasure Hunting!

Part II preview:

Now that you have confidence that it is possible to safely purchase a diamond on the internet, the next step is to start shopping. However, many people find that they get quickly overwhelmed by esoteric gemological information. We help you see the forest without getting lost in the trees, and give you advice on getting the best bang for the buck in the next installment in the series�.

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