Introduction

Shopping for a diamond or an engagement ring can be a challenge for those unaware of the intricacies of the jewellery world. If you have started your journey, you may wonder whether buying a diamond online is safe or not. Despite growth in our annual spending online, we are still reluctant to buy luxury items online; however, the only risk to purchasing a diamond online is if you pick an untrustworthy online vendor. When buying a diamond online or at a retail store, it’s essential to do some research before starting this journey.

Whether buying a diamond online or in-person at a retail store, there are advantages and disadvantages. With the advent of online shopping, products have become more easily accessible. Diamonds are one of those products, albeit a luxury product. Buying a diamond online allows you to see all the diamond market diversity in one place, which can be impossible at a physical retail store. Some experts and analysts have also found that buying a diamond online can be more budget-friendly; online jewellery stores/websites offer discounts and generally provide a better deal, as their costs and overhead are lower than a traditional physical retail store. With online shopping, you can take your time designing the perfect engagement ring with an expert customer representative available at any time of the day. You might believe that some of these advantages don’t outweigh the fact that you will not be able to see the diamond in person before purchasing; however, websites today offer several virtual simulations and pictures that can give you the detailed 3-D viewing you desire. This experience is arguably better that visiting a store, where deceptive lighting and pushy salesmen can impact your objectivity.

If you decide to take the more convenient and, in some ways, more advantageous journey of buying a diamond online, there are ten things you must be aware of.

Ten things to know before you purchase a diamond online

1. Research, Research and Research

The foundation of a good diamond purchase relies on the research you put into it. It can be a daunting experience to shop for a luxury item like a diamond or engagement ring; you will come across several different phrases and terms you might have never heard of. This overwhelming feeling makes the decision more complicated and can cloud what should be an exciting and memorable time of your life. Thus, it’s essential to be familiar with the different key terms and vocabulary to make an informed decision when shopping online or at a traditional retailer.

With the plethora of diamonds and designs available, research can also help you narrow down what you are looking for and decide whether that ring or diamond aligns with your budget and preference. Educate yourself about the 4Cs of diamonds. The 4C’s stand for colour, carat, clarity, and cut; these characteristics also determine the value of the diamond.

The research will also help you determine whether you want to purchase a natural or a lab-grown diamond. During your research, you will discover how these diamonds are structurally and chemically identical. However, they can be vastly different in terms of their cost and environmental impact. Your research will allow you to decide which qualities are the most important to you.

2. Reputable Online Vendor

As mentioned before, buying a diamond online is convenient and can provide more value. However, all the advantages of buying online rely on whether the vendor you choose is credible. It would help if you did a few checks on the company when considering purchasing from it.

I. Customer Reviews: Pay attention to the store's reviews on its website, third-party sources, or social media. Customer reviews give you a good picture of this company's reputation.

II. Customer Service: Are the customer representatives helpful? Check their availability and maybe even request a personal consultation to assess how the company and its representatives handle your queries. Websites like Gemvy offer fast, honest and reliable service, with their representatives available to answer your questions and help you make your dream purchase come true.

III. Ethically sourced diamonds: A lack of information about the source of the diamond is a clear red flag, so it’s essential to make sure that the online vendor you are considering discloses these details.

IV. Return Policy Make sure that the online vendor you are going to has a good return policy. Trustworthy online retail stores usually have a 30-day return policy, so if you and your partner aren’t 100 % satisfied with the ring, you can get your money back.

Online Jewellery Retailers like Gemvy have an incredible portfolio of diamonds and diamond engagement rings, with excellent customer service, which is essential to make this journey easy.

3. Focus on the Specifics

Buying a diamond or engagement ring is a big deal, so focusing on the specifics is essential. Your preference determines several aspects of the diamond. In addition to the Carat weight, there are three elements you need to consider carefully when making this important purchase.
I. Clarity: Make sure that the diamond is eye-clean. Several reputable online stores offer powerful zoom-in options to check if there are any blemishes/inclusions. If you can see it in the image, you will also be able to see it with your eye in person.

II. Colour: If you are going for the classic diamond, you want one that looks white! Use the website zoom-in feature to see if you notice any yellow tint.

III. Cut: This might be one of the most important criteria for buying a beautiful diamond for yourself or your partner. The beauty of a diamond is highly dependent on the cut quality, so do not compromise on this aspect. We would recommend that you choose an excellent or ideal cut.

4. Review the Certifications

It is essential to check if the online retailer will also provide a lab certificate authenticating the value and features of the diamond. Be mindful that not all certifications are equal. GIA and AGS are considered the two most reliable labs around the world. A diamond certificate issued by a grading entity like the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) describes various elements of the diamond, from the colour, clarity, and size. These reports or certifications are made after a meticulous evaluation by trained professionals. It’s also important to note that not all grading labs are the same; diamond grading can also be a subjective endeavour; some labs have looser grading criteria for specific characteristics of a diamond compared to other labs. When shopping for your perfect diamond or diamond engagement ring, you will come across these four-diamond grading entities:

I. GIA: Is the leading lab, reputed for its consistency and reliability. GIA-graded diamonds are also laser inscribed, which can offer added security.

II. AGS: Like GIA, the lab has a good reputation for grading diamonds reliably and consistently.

III. IGI: Is a reliable certification body for lab-grown diamonds

IV. EGL: The reliability of EGL diamond grading is debated by many in the diamond trade; diamonds graded by EGL are often significantly discounted compared to diamonds graded by authorities like GIA or AGS

5. The Carat

After you have decided on the specifics of your diamond, you can decide on the carat. There is no perfect “carat”. This is all dependent on your preference and your budget. As the carat increases, so does the price! Be sure you know what it will look like on your finger. How will the size affect your ring design, your comfort level and lifestyle? Can I make compromises in other areas to buy bigger? Can compromises in center diamond size by compensated for with details elegant styling, elaborate pave or even a halo. Can I upgrade the diamond size later? Are the diamond dimensions consistent with calibrated diamonds sizes or is the top-down view of the diamond smaller or bigger than is standard (research “diamond size chart”).

6. Payment Methods

Pay special attention to whether the company offers secure transactions. Many fake and fraudulent websites do not provide a safe mode of payment. May vendors insist on wire transfers.

7. Second Opinion

Once you have received your diamond, it’s a good idea to get it appraised by an independent party. This will help you feel more confident about your purchase, as the appraiser can help you match the seller’s description and the paperwork.

8. Know the Setting Size

When it comes to knowing your size, apart from knowing the measurement of your own or your partner’s finger, if you are purchasing loose diamonds online and mounting them on a ring, you need to make sure that the diamond’s size and shape are compatible with the ring design and setting. Online engagement ring vendors like Gemvy have a dedicated customer service team that can help guide you to the best diamonds and engagement ring settings.

9. Insurance

Purchases like diamonds constitute a significant investment and need to be insured. Most online diamond vendors offer insurance coverage while in transit to you. It is advisable to insure your diamond (or ring) on your home insurance policy as part of your contents or add it as a scheduled (chargeable) item on your policy.

10. Don’t rush; take your time.

One of the benefits of buying a diamond online is that you can take your time deciding on the perfect diamond for yourself or your partner. Make comparisons between the diamonds, as well as the websites. Also, ensure you engage with the customer service providers on these online websites like Gemvy; you can get expert opinions and help customise engagement rings to your liking.

Purchasing a luxury item like a diamond can be a stressful process. However, keeping the ten things mentioned above in mind, your journey might get a little easier. Diamonds are costly if you have any questions or apprehensions, you can contact reliable diamond vendors like Gemvy. They are fully equipped to make this purchase a seamless and memorable experience.