You’ve always wanted to know how to buy diamonds online, but were never brave enough to find out. That’s perfectly normal; when you’re willing to pay out a great sum of money for something that is so expensive, it can be nerve wracking. Who do you believe? Which sites are the best? Are you going to get what you pay for?
At this point, you are probably well aware of the four C’s to be aware of when finding the best quality of diamond – cut, clarity, carat, color – but, what about knowing what to look for in an online jewelry site? Here are some pointers on what to look for so you don’t get taken for a ride.
Check Their History
Most sites are really good about putting their history out there for all to see. And while this is really great for them, it can be very beneficial for you. Check to see if the jeweler you want to buy from has had an extensive history in the jewelry business. Have they ever had a brick-and-mortar store? How many years have they been in business? Where do they get their inventory from?
After perusing their site, go on the Web and see what else you can find out about the company. Have there been any complaints issued against the company? Is there any negative information out there about them at all? Also, if they have had or continue to have a brick-and-mortar store, check with the Better Business Bureau and see if any issues have been filed with them. While this might seem like a lot of work, it will all be worth it.
Check Their Return Policies
Another great way to learn how to buy diamonds online is by checking several sites’ return policies. See how lenient they are and the time frame in which they allow you to return your merchandise. Some online jewelers only allow a customer to return the merchandise if it is damaged or defective in some way. Other sites are much less strict and will allow you to return your piece for any reason. Then again, some sites only allow exchanges, so make sure you are aware of their policies.
Most reputable sites will give you a 30-day window when making an exchange or a return. This means that 30 days after you receive your jewelry you are not satisfied, you may return it. Be aware that some sites pay for return shipping while others do not.
Read Customer Reviews
The best way to learn how to buy diamonds online is to read customer reviews. You can learn so much from what others have experienced. Did they have any issues that they took to customer service? If so, did customer service handle it well? Was the item shipped on time and did it arrive in good condition?
With these three tips, you should have no problem finding and buying the perfect piece of diamond jewelry online. Be brave and go forth with confidence now that you know how to buy diamonds online.
Showing posts with label buy diamonds online. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buy diamonds online. Show all posts
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
3 Tips for Buying Fine Jewelry Online
If you wish to invest in fine jewelry there is no better time to do it. The price of gold is predicted to continue to rise and the availability of “conflict free” stones means you can buy without worrying about who you are funding with your purchase. Going online may seem like a risk, but by following these tips you can make safe, beautiful purchases from the comfort of your own home.
Start with Quality
Good quality is the most important thing when buying jewelry of any kind. You are actually better off buying a smaller piece which offers better quality than something larger that isn’t as nice. Diamonds, for example, are standardized. The seller must disclose if they are selling stones which have been treated to improve their appearance. Inclusions, size, cut and other details must be described.
Avoid stores that claim to present wholesale merchandise or remove the middle man. The chances are that such vendors are less than reputable, and, by the way, it is illegal to offer wholesale prices to retail customers.
Learn the Numbers
There are several numbers you want to know when purchasing fine jewelry. The stone’s measurement, the price of precious metals, the size of your finger or wrist and so much more. When it comes to stones, people fixate on carats, but the fact is, if you are willing to go a tiny bit below a “round number” such as a whole carat, you can get significant savings and no one will see the difference.
While you may have the option of sizing a ring when you buy locally, you must be accurate when purchasing online. The same holds true if you buy a fine watch or a bracelet. Simply measuring your wrist will work for a bracelet, but it pays to visit a local jeweler and find out your ring size before you make your purchase. The little guides you can print out online are not as accurate as you might like.
Evaluate Customer Service
You might be thinking that you can’t really know how a vendor will treat you without taking the risk of spending your money. It’s just not true. If there is one thing you can be sure of online it is that if people are unhappy, they will spread the word. All you need to do is take a few minutes to read up on a particular store’s reputation.
Look at the company website for details about shipping, warranties, certifications if you are buying diamonds and return policies. Follow that up by searching for customer written reviews which will give you some idea of how the company follows through on their policies.
Finding fine jewelry online isn’t hard and it is certainly worth the savings that Internet vendors can offer.
Start with Quality
Good quality is the most important thing when buying jewelry of any kind. You are actually better off buying a smaller piece which offers better quality than something larger that isn’t as nice. Diamonds, for example, are standardized. The seller must disclose if they are selling stones which have been treated to improve their appearance. Inclusions, size, cut and other details must be described.
Avoid stores that claim to present wholesale merchandise or remove the middle man. The chances are that such vendors are less than reputable, and, by the way, it is illegal to offer wholesale prices to retail customers.
Learn the Numbers
There are several numbers you want to know when purchasing fine jewelry. The stone’s measurement, the price of precious metals, the size of your finger or wrist and so much more. When it comes to stones, people fixate on carats, but the fact is, if you are willing to go a tiny bit below a “round number” such as a whole carat, you can get significant savings and no one will see the difference.
While you may have the option of sizing a ring when you buy locally, you must be accurate when purchasing online. The same holds true if you buy a fine watch or a bracelet. Simply measuring your wrist will work for a bracelet, but it pays to visit a local jeweler and find out your ring size before you make your purchase. The little guides you can print out online are not as accurate as you might like.
Evaluate Customer Service
You might be thinking that you can’t really know how a vendor will treat you without taking the risk of spending your money. It’s just not true. If there is one thing you can be sure of online it is that if people are unhappy, they will spread the word. All you need to do is take a few minutes to read up on a particular store’s reputation.
Look at the company website for details about shipping, warranties, certifications if you are buying diamonds and return policies. Follow that up by searching for customer written reviews which will give you some idea of how the company follows through on their policies.
Finding fine jewelry online isn’t hard and it is certainly worth the savings that Internet vendors can offer.
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