How to safely buy diamonds on the internet

There are many horror stories circulating aboutwouldn't you like to know what the exact clarity
eBay and other online diamond purchases goneactually is? I would.
bad. Most of them are true! The chief reasonHaving a little bit of knowledge will help you
why these unfortunate buyers were conned wasidentify potential false claims.
because they did not follow the first and mostThis brings me directly to Rule 2
important rule for purchasing a diamond:Rule 2 - Buy certified
Rule 1 - Get educatedAny seller can claim that their diamond is a VVS2
Buying a diamond can be a daunting task. Therestone rather than a VS1. It is simple; remove a V
are volumes of information available on theand change the 1 to a 2, but how that seller
internet about the various characteristics ofsubstantiates the claim? That is the important
diamonds. Diamond retailers (online andquestion. A diamond grading certificate from an
bricks-and-mortar) make various claims and useinternationally recognized and endorsed diamond
colorful terminology to impart to you the quality,grading laboratory is the only document that can
authenticity and beauty of the diamond they areaccurately confirm a diamonds quality is as
trying to sell to you.claimed.
Rule 1 does not state 'Become a diamond Expert.'When buying a stone, find out if it comes with a
Rule 1 states 'Get Educated.' This means do a littlegrading certificate. Also find out which laboratory
bit of reading. Understand what factors affect thehas issued the certificate. Then make sure the
price of a diamond. Understand how you can beissuing laboratory is internationally recognized and
certain that those factors, as they relate to arespected.
diamond being shown to you, can be checked,Some of the more popular and recognized
verified or substantiated. Understand what sellerslaboratories can be found at Independently
are really saying when they state 'Top QualityCertified Diamonds
VVS2-VS1' or 'Big Size 8-10 Points'A grading certificate should NEVER state a value.
A great place to start your reading is ourA true grading certificate only states the
Diamond Buying Guide.characteristics of a diamond. It will never give an
Do a Google search for 'Diamond Buyers Guide?'indication of the value of the diamond. Certificates
You will get many results, with most guides givingstating value are Valuation or Appraisal
you similar information, so do not waste yourCertificates, not grading certificates. Be wary of
time reading all of them. Just make sure yousellers claiming to be selling 'Certified Diamonds'
understand the 4 C's and how they can affect twhere the certificate states a value.
the price of a diamond. Get a feel for theValuers generally do not have access to the
terminology related to diamonds.sophisticated equipment required to grade a
To illustrate this point, let us look at the effect ofdiamond with the accuracy of a real grading
clarity on a diamond's price. Take a 1 Carat, Glaboratory. Valuer's normally make and educated
Colour diamond with an excellent proportion gradeassessment of the characteristics of the diamond.
and an Excellent make. Now compare a VVS2As I have illustrated above, a small mistake, calling
stone to a VS1 stone. At the time of writing, thea diamond a VVS2 rather than a VS1 could have
VS1 stone could be purchased from a particulara significant impact on the price.
internet retailer for AU$12,043.38 while the VVS2Rule 3 - Set your price
stone is available at the same merchant forYou now have the tools and the knowledge to
AU$13,582.76, almost a 13% difference in price!determine a fair price for a diamond. Firstly, ignore
So if a seller is advertising a VVS2-VS1 stone,all 'Valued At' statements.