| A diamond ring is a significant purchase to be | | | | reasonably expect to buy for the amount you've |
| making online and although the price is often | | | | set aside. If you come across a diamond ring that |
| cheaper than buying from a bricks and mortar | | | | falls significantly below what you've seen |
| store, there are risks involved, too. While there | | | | elsewhere, all else being equal, you have cause to |
| are risks, purchasing diamonds online without | | | | be suspicious. |
| problems is possible and in fact, is becoming | | | | When you have found a diamond ring that suits |
| increasingly commonplace. | | | | your style and budget ask for a diamond grading |
| There are a few advantages to buying diamond | | | | report from an independent laboratory. A |
| rings online. The first is the fact that the price is | | | | reputable jeweller will have no problem getting one |
| generally cheaper than a store because the | | | | done for you and, in fact, most should have the |
| overheads are fewer. The second is that there is | | | | independent report already conducted on each of |
| a far greater range of diamond rings to choose | | | | their diamonds. |
| from and thirdly, the convenience of simply | | | | To ensure that you are dealing with a reputable |
| clicking from store to store beats trudging from | | | | business look for a Better Business Bureau (BBB) |
| shop to shop hands down. | | | | logo on the site. You should also be able to access |
| But there are risks involved with buying online, | | | | the BBB report to find out if there are any |
| particularly if you're not a regular purchaser, as is | | | | outstanding complaints about the way they have |
| the case with many buyers of diamond rings. | | | | conducted their business. |
| Before beginning the process of buying a diamond | | | | Finally, it is highly recommended to use an escrow |
| ring either on-line or otherwise, it's a good idea to | | | | service when buying high-priced diamonds. The |
| do some research first. Learn as much as you | | | | seller will send the diamond to the escrow service |
| can about diamonds because it doesn't matter | | | | and you will send your payment, the escrow |
| whether you inspect the diamonds in person or | | | | service will usually have the diamond appraised |
| not, if you don't know what you're looking for | | | | while it is holding it and then they will send you the |
| there's no way you can protect yourself. | | | | diamond and the seller will receive your payment. |
| Knowledge of exactly what the 4 C's of | | | | In short, you are parting with quite a sum of |
| diamonds are - cut color, clarity and carat - and | | | | money when buying diamonds and you need to |
| what each of these terms means will be a good | | | | do everything possible to ensure that you will be |
| starting point. Give yourself a budget and, again | | | | getting what you pay for. |
| through research, determine what you can | | | | |