| As with many purchases that can be made online | | | | confident about shopping online. |
| a lot of people are cautious or even afraid of | | | | Don't ever allow yourself to be hurried into buying, |
| buying diamonds online. The key to buying items | | | | rushing to buy the first diamond you find |
| on the internet is to do your research prior to | | | | interesting can result in getting ripped off. Use the |
| attempting the purchase. | | | | power of the internet to compare prices so that |
| Of all the reasons people have for buying | | | | you can be sure you are getting a good deal. |
| diamonds online as opposed to buying from a local | | | | Okay, so far you have learned about diamonds, |
| jewelry store price is probably the main factor. | | | | you have found some good deals, and even |
| Markup in local jewelry stores is extremely high in | | | | maybe a stone you are in love with, but you still |
| order to pay overhead costs for the store as | | | | need to do a couple more things to make sure |
| well as commissions to salespeople. This is why | | | | that you don't get taken. |
| online stores are able to offer much lower prices | | | | The next step you need to take is to find out |
| but you must at the same time be aware that a | | | | what kind of credentials the online jeweler has |
| ridiculously low price indicates that the stone is | | | | including what associations they are members of |
| probably not a real diamond. | | | | and what their policies are regarding returns, |
| Another huge benefit about internet shopping is | | | | refunds, and upgrades. Since you are buying via |
| the availability of a virtually unlimited variety of | | | | the internet you may also want to ask about |
| stones to choose from in comparison to the small | | | | services they may provide in the way of settings, |
| availability in your local area with normal jewelers. | | | | mountings, sizing, and what their shipping prices |
| Still, you must do your homework and check out | | | | and policies are. If you ask, you may even be |
| any retailer that you are considering doing | | | | able to get free shipping. Have them give you a |
| business with. | | | | grading report for the stone you are considering |
| Learn everything you can about diamonds in | | | | from one of the independent labs such as AGS or |
| advance to reduce the chances of getting | | | | GIA before you complete the transaction. A final |
| scammed. Some of the more important things | | | | suggestion is to use an escrow service to handle |
| you need to know about are carat weights, color, | | | | the final disposition in which they will receive the |
| clarity, and the cut as well as how each of these | | | | diamond from the seller and appraise it then you |
| factors affects the price of the stone. After you | | | | send the money to the escrow service. |
| have educated yourself you can be more | | | | |