Buying Diamonds Online
When I started writing this website, I asked a few people if they'd buy diamonds online, and most of them said "no way". When I dug deeper, I found that people have some misconceptions about buying diamonds online that might be preventing them from getting the most diamond for their money.
Isn't it Dangerous?
The main reasons people want to buy a diamond in a store is that they can see the diamond first, and because a store seems more trustworthy. You don't have to worry about it vanishing if you want to return the diamond.
The worry about getting stuck with a bad diamond is a valid one. There are disreputable online stores out there, and you can get burned if you're not careful. At the same time, there are many highly reputable online merchants. If you order from an online store with a reputation at stake and a history of great reviews, you know they're not going anywhere.
The other reason to order from a store is that you can see and touch the diamond before you pay for it. This is definitely a plus. However, all good online stores have a returns policy, so that you can send back the diamond, usually without paying for any shipping. So you can still look at your diamond, and have it appraised, and return it without risk if it isn't what you want.
Save Money
Because online merchants don't have brick-and-mortar stores to run, they can sell diamonds for much less than retail stores. You can also avoid sales tax if you order from a site outside your state.
Selection
Online stores aren't limited by space in the way a store in the mall is, so they usually have a much larger selection. Stores can order products that they don't have in stock, but if you can't see the diamond right there in the store you may as well order online and get a lower price.
Personalized Service
A good diamond site will have operators and email assistance on hand to help you whenever you need it, with no pressure.
Learn at your Own Pace
A really good diamond site will provide you with lots of information about diamonds and jewelry. They don't need to pay for printing costs, and they have plenty of space, so they can afford to.
The best source of infomation I've found is the Mondera Learning Center, which has articles on everything from pearl fishing in Tahiti to the history of emeralds in Islamic text, as well as essentials like how to choose a setting, and what to look for in a diamond. You could spend days here if you wanted to.
Avoid the Mall
I'm a woman so I'm supposed to enjoy shopping, but to be honest, a trip to the mall is usually exhausting, and even makeup saleswomen can be intimidating. The thought of driving to a mall, then going into a diamond store and dealing with a salesperson and trying to remember the right questions to ask isn't that appealing. When you shop online, there's no pressure, and all the information you want is right there on hand.
See the Diamond At Home
Instead of looking at the diamond in a store, you can see it in the environment where its going to be worn. If you don't like it, you can send it back.
Choosing a Merchant
One of the most important decisions you can make is which company to order from. Here are some of the things to look for.
Return policy.
Diamond certification.
Reviews and testimonials.
History of the company.
Reputation of the company.
Shipping speed.
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