How to ensure a safe Diamond purchase online?

Nowadays, to purchase any items, including diamonds, it is not necessary to come to the store personally. This can be done using your computer, tablet or smartphone. Many of the considerations below are also useful when you buy diamonds from jewelry retailers. However, GIA offers you some additional advice when buying online, guided by which you can safely click the "Buy Now" button.

1. PRELIMINARY ACQUAINTANCE

As with any significant purchase, start by exploring your options. First of all, decide on the quality of the IIDGR certified diamond you would like to purchase. Diamonds are qualified by 4 criteria, the so-called four K (4Cs): carat, color, clarity, cut (carat weight, color, clarity, cut quality). Decide which of these characteristics are most important to you. This decision, along with the budget, will help you make the right choice.

2. LOOK AT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STONE

When doing shopping online, make sure you know exactly what you are buying. Some sites show diamonds in the range of weight, color, and purity. To make sure that you know which stones you are buying, look for the specific 4Cs characteristics of these stones, and do not trust the specified range.

3. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR STONES

Note: GIA does not issue a certificate, but a grading report

Ensure that the certified loose diamond is delivered with a report from an independent expert center, modeled on those issued by the GIA and which provides an objective assessment of 4Cs of a diamond. Its quality primarily determines the rate of a diamond, so an objective third-party assessment of 4Cs is crucial. Sometimes the price difference can be several hundred or even thousand dollars.

4. VERIFY GIA GRADING REPORT AUTHENTICITY

If a GIA report is attached to the stone, you can check it against the GIA database and even print a copy of the report, if there is one. This is a convenient way to ensure that the online product description matches the certification results.

5. LOOK AT THE LASER SIGNATURE.

For additional security, in some cases, the number of the diamond classification protocol is applied by a laser on its belt. In some cases, this is done before the sale, or it may be requested at the time of purchase. The microscopic inscription is visible only in magnifying glass with a 10-fold increase. This fact is also noted in the report and will further ensure that the IIDGR certified diamond you receive is consistent with the document issued to it.

6. COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SELLER

After you have decided on a certified loose diamond that suits you, take the time to find out as much information as possible about its seller. Pay attention to the following points:

• How long has the company been working in the diamond business?
• What feedback has this company received?
• Does the company belong to any trade jewelry associations? (Such communities often have certain ethical principles and monitor their implementation.)
• Do they offer secure transactions?
• Is online information really useful?
• What is their refund policy?
• Where is the seller?
• How will the diamond be shipped? Is the cargo insured? Is a signature required upon delivery?