Buying diamonds online - What are the risks I am facing?

Some people still consider Brick & Mortar jewelry stores to be safer than online stores, which is totally incorrect. Though you cannot view a diamond in person through online stores, you can ask for documents and photos which will give you a very good, in-depth idea about the diamond you are dealing with. Furthermore, when you buy a diamond online you usually have the patience to compare details and prices, and execute a purchase in your own standards and speed. When you enter a jewelry store without prior knowledge, you are putting your trust on a jeweler to some extent. Sure, sometimes we want to make a fast decision and take a risk, but with diamond this is very unadvisable, since we are talking about a very high expense. There are some corrupted dealers online, but when you sit at home in front of your computer you can take your time, check customers' testimonials, and make a purchase when you are ready. There are many reliable online jewelry stores out there, which offer decent return policies. Just spend some time to educate your self and I'm sure you'll appreciate the online diamond purchasing heaven.

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Look for reliable dealers, read their store reviews and you will find no risk in purchasing diamonds or diamond jewelry online. Many of the scams you read about are practically urban legends.

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There are a handful of risks that you face when buying diamonds or diamond engagement rings online. It isn't any riskier than buying diamonds at a B&M store, the risks are simply different.
When buying diamonds online you can run into the problem of receiving your purchase shipment very late, or not at all. It can actually happen that diamonds get lost in the mail. This is why, when purchasing diamonds online (and diamond engagement rings in particular), you should always inquire about their shipping policy and their shipping company. Anywhere legitimate and reliable will use a shipping company that has a tracking system so that if the package containing your diamonds does get lost, it can be tracked.
You can also run into a problem of ordering diamond engagement rings that is displayed on the jewelry website, but not actually available in the storehouse. I have heard frequently of people ordering diamond engagement rings, being charged for the item on their credit card over the internet, and then never receiving their diamond jewelry order. When they call to complain that their jewelry order has not been received, the retailer then informs them that this is because the specific diamond engagement ring they chose was not in stock. They can then be stuck with a "credit" at retailer that just doesn't have the diamond engagement ring  they want.
When buying jewelry online, you may also be sent the incorrect product by mistake. Most online diamond jewelry retailers work with big storehouses and things can get mixed up. This can be problematic if there is not a good return policy.
Regarding customer service, it can be tricky if you are buying from an international diamond jewelry website, or a website that seems to be a US site, but is internationally outsourced. You just never know where their customer service representatives are in the world. Sometimes you buy from a website that looks like an American diamond jewelry site, but their customer service representatives are stationed in Malaysia. This can be problematic when a customer service rep is only semi-fluent in English and isn't always available during the right hours for your time-zone.

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Generally speaking, buying diamond jewelry and diamond engagement rings in particular, online can be quite a positive experience. Online jewelry stores usually carry a wide selection of jewelry items including diamond bracelets, diamond earrings, diamond necklaces and pendants, diamond rings and diamond brooches in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and designs. The shopper has an easier time browsing diamond jewelry online than perusing actual brick and mortar diamond jewelry stores. He or she can effortlessly choose between diamond encrusted, gemstone embedded, precious metal jewelry. Also, online diamond jewelry stores offer competitive prices, sales and deals which brick and mortar stores cannot since overhead influences their prices. However, there are some definite drawbacks to purchasing diamond jewelry online. For instance, the quality of the item may not be up to par. The online picture of the diamond engagement ring may not match the actual ring you get, the color of the gemstone may be fainter, the precious gemstones may be scratched, cracked or even fake, the metal of the item may be damaged, the engravings or patterns detailed in the items description may not match your expectations and the chain's links and clasp may arrive broken. In addition, the jewelry store's handling fees may be overpriced and the shipping may take too long. For example, if you do not live in the States, the shipping fees may be astronomical and the piece of jewelry you ordered may arrive later than promised. Some online diamond jewelry stores do not offer insurance, so if the item gets lost while shipping you will not get refunded. Others do not offer a return or refund policy, so if the diamond engagement ring you have purchased is damaged in some way, or is simply not to your personal liking then it would be impossible for you to return it and get your money back. Worst of all, customer support and service may not be up to par. The reps can be unhelpful or downright disrespectful.
When buying diamond engagement rings online, and jewelry in general, you should check the store's reputation and posted reviews, as well as your item's handling and shipping fees, the jewelry store's return policies and, most importantly, the quality of the jewelry you are purchasing and its certifications.

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Here is a list of some disadvantages and risks involved in purchasing diamond jewelry online:

• Treated diamonds - You wouldn't want to have the nice color of your diamonds transform into something dull within several months...which is what happens when you unknowingly purchase treated diamonds.


• Unauthentic diamond grading reports - Some diamond dealers fake diamonds' grading reports or attach a grading report of a high quality diamond to a lower quality diamond. This could also happen in regular diamond jewelry stores.


• Short lasting jewelry stores - Most online diamond retailers don't last for more than a year or two. What will happen if you need their service in the future in any issue relevant to your diamond or diamond jewelry?


• Bad warranties and return policies - Don't settle for 1-3 month return policies. What if in a year from now the diamond falls off your engagement ring or your silver necklace starts turning gray? Wouldn't you want to return your jewelry item in such a case?!

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