How to Choose the Right Jewelers

Should a diamond engagement ring be bought online?

Reasons to buy diamonds offline:

1. You can talk to a jewelry salesman in person. By doing so, you can learn about diamonds and get suggestions on how to choose an engagement ring.
2. You can try putting the rings on your finger and see which the ones that fits best.
3. You can examine the diamond with a diamond loupe, under the appropriate lighting.
4. You can be confident that the store won't disappear tomorrow.
5. You can make the payment and take it back home immediately.
6. You can repair the ring quickly, if necessary.

1. When buying online, there is a wide range of selection for both engagement rings and loose diamonds.
2. Many online stores list all their vendors' inventory, including many best-cut diamonds.
3. Since online stores have lower operation costs, their prices can be very competitive.
4. It is easier to compare diamonds and jewelry from different online stores in a shopping comparison site like Rings R Us, and it is less convenient to do so offline.
5. Websites like Diamond It Yourself, which does not sell diamonds and jewelry, offers unbiased buying guide, diamonds and jewelry education to help you make the right decision.
6. Many online stores offer a better return policy than offline stores.

1. 30-Day Return Policy: If you see that the ring did not come out exactly like it showed in the picture, or in any way deviated from the description of the product , our 30-Day return policy gives you the decision of whether or not you want to keep the ring. If you are not satisfied with the ring you purchased for any reason, you will have the option to return it back to the online jewelry store within the first 30-days and get your full refund. Many reputable online jewelry stores offer this service to prove their confidence on the quality of their products and service. Some stores might offer a 14-Day Return Policy while some extend their 30-Day policy even longer.
2. Diamond Certificate: A diamond certificate is important to prove that what you buy is authentic. A Diamond certificate, also called a diamond grading report, should come from an unbiased third-party. It gives an independent, expert opinion on the quality of a loose diamond or unset gemstone. Besides the diamond's 4Cs: color, clarity, cut and carat weight,it should also describe the diamond's shape, measurements, table & depth, polish, symmetry,fluorescence, etc. The most famous independent diamond grading institutions are:Gemological Institute of America (GIA), European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and American Gem Society (AGS).
3. Merchant Membership: here are a few organizations in the industry we believe can help you understand more about online jewelry stores:
   1. Jewelry Board of Trade (JBT): Established in 1884, The Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) is a not-for-profit jewelry trade association whose primary function is to compile and disseminate accurate and reliable credit information among its members as to the financial standing, credit history and background of dealers of jewelry and related products. It promotes the welfare of the jewelry industry in part through furnishing to its members highly specialized credit reports.
   2. Rapaport / RapNet: RapNet is the exclusive online diamond trading network for qualified members of the diamond trade. With listings of over 300,000 certified diamonds worth $2.3 billion and daily visits from thousands of buyers, RapNet is a real-time global marketplace offering instant access to the best diamonds from the best suppliers at the best prices.
   3. Better Business Bureau (BBB OnLine): BBB OnLine's mission is to promote trust and confidence on the Internet through the BBB OnLine Reliability and Privacy Seal Programs. BBB OnLine's web site seal programs allow companies with web sites to display the seals once they have been evaluated and confirmed to meet the program requirements.
   4. Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC): Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), the legal compliance expert in the jewelry industry is a not-for-profit trade association since 1917 whose mission is to maintain the jewelry industry's highest ethical standards.
4. Third-Party Customer Reviews: Online jewelry stores which participate in BizRate.com or Shopping.com's free customer survey program allows them to collect feedback continuously and directly from its customers as they check-out and after the date of fulfillment through follow-up e-mail surveys. Reading other consumers' review about the store will give you a better understanding of the store's service and products.
5. Ring Appraisal: An appraisal states a dollar value of the ring for insurance purpose. Many online jewelry stores offer a free ring appraisal, you might want to get your ring appraised every other year because the market value changes.
6. Clear Description: the website should have clear description for its products, especially the quality of the side diamonds on a ring. Something like ''white diamond'' doesn't really tell anything, in that case, you might want to give the jewelry store a call and ask for the actual color and clarity. When you buying an engagement ring, also make sure the side diamonds on your engagement ring matches the center stone in color and clarity.