Although individuals might realize that buying loose diamonds can provide a better deal and more unique stones than buying stones that are already set in a ring, necklace or earrings, they might not know what to ask or look for when they are searching and run the chance of being taken in by websites that scam individuals with synthetic stones which are sold as real diamonds.  One of the keys to avoiding these scams is to make sure that the seller sells only certified loose diamonds, meaning that they have been verified as to their grade by an authority on the subject, one of the independent laboratories in the country.

Checking It Twice

One of the first steps to finding certified loose diamondsis to find the particular cut, color and size of diamond that is desired, as well as the price range that is within the budget.Once a certified loose diamond is found on one seller’s Internet site, the customer should continue to look around at other marketer so that the best possible deal can be derived.  It is important not only to look at the diamond itself and the price, but also to look at what the other features are that come with the sale of that diamond, such as what the seller’s return policy is, what their refund policy is and any upgrade policies that they might have should any of those features be needed in the future.In addition, there should also be some kind of thirty day money back guarantee scheme on the certified loose diamond so that when the person sees it and begins to look at settings, if he finds that the diamond is not quite what he was anticipating, he can give back within thirty days and still get all of his money back.  In addition, sellers also often give free overnight shipping so that the thirty day guarantee is not affected by the shipping process.

Another step to finding a certified loose diamondis to check out the seller thoroughly before purchasing.  The Better Business Bureau is a great place to start looking for any complaints that have been launched against the company by any customers.  In addition, there are often review sites that list customer ratings or comments and it is important to check those to make sure the seller is reputable and to minimize any future problems.  In addition, the certified loose diamonds should have a GIA, AGS, EGL or HRD label on the certificate, as those are the labs in the United States and Europe that certify diamonds.

With all of the potential for scams concerning cut diamonds, purchasing diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.

Instead of making a purchase from a local jewelry store, you must first rethink your reasons for wanting to buy the diamond online. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful – sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.

The vast selection is one of the ideal things about buying online. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met!

Learn as much as you possibly can about diamonds before deciding to buy. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds on sale. Finding the lowest prices would have to be done while doing some comparison shopping. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about man made diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.

Independent laboratories such as HRD, GIA, AGS, and EGL are great sources when asking for a diamond report. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself…again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!