Last updated on December 27, 2022
Nowadays, many people skip going to physical jewellery stores. You can buy everything remotely, but with a big purchase, you might wonder if it is safe. While the short answer is yes, the information covered in this article will help you understand how to buy diamond rings online.
Is Buying a Diamond Ring Online Safe?
Let’s agree that buying diamond rings or loose diamonds online is trickier than in person. The main reason is that you do not see the actual stones while shopping. Of course, you can see the colour, clarity, cut grade and other specifications of the diamond you are about to buy listed on the website, but seeing the actual stones in person would give you a better understanding of how each of them would look. Not to mention, diamonds of the same quality grade may look completely different. That is why if you are buying diamond rings online, it is recommended to choose reputable jewellers that make online ring shopping a safe choice. A good jewellery website will have high-quality images, often videos, of the actual diamonds and finished products.
Make sure the diamonds you buy online are accompanied by a grading report issued by a reputable laboratory. This report ensures that the quality of the stone has been checked by an independent third-party organization specialising in gemstone grading. In other words, the report is a guarantee you are getting what you are paying for.
Reputable jewellers always ship their products via trusted delivery companies, provide you with a tracking number and insurance, and require a signature upon delivery in most cases. All these measures ensure you will not be out a penny in the rare event that your diamond ring gets stolen.
Such vendors also have excellent return policies. If you do not like how the ring and the stones look when worn, the terms should allow you to return the piece within a certain period. However, it is worth stressing the importance of reading the policy of the store because terms may apply, especially in the case of custom-made rings.
How to Buy Diamond Rings Online
Set a Budget
Once you have found a jeweller you trust, the first thing to do, even before looking for a design, is to set your budget. Think about what you can afford to spend. It will help you save time and effort. It is important to make sure you are not bringing unnecessary financial stress into your life which is why you should remember to account for both a ring setting and the diamond(s).
The setting typically has a set price. However, it may vary based on the materials used, for example, platinum or gold. The diamond prices will vary considerably more as they are calculated based on the 4Cs (colour, clarity, cut and carat weight), the presence of fluorescence, brand name and more.
Do not forget that your total budget includes the prices of both the finished ring and fees. Total budget = diamond budget + setting budget + import duties/taxes/shipping fees.
Choose Your Setting Type
After setting your budget, you can think of the setting type you prefer. There are countless setting options available online, but your ring setting style should be based on personal preference. If you are not sure what design to choose, you can always get inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest.
Have your ideas ready for the initial online consultation, so the consultants can get a sense of your preferences. It is also very helpful to note the things you do not like. While it is not necessary to learn all the diamond and jewellery terminology, knowing the basics will help you while browsing websites or talking to a jeweller.
Choose a Diamond
The first thing to do when choosing a diamond is to decide its shape. Although the most popular diamond shape is round, you should consider what shape you need to match the ring setting type and overall design.
Since you already have some budget for the diamond(s), it is easier to work with the carat range you can afford. However, the main thing to focus on is the cut quality of the stone. The cut is the biggest indicator of a diamond’s beauty and should be made a priority over the other characteristics, so if you choose Excellent cut grade diamonds, the carat weight choice will usually narrow down.
The next step is to set a diamond colour depending on the metal you chose for the setting. If the diamond is set in platinum or white gold, the minimum should be an I colour – any lower than that will show yellowish or brownish tints. However, there is an exception to the above recommendation. If you are going to have your diamond set in a setting other than solitaire (side-stone setting, pavé setting, halo setting, etc.), the minimum should be H colour. If the diamond is set in yellow or rose gold, you can go as low as J, K or even L colours.
The next step is to decide on the minimum clarity range. To have a stone that looks clean to the naked eye, set the lower end of your clarity range at SI1.
Another important decision is whether to buy rings with diamonds that have already been set or buy loose diamonds and have them set in the mounting. The advantage of buying loose diamonds is that you can see stones from all sides and notice any flaws easily. On the contrary, when the stone is already set, the mounting can hide some visible flaws of the stone. This is fine as long as you do not take the stone out. But if someday you decide that you want another mounting, it may not conceal the diamond’s imperfections so well.
Featured image: The Glorious Studio / Pexels
