The holiday season means that A LOT of people are shopping online right now for the perfect gift and what better gift is there than an engagement ring? If you’re looking to make this big purchase online, then you need to ALL the tips to ensure a secure and successful purchase that you are happy with. Thankfully we asked our friends at Ada Diamonds for help and they shared their Dos and Don’ts for buying an engagement online. Happy shopping y’all!
- DON’T: Shop Budget E-Commerce: You Get What You Pay For. Found a deal on a diamond that seems too good to be true? It almost certainly is. Diamonds are like pumpkins and Christmas trees: the nice ones sell first, and the sad ones linger on the lot. Diamonds that are not good enough for the discerning eyes of private jewelers like us get listed on the Internet for cheap. You may get a great “deal”, but there’s always a catch. Budget e-commerce sites operate on low profit margins, which means low quality diamonds, low quality service, and low quality jewelry. You’re shopping for a diamond you’ll wear every day for the rest of your life. You deserve better than “add to cart” and “hope for the best.” – Lindsay Reinsmith, Co-Founder and Director of Sales, Ada Diamonds
- DON’T: Forget to consider the measurement of the diamond, not just the carat weight. A common mistake when purchasing a diamond online is buying a 2 carat diamond that measures as a 1.80 carat. You wnt to purchase a diamond that measures true to its carat weight or even a little larger! Finding a 1.80 carat diamond that measures as 2 carats is a good buy! – Kaeleigh Testwuide, Founder and Owner of The Diamond Reserve
- DON’T: Rely on a Grading Report: Make Sure Your Diamond Has Been Inspected by an Expert Before Purchase. Diamonds (both lab grown and mined) vary greatly in quality. Selecting the best diamonds is an art and science, as there are characteristics beyond the 4 C’s that are only visible in person. A certificate and a low-resolution video can give you clues about the quality of a diamond, but it isn’t enough information to definitively determine the quality. Since some qualities of a diamond can only be evaluated in person, it is worth working with an expert to ensure your diamond has been inspected before your purchase. – Lindsay Reinsmith, Co-Founder and Director of Sales, Ada Diamonds
- DO: Educate yourself and do your research on the 4 C’s of diamonds. Make sure you have enough understanding so you can make an educated diamond purchase. Many jewelers will offer a virtual consultation to help you get educated and understand your needs. Don’t skip this step – This will make your purchase much more personalized.
- DO: Read the Fine Print and Understand Post-Purchase Benefits. Make sure to read the fine print! Many e-commerce jewelers offer warranties that are minimal or non-existent. Many companies do not offer diamond-trade in, guaranteed re-sale, or complimentary repairs. Make sure you work with a jeweler whose client support does not end at checkout. – Lindsay Reinsmith, Co-Founder and Director of Sales, Ada Diamonds
- DO: View a magnified video of the diamond so you can see where the inclusions are. If there’s an inclusion in the dead center of the diamond, it probably isn’t your best pick. – Kaeleigh Testwuide, Founder and Owner of The Diamond Reserve
- DO: Consider a Proposal Setting: Keep the Surprise, Reduce the Stress. Want to keep your proposal a surprise, but not sure about designing a full custom ring without your partner’s input? Consider a Proposal Setting. Here at Ada Diamonds, we offer a unique program that allows you to purchase and set your laboratory grown diamond as a classic solitaire, then enjoy a complimentary re-set to design her dream setting as a team after the proposal. – Lindsay Reinsmith, Co-Founder and Director of Sales, Ada Diamonds
- DO: Ensure that your engagement ring setting is perfect from every angle if you decide to purchase online. A few things to keep in mind: Does the setting allow a wedding band to sit flush or will there be a gap between the engagement ring and wedding band? What style prong tips are being used? Is there unnecessary metal in places on the setting that will trap dirt and not allow maximum light to pass through the diamond? – Kaeleigh Testwuide, Founder and Owner of The Diamond Reserve
