When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. 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.One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. 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!Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. 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 for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest and best offer prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your detail investigation. You know about 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!In this respect, ask about the seller’s credentials and qualifications, 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.Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. 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!
In most traditional relationships, women expect their man to give them gifts of jewelry , and the men do so. Today, more women are paying special attention to giving jewelry to their men than ever before. Giving jewelry to your spouse or romantic partner has always been a popular gift. Often holidays like Christmas, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day prompt men to run to the jewelry store for something shiny and expensive. Imagine how much more valued this gift would be if given without a major holiday attached to it. Why not give your partner jewelry for no particular reason, other than love? Diamonds are always popular when it comes to choosing jewelry, other gemstones or simply silver and gold can be just as popular. You probably know that each month has a gemstone that represents it, and those gemstones each have a symbolic meaning. If you really want to blow your partner away, select your jewelry for it’s significance to a particular month (birthday or anniversary ...
Comments
I got the Carat* round border set 1.5 Ct centre stone ring.
On its second wear – it lost a stone from its shank. On returning it to the store ( Selfridges Birmingham) I was told usually I would have to pay for a replacement stone – but as obviously as I had not worn it much as it was still pristine, on this occasion the replacement stone would be free.
I was also informed by the Carat Selfridges manager when asking about the warranty – that the warranty was for the the stone colour only – and nothing else as the Carat website misrepresents.
However to get it fixed it would have to be sent to Hong Kong, where the rings were made - taking approx 10 weeks to be returned.
When I said that time was unreasonable and could I have a replacement – I was told no, and after a phone call the 'central management' I was informed it could be fixed in the UK taking 3 weeks ( expected back 10th Dec 2011)
I have just received back the ring this morning ( 20th December ), only to find the stone has been badly set ( in fact I cannot see it properly as the shank round it is all pitted and hammered), the shank itself is damaged and the overall look ruined.
I am so disappointed.
Would I recommend carat … NO.
Poor quality of goods, poor customer service and care – and poor standard of UK workmanship.
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