It’s the season of love – and what better way to show it to your better half than a wedding proposal? Showcase your love, affection, and commitment through diamond engagement rings.
Luckily, you won’t have to go to a diamond store to find the perfect engagement ring for your partner. You can do it in the comfort of your home! With the rise of online stores, engagement rings can now be purchased online.
However, there can be looming dangers when buying a diamond engagement ring online. Spending thousands of dollars in an online store can make you uncomfortable. That’s why in this article, we will guide you on how to buy diamond engagement rings online safely.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Diamond Engagement Rings Online
First of all, congratulations! Starting a new chapter in life is not a walk in the park. Much more if you get scammed after spending thousands of dollars on a diamond engagement ring.
Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you have to do it right. Make sure you perfect the nitty-gritty details before you purchase that customized diamond engagement ring.
Let’s look at the things you should consider first before buying an engagement ring online.
1. Choose the Perfect Diamond
Diamonds are precious jewels that are often used for engagement and wedding rings. It is important to note that there are different kinds of diamonds. Thus, you need to know all the ins and outs of diamonds.
You can learn about diamonds online and visit forums concerned with diamonds. You’ll probably come across the term 4C, which means color, clarity, cut, and carat. This is essential to differentiate a gem-quality diamond from an industrial diamond. Make sure you’re getting the right quality for the price.
2. Choose the Right Ring Size
Don’t ask for your partner’s ring size! It will kill the surprise of your wedding proposal. Instead, get a piece of thread and measure the ring finger of your partner. Cut the thread and get to the nearest jewelry store to have an estimate. If not, take one of your partner’s rings to the shop to get the size. For more information, read this guide.
Make sure to be subtle about this as you don’t want to give a hint about your marriage proposal.
3. Pick the Right Metal for the Ring
Traditionally, the metal bands of engagement rings are made of yellow gold, white gold, silver, or platinum. Recently, jewelers are using rose gold for metal bands. It’s important to consider these factors before choosing the metal for the ring:
- Lifestyle – some metals scratch easier because of the difference in hardness. For example, sterling silver is easier to scratch than rose gold and white gold.
- Color – your partner will wear this ring for quite some time so make sure the engagement ring complements his or her color. Rose gold is said to complement almost all skin tones.
4. Know the Different Stone Settings
Since the gemstone is the precious component of an engagement ring, proper stone setting should be practiced. Proper stone setting protects the diamond and highlights it at the same time. When choosing diamond engagement rings, you should know the 3 primary stone settings:
- Prong Stone Setting – prongs (usually 4 to 6 prongs) are used to secure the diamond into place in engagement rings. When prongs are used to secure a single stone, it is usually called a “solitaire”.
- Bezel Stone Setting – the stone is protected and secured by a thin metal strip.
- Halo Stone Setting – the “halo” forms because of the tiny diamonds used to encircle the primary diamond in the center.
5. Buy With Caution
It can be nerve-racking to spend a huge amount of money in an online ring store. However, if you know what to look for, you can be confident about your purchase.
Filter Online Ring Vendors
There are a couple of options when choosing online ring vendors. You can buy loose and take the diamond to a retailer near you to set the stone in a metal band. You can also buy a pre-made engagement ring from these stores.
Make sure that the online merchant has images of the rings, positive reviews, detailed shipping details, and a clear return policy. It’s better if the online merchant can show you the ring personally before buying it.
Find Certification for the Vendor and the Diamond
The first thing you should find is the vendor’s certification. The local jeweler should have certification from accredited institutes such as GIA.
Diamonds should also have a code engraved on them. It can be found on the diamond’s girdle. This is the diamond’s identification from accredited laboratories. It ensures that the diamond you’re about to purchase is 100% legitimate.
Ask for a Grading Report of the Diamond
The diamond grading report will show you an assessment of the diamond’s 4C. Make sure to ask the vendor for a grading report. Read through the report to remove any uncertainties you have before buying the diamond.
Carefully Read the Return Policy and Shipping Procedure
If you’re buying an engagement ring from a website, you should find and read the return policy very carefully. Don’t proceed with a vendor that has no return policy indicated on the website.
Also, reliable websites will cover the shipping procedure and will indicate it upon purchase. Read on how the vendor packs the product. Make sure it is packed securely to avoid damage during shipping. The last thing you want is to receive a damaged engagement ring.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to contact customer service and ask for assistance. You can also get their expert opinion to help you choose the best engagement ring from their products. Check the order status and trace the shipping from the customer service representative to ease any worries.
Final Word
If you’re ready to step into a new chapter in life, make sure to take the first step correctly. You can be skeptical about buying an engagement ring online. However, with the help of this guide, you can buy diamond engagement rings online safely.
Make sure to ask the vendor for a visual inspection of the diamond before purchasing it. Ask for grading reports, certifications, and other identification papers for the gemstone. Choose the right metal band and setting to ensure that the diamond in the engagement ring is secured.
We hope that this article helped you with your online purchase. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Good luck with your wedding proposal!
Author bio:
Name: Rebecca Puttock
I’m an experienced lifestyle blogger. Passionate about the internet, media, entertainment and celebrities. I love to create buzz among the media. Big fan of voguemagazine.
