Purchasing a diamond online is the most cost effective way
to shop, however you must take a few simple steps. I have
listed four steps here which should ensure a positive
shopping experience.
Step One - you must purchase from some one qualified to
know what they are doing. There are many imitations,
treatments and synthetics out there which are very
difficult to recognise. A person with limited knowledge
could easily be the victim of fraud them selves and
unwittingly pass this on to you.
The best way to separate them is to only look at websites
which have a huge diamond inventory. For them to access
this stock they must have good trade connections. This
generally means they are well established in the industry.
Many also offer a 30day money back guarantee.
Typically the website would ask for you to enter details
like the colour, clarity, shape, and sometimes even the
type of certificate and quality of cut. Once you enter
these details you are instantly presented with sometimes
hundreds of diamonds to choose from.
Step Two - The diamond must be fully certified by a
recognised laboratory. There are only a handful of these
in the world. Some of the most common ones I have listed
below. This is a laboratory, not simply a valuation. Only
a laboratory can recognise a synthetic diamond.
If you are considering purchasing a diamond certified by a
laboratory not listed below then take great care. I am not
saying that they are no good. In Australia for instance
there are two local laboratories, the DCLA Diamond
Certification Laboratory of Australia and the ADGL
Australian Diamond Grading Laboratory. Both of these
laboratories are recognised as legitimate and totally
acceptable.
If the laboratory is not on the list make sure you phone
your local Gemmological Association and ask if the
laboratory is legitimate. This local call could save you
much heart ache. There are a few unscrupulous people
currently providing completely bogus certificates. People
are easily tricked as the certificates look so official.
The main laboratories are:- GIA, Gemological Institute of
America, HRD, High Diamond Council of Antwerp, EGL,
European Gemological Laboratory, IGI, International
Gemmological Institute AGS or AGSL, American Gem Society
Laboratory
Step Three - Check yellow pages or phone enquiries and
confirm your order using this listed phone number. There
is always the unlikely chance someone has copied the
website and is tricking you to pay for the diamond into
their account.
Step Four - Make sure the certificate actually matches the
diamond you have bought. A qualified jewelery valuer
should be able to do this for you for a small charge.
There have been instances where a genuine certificate has
been fraudulently copied and supplied along with lower
grade diamonds.
If you follow these four simple steps you should be able to
purchase the diamond of your dreams for the best possible
price with complete confidence.
----------------------------------------------------
Linda is a Qualified Jeweler, Gemologist and Jewelery
Valuer with over 30years experience in the industry. Her
website is http://www.diamond-shopping-secrets.com
This
website should be visited by everyone with any intention of
purchasing any diamond, anytime from anywhere.
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