With the meteoric rise of online shopping, it has never been more convenient to make purchases from the comfort of your own home. Everything from clothes to cars are being sold online, and now jewellery stores are making it easier than ever to buy your diamonds in an online marketplace. However, unlike clothes, diamonds should not be ordered online as one of many thousands of identical copies are pumped out by an assembly line. Every diamond is unique, where tiny changes can completely alter its character.
Diamonds follow the four C’s scale to determine quality:
- Cut determines a diamond’s level of proportion and symmetry.
- Colour usually denotes how close to colourless a diamond is on a spectrum.
- Carat weight determines the size of the diamond.
- Clarity showcases how clear and unblemished a diamond is.
Vendors will have a diamond grading report from a certified gem laboratory to indicate the quality of a diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world’s authority on diamond grading, as their laboratory created the four C’s method of appraisal used all over the world today.
Despite having detailed reports like these, they are still not foolproof. The four C’s represent ranges of qualities, meaning two diamonds can have identical reports but look very different in appearance. These reports are the main tools online retailers use to sell diamonds, alongside the pictures and 3D models of their products. Unfortunately, unless you have a keen eye and know what you’re looking for, it can be very difficult to verify that the diamond you were shipped has the same qualities as the one you supposedly purchased online. It usually takes professional training to fully understand the quality of a diamond, and even small differences in one or two of the four C’s can have a large impact on price.
This is where online sales become tricky, as you usually have no way of knowing if the diamond you see in the picture is the one you’re getting.
By seeing a diamond in person, you are not only ensuring you are satisfied with the diamond that you’re getting, but you also have the advent of an industry professional at your disposal to ask any questions and guide you in the right direction. What you see is what you get, and it should give you a much greater feeling of security knowing you’re well informed about the diamond you’re about to purchase.
At Diamonds For Less, we meet each of our clients in person to talk them through the process of finding your perfect diamond, and the perfect setting. To get started on your dream, contact us today to book your appointment and see one of our dedicated diamond specialists.