As you read this, you most likely feel overwhelmed by the online market for jewelry. Buying an engagement ring online is not as straight forward as any other internet shopping spree. It’s a big investment to make for an item you don’t really know much about. You’ll need to know the basic guide for buying an engagement ring (the Carat, the Clarity, the Cut etc), but you’ll also need these helpful tips on where to buy an engagement ring online, and what you need to do to make a safe purchase.
Where to Buy an Engagement Ring Online: What You Need to Know
Knowing where to buy an engagement ring online is a completely different experience than buying one in a store. But it is definitely the more cost-efficient option. The value of diamond rings that are exclusively sold in an online store is far more affordable than the ones from brands at the mall. These tips will help you make a safe purchase and to know where to buy an engagement ring online.
Check the Legitimacy of a Jewelry Shop Online
There are a few ways you can check for the legitimacy of a jewelry store online. It’s simple and easy to do, and won’t take up too much of your shopping time.
- Look at the URL – If a website begins with HTTPS (not HTTP), then it is a secure site to process online payments on.
- Read Reviews – A good way of checking the legitimacy of a jewelry shop online is by reading its reviews. With the value of diamonds being so high, jewelers depend on their customer’s testimonies of positive transactions, to be what window shoppers will read to confirm that they can trust the online shop.
- Ask about Certificates – All legitimate diamonds that come from ethical sources are have certificates to confirm their legitimacy. Always ask for certificates when shopping for engagement rings online.
- Ask as many questions as possible – When you’re buying an engagement ring online, you’re looking for a jewelry shop that can answer all of your questions about their diamond rings. You can ask about where the diamonds come from, the process of cleaning and shaping them. Maybe ask about the design. A trustworthy jewelry store should be able to answer your questions extensively.
Ask About the Buying Process
Before moving forward with a payment for an engagement ring, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. You don’t want to have to pay for a product and find out that it’ll take a whole month to be shipped to you. Or there may be a long wait to get the ring size you want. Ask about the buying process to get an idea of what you can expect. Sometimes, a long wait may not be worth the affordable price, if it means missing the mark on the date you want to propose on.
Ask about Payment Plans
The investment you need to make for an engagement ring, even for the more affordable prices, can be a heavy load to carry all in one go. The great thing about online jewelry shops is that there are many who cater to make the payment cost easier on you. This means providing good payment plans to help give you the chance to buy the engagement ring you’ve always wanted.
As much as possible, you should buy from a jeweler that offers a payment plan with no interest. This will help you pay for your ring without adding more to its overall cost. Ask about the terms of a payment plan and what options you have of the duration of the plan. The more you know, the better. Ask as many questions as possible as to not get caught off guard with any complications with the payments.
Ask for Real-time Photos and Videos
A good way of knowing the legitimacy of a jewelry store is by asking for real-time photos and videos of the actual product. This is completely different from the photos you see on a website where the photos are purposely taken to capture their best details. By asking for a real-time image of an engagement ring, you’ll be able to see the quality of the product without any camera or lights enhancing how it looks.
A legitimate jewelry store will have no problem providing the images you are asking for. You can also ask for a close-up photo of the diamond, just to see the quality of the diamond and the setting, to confirm that it is as is advertised.
Ask About the Return Policy
There’s no guarantee that you (or your partner) will love a ring design you’ve chosen to buy once you see it in person. If it just so happens that you are not 100% happy with your online purchase, you’ll want the chance to be able to return this.
It’s important to ask about the terms of the return policy if you are to purchase an engagement ring online. Choose to buy from a jeweler with a return policy you are comfortable with and learn the conditions they have implemented.
What questions to ask about the return policy:
- How long do we have to return a purchase and have our money back?
- Is there a return and exchange option?
- What are the terms for the return?
- What needs to be included when we return the ring?
- Do we need to ship the ring with insurance?
These are a few questions that will help you guarantee that you will. in fact, be able to return your engagement ring in the instance that you might want to. Most established jewelry stores online will have a return (and exchange) policy readily available for you. It’s a good indicator that they are safe to shop from if they have all the information you’re asking for ready.
Ask if they have Maintenance Services
If you want to be able to maintain the quality and appearance of your engagement ring and don’t know how to do this yourself, then you should consider buying from jewelry shops that offer maintenance services that you are happy with. If you don’t know where to buy an engagement ring online, this is a good service to make the decision with.
What to look for in a good maintenance service:
- Free annual cleaning
- Ask to see before and after cleaning examples
- Repair Services
Diamond rings, or any other type of diamond jewelry, are magnets for oil and dirt. This is particularly true for rings. To maintain its value and quality, occasional cleaning and maintenance are required. Choose to buy your engagement ring online from a jewelry shop that offers the services to do this. If it’s free, then that’s even better.
Ask if they have a Warranty
For something that will cost you a lot of money, you’d want this to come with a warranty that has your best interest in mind. Again, if you can get the warranty for free, then it’s even better. A trustworthy jewelry store will have a good warranty in place for all of their pieces of jewelry. If you want to know where to buy an engagement ring online, have a good, thorough look at their warranty terms.
What to look for in the terms of the warranty:
- Must have the diamond’s certificate
- Must only be altered by jewelry store providing the warranty
- Must only be cleaned by jewelry store providing the warranty
You are looking for a warranty that’s fair. It should give you a chance to see the product, use it for your marriage proposal, and have enough time to return it or have it exchanged or repaired if needed. A month is fair. A lifetime is even better!
Final Thoughts
“To love and to be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” — David Viscott
To know where to buy an engagement ring online, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Learn more about the product, request proof, photos, and descriptions, or ask about the 4 C’s. Anything that helps you feel comfortable that you can buy from an online store. The only way for you to truly enjoy the process and advantages of shopping for your engagement ring online is if you feel safe doing so.