While it’s true that online shopping has its inevitable issues of risks and frauds, this hasn’t stopped people from buying jewelry online. After all, with technology getting sophisticated and seamless more and more, it’s almost impossible to distinguish a true gem from a dud. For the skeptic, online jewelry is an automatic no-no, but for the true jewelry aficionado, online is sometimes the most exciting place in which to buy your gems.

Which is why jewelry is among the best-sellers in most online classifieds and e-commerce sites. It seems people are willing to risk their precious money just to own a piece of sparkling stone. If you plan to buy jewelry online, read on the following tips to help you pick the right stone the safe way.

Always shop around. Don’t buy the first piece of jewelry that strikes your fancy. Compare quality, price, and service. Ask your local jeweler if he or she will give you the same price for a gem listed online.

Ask around. Ask family members, friends, and co-workers for recommendations, bad experiences, etc.

Shop only with trusted online companies. Such as eBay, Amazon, Ubid, and OzFreeOnline. If the company is legitimate, you know you’re in good hands.

Read the descriptions carefully. And confirm this with the seller. If it’s pearl earrings you’re buying, make sure your money is well-spent on natural pearls. If it’s cultured or imitation, then expect a lower price. If shopping for a gemstone, confirm if it has been treated, if it’s natural, laboratory-created, or just an imitation. Make sure the price is appropriate for the online jewelry’s state. Check for markings on metal jewelry, details about the gem’s weight or size, and a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

Get the seller’s contact info, such as home and mobile numbers, address, email, etc. These will come in handy in times when you need to ask a question, confirm details about shipment, etc. Also, should a problem arise regarding your jewelry purchase, you would want to know how to get in touch with the seller.

Inquire about refund and return policies. The seller must be explicit about this in his or her item description. If you can’t be sure about refund/return policies, buy your jewelry from someone else.

After the transaction:

Photos of online jewelry can be deceiving. So be prepared in case they don’t meet your expectations.

Research about special care your jewelry may need. Different jewelries, of course, require different cleaning methods and care instructions. You don’t want to immediately ruin your new purchase of online jewelry so do your homework in the Internet.

If you plan to return jewelry bought online, do so as soon as possible. This is to spare you and the seller from inconvenience. Take note that insurance, shipping and handling fees are usually not refunded.

Thank the seller and leave a positive feedback. Kindly thank the seller upon receiving your online jewelry. If you are satisfied with the way the seller handled the transaction (foir example, details such as tissue-wrapped for protection, speedy shipment, etc), then state them in the seller’s feedback. This way, other people buying online jewelry will know the right person to turn to.

Sphere: Related Content