What websites will let you seen the actual diamond you are purchasing?

[soontomarry]

I am very new to diamond shopping. I will buying a ring in the next few months. I have found bluenile.com but you can''t see the actual stone you are purchasing. What websites will let you seen the actual diamond you are purchasing? I am hoping that with picturesI will have a better idea of what I am purchasing.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/7/2009 10:34:46 AM
Author:soontomarry
I am very new to diamond shopping. I will buying a ring in the next few months. I have found bluenile.com but you can't see the actual stone you are purchasing. What websites will let you seen the actual diamond you are purchasing? I am hoping that with picturesI will have a better idea of what I am purchasing.

Hi stm

Check out these vendors-

www.goodoldgold.com

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.jamesallen.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.exceldiamonds.com

www.niceice.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.uniondiamond.com

http://www.idjewelryonline.com/

All of the above vendors have in house diamonds with photos and images such as Idealscope and ASET provided, some even offer videos.

Just let us know what help you need when you need it and we will do our best to help you!

 

[denverappraiser]

Seeing pictures is helpful but it’s not the same as seeing the diamond. All of the above, including the one you found and many more will allow you to look at the stone in person for 10-30 days before the deal is done and I recommend that you include this requirement as a ‘deal killer’ in your selection of a dealer. Use that time to look at the stone in a variety of lighting, show it to your friends, neighbors and anyone else whose opinion you value and to show it to your own chosen expert for evaluation and appraisal.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[kenny]

Some vendors such as Goodoldgold, New York, have an actually brick and mortar store you can go to.
I think Whiteflash, Dallas TX, does not have a retail walk-in store but may still allow appointments.

You can buy from a vendor with a full money back return policy but if you return it you will have to pay shipping both ways, around $100.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 11/7/2009 10:50:15 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Seeing pictures is helpful but it’s not the same as seeing the diamond. All of the above, including the one you found and many more will allow you to look at the stone in person for 10-30 days before the deal is done and I recommend that you include this requirement as a ‘deal killer’ in your selection of a dealer. Use that time to look at the stone in a variety of lighting, show it to your friends, neighbors and anyone else whose opinion you value and to show it to your own chosen expert for evaluation and appraisal.

To further clarify what Neil is saying, most online dealers offer an inspection period which allows the diamond to be returned for a refund within the terms of their inspection period and return policy... The length of time allocated for the inspection period varies from company to company, so be sure to read the return policy of each site prior to completing your purchase.

I''d like to point out that many of the web sites mentioned above also offer the option of having the diamond shipped to an independent appraiser for evaluation prior to purchase, thus if you have an approved independent appraiser in your area you could have the diamond shipped to that appraiser and you could see the diamond in-person prior to sending money to the vendor.

If you do not have an independent appraiser in your vicinity, you could still have the diamond shipped to an independent appraiser for evaluation simply to be more confident of your purchase. There is a list of appraisers available via the Resources link which appears at the top of this page.

Note that the expense of shipping the diamond to and back from the appraiser is usually paid for by the customer requesting the service and the expense of having the diamond evaluated / appraised is also paid by the customer, at least that''s how we do it.