Quote:
Originally Posted by El Duderino
Dumb question, but how wise is it buying it off the internet (seeing how you can't see it)?
|
If you deal with a reputable company, they'll answer all your questions about the stone, they won't rip you off (you'll save big $$$ over buying at a brick and mortar store), and they'll have a return policy so you can get an independent appraisal once you receive the stone. You'll pay anywhere from 10%-40$ more at a jewelry store.
I strongly recommend the way I did it - got a general idea of the type of ring she wanted....then read the boards and hung out at
Pricescope (the #1 boards for diamond buyers with tons of knowledgeable and helpful people and lots of resource pages) --- and then bought the ring at
Whiteflash, one of the most reputable online dealers there is. After I picked out the stones on their site, they had one of their inspectors give me a specific description (to make sure the stones were eye-clear) - and since they didn't have the exact setting I wanted, they hand-made it for only a few bucks more than the stock ones they carried. I ended up with a ring that's a stunner (people remark on it anywhere my wife goes) and it appraised at about 40% more than I paid.
(Blue Nile is OK and I've bought other stuff there, but IMO for diamonds there are better places to buy - you'll see all about it if you check out Pricescope.)
Hope that helps :-)