Should I buy my engagement ring online or from a local jewler?
I want to buy a certified diamond by either AGS or GIA for an engagement ring. I've been to a few stores and also checked out blue nile online. So, what are some advantages and disadvantages of buying online or buying at a store. I've got the money so financing is of no concern
Public Comments
- i think the stores would be better because you can see what your buying in person
- jewler then you know for sure exactly what its gonna look like when you pay for it
- Better to buy it from a local jeweler. You can choose from wide variety of kind and styles personally.
- buying local also means you could have it resized if it doesn't exactly fit. also, photos from catalogs often look much better than the real thing when delivered
- I wouldn't buy on line.. To many things can happen. If you have a problem with the diamond or its not what you wanted . you may have problems returning it by mail to them. they could say never recieved it lost etc... Also the store on line you saw it at could be gone tomorrow.. Better that you buy it in your town locally some place that way if you need to go back for sizing cut or clairty you can deal with a reputable jeweler. They can be bad too if they sell you a lemon. But chances are you'll make a stink and if there in business this will hurt. and they have a reputation to uphold we hope anyways .
- jewler. you will be able to see the product and know EXACTLY what your buying before hand. also, should anything go wrong (looseing stones, needs to be sized, whatever) it will be much easier to honor the warenty if you go through a store rather than online. the jewler will also be able to help you get the right wedding band to match when the time comes. oh! and, jewlery stores only keep a couple of each ring in stock at a time, so the market doesnt get flooded with the same type of ring all at once...so your girl will get something that is pretty, unique, and not a lot of people will have it! online stores sell whatever to whoever...
- local jeweller because that seems very logical to me.
- I bought the diamond online, my bride chose the setting local. I did look at diamonds locally first, looked into loupes to see imperfections, but they really didn't have the inventory of diamond to choose from that they do online. I was looking for a 2K+ carat diamond, and there really wasn't much to choose from and the price was better online. I ended up buying a diamond online at www.uniondiamond.com, at the time (4 years ago) it prices were better than www.bluenile.com. To save some money I even did a wire transfer. My bride then chose a setting locally, which she needed to have resized. She got her size wrong, was different than it would be for thicker rings. For settings it seems the local jeweler have more. I would look local first and find a jeweler that you can trust to set the diamond you buy online. Also look at diamonds of different quality. See if they have what you want certified for a good price. If not then buy online.
- Buy from a local jeweler. If she turns you down or if she hates the style or if there are any problems then you aren't up a creek with no paddles. Not to mention it's far more romantic to go to a store with you sweetie to "just browse" and then surprise her a week or so later with the one she admired so much in the display case. And don't forget the importance of the fancy silk and velvet box with the gold logo on it. Buying on line might be construed as tacky, like you didn't want to spend money and went looking for a bargain. Buying on line can be taken so many wrong ways, it's just more sensibly romantic to buy from a jeweler.
- get it from Diamond.com you'll get a better price ,and get an extra 20% off coupon at http://www.juicycoupons.com/Jewelry/Diamond-com-Coupons/index.html to save some money
