How to Buy Jewelry Online

Fine jewelry is available online for up to 50 percent less than you'd pay retail. For such a large investment, however, you'll want to be sure you're buying from a trusted and reliable source - and that you have done enough homework to make a smart decision.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Internet Access
• Computers

1. Familiarize yourself with how to measure quality in gold, diamonds or other items you may wish to purchase. Know the difference between carats and karats.

2. Enter the word "jewelry" in a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. If desired, enter more specific words such as "rings," "diamonds" or "gold."

3. Browse sites for information. Some sites offer jewelry made by known manufacturers while others have their own jewelers that make the pieces for sale.

4. Read information on guarantees, secure ordering and returns. A piece of jewelry is a major investment, and you want to be sure your purchase is guaranteed and that your purchase price can be refunded if you want to return the item.

5. Check to see if certificates are given, particularly for diamonds.

6. If you are confident that the site is secure and reputable, browse the categories ("diamonds," "gold," "watches," "rings," and so on) or do a site search using the key word or words of the item you are looking for ("gold watch," "diamond ring," and so on).

7. If you find a piece that interests you, you may have to click its image to make it larger so you can get a better look. While this is not necessarily a good substitute for seeing the piece in person, it will give you a pretty good idea of what the piece looks like.

8. When you order, pay special attention to sizes and other options offered. (For example, do you want the diamond set in a yellow gold or white gold band?)

Tips & Warnings

• It may be wise to visit your local jewelry store to look at and try on something similar to what you want. This will give you an idea of size and other features of fine jewelry.

• Once you've found what you want, take the online price to your local jeweler and see if he or she will give you a similar item at the same price. This can save you shipping and handling costs and the hassle of returning something that you don't like through the mail.

• Remember that no matter how clearly a picture of jewelry appears on your monitor, it's not the same as handling or trying it on before buying. It's especially important to check online sites' guarantees and return policies, which will be extremely important if you are not happy with the item once you see it.

• If you return a piece of jewelry bought online, items often must be returned within a limited amount of time, and you will need to insure the item being returned. While your purchase price may be refunded, insurance, shipping and handling charges are usually not refundable.