Top Ten Reasons to Buy Diamonds Online

Increasingly, our shopping habits are moving into the virtual space. Online sales account for a growing portion of our household budget and annual consumption. Yet when it comes to the so-called 'big ticket' items, some shoppers are still reluctant to make the move to online purchases. Buying diamonds online used to be the realm of the adventurous shopper – now it is commonplace, and the smart money is going online.

The apprehension is understandable – as the value of the purchase rises, so too does the perception of risk should anything go wrong with an order. However, studies suggest that the opposite is true; there are substantial savings to be gained online, quality assurances can be found with research of the chosen company, and consumer protection laws for web-based customers make the online experience every bit as secure as visiting a bricks-and-mortar store. As these lessons are learned, the number of people making online purchases of high value items is increasing. In the jewelry industry this is particularly prevalent as customers are able to find exclusive items and a wider selection than can be found in their local market.

If you're thinking about getting engaged or you’re shopping for a piece of fine jewelry, here are the top 10 benefits of using the internet to find the perfect engagement ring, pendant or bracelet, as well as recommendations on the best place to buy diamonds online.

Information technology offers retailers numerous cost saving efficiencies that web based companies take advantage of. Studies by diamond market analysts suggest a saving for consumers of as much as 25% through choosing a web-based transaction. With big ticket items such as diamonds and fine jewelry this can mean savings hundreds or even many thousands of dollars on a single purchase. In addition online shopping makes product comparisons very easy, and finding the best value significantly more likely as the shopper can access dozens of potential retailers and browse their offerings with a click of a mouse.

Learning how to buy a diamond online entails accessing high quality Customer Reviews which are vital to the success of an online diamond and jewelry store. And the best online retailers work very hard to maintain a great reputation. A positive experience helps to give peace of mind to others wanting to make a purchase whereas a negative review can literally put a company out of business. There are a number of places to see reviews from other shoppers including Google and Yelp as well as online diamond and jewelry forums. Not only do peer reviews give a thumbs up or thumbs down on a retailer, having been through the process the reviewers often provide a lot of information and advice beneficial to newbies just starting out. This can be incredibly helpful. Just remember, as with anything on the internet, not all information is accurate and unbiased. Always get feedback from multiple sources and use good judgment. Checking out a company with Better Business Bureau is always a good first step.

When you are looking for the best place to buy diamonds online the internet provides access to a treasure trove of information. Again, not all of it is good so use common sense. But the days of the diamond industry hiding behind a veil of secrecy are over. The best sites recognize that educated customers are the best customers and they provide in-depth product information and educational content. On sites like Whiteflash it is possible to communicate directly with jewelry professionals and gemologists. Many of the diamonds are in-stock and fully evaluated and are ready for delivery or consultation with a staff professional with the stone in hand. In-house diamonds are exclusive to Whiteflash and guaranteed available, whereas most diamonds listed on the internet are “virtual” inventory that the merchant does not own or have physical possession of.

Today's online consumer is fortunate to enjoy an abundance of information, expert knowledge, and peer reviews at the click of a button. Whiteflash offers all these benefits on its robust e-commerce website as well as an equally brilliant experience in our intimate Houston jewelry store. We specialize in making shopping for a high quality diamond engagement ring a relaxing, safe and ultimately a fun and rewarding experience. All Whiteflash staff are GIA accredited jewelry professionals and with many years of experience. They are salaried employees and do not work on commissions, so their sole focus is helping you accomplish your specific goals.

Searching for the perfect diamond or wedding ring online allows customers to fully research the product on offer, being able to make comparisons and have the opportunity to learn about every aspect of the piece such as the design details of the setting, and the grade of the diamond (including the all-important cut quality) just by reading online guides and reviewing light performance imaging. Shop at your convenience 24/7 without any pressure. Get individual help on YOUR schedule via email, chat or phone. Shopping online gives you full control.

Privacy may not seem like a primary concern for online shoppers hoping to find the ideal piece of jewelry. However, this often-overlooked aspect of shopping for sparkling gemstones and future heirloom pieces becomes a much more pressing matter when the customer is searching specifically for an engagement ring and secrecy is paramount. Not to mention the fact that many shoppers don’t relish the idea of walking into a jewelry store, which can be an intimidating experience, especially for a young person without much jewelry experience.

A great deal of planning and preparation often goes into a proposal to ensure the moment is memorable and full of emotion. A jewelry store is, by contrast, a very public place and you never know who may see you browsing the bridal counter. Especially if you live in a small town! Buying an engagement ring online allows the customer to control every part of the engagement plan – and helps to maintain the element of surprise right up until the very last second.

At Whiteflash we take special care to maintain confidentiality and to be sensitive to all your needs. We understand that getting comfortable with a decision as important as selecting an engagement ring takes time and may involve many questions. We are here to help you on that journey, however long it takes.

While lower costs, greater access to information, and enhanced consumer protections have undoubtedly contributed to the growth of online shopping, the most appealing aspect of buying online is the convenience. Online shopping is efficient and free from some of the hassles and anxieties associated with shopping in stores. Once the order has been placed you can sit back and relax in the comfort of your own home and await the excitement of receiving of your special sparkling package, having had confidence instilled by all that you have learned along the way.

Another aspect of convenience, which overlaps with Reason #7 below, is the opportunity to put together exactly the desired piece you want by selecting a certified diamond and a ring style separately and having the retailer put the two together. No longer do you have to settle for whatever diamond the style you love is set with in a showcase. You can dial up exactly the specifications you want in that all-important center stone, and get exactly the style and options you want in the ring.

Before the internet, catalogue companies would send out big paper catalogues once a year. Pricing and availability could get outdated very quickly, not to mention all the trees that had to be cut down. Information technology enables the constant updating of vast numbers of products. Just in time delivery methods also make it possible for internet companies to offer ‘virtual’ inventory. That is, inventory they do not own or physically have in stock, but order from their vendors as soon as a sale is made from their website. This is actually the dominant business model for online diamond retailers today. The diamonds they offer are mostly or entirely owned by outside vendors who supply the information for the listing. Upon a sale the merchant acquires the diamond from the supplier, often an overseas manufacturer. The advantage of virtual inventory is that the merchant does not have to buy it until it is sold, so they do not have to put out the massive amounts of cash that would be required to stock the selection they offer. They are thereby able to offer diamonds at lower prices. While this part is good, there is a significant downside to not having physical possession of the diamonds being represented by the listings. Important details cannot be verified until well after the customer has made payment and is anticipating delivery. And in fact, most virtual inventory is listed on multiple websites, so the item may ultimately not even be deliverable. Many customers have been inconvenienced and frustrated by spending hours and days making a selection and finding what they think is the perfect diamond, only to receive notice days later that the stone was sold to another customer.

At Whiteflash we offer three categories of in-house diamonds – our internationally acclaimed natural A CUT ABOVE® super ideal diamonds, our natural Expert Selection ideal diamonds, and our Precision Lab brand of best-in-class lab grown diamonds. These diamonds are all in-stock, fully evaluated, and are exclusively available at Whiteflash.

The best online engagement ring buying experience always includes excellent customer care. Whether it's via live chat, email or phone, having someone with deep knowledge of the products, the company and policies, and the buying and operational process leads to a smooth and confident transaction even though there could be thousands of miles between the customer and the consultant. Online customer assistance can make the buying experience feel just as personalized as standing in a store and talking to a store employee face to face, especially when the consultant has the diamond in hand to evaluate and discuss in real time. At Whiteflash our consultants can provide other assistance as well, including special photography and videography to give customers specialized views and side by side comparisons of the diamonds of interest.

An engagement ring bought online from a trusted source is protected all the way from the point of origin to the moment it reaches your hand. It remains the responsibility of the seller until it is safely delivered and signed by you. Should anything unexpected happen to your special piece in transit, you always have full recourse. And, it goes without saying that you should never buy any diamond or piece of fine jewelry without a reasonable money back return guarantee.

In addition to return privileges and things like free shipping, many online retailers offer value added benefits such as the Whiteflash 100% Lifetime Upgrade guarantee on all in-house natural diamonds. And since many customers desire to place personal jewelry insurance coverage on their important pieces, Whiteflash makes that super easy with an integration of our shopping cart with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. At checkout Whiteflash customers can receive immediate quotes and bind coverage with Jewelers Mutual without having the hassle and expense of getting any outside appraisal, and they never have any gap in coverage.

Most of the top brand name bridal designers such as Tacori, Verragio, Simon G and others are aligned with retailers who are brick and mortar based. But some retailers who have a significant web presence are also authorized distributors for a collection of brands. An internet shopper who finds a web based retailer offering a portfolio of designer brands not only accesses the styles in stock by that merchant, but any design in the entire catalogues of all the brands that merchant carries.

In conclusion, buying a diamond online can be a very smart and safe way to get the very best quality and value for the diamond that is just right for you. While it still pays to shop around – not all merchants are created equal - and to pay particular attention to both the merchant’s reputation and the value added benefits they offer, buying online has many advantages over shopping in brick and mortar stores.

Find the perfect Designer Ring for your special diamond by clicking the links below, and let us build the ultimate ring for the love of your life!