With the hysteria of Black Friday dying down, many people are shifting their concentration to Cyber Monday and, in some cases, the week of online deals following it. In the spirit of this cyber deals week, we’ve decided to tackle the concept of shopping around online for diamonds. Few people would argue that the Los Angeles Jewelry District is one of—if not the—best places to shop for jewelry in the United States. With literally thousands of stores to choose from, it is a Mecca for people who love to shop for jewelry, and most particularly, love diamonds. The district is known for its diamonds and so attracts some of the most premier diamond experts in the world (it also has some of the best diamond prices in the world, as well). But what if you don’t live in the LA area? What if you want to take advantage of the selection and pricing but you live in Illinois? Do you dare buy jewelry online? Is it safe? And what happens if you don’t like what you get? Will you get the same kind of service you’d get if you were in shopping in the Los Angeles Jewelry District?
If you see an LA diamond online that you absolutely love, chances are you’re still going to be a bit shy about spending thousands of dollars for something you can’t hold in your hand. The beauty of diamonds is that they are so carefully regulated, you will know precisely what you are buying. You can choose the cut and the carat, and you can know what the grade is for the diamond’s color and clarity. It’s not like buying a fine wine online—unless you know the vintage and winery. While in many purchases the value is based on opinion, diamonds are not subjective. Chances are one expert will agree with the next regarding a diamond’s value, which makes buying a diamond online from a reputable dealer a pretty safe bet. However, as a consumer you should take the time to learn as much as possible about your LA diamond purchase before you put down your money.
One of the most important things you should determine is whether the online LA jewelry store has an actual physical store within the district. Take the time to read customer reviews (sites like Yelp.com can be helpful in this regard, as can Facebook), keeping in mind no retail store likely has a perfect score. The website should have a toll-free number you can call so you can talk to a person who is knowledgeable and who can help you with your purchase and answer any questions you have. Obviously, the more comfortable you are buying jewelry, the more comfortable you will be making an online purchase. Many stores offer you a couple of different options when you make a purchase from their website. You can purchase an item directly online, or you can talk to an expert before you make your purchase. If an online site doesn’t give you a number to call or the option to talk to a gemologist, you should look for another LA jewelry store.
A quality store in the LA jewelry district understands that buying something online is taking a small leap of faith that what you see on their site is what you’re going to hold in your hand when your ring arrives. You’ll need to know your ring size and make such decisions as the type of metal your ring is made of, the cut of the stone, the size and the price you’re willing to pay. You should be able to return your ring, no questions asked, usually within two weeks. If you are buying a diamond, it should come with all the necessary documentation, including a certification report. The certification report describes the physical characteristics of a diamond and is usually prepared by an independent grading laboratory not associated with the jewelry store. Be smart about shopping online in the LA jewelry district and you can have that LA experience without leaving home.
For excellent holiday deals offered by a store located in the heart of the LA jewelry district, check out family owned and operated Icing on the Ring. Through tomorrow, you can get 35% off a purchase of any single item in our store. Call us today to learn more at 888-565-6150.
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