Many people do most of their purchasing online, buying items ranging from food to cars and almost anything else imaginable. Recently, this phenomenon expanded to jewelry and now it is possible to buy jewelry, gemstones and diamonds online, especially engagement and wedding rings. However, it’s quite difficult to shop for wedding rings and diamonds online, especially since it’s not possible to see the diamond before it is delivered to your door. Here are some simple tips for shopping online for wedding rings or diamonds.

Read about the 4 C’s. This is highly recommended because it will allow you to understand how jewelers grade and price gemstones, diamonds and pieces of jewelry. It is also a good idea to do research rings and settings, since online retailers have literally double the number of options than can be found at a regular local jewelry store. In addition, you will be better prepared to deal with customer service when buying your diamonds online.

Visit a brick and mortar jewelry store. A jeweler will be able to show you the differences between diamond cuts and settings, since those are the two most important and most noticeable parts of wedding rings. Once you’ve done this, you should compare with what is present online because most of the wedding rings and diamonds online are the same as those found in a brick and mortar store.

Choose between preset and design-your-own-wedding rings. Online retailers have more options available, including the options to design your own or pick pre-made wedding rings and insert a diamond of your choice in the setting. Most online retailers will provide the tools to design your own ring and view the completed ring.

When picking out your diamonds online, it is a good idea to contact a customer service agent and ask to see picture of the diamond of your choice. If possible, it is best to have the diamond delivered to a 3rd party jeweler so you can examine it. If you’ve chosen preset rings, it may be possible to send to the ring to a third party so you can see the completed ring, although most retailers will not do so.

Look at more than one website. While one website may have the diamond and wedding rings of your fiancé’s dreams, another may have a similar ring with a lower, more reasonable price.

Check the credentials of retailers. Most

reputable online merchants will state their standing with the Better Business Bureau, which makes their reputation easy to check and will prevent problems.

Have the diamond appraised. This is an integral part of buying diamonds online, as it will tell you how much your diamond and weddings are worth.