Buying a gemstone or even a jewelry piece is not the same as buying a computer, an office chair or a cosmetic cream. A gem is more than a simple product, it is an emotion, a feeling, a passion, an artistic expression and a precious object that will be most likely passed on to the next generation and raise in value. Many people bought gemstones on eBay and thought they made the deal of their life. Once they receive it they were whether disappointed by the quality (not looking as beautiful as the single picture they saw) or it was simply a synthetic gem. But sellers on eBay know that most of their customers will not certify the gem by an independent laboratory and if they do (which is often more expensive in Western Countries than the stone they bought), the chance that they return it are very low because of the shipping cost of 30-35 $US just to return the gem back by FedEx. And by not owning any company or factory, the sellers are risk free. So be careful before you buy a great looking unheated ruby of 2 carats for $9.99, it wont be what you expected, I can promise you this!
Ok, it’s not the time to desperate, some eBayers are probably good sellers usually, but it’s a gamble and if the gemstone is real than it is impossible that they would sell at a lower price than the price they bought it in the gem market. Finding a reliable company is the best way to go. You can make some incredible savings by purchasing directly from a Website of a reputable cutting factory or wholesaler, but before you buy your next precious or semi-precious loose stone online, you should read these tips to make sure you are getting what you paid for and that you wont be deceived.
The 10 Easy Tips To Buy a Gemstone Online:
1- The Website Quality:
Would you buy an emerald from the week-end market at the local park ? Probably not… Retailers on eBay are a bit the same, they come and go without any company nor responsibility. You would expect to visit an office or a shop that is well decorated and to get an indefectible customer service. So look for the same in a Website, the quality of their online store will often reflect on the quality of their company and products.
2- The Pictures:
Most importantly, the quality of the picture. You should be able to zoom in and see all the inclusions inside the gem the same way as if you were looking at it with a loupe. Secondly, the background, it should always be white (neutral color) so you can see the color properly. I know, i know, a green Tsavorite gemstone looks much more dramatic and intense on a black background, but you are not buying an image… so when it looks too fashionable, ask the sale office to send you pictures with a white background. Thirdly how many pictures are you shown, if the gem is over $100, you should expect 3 pictures, the face and the two sides. You will be able to inspect the cutting quality and the shape of the gem. And of course each gem should be individually pictured, if a Website is using the same image for 4-5 different products, it’s a big “be careful sign”. If you also have the possibility to view a video for the gemstone, it’s a great bonus. While videos will not show the true color or inside inclusions, it will give you a good general idea of the stone and its sparkling.
3- Physical Address:
Does the online store has a physical address and are you permitted to go visit them and see their products live? This will give you a good idea if the retailer is only a reseller of other company gems or a real wholesaler trading also in the market. If they have a factory (lapidary) and you can visit, you are probably dealing with the right company.
4- The Customer Service:
You should expect a minimum of 14 days return policy (the more the better) when buying a gemstone or a jewelry piece. If they charge you restocking fees, find another online retailer right away!
5- The Prices:
The best is to deal directly with a wholesaler or a cutting factory who supply jewelry manufactures and other wholesalers. They are not retailers at their core, so they do not spend money on advertisements or even TV channels. Most of these factory will sell only to the trade, but some major and more organized have set up a sale office or online store for retail and wholesale. That is probably your best bet to get the lowest prices. Think about it, why buy in front of your TV ? Do you know how much a TV Channel cost and all the staff needed? Adding that they buy the stones from wholesalers and cutting factories… well the value of your gemstone has just increased exponentially! So find the best price for the quality, shop around, compare the prices and see who is the seller.
6- The Description:
Is the online retailer giving you complete information of the gemstone or the jewelry piece ? You should be able to see the clarity, the precise carat weight, the origin, the cutting and shape, etc… But one very important aspect to look is the dimensions of the gemstone. If it’s an oval piece of 9×7x6.5, it means one side is 9mm, the other 7mm and the measure from top to bottom is 6.5. Well you have a problem with a gem like this, high bottom, means bad cutting and rejected stone from industry. The price should be much lower per carat as a high bottom increases the weight without increasing the size of the gem. You should be able to have a quick access to a physical description of the stone and learn how to read all these terms, as it is very important (as much as the pictures).
7- Evaluate Gemstone Color and Size:
When shopping for gemstones pay close attention to color. Unlike diamonds, different gemstones have different densities, rendering carat weight useless as an accurate measurement of size (to determine size, look at diameter, length, and width measured in millimeters). In other words, a lighter weight gem with even color may be more valuable than a heavier gem. Also, the color of good stones can mask inclusions more than in diamonds.
You should look for three aspects of color:
Hue:
Hue is the unique color of the gemstone. While almost all stones have some shades of other colors, the most valuable stones present the purest hue: red rubies, green emeralds and either blue or pink sapphires.
Tone:
Tone is the depth of a gemstone color, from colorless to black. Tone is described on a scale that ranges from light to medium to dark. The most valuable stones range from medium-light to medium-dark.
Saturation:
Saturation is the purity of the color throughout the gemstone. A gem that is free of gray or brown hues is said to be strongly saturated and is more valuable than a stone with lower saturation. Saturation often determines the cut of a gemstone. A high-quality gem cut delivers an even color throughout the stone and exposes the fewest inclusions. Stones with a deep, saturated color look, best and are most valuable with a shallow cut that allows consistent, bright color. A stone with less color saturation should be cut more deeply to let more light into the stone for sparkle. Symmetry (the balance of the gem’s facets) and polish (the surface smoothness of a gem) also affect the sparkle of the gem and can enhance or detract from its value.
8- The Infamous Treatments:
Nobody likes the term treating a gemstone, but this is today’s reality. Many gems are now treated to enhance the color or to remove inclusions. Some treatments are accepted by the industry, while others are not. Most rubies and sapphires are heated to improve their color. It is normal and accepted. But many are also treated with beryllium, lead glass feeling and lattice diffusion. These last treatments are not accepted by the gemological association and do not recognize a gem that has been treated by these latest as natural anymore. So make sure the retailer gives you full disclosure of any treatments a gemstone may have had. Best way is again to buy directly from the manufacturer (the cutting factory usually heat or treat their gems so they know best what they sell you). You should also be able to add a certificate with your purchase by an independent laboratory. Certificates made by the seller mean nothing.
9- Are You Buying With Confidence?
Make a quick search on Google or review’s Website to get an idea of the seller reputation. See also the payment methods they dispose. Using a third party payment gateway like PayPal, MoneyBooker, SagePay, etc., is always safer in case of dispute with the seller afterward. Also by using the gateways, you make sure that the gemstone company has no access to your credit card details.
10- Enjoy and maintain Your gemstones:
Gems are hard naturally-occurring substance on Earth, but they still can chip. When you shop for gemstone or diamond jewelry, choose your setting wisely. Four-prong, six-prong, and low-profile channel or bezel settings are more apt to protect your gems. When you get your gemstone or jewelry piece home, store pieces individually in soft cloth pouches to prevent jewels from bumping against one another.
Clean your Gems
Dust, skin oil, and other unclean substances can cause your diamonds to lose their sparkle. Clean your precious stones from time to time in soap and water. Air dry and polish with a soft cloth. Occasional brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove dirt from between crevices. Remember to treat metal settings gently when you clean your diamonds as gold can scratch. Regularly ask your jeweler to make sure your diamonds sit tight in their settings to help prevent stones from falling out. A jeweler can also clean diamonds and gemstones with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound can worsen internal fissures or flaws.
Did you make it to the end of the list? Thanks for staying with us! Now that you are ready to shop online and compare retailers, we hope that you will find the gemstone you have been looking for and enjoy it for the many years to come. Shopping online for gems is the best way to go, you will find a large selection of stones at many different prices. But make sure to take your time and chose carefully.
Feel free to comment or add your own tips at the bottom of the page to share your knowledge with the community.
