We talked to shopping expert Lindsay Weekes about her top tips for buying jewelry online as well as her advice on what to avoid. The most important piece of advice she had to share: educate yourself.

The best thing you can do before buying jewelry online is to read every word in the product description. Reading the nitty gritty will help you set realistic expectations and know exactly what you’re buying before it shows up on your doorstep.

 

Here are all of Lindsay’s tips to look for when shopping online for jewelry. Educate yourself on gemstone and diamond quality, carat sizes, metal types, and seller authenticity.

Learn Diamond Quality

Diamonds are, arguably, one of the most worrying purchases to make online. This is what you should look for to ensure a quality diamond jewelry purchase.

Carat

This is the weight of the diamond. Smaller carat diamonds will appear larger if you have a better-cut diamond. You can optimize your budget here by choosing a diamond weight slightly less than what you are looking for since diamond price increases exponentially with increased diamond weight. Save money by selecting a 0.9-carat diamond vs a 1-carat diamond.

Note that when buying earrings or halo-style rings, the carat weight includes all of the diamonds. So, 1-carat diamond studs will have ½ carat in each ear and the center stone of a ring may be ¾ carat while the rest of the stones add up to another ¼ carat.

Color

The color actually refers to the lack of color in the diamond. Ranging from D-Z, you can maximize your budget by choosing a near colorless (grades G-H) since the naked eye can’t detect traces of color, and you’ll save some money.

Clarity

Clarity refers to tiny imperfections called inclusions. You can choose from I2-I3 which have obvious inclusions to Fl, which are flawless and extremely rare. You can maximize your budget by choosing a slightly included (SI) diamond which may have very slight inclusions you can see.

Cut

The cut will determine how much your diamond will sparkle. But cut can also refer to the diamond’s shape (think: cushion, round, square). Cut ranges from poor/fair to signature and gemologists recommend choosing the highest cut grade in your budget.

Review Metal Types

Be sure to read all of the details about the metals used. Plated metals are coated and generally will have a “lifetime”, where the plating will wear off. Solid metals will last longer and won’t cause irritation, but they will also cost more.

Also, look into the strength and durability of the metal you’re considering. Each metal has its own characteristics, and the karat you choose will determine its strength for metal like gold.

Determine Seller Authenticity and Authorization

Lastly, Lindsay reminds us to always pay attention to the authenticity of the seller. Never buy jewelry from a seller you’ve never heard of before or click on a deal that looks too good to be true (unless it’s been vetted by our editors at Brad’s Deals!).

It is also worth noting that many jewelry retailers, particularly for watches, are authorized to sell specific brands. If you are purchasing a new watch, be sure to go directly to the brand’s website and confirm that the retailer you’re shopping for is listed as an authorized seller so you don’t end up with a counterfeit item.

Some trusted sellers we love include:

How to Avoid Poor Quality or Fake Jewelry Online

Our team of shopping experts, most often Lindsay herself, reviews all of the jewelry deals we share on our website. We vet the retailers and the deals themselves for quality and price. If you ever are unhappy with a jewelry purchase, whether for yourself or a gift, please get in touch with us and we’ll help! Remember to download our free app and stay on top of all jewelry deals wherever you are.