How to Shop for Jewelry Online: 6 Easy Things to Check

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Diamond jewelry pieces, pearls, and other stunning stones, such as emeralds and rubies, will instantly glam up almost any dress in your closet. These sparklers are the usual go-to accessories of celebrities on the red carpet.

The gorgeous Emmy Rossum punctuated her Donna Karan Atelier dress with a stunning pair of diamond drop earrings.

Emmy Rossum in a blush-colored Donna Karan Atelier dress at the 17th Costume Designers Guild AwardsEmmy Rossum in a blush-colored Donna Karan Atelier dress at the 17th Costume Designers Guild Awards in Los Angeles on February 17, 2015 (Credit: WENN / FayesVision)

However, although jewelry is a hot commodity, it can be very challenging to buy. Shopping for jewelry online may be one of the most intimidating things to do on the Internet.

Emmy Rossum shows off her Martin Katz dangling diamond earringsEmmy Rossum shows off her Martin Katz dangling diamond earrings (Credit: WENN / FayesVision)

Fine jewelry items often require a close inspection so you can see and feel them for yourself. To make sure you get genuine jewelry pieces when shopping online, you need to take certain precautions.

Follow the simple tips below before splurging your hard-earned money on expensive jewelry online:

1. Go to Trusted Sellers/Websites

While there are a handful of shady sites on the World Wide Web that are out to get your money, there are countless reputable shopping sites that offer a variety of brilliant stone jewelry and other accessories.

These include Shopbop, Nordstrom, and Zappos. For fine jewelry, some of the most popular sites are Mytheresa, Harvey Nichols, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

2. Check the Retailer’s Customer Service

Reliable customer service is a must when you are buying expensive jewelry pieces. Having customer care assistance will come in handy if you experience doubts about your purchase.

Check the jewelry retailer's customer service page for informationCheck the jewelry retailer’s customer service page for information

Once you find a trusted seller/website online, the first thing to do is check their customer service capabilities. The best shopping sites will always offer customer care online, whether via email, chat, or hotline.

3. Check the Retailer’s Return Policy

Reading fine prints and policies can be a tedious task, but this is necessary if you want to fully understand the process and rules regarding the purchase you’re making.

It is ideal to buy from a website that has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can return your purchase if you’re not satisfied with it. Make sure to also check if the site has a restocking fee.

4. Look for High-Definition Product Images

When shopping online, you should know the importance of high-definition product images so that you can easily view the items that you want to purchase.

Most jewelry retailers will offer high-definition product imagesMost jewelry retailers will offer high-definition product images

So, go to online stores that provide high-quality photos with zoom-in and zoom-out capabilities or 360-degree views possible for better inspection.

5. Look for Diamond Certificates/Authenticity Certificates

The best jewelry shopping sites that sell expensive pieces should provide diamond certificates along with their products.

These important papers contain the evaluation of a jeweler, verifying that a diamond stone has been evaluated, measured, and analyzed for dimensions, clarity, polish, color, symmetry, and other characteristics.

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) provide gem identification and diamond grading servicesGemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) provide gem identification and diamond grading services (Credit: NS.photographer / Shutterstock)

A complete diamond certificate should include all these details. The most reputable labs that grade diamonds include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL).

6. Compare Prices

Make sure you research and compare the prices of jewelry pieces from different websites. Typically, branded jewelry from popular designers will cost twice or thrice more than unbranded pieces.

List down the prices of the items that you are interested in and compare them all. Don’t spend more than you’re supposed to.