How Will I Know that the Diamond I Choose Online is the Diamond I Receive?

The way we shop for diamonds has changed rather dramatically in the last few decades. No longer do we rely solely on physical visits to brick-and-mortar stores to view glittering gemstones up close. Instead, with just a few clicks, we can explore stunning diamonds from the comfort of our own home.

But with this newfound convenience comes a question that understandably lingers in the minds of those shopping for diamond jewellery online: “How will I know that the diamond I choose is the diamond I receive?”. It’s a question worth asking, and thankfully one that can be easily answered. Let us instil you with the confidence you need to make your next online diamond jewellery purchase.

It probably sounds obvious, but the best way to prepare yourself for buying diamonds online is to do plenty of research. It’s likely you’re planning on spending a solid amount of your hard-earned money on one of these special gemstones, so beforehand, make sure you have grasped the intricacies of the diamond market.

Once you understand the characteristics that define a valuable diamond and some of the key features to look out for in a reputable retailer, you’ll feel more confident in making the purchase. One of the best ways to know the value of the stone you’re purchasing is by researching the 4C’s: colour, cut, clarity and carat weight.

The 4 C’s of diamonds are a set of characteristics that are used to evaluate and describe the quality of a diamond. These factors are critical in determining a diamond's value and overall appearance. They include:

Carat- Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond. This does not reference height or width like many think, but weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer and typically more valuable. However, carat weight should be carefully considered alongside the other three C’s to determine a diamond's overall quality.

Cut- The cut of a diamond refers to how well it has been shaped and faceted. The cut is responsible for how the diamond interacts with light, determining its overall brilliance and sparkle. Diamond cuts are graded from Poor to Excellent with those at the latter end of the spectrum offering exceptional precision, symmetry and polish.

Colour- Diamonds come in a range of colours, from completely colourless to shades of yellow and brown. The colour is graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow and brown) with colourless diamonds being the most coveted since they deliver a brighter sparkle.

Clarity- Clarity measures the presence of any internal or external flaws. These inclusions and blemishes are graded on a scale from Flawless (no imperfections visible under 10x magnification) to Included (imperfections visible to the naked eye). A diamond with fewer and less noticeable flaws is considered more valuable.

Together, the 4 C’s of diamonds can really help you determine the gemstone’s overall quality and value. The interplay of the characteristics can significantly impact a diamond’s appearance and how it is perceived and help you as a buyer, with your own preferences and budget, make the right decision. Once you know about the 4 C’s, you can then confirm them on the diamond’s grading report that arrives with your diamond.

Before purchasing a diamond online, make sure it arrives with an independent grading report. This report is a comprehensive assessment that certifies the diamond’s quality and characteristics. It must be conducted only by a reputed gemological laboratory or organisation. Two of the best-known gemological laboratories include the IGI (International Gemological Institute or the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

These reports are commonly known as diamond certificates and will always arrive with a genuine diamond product. You can confirm the details of the diamond you purchased online match up to the details on the report including the 4 C’s of carat weight, cut, colour and clarity. You can also verify your report on the IGI or GIA websites for extra assurance.

Another way to confirm the diamond you have ordered online is the one you received is by checking the laser inscription etched upon the diamond’s girdle. All GIA and IGI-certified diamonds have a unique, miniaturised inscription which can be cross-referenced with your IGI or GIA certificate. These codes are not visible to the naked eye but require 50x magnification. If you’d like to check this for yourself, we recommend visiting a reputed jeweller with access to a microscope.

If you’re still unsure about the authenticity of your diamond, you can always ask a professional. They’ll have all the necessary knowledge and tools to properly appraise your diamond to ensure it matches with the description you were met with online. They will assess its cut, colour, clarity, and other attributes to verify its authenticity and quality.

Finally, the best way to ensure you receive the diamond you chose online is by purchasing through a reputable jeweller. Look for retailers like Labgrown.Diamonds who belong to industry organisations such as the NAJ (National Association of Jewellers) and use only IGI-certified (International Gemological Institute) and GIA-certified (Gemological Institute of America) lab grown diamonds.

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the services the jeweller provides, including jewellery repairs and cleaning. A reputable jeweller should offer a comprehensive range of services and after care. Clear, customer-friendly policies are also good sign of a respected jeweller. Never be afraid to ask questions about the jewellery and the process of making it. A reputable retailer and a well-trained team of experts, like our talented crew here at Labgrown.Diamonds, will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Here at Labgrown.Diamonds, we pride ourselves on offering a stunning range of authentic lab grown diamond jewellery. We use only colourless diamonds sitting in the colour ranges of D, E and F, with clarity ratings between VVS1 and VS2. This means inclusions are difficult to spot even for trained eyes under 10x magnification. All our lab grown diamond jewellery also comes with full certification to confirm its authenticity.

Should you have any questions or concerns about shopping for diamond jewellery online, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Labgrown.Diamonds team today.