(ARA) — Holiday season is diamond-buying season, whether you’re looking to get engaged, upgrade your wedding set or just give a gift that will leave her gasping in delight.
More holiday shoppers than ever are eschewing long mall lines in favor of online shopping, and diamond buyers are no exception. Think few people buy diamonds online? Think again: Google “diamond shopping online” and you’ll get about 5 million results, many of them Web sites that specialize in the sale of diamonds. Online jewelry sales in the United States topped $2.45 billion in 2006, a 20 percent increase over the year before, according to data from IDEX Online Research.
“The online market is a natural evolution for diamond shopping,” said Isaac Gottesman, a diamond expert and owner of dimend SCAASI of Chicago, a leading national jeweler whose company entered the e-market in 1997 and now does more than 70 percent of its business online. “In the old days, you went to your local jewelry showroom to look at loose stones and settings. Then large jewelry chains evolved and became mall staples. Next came jewelry sales on television shopping channels. Now jewelry shopping, including diamond buying, has moved online.”
Shopping for diamonds online provides all the advantages of the Internet: huge inventory and selection, competitive prices and exceptional speed and convenience. The pitfalls, however, are just as many: disreputable sellers, questionable products and undereducated buyers. Before you log on to make your diamond purchase this holiday season, consider these do’s and don’ts of online diamond buying:
* Do seek out sites with exceptional customer service standards. “Online shopping can often mean less customer service than you might hope for,” Gottesman said. “But when you’re purchasing something as important as a diamond, you can’t afford to deal with a site that is lacking in customer service.”
Look for sites that allow you to speak directly to a customer service representative, either by phone or live chat, both during your diamond selection process and after you’ve made your purchase. Buying a diamond is more complex than many other online transactions and you’ll want expert advice and attentive service.
* Don’t overlook the importance of the site’s privacy and security measures. Be sure you fully understand the site’s policies before you buy. The site should use encryption and security software. When you get to the payment page, be sure the web address includes https.
* Do look for sites that use technology innovations to give you the best overall picture of the diamond you are buying. “A site that offers you just one image and a brief description of a stone isn’t giving you enough information to make an educated purchase,” Gottesman said.
Gottesman’s dimend SCAASI invented a proprietary, patent-pending software system, dubbed “InnerView,” to allow potential buyers to view diamonds and gemstones online in real time. After choosing the diamond they are interested in at www.dimendscaasi.com, buyers can request an InnerView appointment by phone, e-mail or directly online. Or, if they’re unsure what stone or setting they are looking for, they can request an appointment in which a gemologist helps them decide what they’re looking for in a stone and setting.
During the InnerView session, a gemologist places a diamond or gemstone under powerful magnification of up to 300 times to show its unique characteristics, including the cut, any inclusions the stone may have and a close-up of the laser inscription correlating to the certification number. The buyer can view these features magnified and also see how they appear to the naked eye. InnerView also makes it possible for the customer to view the diamond or gemstone in different settings
* Don’t assume every Web site will take the diamond back if you’re dissatisfied with it. Be sure you know the site’s return policy before you do business with them. Look for sites with a clear and fair return policy, and find out what, if any, restocking fees are associated with returning an item.
* Do be sure the site takes every precaution to ship swiftly and securely. "The site should only ship through reputable carriers who offer a system for tracking your package," Gottesman advises.
* Do look for certification from reputable labs such as GIA and AGS. The certification should detail the characteristics of the diamond.
* Finally, do search the Web for consumer reviews of online jewelers, and visit sites like Citysearch or Yelp to find customer feedback.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Promotional: More information on Diamonds.
Auscert Melbourne Non Compliant Diamond Gradings
Auscert Melbourne -Scientific Gem Testing Laboratories (SGTL )
http://www.auscertdiamonds.com.au
PRINCIPALS: Ms Monica Crofts Gem Dealer ? FGAA & Mr Anthony Bates qualifications unknown
Auscert is a JAA member
AUSCERT IS UNRECOGNISED BY WFDB, IDC & CIBJO
JAA is a member of CIBJO
The two principals provide a diamond certification service in Melbourne while trading in gems and jewellery.
Under the CIBJO Diamond Blue Book guidelines to avoid a conflict of interest both gem or jewellery traders and vendors are not permitted to certify diamonds.
” The international standard for diamond grading is the International Diamond Council (IDC) standard.
The IDC is a joint committee founded by the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) together with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB )
The aim of the IDC is to ensure adherence to the grading standards defined in the CIBJO Blue Book.
“The CIBJO Blue Book is a definitive set of standards for the grading, methodology and nomenclature standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, in which the latter incorporates all organic materials.”
A pre-requisite for international recognition is recognition by the national organisation of the country, defined in this criteria:”The laboratory must be recognized by the national organization, which is a member of CIBJO as being representative of its country and the trade. In principle, only one laboratory per country, with or without branches, can be recognized.”
Gemex Australia (Please click on by pass spam link)http://www.gemex.com.au/forums/index.php/2006/07/19/internationally_recognised_grading_labor#c135
I am at a loss understanding why both Messrs Croft & Bates object to my earlier blog re: Non Compliant Diamond Grading Laboratories.
I quote Mr Bates on Gemex 23rd August 2006
” Simply, we are not a CIBJO approved Laboratory, thus we can do whatever we want. We are not answerable or legally bound to any of their codes of ethics or rulings from the blue book”
I further quote Mr Bates on Gemex 24th August 2006
“I have never hidden the fact from anyone that I run a very small and exclusive design studio. When and if I require diamonds I will source them from many avenues in order to gain the best deal for my clients, At a retail level I have absolutely no preference of one type of cert over another”
“Let me tell you a story> Last week I sold a five-carat diamond to a private client. The stone came with an IGI cert with which I personally disagreed.”
“Daniel is still insisting that I name a certain piece of equipment that we own to Detect HPHT and Synthetic diamonds as this would seem to him the single most important thing in his little world at the moment. Thus, I will relieve him from the pressure, so Danny hold on to your boots. We own an HRD D-Screen, Series number DSA042 Code G410/000-000 O/ Ref BE/65167 Doc No 2005387″
But this is the best one from Mr Bates:
“To be honest, the last diamond I sold through my design studio was a DCLA certified stone and it was bloody nice, correctly graded and the client loved it!”
Mr Michael Baumbach of Diamond Exchange Canada commented:
“The HRD -D Screen is in fact a retail tool and not really suitable for detecting HPHT and Synthetic stones to grading lab standards. It will screen out Type 2 diamonds and some fluorescing diamonds making it unreliable in effectively detecting HPHT and most Synthetics. In fact the instruction say if you get a yellow reading the stone must be sent to a Gem Lab for in depth testing ”
Mr Albert Seymour London commented:
“Mr Bates obviously has no idea of the equipment necessary in a modern laboratory.”
Mr Anthony Bates of Auscert has never confirmed his qualifications.
I hope these quotes support my concerns.
non-compliant-diamond-grading.html
I am perplexed at the role of the JAA allowing this to continue with their endorsement while being the Australian Jewellery Association representative body of CIBJO.
In addition there are members of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia (DDCA) who are selling Auscert certified diamonds.
The DDCA is seeking affiliation with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses(WFDB).
The DDCA would be making a mockery of the WFDB should it be allowed to become affiliated when it’s own members choose to ignore what is a very basic requirement
I fail to see any distinction between the rules and guidelines of the WFDB,CIBJO and the JAA whereby they would actually recognise any non compliant and unacreditted diamond grading laboratory especially where the two principals mentioned admit to trading in gemstones and jewellery.
It is questionable when there is such a blatant conflict of interest, endorsed by the JAA as a member and Auscert certified diamonds being marketed by DDCA members.
Recently I was responsible for exposing a founding member of the DDCA who had a criminal conviction. I am led to believe he has been expelled because he never disclosed this in his membership application. How did he become a member in the first place? There should be a better screening process.
Even after being notified about this the committee of the DDCA refused to act until I had to badger them to do it. The chairman and vice chairman (unelected) failed in their duty to it’s club members.
Unfortunately the JAA are too busy pussy footing around to expell the same member who boldly displays the JAA logo on his diamond website.
Under the circumstances I would display caution now when dealing with a JAA member part of CIBJO.
How is the public consumer able to trust any diamond or jewellery vendor if all these trade organisations amount to bubkes (a big zero)?
If Ms Crofts would like to Email The Diamond Guru rather than telephoning me I look forward to being enlightened by her response
Sirs,
Please note the above information is copyrighted by myself.
We appreciate you publishing the above infomation however you have failed to omit that we are the writer.
Please be kind enough to include the source and link it as others kindly have.
I await your kind response and confirmation
Daniel Katz GG
http://www.thediamondguru.blogspot.com
28th December 2007
My apologies… I amend the following:
You have failed to remit and have omitted we are the source of the story.
The name Fay however links to the original story. This is not very clear.
Once again the custom to include the source:
http://www.thediamondguru.blogspot.com
I await you confirmation.
Seasons Greetings
Daniel F Katz GG
http://www.thediamondguru.blogspot.com
CAUTIONARY NOTICE
to the
Diamond Trade and Public
Be aware of pseudo diamond grading laboratories using fraudulent and misleading phrases such as “The laboratory adheres to the grading standards of the IDC (International Diamond Council)” or “grading to IDC rules”.
*
In order to adhere or grade to IDC rules, the Diamond laboratory must have.
1. Full gemmological facilities.
2. Registered master sets of Diamonds.
3. The official set of rules to which multiple graders work.
The IDC Rules are the diamond grading guidelines devised by the International Diamond Council ( IDC ), which was set up in 1978 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses ( WFDB ) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association ( IDMA ).
*
There are currently five gemmological laboratories worldwide that apply the IDC Rule Book.
They are:
1. The Certificates Department of the Antwerp Diamond High Council ( HRD ), Belgium;
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2. The Swedish Testing Institute, Stockholm, Sweden;
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3. The SAJC (Jewellery Council of South Africa Laboratory), Johannesburg, South Africa;
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4. The Diamant Prueflabor, Idar Oberstein, Germany.
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5. The DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia), Sydney, Australia;
*
For further information on these laboratories call the IDC laboratory in your time zone or visit http://www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com/