SHOULD I BUY A LAB DIAMOND ONLINE?
Is it a good idea to buy a lab diamond online? Here's what to know before you hit the purchase button.
One great thing about living in a digital world is that you can purchase almost anything online, and often find higher-quality items at lower prices than you might find in a local store. Shopping online for something as important as the perfect lab diamond for your engagement ring can feel nerve-wracking, because there is simply a lot to know!
We get it, the diamond industry as a whole feels a little bit like buying a used car. It can be hard to feel certain about exactly what you're getting and even harder to trust in exactly what the quality is. What does the grading certificate mean? Why do all the videos look the same? After looking at list after list, decision fatigue sets in and it's hard to make an informed decision.
That's why we want to pull back the curtain on the common things to watch out for when shopping for a lab diamond online. Diamond shopping should feel transparent and personal, so you can feel confident and excited about your purchase.
If you've ever wondered how to make sure the diamond you're buying is a good one, we've got you covered with the guide to finding the perfect lab diamond online.
Most E-Commerce Jewelers Don't Own Their Inventory
The first question you should ask before buying a diamond online is whether the jeweler owns their inventory. If you've spent much time perusing websites to find the perfect diamond, you've probably noticed that the inventory seems practically endless on some e-commerce websites. That's because it is!
The vast majority of retailers selling lab diamonds online all use the same inventory feeds from the same growers around the world. Which means the company you're buying from has never seen the diamond they're trying to sell you. One of our clients recently shared screenshots from a competitor's online chat where they openly admitted: "We don't see the diamond to inspect until you buy it, and we only go off the grading certificate."
Here is why this matters: the demand for lab-grown diamonds has grown tremendously over the past decade. Many diamond sellers around the world saw this coming and wanted to cash in on this quickly growing segment. The problem? These growers produced their diamonds quickly and cheaply, which can result in inclusions, blue nuance, poor light performance, and more.
Over the last few years, the industry has split into two camps: high-quality growers who use premium diamond seeds and take their time to grow beautiful lab diamonds (just like diamonds grown in the earth take time!), and others who are more interested in quickly churning out as many low-quality lab diamonds as quickly as possible. This is likely to intensify as machines get older.
So how do you know the difference? The truth is, you don't. There is simply no way to look at an HD video and a grading certificate and know exactly how a diamond will look. Having a person inspect your diamond before purchase ensures you know exactly what you’re getting.
The Ada Difference: We Inspect Every Diamond
This cuts to the heart of why we do things differently at Ada Diamonds. We inspect every diamond in our inventory, and we have them all available to inspect or show you on request. Each week, we receive diamonds from all over the world to inspect. We buy what we love and send back what we don't, which is usually upwards of 90%! That also means a lot of the diamonds you might be browsing on other jewelers' websites are diamonds we've already seen and rejected.
Common reasons diamonds fail our quality control:
- Poor light performance despite good "cut" grades
- Visible inclusions and surface blemishes that affect beauty
- Color inconsistencies or blue/gray undertones
- Phosphorescence that impacts appearance
- Subpar proportions within the same grade category
We'll be honest: jewelers who own their inventory are rare in our industry, but it's part of the core of Ada Diamond's quality commitment. We won't sell until we've seen it, because we want our clients to get the very best. If we wouldn't wear it, neither should you.
Is the Seller Reputable?
You likely already know, this is a purchase that deserves more due diligence than reading a polished about page. Reputable sellers will have lots of reviews on multiple platforms, and you should take the time to explore! We recommend looking for red flags such as many reviews mentioning similar repairs or poor service.
Smart questions to ask any online diamond retailer:
- "Do you physically inspect every diamond before offering it for sale? If so, what do you look for?”
- "What percentage of diamonds do you reject during your selection process?"
- "Can you show me additional photos of this specific diamond?"
- "What exactly does your return process involve if I'm not satisfied?"
Reddit forums such as r/engagement-rings and r/diamonds are wonderful places to read about real experiences, or to ask questions from people who have already worked with a jeweler you might be considering.
Does Your Jeweler Stand Behind Their Product?
Take time to read up on warranty information and service policies before your purchase. At Ada Diamonds, we proudly offer a robust jewelry warranty as well as lifetime trade-ins at 100% of the value of your original purchase. Make sure you also ask your jeweler about a referral for insurance on your important purchase!
The Bottom Line: When Good Grades Aren't Enough
Here's the reality: diamonds can have identical certificates but look completely different in person. Two stones with the same cut, color, clarity, and carat weight can have dramatically different visual impact. One might be brilliant and lively, while the other appears dull or lifeless.
That's why at Ada Diamonds, our diamonds come with more than just good grades—they come with the confidence that comes from real inspection by real experts. Every stone has earned its place in our collection through rigorous evaluation, not just paperwork.
Making the Right Choice for You
Buying a diamond online isn't wrong, but understanding what you're really getting is crucial. Whether you choose to work with us or another jeweler, make sure you're working with someone who has actually seen your diamond and can speak knowledgeably about its unique characteristics.After all, when you're investing in something meant to last forever, shouldn't you work with people who have actually seen what they're selling?
Ready to experience the difference that in-house inspection makes? Schedule a consultation with our diamond experts and see why seeing really is believing.