When you can order groceries and even gold with a tap or click of a button, it is hard to have any confidence with buying gemstones online. They are not commodities, after all, they are old, unique and highly personal. Well, the question is then – Is it really safe to buy gemstones over the internet?
The immediate response is that the answer is yes, but then you need to know what to look for.
Online purchases are as risky as offline ones in the gemstone industry, but if you exercise some precautions, then an online purchase is more beneficial and safe than an offline one.
The following is a buyer checklist for you. We have mentioned all the important things that you need to keep in mind.
1. Look at the Reputation of the Seller
Conduct a background check before you become a victim of a glittering image or the enticement of a good sale. Ask:
- What is the business history of the seller?
- Are they experts in gemstones, or do they have several others in a wider selection?
- Do the sites offer verified reviews of customers on Google, Trustpilot, or social media?
Well-established sellers that have been more than 5 years in the trade and have had a steady reputation are much less likely to deal in processed or wrongly represented stones. Examples of such brands, which have established trustworthiness because of being honest and have good knowledge of gemology and astrology, include Navratan.
2. Be on the lookout for Gemstone Certification
The real gemstone is supposed to be accompanied by a laboratory certificate issued by an authoritative body. This paper certifies the source and treatment of the stone as well as its authenticity. Otherwise, you are just purchasing blind.
Honest merchants will never fail to give certification from reputed labs such as IGI, GIA, or GRS. All gemstones at Navratan are tested by the gemologists and issued with certification, which portrays the real value and properties.
3. Examine the Product Imagery
Visualisations on the Internet are misleading. Other sellers take photos using stock pictures or do computer manipulation of the picture to show a product that is not the same as the one shown. In order to prevent surprises
- Seek high-definition, raw pictures with different angles captured
- Check whether the pictures show the personal copy of the stone or it is an illustration of representation
- Look for Watermarking, signs of re-use of the images. You can check it simply by asking your seller to do a video call and show you the piece.
All of the products that are available at Navratan are photographed internally, so you know you are looking at the actual stone you are purchasing.
Read – List of Anniversary Stones by Year
4. Get to know the Return & Exchange Policy
With all the precautions, there seem to be some circumstances when the stone does not feel right. This is why there should be a reasonable and just returns policy.
The following is what a credible policy ought to contain:
- A 7 to 10-day return window is a minimum requirement.
- Reasons to make a refund or exchange (e.g., unused and without alteration).
- Clarity in the fees (shipping, taxes, return or exchange fees).
In loose gemstones and ready-to-ship items, the return policy of Navratan takes place within 10 days without any questions. Custom orders can be credited at a value of 75 per cent of the invoice. Our full policy can be read on our site.
5. Questions About Insurance and Shipping
The gemstones are precious and brittle. A trustworthy seller will:
- Send them through reputed couriers (e.g. DTDC Plus)
- Can offer Insured shipping
- Be in a position to offer tracking information and assistance in the event of breakage.
In case your gemstone is damaged, you need to notify it within 48 hours and provide an unboxing video to facilitate the claims process. This is very vital, and most people miss it.
6. International Orders – Be Mindful
There are also the additional risks attached to cross-border purchases, such as delays in customs, the possibility of import duties, and the option of returns. Most sellers do not support international returns now, so it is always best to clarify the requirements. So, make sure that you ask about these policies before you make a purchase.
Final Words
Online purchase of a gemstone does not need to be a gamble. It can be a considerate, empowering experience with the correct checklist. That is the trick: when to apply research and where to use intuition–believe your gut, but confirm with data.
We integrate a promise in every gemstone that we have at Navratan, and this promise must be in the form of trust. With lab certification of every gemstone, we ensure customer care, we are capable of ensuring that your online gemstone experience will be secure, pleasantly smooth and soulfully balanced.