Best Online Jewelers How We Rate the Dealers

As a former diamond dealer and retailer myself, I know how stores operate and what you need to know to get a good deal on a diamond engagement ring. I spent over 6 months creating our comprehensive pricing database for diamonds, and a lot of time and energy researching the top online diamond dealers to help first-time diamond shoppers buy intelligently, avoid the scams and get back to their lives. In the process, I created a list with unbiased ratings of the top dealers, and did reports for you in each of seven important areas. Criteria for ratings are given below. I receive almost daily testimonials about how this information has helped loving couples reduce the stress of this major purchase. This truly makes my day, since I do this more as a public service than anything (I market websites as my fulltime occupation). Happy diamond hunting! ======= How We Calculate ======= ======= The Ratings ======= These ratings are the personal opinions of our founder and president, Robert Hensley. They are based on a thorough examination of each web site and on personal experience as a secret shopper during live calls to each company. We do not sell diamonds. All information is my own opinion, based on the facts gained during my tests and research. Your experience and/or opinion of any listed company may be different from ours. For instance, when comparing diamond prices from one site to another, we took ten randomly selected diamonds and compared them to what we found on the largest comparison databases online. Keep in mind that prices can vary greatly between any two stones at one site and you might find that many sites can find you a great deal if you ask. ======= How To Use Our ======= ======= Dealer Ratings Report ======= Visit each web site below right now, to learn more about diamonds and diamond prices. Then call the dealers and see which one you enjoy the most. The best dealer for you will be the one you relate to the best. We have seen how each of these companies work, from the inside out, so we trust them to handle customers professionally. ======= Guide to Ratings System ======= Five stars is the highest rating for each category. Five stars means that a company was among the very best anywhere for that feature. One star is the lowest rating. We only show the best in our ratings page and do not burden you with the rest. Excellent, the best of category Good, but lacking certain key features Fair, needs improvement Poor, not good enough for our needs Very Poor, better to avoid For our Overall Ratings, we totaled all points for the seven categories. With 5 stars for each category, the maximum points for any site is 35. Only three sites scored a perfect 35 points. We will not bother to tell you the other stores (no need to provoke a lawsuit). Other sites drop off quickly in total scores.

How We Rate : Prices We tested 20 round diamonds between 1.00 and 1.20 carats in weight for each site, chosen randomly. Then we compared the prices listed on the the largest online diamond databases. All prices were therefore compared according to the same criteria. Top-rated sites have the lowest prices. Excellent, averaged within 5% of lowest database results Good, averaged within 10% of lowest database results Fair, averaged within 15% of lowest database results Poor, averaged within 20% of lowest database results Very Poor, averaged at least 20% higher than database results How We Rate : Selection We compared the listed sites to each other, according to the total number of round diamonds listed on the site between 1.00 and 1.20 carats in weight. Top-rated sites have a vast number of diamonds listed. How We Rate : Search Engine We compared the search engines for ease of use, number of sortable fields, and number of searchable fields. Top-rated sites make it fast and easy to find your dream diamond. How We Rate : Information Provided This tells you which sites give the most details from the certificate -- which you need to make a good buying decision. Information we tried to find includes: depth percentage, table percentage, measurements, girdle thickness, fluorescence, polish, symmetry, and culet size. Top-rated sites include all of this information with every diamond listed. How We Rate : Customer Service We called each site as a "secret shopper" to assess the helpfulness of the staff, return policies, etc. We asked the same questions on each call. Top-rated sites were the most enjoyable -- meaning friendly and helpful as well as knowledgeable. Question we asked: Can you guide me through the steps to spend about $5,000 on a loose diamond for an engagement ring? How We Rate : Return Policies We checked the number of days that each site gives you to return a diamond for a full refund, other conditions for a refund and whether the company charges a "restocking fee" when you return a diamond. How We Rate : Product Knowledge We called and pretended to be a first-time diamond customer, to determine the accuracy of diamond knowledge demonstrated by the sales staff. We asked the same questions at each company to make the assessments fair and unbiased. Top-rated sites answered all questions correctly. Questions we asked: How does fluorescence affect the appearance and value of a diamond? What is a good depth percentage? What is a good table percentage? What color grade will appear white but not cost too much? What clarity grade will look flawless to the naked eye? What lab certificate is the best? What is the importance of symmetry and polish? How do your prices compare with other dealers? What training do you receive when you start at [company]? ======= Legal Notice ======= No guarantees, written or verbal, are made, and no liabilities are assumed, as to the validity or accuracy of the information contained herein. Companies can change policies and prices at any time without notice, making it impossible for this report to be perfectly accurate and up-to-date at all times. While every precaution has been made to prevent them, we are not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. If you discover any mistakes or outdated material in this report, please notify us immediately so that we can investigate and correct it. ======= Buying Decisions ======= ======= Are Your Responsibility ======= All responsibility for making a good buying decision remains yours and yours alone. We strongly recommend that you research the credibility and business practices of any company before buying, by consulting with non-profit consumer organizations such as your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. Educating yourself is the best way to recognize a good dealer and a good quality diamond at a good price.

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