Buying an engagement ring online is probably more common a practice than you think. Don’t fall for the common misconception that buying online is significantly less safe and secure than buying in-store, as it’s simply not true. Reputable jewelers put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that you have a top-notch customer experience — bad reviews are difficult to overcome and can ruin their reputation. That said, if you are planning on popping the question with a ring that you purchased online, it’s imperative that you do some research and we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know about buying an engagement ring online like a pro.
Related: Should You Buy a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Top 5 Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring Online
This guide will enable you to buy an engagement ring online without having to worry about things like scams or purchasing a less than stellar ring. Before starting your online engagement ring search, check out these tips.
1. Know the Size You’re Looking For
Don’t make the mistake of purchasing a ring without knowing anything about your partner’s ring size. Having a ring resized can be a hassle and, depending on the setting, some rings are much harder or impossible to resize. That said, you want to avoid that outcome by having the right ring size upfront.
Whether you employ sneaky means or simply ask your partner their ring size outright, is up to you — as long as you get it before you start shopping. If you’re still not 100% of their size when making a purchase, make sure you look into the resizing policy of the online store from which you’re buying. For rings that can be resized, a quality jeweler will likely give you one free resizing.
2. Research the Vendor
One of the most common hangups that people have regarding purchasing an engagement ring online is security. It isn’t difficult to build a website and it’s very common to receive goods that you’ve purchased online that aren’t in good condition or simply not at all what you ordered.
To avoid that scenario, it’s important to research any vendor you might purchase a ring from. Look for recent reviews from customers, thoroughly pour over the company’s return and refund policy, and talk directly with someone from the brand.
Pro tip: If you’re buying a diamond online, make sure that your purchase includes the independent lab certification of your chosen stone.
3. Educate Yourself About The Options
The truth is that even if you plan a surprise engagement, your partner should play a role in your engagement ring shopping excursion. You want to ensure that you are purchasing a ring that they will love and be happy to wear for a lifetime. It’s easy to get caught up in our own styles, but knowing what your partner likes is important.
The choices can be overwhelming, but you should have a good idea of your partner’s preferred:
● Stone
● Ring Style
● Metal type
If you’re trying to be covert, use your resources to help get an idea of what they would like. Scope out their Pinterest boards, chat with their friends and family, and pay attention the next time they have a friend get engaged (you’re sure to hear an opinion about the ring). Luckily, the internet has endless educational resources to learn about engagement ring styles, the 4 C’s of diamonds, metal types, etc. Use them to your advantage to find the perfect ring.
4. Stick to Your Budget
This is one of the most important things to consider. Though an engagement ring is one of the most important purchases that you make in your life, you don’t want it to be one that puts you into debt — especially if you have a wedding to pay for! Although shopping online should already save you some money compared to going in-store, there are a few other ways to save money and help you stick to your budget.
If you’re purchasing a diamond engagement ring, the #1 way to save money is to go with a lab-grown diamond. They’re grown above ground, yet molecularly, physically, and optically the same as those that are dug up. The upside? You can save up to 40% on a lab-created diamond vs a comparable mined diamond.
Final Thoughts
Buying an engagement ring online can save you both time and money. Although you should always do your due diligence, you should be able to tell the legitimacy of a company fairly quickly. Look for customer reviews on third-party websites, speak with the customer service team, and check their policies. It’s likely to be much less of a headache than going to a crowded mall!