Buying Diamonds On Amazon (Are They Real, Is It Safe + More)
Diamonds have always captivated people with their sparkle and symbolism. In recent years, online shopping for diamonds has exploded in popularity. If you‘ve browsed Amazon, you may have come across diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets and loose stones for sale. But are those Amazon diamonds real? And is it actually safe to buy diamonds on Amazon?
I wanted to find out the truth about buying diamonds on Amazon, so I did extensive research on the subject. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know, including:
- What types of diamonds are sold on Amazon
- How to tell if Amazon diamonds are real, lab-grown or fake
- Evaluating diamond quality from Amazon product listings
- Is it safe to buy diamonds on Amazon?
- Returns, refunds and warranty policies
- Recommendations for buying diamonds on Amazon
Let‘s dive in and demystify diamond shopping on Amazon!
What Types of Diamonds Are Sold on Amazon?
Amazon sells a wide variety of diamonds, including:
- Natural diamonds – authentic diamonds mined from the earth
- Lab-grown diamonds – manmade diamonds with the same physical and chemical structure as natural diamonds
- Diamond simulants – fake diamonds made of less valuable materials like cubic zirconia
Both loose diamonds and diamond jewelry like engagement rings and tennis bracelets are available. Prices range from under $100 to over $10,000.
Amazon itself does not sell diamonds directly. Rather, diamonds are sold by third-party sellers through Amazon Marketplace. Some of the major players include:
- Amazon Collection – Amazon‘s private label for fine jewelry including diamonds
- Amazon Essentials – Amazon‘s brand for affordable fashion jewelry with lab-grown diamonds
- Popular jewelry brands like Anne Klein, Pandora, Michael Hill, Swarovski
- Independent jewelers and manufacturers
Amazon does vet these third-party sellers to ensure a baseline level of quality and customer satisfaction. But as with buying anything online, you must be an informed consumer.
Are the Diamonds Sold on Amazon Real? Identifying Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds
Some diamonds sold on Amazon are authentic, while others are fake counterfeits. Here are tips for spotting real natural and lab-grown diamonds:
Check for certifications
Reputable natural diamond sellers will provide certification from independent labs like GIA, AGS or EGL. This certificate authenticates the diamond‘s quality characteristics.
Some common natural diamond certifications:
- GIA – Gemological Institute of America
- AGS – American Gem Society
- EGL – European Gemological Laboratory
Look for specifics on lab-grown diamonds
Quality lab-grown diamond manufacturers will detail the production process, such as CVD or HPHT growth. Avoid vague descriptions like "created in a lab". High quality lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds.
Examine product photos closely
Photos should showcase the diamond‘s cut quality. Ignore stock images. Zoom in to look for imperfections, quality of facet symmetry and polish.
Read product descriptions thoroughly
Fake diamond listings use exaggerated language like "flawless" and "discounted price". Quality sellers provide certification, cut grade, clarity and origin details.
Check customer reviews
Read impartial customer reviews with photos confirming received items match diamond quality advertised.
Look out for trusted Amazon sellers and brands
Stick to reputable brands like Amazon Collection, Pandora, Swarovski and quality independent jewelers when buying diamonds on Amazon.
What Diamond Quality Can You Expect from Amazon?
Diamonds on Amazon range from low to high quality in terms of the 4Cs: cut, clarity, color and carat. Here are examples across the spectrum:
Low quality
- Cut: Fair or Poor
- Clarity: I1 – I3 (visible inclusions)
- Color: J+ (noticeable yellow/brown tint)
- Carat: Usually under 0.25 ct
Average quality
- Cut: Good
- Clarity: SI2 – I1 (minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification)
- Color: G-J (near-colorless with faint yellow tint)
- Carat: 0.50 – 1 ct
High quality
- Cut: Very Good or Ideal
- Clarity: VS2 – SI1 (minor inclusions difficult to see under 10x magnification)
- Color: D-F (colorless)
- Carat: 1 ct or higher
Generally, the lowest quality diamonds sold on Amazon are around $200-300 per carat. Medium quality diamonds cost $2,000-3,500 per carat, while high quality diamonds go up to $5,000-10,000+ per carat.
However, you can find good deals on high quality diamonds from reputable sellers on Amazon. Be sure to factor in all 4Cs when evaluating diamond quality.
How to Spot Fake Diamonds on Amazon
While many diamonds sold on Amazon are genuine, fakes still slip through too. Here are tips for identifying counterfeit diamonds:
Outrageously low prices – A 1 carat diamond ring for $49 is too good to be true. Quality diamonds hold value.
Generic product photos – Listings use stock images that don‘t show the actual diamond‘s quality.
Vague product details – No information provided on diamond characteristics like 4Cs, certifications, place of origin.
Misleading terms – "Lab created", "light dispersion" etc. which sound fancy but mean nothing.
Poor reviews mentioning fakes – Customer reviews with photos of low quality or fake items received.
Lack of return policy – No refunds allowed is a red flag.
Stick to certified natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds with detailed product descriptions from reputable sellers. If a deal seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
Is It Safe to Buy Diamonds on Amazon? Tips for Smart Diamond Shopping
Is buying diamonds online from Amazon safe? There are risks of getting counterfeit or poor quality diamonds on Amazon. But you can greatly reduce your risk by following these tips:
Stick to top rated, reputable sellers – Search Amazon seller ratings and reviews to identify highly rated diamond sellers known for authenticity and quality.
Only buy certified natural diamonds – GIA, AGS and other recognized lab certifications guarantee diamond legitimacy.
Review return policies – Good sellers offer 30+ day no questions asked returns.
Read all product info carefully – Research diamond details like 4Cs, seller reputation and warranty.
Compare prices – If a diamond price seems unusually low, compare it against other retailers.
Pay with a credit card – Get added fraud protection and ability to dispute charges if needed.
Get appraisals and inspections – Once received, have an independent jeweler appraise the diamond to confirm quality.
While risks exist when buying any diamonds online, you can shop smartly on Amazon to get beautiful, real diamonds safely.
What are the Return and Warranty Policies for Diamonds Bought on Amazon?
Return policies and warranties provide buyer protection for diamonds purchased on Amazon. Here are the key details you need to know:
Amazon Return Policy
30 day returns – Items shipped and sold by Amazon.com are eligible for returns within 30 days of receipt.
Seller-dependent – Return window for items sold by third party sellers varies by seller policy. Check return policy on each product page before buying.
Restocking fees may apply – Some sellers charge 10-20% restocking fee for diamond returns.
No returns on final sale items – Items marked final sale cannot be returned.
Amazon Warranty Policy
AWS warranty – Some diamonds include 1 year limited warranty from Amazon Warranty Services.
Seller warranties – Sellers may offer their own unique warranty programs. Typically 1-2 years on diamond jewelry.
Manufacturer warranties – Diamonds like those under the Amazon Collection brand include lifetime manufacturer defect warranty.
Be sure to understand the return policy and any warranties that apply before purchasing a diamond from Amazon. This provides recourse if the diamond does not match expectations when you receive it.
Recommendations for Buying Diamonds on Amazon
If you decide to buy diamonds on Amazon, here are my top tips:
Stick to diamonds rated Very Good or higher cut quality for maximum sparkle.
Focus on G-H color diamonds that offer excellent brilliance without color visible to the naked eye.
Select diamonds with clarity VS2 or higher to avoid visible inclusions.
Shop Amazon Collection or Amazon Fine Jewelry for the broadest selection of quality diamonds.
Bezel settings can minimize the visibility of any minor imperfections.
Get GIA or AGS certified diamonds for independent verification of diamond quality.
Purchase diamond jewelry under $1,000 to maximize value.
Take advantage of Prime shipping and returns for convenient shopping.
While risks exist when buying diamonds online, you can have a positive experience purchasing beautiful, authentic diamonds safely on Amazon as long as you follow the tips in this guide. Do your research, read product listings thoroughly, buy from reputable sellers, and inspect diamonds carefully upon arrival. Happy diamond hunting!