5 critical things to do before buying jewellery online

Do your due diligence on the seller first. Read other buyers’ comments or reviews, to see whether the seller has a reputation for being ethical, fair, and easy to work with.

Review the seller’s privacy policy to see whether they share your email or contact information with third-party organisations. Carefully read their exchange and return policy as well, to make sure that if you’re not happy with what you received, or something comes to you damaged, you will have some recourse.

Ask the seller for detailed pictures to ensure the quality of the jewellery you’re purchasing. For example, if the site claims the piece is signed or the metal is a certain quality, request a photo of the signature or metal purity stamp on the piece.

Scratches are a common cause of jewellery damage, so make sure that your piece is packaged carefully and tightly, so it cannot be easily tossed around in transit. Request that the seller pack each individual item in a soft cloth pouch that can be sealed or tied shut so the piece can’t come loose during shipping. Make sure the cloth pouch fits snuggly within its shipping box – packing with extra bubble wrap or tissue paper can help. Additionally, twisting and bending semi-rigid chains or other jewellery pieces can cause permanent damage. Pay extra if need be to ensure that your item is shipped in a box that is large enough.

Especially when you are purchasing expensive diamonds, gemstones, and jewellery with precious metals, there is no guarantee that your existing home and contents policy will provide sufficient protection if the piece is lost, damaged, or stolen. Before buying a piece online, contact your agent or broker to see what coverage you have in place. Consider a policy to specifically cover your listed valuable articles that provides worldwide cover and automatic coverage for newly acquired jewelry to ensure that your purchase is protected from the moment you click “buy.”