PROTECT YOURSELF...

Since you can't see the diamond,if the seller does not accepts ESCROW payments (most sellers don't), you should consider buying from a seller with an excellent feedback record, preferably for transactions related to jewelry, and who offers a full and prompt money back guarantee, no questions asked. Yes, you should be able to return it for any reason - or for no reason at all - within a reasonable time period specified by the seller (preferably at least one week - five business days - from day of receipt), without any hassle, and without incurring any restocking fees. After all, most physical jewelry stores offer this unconditional money back guarantee AND you can examine the diamond before buying it - therefore, why should you not have the same privilege when buying a diamond on eBay?... where in most cases you have to pay first, before you have the chance to examine the stone! Notwithstanding the time limit imposed by the seller, if the seller is a dealer, you may have rights under the law, especially if there is misrepresentation (willful or unwillful), or failure to disclose information, like treatments, enhancements, etc., subject to the statute of limitation in your state. If you feel the diamond has been misrepresented, and can't get satisfaction from the seller, check with your lawyer and read the Federal Trade Commission rules on jewelry; they are available from eBay.

If you are buying a diamond of over a carat in weight that has a high color grade (colorless D-E-F) and a high value, you should definitely be discussing a GIA Diamond Grading Report. GIA's GEM TRADE LABORATORY is the only Lab that is able to identify the High-pressure/ High-Temperature (HPHT) treatment developed by General Electric a few years ago. The treatment mainly renders Type IIa brownish diamonds colorless. By special arrangement, each diamond over one carat in weight that has been subjected to this treatment is submitted to GIA for examination and laser inscription. To my knowledge, the GIA lab is the only only lab that would be able to recognize this treated diamond, should the inscription be subsequently remove by an unscrupulous dealer

Getting a GIA report is also recommended for all valuable diamonds because, unfortunately, the competition between grading labotatories has given rise to inconsistent grading, especially with color grading. On a large and valuable diamond, a difference of one color (or clarity) grade could mean a difference of thousands of dollars in value of GIA invented the grading system that everyone now uses, and they have a reputation for accuracy. They now have an abbreviated - and less costly- report (same as the full report minus the plotting of the stone) for diamonds under a carat in weight. For information about their services, visit their website at www.gia.edu

Also, ask if the diamond would be considered by an appraiser to have a good cut? If you are buying a brilliant cut diamond from a knowledgeable seller, ask if they know the AGS cut-grading of the diamond (grades are from zero to ten, zero being the best and ten the worst)

Do not rely on the seller's appraisal. Any appraisal should be done by an uninterested third party. Take the diamond ASAP to a reputable jeweler or appraiser in your area; time is of the essence, especially if you only have a few days to return the diamond! The appraiser should be a Gemologist (GIA) or a Diamond Graduate (GIA). This is important, as they will be able to verify the grading provided by the seller and to identify any treatment.

Do not tell the appraiser that the diamond was purchased on the Internet, nor how much you paid for it, especially if they are also in the business of selling jewelry. Retail jewelry stores have a lot of expenses, and cannot afford to sell their diamonds for the low prices offered by a dealer operating from his office or home. Unfortunately,sometimes this could impact negatively on an appraisal.

First ask the appraiser to verify all the information and grading provided by the seller, in addition to providing a valuation. Then ask the appraiser or jeweler what the diamond would bring if you tried to sell it to a dealer in your area. A good rule of thumb is that if you get offered a minimum of 50% of the price you paid on eBay, by a dealer engaged in purchasing jewelry in your area (not a pawn shop!) consider yourself lucky; you probably had a good deal! If you get offered a quarter to a third of what you paid, you probably paid full retail, and you should have gone to the mall!