I am actually a gemologist, and have done the retail and wholesale sales thing. There is a lot to a diamond that you can't see online. The cut of a stone can make all of the difference in the world. Even if it is an AGS000, it can have a thick girdle and look small. On Fancy shapes, there can be as much as a 60% deduction of price for a bad shape. (just a couple of examples) While I myself would never buy a $2000-$10000 item over the internet, I know of a few that have. Some have gotten good buys, some got royally ripped off. I advocate buyer beware.
-> No jewelry store will want to set the stone (most won't even size the ring) if it was bought online. Make sure the ring is set how you will want it when you buy online.
-> What is your recourse online vs. a local store? (what if the certificate doesnt match the diamond?)
-> How quickly can you get a problem fixed? (Sizing)
Just a few more things
I don't say you have to pay huge retail prices, but I would suggest a jewelry store that has been around a while, and an AGS store has to have certain standards to keep the membership.
On Diamonds, insist on a GIA grading report if it is over a carat. On round stones (Ideal cut ones) I also like AGS. AGS grades the cut in a more detailed manner and they try to maintain quality standards. I have issues with many of the grades given by most other labs, PM me if you want to know my feelings about a specific other lab, Sometimes the truth posted publicly can get you into trouble
No to fracture filled. when your jeweler cleans the ring the filling can come out...not a happy moment. Also, if they do work on the ring the filling can expand and there have been times the diamonds have sort of exploded.
Again, I would find somebody (somewhat local) who will be there to take care of you. I would find somebody you have a good feeling about and can trust. For the little extra you MIGHT pay, you have someone to complain to....
PM me if you want any more help, sorry about the soapbox, I have just seen more than a few people being misrepresented to online.
