By its success and wonton development the diamond market in China is not only obliged to traditional retail trade. Internet stores numbering tens of thousands in this country occupy a considerable share in the Heavenly Empire’s sales.
Of course, there are a lot of reefs and flaws in Internet purchasing, but there are also a lot of positive aspects. One of the basic advantages in Internet trade is the price. Because of low overheads online-jewellers and wholesalers can offer lower prices. Though certainly, it is necessary to be wary, because too low a price may be a vestige of swindle. One more obvious advantage is the choice. As a rule, our choice is limited by jewelry stores in an urban district or in a city. The Internet erases any borders. For example, living in Germany or Russia, we can freely get jewelry from China. One minus is that before you pay for your purchase it is impossible to touch it personally.
Mr. Siye, Manager of Luxury Jewelry, and Mr. Sebastian Maroto, a veteran online-buyer, being immediate participants of this process told us about the details and real opportunities offered by the Internet in the field of diamond shopping.
I should say that it wasn’t once that I made purchases in the Internet, but these were only books, disks, and airline tickets. But diamonds …
Sebastian, are you not afraid to purchase online such expensive things as diamond jewelry? How much real are such online jewelry pieces?
Online diamonds are quite real! Though, certainly, there is a risk. But there are some rules and if you observe them your online purchases turn into a safe enough and to some extent pleasant business.
Can you share your secrets?
Well, first of all it is necessary before you make any transaction to learn as much as possible about diamonds – focusing especially on types of cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Knowledge in the Internet is your warranty of safety. Besides, while negotiating with the seller, it is necessary to specify his powers and membership in professional associations of jewelry manufacturers and sellers. You have to find out whether it will be possible to return the purchase in case something will go wrong with it. Also it is necessary to learn about additional services, such as free-of-charge delivery. It is possible to look in the Internet for comments of other buyers related to this company. For instance, I prefer such already proven, though maybe not the cheapest, online stores as zbird.com, Diamond.com and kela.cn.
And is it necessary to have representatives in the country selling diamond jewelry?
It would be ideal. For example, in China there are special intermediary companies, directly dealing with gems and jewelry. In that case, concluding a transaction you send your money to the intermediary and the seller does the same with your diamond. After evaluating the stone and confirming its authenticity the intermediary remits the money to the seller and accordingly dispatches the diamond to you. As for me, it is the most reliable way to protect myself. However, in this case the intermediary company should be beyond any doubts.
Online diamond jewelry sellers in their turn explained their own truth or, to be exact, their opportunities.
Mr. Siye, your store offers really attractive prices – for example, wedding rings cost here 1000-1500 yuans. And I heard that up to 80% of online sales are wedding rings. Is it true?
Yes, wedding rings are really best sellers.
And how about foreigners, do they buy rings as well? And speaking in general, do foreign people often make here online purchases?
It happens. Recently it happens more and more often. But among buyers Europeans and Americans and also customers from Arab Emirates are essentially different from Chinese buyers. In fact, foreigners do not really buy so much wedding rings as lush necklaces or pendants. Chinese customers mainly purchase wedding rings because with us what kind of a wedding it is if there is no wedding ring?! In addition, my compatriots first of all buy online attracted by prices which means they buy things of ingenuous design and cheaper accordingly.
What kind of diamonds do you use, those made in China?
We have polishing factories getting rough diamonds from Belgium.
So, if I live in Germany, can I really buy a diamond ring at your store without even rising from my table?
Sure you can! For us, the border is not a problem! This is one of the main advantages of online trade. We provide all the necessary documentation for a product to make it pass the customs, but we do not bear any responsibility for its delivery.
How is it possible to pay for your services?
We advise you to pay via the largest payment system which is part of Alibaba Group – Alipay.
I have read on your site that it is possible to return jewelry to your store for the several reasons. Is it true or it is just an advertising trick?
It is true. The buyer may return the purchase for three reasons. First, it may be returned within 10 days if the buyer is not satisfied with the appearance of a product. Secondly, it may be returned within 20 days if the buyer will encounter a similar jewelry piece in another store, but cheaper. And, thirdly, within 30 days if there are defects in the purchased stone.
Nadezhda Shagrova for Rough&Polished from Shanghai
