Image by KKaZZ Designs via Flickr

Buying jewelry for anyone isn’t always easy – especially when you can’t see it and hold it first. This is the conflict with buying jewelry online. The prices may be attractive, but if you don’t read the fine print, you might be stuck with something that doesn’t look right, feel right or fit right. They key to buying any jewelry online – especially engagement rings and other important pieces – is knowing what you’re getting before you get it. Don’t just buy based on price. Buy based on knowledge and research.

Websites such as engagement.jrdunn.com provide excellent resources for compiling price comparisons and supporting research. However, the most important thing when buying any kind of ring is determining your ring size. Most brick and mortar jewelry stores can size you for a ring for free, which can help you save time and money when it comes to actually hitting the ‘buy now’ button online.

Even if you have the right ring size, it doesn’t hurt to know a website’s resizing and return policy. Some websites may charge a nominal fee for sizing services, while others may not accept returns at all.

Sizing is also important when it comes to rings that can’t be resized. A lot of men’s wedding rings are subject to this rule, being made of steel, titanium or other one-cast metals. Therefore, knowing size is essential.

Finally, knowing the provenance of your rings is important, especially if diamonds are involved. There is a bit of controversy surrounding diamonds – some can be fake and others can be unethically harvested. Knowing where it is your diamonds come from can guarantee that you’re purchasing something that can be supplanted in your family for generations, never lessening in its worth.

With enough research, knowledge and preparedness, buying a ring online can help you save money and buy something unique, memorable, and eternally special.