Diamonds are some of the most magnificent gems. Unlike other precious minerals like gold, diamonds are not viewed only as a measure of wealth. Instead, their value almost entirely rests in our sentimental attachment. As such, shopping for the perfect diamond jewelry is anything but easy.

First, you must establish your tastes and preferences. You will then need to sift through hundreds of potential sellers to locate your desired stone. Remember, most of these sellers pitch their products as the best quality and the cheapest. As an inexperienced shopper, you may not know who to believe and should be able to see through their hard-selling tactics and marketing cliches.

It gets more confusing when you are shopping for diamonds in Indiana. Unlike various other cities, cities in Indiana do not have diamond districts, implying that there are no designated streets where seamlessly shop for diamond jewelry. Therefore, whether you are based in Indianapolis, Carmel, or Fort Wayne, one thing is certain—your typical jewelry shopping experience will likely be strenuous.

But the apparent lack of diamond districts in Indiana cities should not dampen your spirits. You can still find an exquisite diamond in this state at a reasonably affordable price. It all comes down to how you do your due diligence. Read further for a more insightful view on how to buy diamonds in Indiana.

How to Buy Diamonds in Indiana

Given that no Indiana City has a diamond district, it makes sense to buy your diamonds in the state online. You can either choose to complete your entire shopping online or use the internet’s wealth of information to locate a physical store. By doing so, you can proceed to the store having defined your requirements.

Online jewelry shopping in Indiana comes with the benefits of comfort and convenience. Besides allowing you to sample a wide range of diamonds seamlessly, it is securer than shopping for jewelry in brick-and-mortar stores because the merchant delivers your purchases to your address of choice. You also get to pay through more secure options like credit cards. In short, there are many benefits of online jewelry shopping.

However, buying diamonds online in Indiana is not as easy as it sounds. Start by doing some research on diamonds in general. Afterward, you can compare the offers across multiple stores to hone in on one particular merchant. We have accumulated some of the most crucial aspects related to buying diamonds.

1. Understanding the Nitty-gritty of Diamonds

Diamonds come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and clarity ratings. The specific elements that influence diamond quality are known as the Four Cs—Color, Cut, Carat weight, and Clarity. These elements make each piece of diamond unique, and diamond prices largely depend on them.

For instance, take a close look at the pictures below:

The first picture represents a 1.00 carat D-SI1 excellent cut round diamond, whereas the second is a 1.04 carat H-SI1 excellent cut round diamond.

To the untrained eye, these two diamonds bear a striking visual similarity. But as you can see, their descriptions are different, meaning that they come with varying markers of quality.

For starters, the second diamond has a higher carat weight than the first one. While the cuts are similar, we can see a noticeable variance in their clarity ratings. The colors are also vividly different, and even if the two diamonds were of the same color, their difference in clarity would significantly impact their overall fluorescence.

Now, imagine visiting a store and immediately bumping into these seemingly similar diamonds. It is worse if you find both pieces equally stunning. Would you be able to distinguish between the stone of superior quality? In most cases, you would rely on what the sellers have to say, which is dangerous, especially if the store is only keen on profit-making.

Apart from the Four Cs, you should also understand some standard terms used in the diamond trade. For instance, we have natural and lab-grown diamonds. Natural diamonds refer to diamonds grown underneath the earth’s surface. On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in the labs.

The term “natural” may sound fancy, and if you are not careful, a trader could leverage that to their advantage. However, there are no fundamental differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds - contrary to popular belief, lab-grown diamonds are not fake. You may come across some stores calling them “synthetic.” But you do not need to fret because they are as real as their natural counterparts.

Indeed, lab-grown diamonds are preferable since they are prepared under controlled conditions. What may, however, bother you in the laboratories where the diamond is prepared. Therefore, you may ask yourself if the lab-grown diamond you are eyeing is certified by a certified lab. We recommend that you always insist on diamonds graded by reputable labs like the Gemological Institute of America and the International Gemological Institute.

2. Comparing Offers across Multiple Stores

After acquainting yourself with fundamental knowledge on diamonds, you can now proceed to compare offers. As we have already mentioned, your best bet when buying diamonds in Indiana is to do your shopping online. Hence, research the top jewelry brands on your PC depending on your resident city. Afterward, open a few tabs for each town and begin comparing the offers. For each store, there are certain things to consider.

First and foremost, does the seller offer variety? You will bump into some stores that only deal in loose diamonds. You may also come across stores that stock various forms of diamond jewelry. For a fantastic shopping experience, choose an outlet that offers both. For instance, you could buy a necklace and a loose diamond separately. Then, ask the store to mount it for you, depending on your desires.

After narrowing down your options depending on the range of diamonds a store offers, it is time to proceed to another critical consideration—grading reports. We have already highlighted two reputable grading organizations, though there could be many others. Avoid stores that work with in-house grading professionals because these grading experts could be biased towards the shops they work for. Instead, insist on independent grading organizations.

As you enquire about these details, do not believe everything the sellers tell you. Verify the authenticity of a shop’s grading reports and locate a sample of such a report on the store’s website or ask their support to provide you one. Then, click here to check for the authenticity of the report. Diamond shops that employ GIA-accredited staff are more recommended.

The next consideration should be where the store sources its diamonds. In other words, are the diamonds blood or conflict-free? Conflict-free diamonds refer to diamonds whose mining and trading activities are above board, ethically and otherwise. Such diamonds are not sold to finance armed conflicts. The opposite is conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, mostly coming from African countries. Examples of such countries include the DRC, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Angola.

On the other hand, most conflict-free diamonds originate from Russia. If in doubt, always request some form of a conflict-free guarantee. One cannot overstate the need for ethical diamond sourcing.

If everything looks fine so far, investigate the shipping and return policies of the merchant. It is more convenient to shop for diamonds from a local store. But if impossible, ensure that the store you buy from ships to your location.

Lastly, proceed to compare prices and ensure you are making an apple-to-apple comparison. Out of, say, five stores, you will always find one that offers reasonably-priced jewelry. If everything feels right, choose whether you wish to order online or not. If the store you have narrowed down on your search to is local, it does not hurt to visit their physical outlets. But if they are in a distant city, you will be better off ordering online. For instance, it would be strenuous to travel from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis to buy diamonds when you can purchase the same online.

But just before you place an order, check the available payment terms. Pay-on-delivery terms are preferable. For upfront payments, ensure you complete your transactions by credit cards because it is the most secure method for shopping online. Plus, it also comes in handy if you need to make purchase returns.

Top Jewelry Sellers in Indiana

JEM Jewellers: Based in Carmel, Indiana, JEM Jewellers is a boutique renowned for its fabulous jewels. JEM specializes in engagement and bridal jewelry, such as watches, gifts, and bracelets. You can also have them custom-design your jewelry as you desire. Besides, they offer additional services such as appraisals, cleanings, repairs, and engravings.

McGee & Company: If you are looking for an assortment of anniversary diamond rings, McGee & Company is the place to look. The store has established a reputation spanning over a quarter of a century. Based in Indianapolis, McGee & Company specializes in personalized diamond pieces. You can freely shop for a loose diamond here and then have it custom-designed to suit your taste.

Pierce Jewelers: Pierce Jewelers are renowned for their vast collection of colored diamonds. It is also an ideal store to shop for original handcrafted jewelry. Besides, they repair, restore, and remount diamonds. The fact that they are a member of the American Gem Society speaks to their impeccable reputation. Pierce Jewelers pride themselves on over 80 years of excellent customer service.

Smith's Jewelers: Located in Noblesville, Indiana, Smith's deals with various engagement, bridal rings, and custom-designed diamonds.

Additionally, they offer appraisal and engraving services, though their various layaway and financing options make them stand apart. If their diamonds fall short of your expectations, you can get a refund.

Indiana is known for its traditional auto race culture. Due to its friendly communities, the Midwestern U.S. state hosts thousands of tourists from all over the world. The major cities in the state boast a vibrant, charming aura. With a favorable jewelry market, Indiana is one of the best states to shop for diamonds.