How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 3 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don’t have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers.

Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one’s lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined.

However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants.

The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are:

1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate,

2. Assurance that the payment method is secure,

3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated.

In part three of this three part series we examine the third aspect which is to ensure mitigation of the risk of diamond merchant fraud or delivery failure.

Mitigation of risk of diamond merchant fraud and failed delivery

Only Buy Laboratory Certified Diamonds

Rule number one when buying any diamond is that it must have a certified laboratory report from one of the major gemmological institutes. This gives assurance that the diamond being purchased is the same specification that the diamond merchant has described.

Returns Policy

Examine the returns policy of the diamond merchant carefully for any extraordinary or unusual points. When making any purchase over the internet the buyer has a 7 day cooling off period within which to cancel a purchase for a 100% refund. This is because internet retailing falls into the retail category governing selling at a distance and the relevant UK consumer protection laws. All online diamond merchants should mention this as matter of course.

Credit Card

A significant advantage of paying by credit card is that if anything goes wrong with the purchase then the buyer is covered by the UK Consumer Credit Act 1974. The credit card company may then also be liable for the purchase to the same amount as the diamond merchant and payment of the credit card to the amount of the purchase can be withheld until the purchase dispute is resolved.

Escrow Service

An escrow service is effectively an independent third party that ensures receipt of the diamond by the buyer and receipt of payment by the merchant.

The process is as follows:

1. The terms of the transaction are agreed between the buyer and merchant and the escrow service is contracted to aid the transaction. 2. The escrow company receives payment from the buyer of the diamond.
3. The escrow company then confirms to the merchant the buyer’s payment has been received.
4. The merchant then sends the diamond to the buyer.
5. The buyer confirms receipt of the diamond to the escrow company.
6. The escrow company sends payment to the merchant.

The escrow service usually charges a small percentage of the purchase cost as a fee. As an indicator of the importance of using an escrow service eBay recommends using one for purchases over £300.

Remember, a large saving is being made by purchasing the diamond online, so it won’t hurt to get peace of mind for the small percentage an escrow will charge. But make sure you carry out the appropriate research on any escrow company as there have been instances of fraud.

Independent Appraisal

An extra precautionary check is to have the diamond merchant send the diamond to an independent diamond appraiser so the appraiser can confirm that the diamond matches its Laboratory Certificate. The appraiser will confirm the authenticity to the buyer, who can then arrange payment for the merchant.

Once receipt of payment is confirmed by the merchant, the appraiser can then send the diamond on to the buyer. In this way the appraiser also acts as an escrow service. An insurance appraisal could also be carried out by the same appraiser, which is something any insurance company will need to see before insuring the diamond.

Recorded, signature-required, insured postage

A recorded delivery method that is insurable and requires a signature on arrival is the safest way of receiving the diamond through the mail. Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery with Consequential Loss Damage purchased is an excellent choice. When transporting the diamond by mail always use this method or a similar one for maximum security of delivery.

Mike Bradley owns http://www.Dubai-Diamonds.com and http://www.UK-Diamond-Ring-Supersite.co.uk , the premier resource directory for diamond engagement ring research in the UK. Visit the Supersite and download the FREE detailed book The Essential Guide to Buying UK Diamond Engagement Rings.

The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and resource information immediately above are included intact and the article is not used in spam.

How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 2 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don’t have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers.

Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one’s lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined.

However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants.

The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are:

1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate,

2. Assurance that the payment method is secure,

3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated.

In part two of this three part series we examine the second aspect which is to be satisfied that your payment details will be secure.

Assurance payment details will be secure

There a number of assurance companies that will provide an additional level of comfort for online consumers. These companies provide certification that a particular company’s website is relatively safe and secure for online purchases.

Consumer Protection Accreditation

This is an accreditation service which audits an applying online retailer for ethical retailing and best practice data privacy. If the audit is passed the retailer is permitted membership and a unique membership number is provided, which can be added to the retailer’s website.

This number can then be cross-checked back to the issuing accreditation body to ensure that the retailer is in fact a member, giving confidence to the consumer that an online purchase from that diamond retailer is safer.

Examples of these service companies are TRUSTe, Internet Shopping Is Safe (ISIS), SafeBuy, ShopSafe.co.uk, WebTraderUK and TrustUK.

Beware of fraudulent operators that have just added the accreditation logo image to their website. A tell-tale sign of this is when the logo is clicked the homepage of the accreditation company’s website appears, rather than the legitimate detailed membership page for the retailer website you are purchasing from.

Website Verification Service

Also known as web seals or trust marks, the website verification services give Internet users information on the data security and trustworthiness of websites. They check whether a website URL address really is authentic or whether it has been hijacked by hackers.

Before exchanging sensitive information, such as providing a credit card number, personal identification information or other confidential data, these services typically allow you to check that the site has been verified by the trusted third party company and that the retailer website is using appropriate safeguarding measures against hackers.

An actual certified member website will have the logo displayed prominently. When this logo is clicked the page displaying the company’s details within the verification company’s website should appear.

Common providers are ScanAlert/HackerSafe, SquareTrade, Thwate/Verisign, TrustLogo/Comodo, and Trustwatch/GeoTrust.

Beware of fraudulent operators that have just added the verification logo image to their website. A tell-tale sign of this is when the logo is clicked the homepage of the verification company’s website appears rather than the legitimate detailed membership page or signed security seal for the retailer website you are purchasing from.

Secure Socket Layer

When making a purchase over the Internet make sure that the order page URL starts with https:// and that there is a small padlock symbol in the bottom right hand corner of the browser window. This means that the data you enter on the page will be more secure from hackers and your payment information will be less at risk.

Credit Card Verification (CCV) Service

This service is an added protection for online or phone purchases. Since the diamond merchant doesn't actually see the credit/debit card in these situations then it's harder to be sure that the person supplying the card number details is actually the card holder and not someone who just happens to know the credit/debit card number.

To address this problem, debit/credit card providers put a three or four digit CCV number on the card (usually on the back of the card on the signature strip) that is not embossed (raised). This number doesn't get printed on sales receipts. Thus someone trying to use the card number fraudulently is much less likely to know this number if they do not have the card in their physical possession.

This type of checking device really reinforces the importance of notifying a credit card provider promptly if a debit/credit card is ever lost or stolen so that card can be cancelled.

The most common of these services are MasterCard Secure Code and Verified by VISA.

Mike Bradley owns http://www.dubai-diamonds.com and http://www.uk-diamond-ring-supersite.co.uk , the premier resource directory for diamond engagement ring research in the UK. Visit the Supersite and download the FREE detailed book The Essential Guide to Buying a UK Diamond Engagement Ring .

The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and resource information immediately above are included intact and the article is not used in spam.

How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online - Part 1 of 3

It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don’t have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers.

Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one’s lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined.

However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants.

The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are:

1. Assurance that the diamond business is legitimate,

2. Assurance that the payment method is secure,

3. The risk of merchant fraud or failed delivery is mitigated.

In part one of this three-part series we examine the first aspect which is assuring that the diamond merchant is running a legitimate business.

Assurance of legitimacy of diamond businesses

Physical Address

The physical address of the online diamond retailer should be prominently displayed somewhere within the website. It should give the full street address and postcode. A PO Box is not acceptable. Conduct a search on the full address using Google and make sure that other results are returned that include the name of the business along with that address to check that the physical address is not a bogus one.

Landline Phone Number Active & Manned

A contact landline phone number should be prominently displayed. Ring the landline number given and make sure that either a salesperson or the proprietor of the business answers and is helpful and knowledgeable with questions about the company and diamonds.

Testimonials Available For Inspection

All businesses should have records of customer testimonials. Ask if a few of these can be emailed or faxed through for inspection.

Company Number

Is the diamond merchant’s business registered with UK Company House and does it display its Company Registration number? This registration number can be entered through the UK Company House website to check the registered business details of the diamond merchant.

If the diamond business is registered then this gives you additional reassurance that it is a legitimate business. If the diamond business is not registered this may indicate the business is being run as a sole proprietorship, or it may indicate that the business is not legitimate.

VAT Number

Is the business registered for VAT and is the number displayed on the website? If it is then this is another positive indicator that the business is a legitimate and profitable one. The threshold for taxable supplies for VAT registration is £60,000 so most diamond merchants would have the need to be VAT registered.

Trade Association Membership

There are several jewellery industry associations in the UK. If the diamond merchant that you are considering purchasing from is a member of an association then this gives further assurance of the reputability of that merchant. Some of the most prominent associations are the British Jewellery Association, the Assay Office and the National Association of Goldsmiths. These can all be contacted to confirm any claims of membership.

Key Staff Named With Photos

Another reassurance of the legitimacy of the business is when key staff members are named and have their photographs displayed within the site.

Mike Bradley owns http://www.dubai-diamonds.com and http://www.uk-diamond-ring-supersite.co.uk , the premier resource directory for diamond engagement ring research in the UK. Visit the Supersite and download the free detailed book The Essential Guide to Buying Diamond Engagement Rings in the UK.

The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and resource information immediately above are included intact and the article is not used in spam.

The Age of Titanium

Although Titanium is an abundant element on earth it was not discovered until 1791 but it would be another hundred years after that before it was possible to isolate the metal.

In appearance the metal is grey and lustrous and has often been used to make alloys which are light and resistant. Titanium has also been detected in meteorites and in the moon rocks brought back from the Apollo 17 mission.

It is because of its desirable properties which make Titanium an ideal metal for this technological age that has lead to a huge rise in popularity of this metal.

In industry the uses for titanium are many because of its resistance to corrosion even from salt water, alkalis and acids and even corrosive gases. Because of its corrosion resistance and the fact that it is also physiologically inert and hypoallergenic, Titanium is also used extensively in the field of medicine and in particular for prosthetic implants such as hip and knee replacements.

This wonderful metal has very high strength to weight ratio and it is much utilised in critical and demanding applications such as in the aerospace industry. The use of Titanium has made space exploration possible and the earlier rockets such as Mercury, Apollo and Gemini were all made largely of this metal. The Space Shuttle also has many parts made from Titanium as have many jet fighters, submarines, ships and tanks.

Titanium therefore is used across a broad spectrum of applications making it very much a metal of our modern age.

Aircraft grade titanium is now becoming increasingly popular in the jewellery trade and has found favour particularly in the manufacture of mens jewellery because of it’s hard wearing properties. Titanium rings have become increasingly popular as wedding rings in part because they will stand up to more wear and tear than precious metals but probably just as much because of the look. Titanium really is a very versatile metal and lends itself very to the making of fine jewellery and a variety of looks can be achieved utilising different finishes and even the application of heat which brings about a change in colour ranging through the whole spectrum.

This property of colouration by heat has been used particularly in the manufacture of ladies jewellery for making eye catching unique designs in earrings, necklaces and modern, trendy titanium rings.

In the making of rings, titanium can also be inlaid with precious metals and set with precious stones and although the material is more difficult to work with because of its strength, once made you will have a beautiful piece of jewellery that will look good and last a lifetime.

The durability, strength and looks of titanium will ensure that it continues to grow in popularity as a metal in the manufacture of jewellery and in particular for the making of titanium rings.

Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer titanium rings made here in the UK by small independent designers.

CTI Watches - What Makes Them So Popular?

CTI watches have quickly become favorites among casual wearers and collectors alike. They have features and styles that are usually reserved for watches that the average person can't afford. A genuine Patek Philippe watch can run many thousands of dollars. They are probably worth the price, but this vastly limits the market to the few who can afford them.

CTI watches stand on their own. They don't try to be "replicas" of any brand name watch. They are, however influenced by many of the styles and innovations represented by the famous brand watches. People have commented that they bought CTI watches because they don't try to copy other watches. They also have the CTI brand name and logo on each watch. They don't try to fool anyone by exactly replicating a brand name style down to the name and logo on the watch. This practice is illegal in that it violates trademarks and patents of other companies. All CTI Watches have a CTI logo and not any brand name.

Popular CTI styles include Navitimer, automatics, Seamaster, chronographs and skeleton types. They are available in leather or metal bands and many color combinations.

In addition, if the watch says "Rolex" on it, who really made it? Where is it from? If the company is violating the law by selling "replicas", what type of message does this send to a buyer?

CTI is constantly releasing new styles. Many people buy several CTI Watches. They do this because they can buy several styles for every occasion. They don't have the fear of loss that a genuine Vacheron Constantin creates. How many people would comfortable wearing a $10,000 watch to the mall? For about 1% of that amount, they can wear any CTI Watch anywhere and not give it another thought. You often read about celebrities that wear replicas of the genuine jewelry they own because of insurance restrictions. Why own it if you can't wear it? That's where CTI Watches have their greatest appeal.

The author has expertise in many areas. He is the webmaster of My Time is Your Time.com and at a site that carries UZI, Luminox and Smith & Wesson Watches

How to Make a Smart Investment in Watches

I'm sure you have all heard of record breaking prices of vintage watches at auctions and are considering making an investment in watches. The phenomenal success of quartz watches in the seventies and eighties drove up values of old mechanical watches as they became rarer.

It is this enthusiasm for mechanical watches that has spur manufacturers to come up with new innovation in mechanical watches.

So how do you choose a mechanical watch that will not only hold its value but also rise in value?

Buy a brand which is reputable and has a long history of preferably at least a century old.

Check with auction sites and used watch dealers and find out the value of a 5 year model. Is it worth any value? How about older ones? Are they worth more than the new models? If yes, then this brand may have good investment potential. Whether a time piece appreciates in value depend on the simple law of economics. The rarer it is the more highly prized it is. That's why rarity is so important. A reputable manufacturer can issue a special edition with only a limited number of watches available, preferably of less than 100.

Going deeper into this issue there may be many different brands but they may buy the watch movement supplied by one main supplier which means in essence they are basically the same watch.

For a watch to be unique , the watchmaker should design and manufacture most of the different parts rather than simply source components from another supplier.

The watch should be of high quality. It should have a quality movement.

Look at the case finish and design too. Check out the innovation in the watch.

Collectors are also interested in complications such as Perpetual Calendar, tourbillon, moon phases, power reserve indicator and day and night indicator. These are extra features besides the standard time telling. Perpetual calender accurately keeps track of the day, date, month and year. You do not have to worry whether the date is correct and set the correct date. Tourbillon is one of the most complicated components in watches which minimizes timekeeping errors caused by gravity.

The appreciation in value in mechanical watches is not as quick as other forms of investment. You should treat it as a long term investment. A investor wouldn't buy a watch today and sell it off the next day.

Potential watch investor should also know that value of a watch is dependent on the amount a buyer is willing to buy. In other words, a watch is worth only as much as a buyer is willing to pay for it.

Therefore it is very important that you like the watch and has emotional and sentimental value to you.

Lastly, you have to take good care of your watch and maintain it too . Remember to keep all the papers and documents too.

You can buy watches as investments. You can get the best prices on watches at http://www.cheapestsale.com/watches/

How to Care For Your Gold Jewelry

As a precious metal, gold represents less work to maintain its appearance than other metals, such as silver. Gold does not tarnish, smudge, or discolor, but it can become dulled by contact with soaps, perspiration, hand creams and other substances from your daily life.

A good rule of thumb, is to wash your hands before putting on, or taking off, gold jewelry. This prevents contamination with natural body oils and other matter that your hands have touched. Also, if you're going to be wearing perfume, creams, lotions or other chemical substances, put them on before your jewelry. Gold items will be dulled and dirty from lying on skin that is still moist with make-up, or if they are in the line of fire from hairspray.

Always be sure to remove your rings before immersing your hands in the dishwater or laundry. Repeated exposure to harsh chemicals like chlorine, can permanently damage the gold's luster. That also means removing rings when using swimming pools.

Store gold jewelry that you aren't wearing, in their original boxes, or clean, cloth bags in a drawer away from other jewelry. Never leave pieces jumbled together in a box, as they can scratch each other, particularly if they happen to be set with hard gemstones. Even wrapping each piece in plain tissue paper, will preserve the surface and the shine.

The gold portions of jewelry can be cleaned with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth for polishing. A used, soft-bristled toothbrush may be helpful in reaching small crevices such as the links of a chain, or the underside of settings in a ring.

If you love jewelry, why not make a career out of it? Visit http://www.jewelrysalesbusiness.com for company profiles and connect with representatives