As an independent designer, you probably don't have a vault of stones to choose from. You have a design, a client and a deadline. Buying loose diamonds online gives you a far wider selection than any local dealer, but you can't hold the stone before you pay for it.
That makes it worth knowing what to check first. Here is what we tell the designers who buy from us.
1. Know exactly what you're buying: natural, lab grown or treated
This is the most important question, and the answer should never be unclear. Natural and lab grown diamonds look the same to the eye and share the same hardness, but they differ in price, rarity and resale value. Some stones are also treated to improve their colour or clarity.
A reliable supplier states all of this in the listing. If a description doesn't say whether a stone is natural, lab grown or treated, ask before you order. You'll need the answer for your own client conversations too, since buyers increasingly ask.
2. Ask for independent certification where it matters
For larger centre stones, a grading report from an independent lab such as IGI or GIA is your proof of quality. It confirms the 4Cs and, for lab grown stones, that the diamond is laboratory grown. Give the report to your client with the finished piece.
Not every stone needs one. Small accent stones and melee are usually sold without individual reports, and rough or raw diamonds are valued differently. The question to ask is whether the stone's value justifies a report. If it does, request one when you enquire.
3. Read the listing like a spec sheet
A good listing tells you more than "1 carat round diamond." Look for:
- Dimensions in millimetres. Carat is weight, not size. Two stones of the same carat can measure differently, which affects how they fit your setting.
- Shape and proportions. For fancy shapes, check the length-to-width ratio. An oval or pear that is too round or too narrow may not suit your design.
- Colour and clarity grades, plus any notes on inclusions.
- Drilled or undrilled, if you're making beads, charms or connectors.
- Certification, and which lab issued it.
If something is missing, ask. A supplier who is happy to answer detailed questions is a good sign.
4. Don't judge sparkle from a photo alone
Photos and videos are helpful, but lighting, magnification and editing all change how a stone looks. A close-up can hide a poor cut, and a soft background can make a tinted stone look whiter than it is.
Use the photos alongside the grading details rather than instead of them. Cut quality drives sparkle more than shape or grade does. If a stone matters to your design, ask for a video, extra photos in daylight or specific measurements. If you're unsure, it's better to check before the purchase than after.
5. Match the stone to how the piece will be worn
Diamonds are very hard, but design still matters. Consider the setting style, how exposed the stone will be and how the piece will be worn day to day. Rose cut and salt and pepper diamonds, for example, offer a distinctive organic look, but a design with a low, protective setting suits them better than a high, exposed one.
If your design uses other gemstones alongside diamonds, remember that hardness varies widely. Sapphire and ruby hold up well in daily wear, while opal, pearl, emerald and turquoise are better in earrings, pendants or occasional-wear pieces.
6. Understand the return policy before you order
Returns are your safety net when you can't inspect a stone in person. Read the policy first and check:
- How long you have to return a stone
- Whether returns are free
- What condition the stone must be in
- Whether custom or sourced-to-order stones are treated differently
We offer free standard shipping and returns on orders across the USA. Details are on our return and exchange page, and our team can answer questions before you buy.
7. Plan for the timeline
If a client is waiting, work backwards from the delivery date. Allow time for shipping, for inspection when the stone arrives and for the setting work itself. Trying to save a few days can lead to rushed inspection, which is when problems slip through.
Order the stone early, and check it as soon as it arrives. It is much easier to sort out a problem before the stone is in a mounting.
8. Use custom sourcing when the catalog falls short
Sometimes the stone you need isn't listed: a specific shape, a particular colour, a matched pair or a certain size range. Rather than compromising on your design, ask if the supplier can source it. It's a normal part of working with a wholesale supplier, and it's often the difference between a good piece and the piece you actually imagined.
We do this for wholesale and one-off custom orders. Send us your requirements and we'll tell you what we can find.
9. Buy from someone with a track record
Online, you can't rely on a shopfront, so look for other signs of trust: how long the seller has been in business, whether they have verifiable reviews and whether they are clear about what they sell. Gems Diamonds By Shikha has been selling online since 2010 and is a Star Seller on Etsy, and our founder, Shikha Agarwal, is a certified gemologist with around 20 years of experience.
A quick checklist before you order
- Is the stone clearly described as natural, lab grown or treated?
- Is a certificate available, and from which lab?
- Do I have millimetre dimensions and the grading details?
- Have I seen enough photos or video, or asked for more?
- Do I know the return policy and shipping timeline?
- If the stone isn't listed, have I asked about custom sourcing?
Start sourcing
Browse our loose diamonds and lab grown diamonds, or contact us through our wholesale page for trade pricing and custom requests.