QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. BE SURE, BE COMFORTABLE
   Use our simple 'KNOW YOUR DIAMONDS' reference to understand diamonds better. Explore the diamond certification web sites, you will find a list here. Explore other diamond sites, get a feel for current prices and values. Take note of the suggested reading listed below each page or call and chat to one of our diamond experts on 01451-823054. Remember when buying a diamond that there are many characteristics that need to be balanced and reviewed in order to buy quality within your budget.
   
   
2. GET TO KNOW THE SITE
   Take a little time to understand theDiamondAuction.com, explore it fully. Like all auctions, decide on the highest price you are prepared to pay and stick to it. Use the 'MORE INFO' link under each diamond to see full details from the diamond's certificate. Feel free to complete a few dummy buys to understand how the system works. Click the 'BUY NOW' link, confirm the price but please do not complete the resulting form when exploring and testing.
   
   
3. RANDOM SELECTIONS
   Each time you visit the site you will be offered a new selection of diamonds. Use the 'RENEW SELECTION - BROWSE TODAY'S LOTS' to force a new selection and thereby browse through the diamonds.
   
   
4. COOLING OFF!
   You will be asked to reconfirm your purchase after clicking the 'BUY NOW' link, it is at this point you can reconsider your purchase and decline to buy. If you do reconfirm your purchase we call you and address any unanswered questions or queries and ensure that you are 100% comfortable with your buy BEFORE any payment is taken.
   
   

1. ARE THE DIAMONDS NATURAL?
   Completely natural and independently certificated [certified] just click the 'MORE INFO' links below each stone to see the details from the certificate. Perhaps the 5th ‘C’ when purchasing a diamond should be the CERTIFICATE or diamond report. This important document validates the diamond's characteristics. A laboratory's certificate can tell you much more than looking at a stone with an untrained eye while trying to focus through a jeweller's loop in inappropriate lighting. That is why it is perfectly appropriate to buy a diamond on the certificate alone, forget what the salesman says, the certificate is an impartial, transparent document which spells out exactly what you are buying.
   
   
2. HOW MANY DIAMONDS ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY ONE TIME?
   There are between 5,000 and 15,000 diamonds listed every day.
   
   
3. WHERE DO THE DIAMONDS COME FROM?
   The diamonds are listed by DTC [DeBeers Group] sightholders and other diamond cutters, just one step from the mine, these are the companies that buy, cut and polish rough diamonds. They are based in either Israel, India, Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Russia or China, which is where the diamonds lie until sold. NO DIAMONDS ARE HELD AT OUR PREMISES. The diamond cutters use our powerful software systems to upload their previous days production and you get to access it instantly.
   
   
4. ARE THE DIAMONDS CONFLICT FREE?
   Absolutely
   F.Y.I The term Conflict Diamonds refers to diamonds that have been traded in the country of origin and their revenues have funded violent conflict and human rights abuses. In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. In November 2002, after nearly two years of negotiation, the efforts of governments, the international diamond industry and NGOs culminated in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The KPCS outlines the provisions by which the trade in rough diamonds is to be regulated by countries, regional economic integration organisations and rough diamond-trading entities.
   
   
5. WHO AM I BUYING FROM?
   theDiamondAuction.com is an online brand of 247Diamonds Ltd a U.K based family firm who have been in the diamond business for nearly 40 years and have been trading on the 'net since 1992 [predating the world wide web by one year]. 247Diamonds Ltd is ISO9001 certificated, holders of a DTI investor in people award, licenced credit brokers and members of the British Jewellers  Association.
   
   
6. ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN COSTS?
   Prices DO NOT include VAT which is charged at 17½% if the stone is shipped into the UK or EU. Shipping charges are included there are no auction fees to add. So your only concern is to remember the VAT.
   

ABOUT THE AUCTION & ITS SYSTEMS

1. WHAT IS A REVERSE-AUCTION?
   A simple sale where the price continually drops until the LOT [an individual diamond] is bought. If the reserve is not met then the item is set aside, to return to the sale at a later date. Just as a traditional auction.
   
   
2. WHY SELL IN THIS MANNER?
   Auctions are a traditional method of driving sales, which successfully translate to the InterNet, look at the success of eBay. Auctions inspire sellers to list product, which means that the buyer gets more choice, greater detail and unquestionable value. Auctions are exciting and fun and thediamondauction.com is a risk free way to buy, steeped in quality assurances.
   
   
3. WHAT DRIVES THE PRICE DOWN?
   Intelligent software drives down the price; the seller obviously wants the best price, but also wants to sell the stone so the longer you leave it the lower the price will go; brilliant, wonderful, exciting, until another buyer 'steals' your diamond from under your very nose or the diamond fails to reach its reserve and is instantly withdrawn at which time the sold icon will show. Who can loose?
   
   
4. ARE THE IMAGES ACTUAL SIZE?
   No - the images used are educational shots and are there to show you the buyer, colour and clarity of the stones in the clearest way possible. Typical natural imperfections of any given quality are shown and ringed in red to make them more obvious. The dimensions of the stone are shown on the site, simply click the 'MORE INFO' links under each stone.
   
   
5. WHAT IF THE DIAMOND IS PRESOLD?
   The very nature and workings of theDiamondAuction.com means that the data is supplied directly from the cutter. You are buying from the open diamond market and it is possible that this particular stone could be sold elsewhere if the transaction is protracted or delayed. In the unlikely event that should happen, you will be given the opportunity to buy a like diamond at the same price but under these circumstances you are under no obligation to proceed.
   

WHO ARE THE PLAYERS ?

1. THE BUYERS
   The auction is used by consumers and trade buyers. Your research is complete, you know what you want and you are now ready to buy. You know and respect that the information contained in a gemological lab certificate and listed on this site will tell you much more than looking at the stone with an untrained eye.
   
   
2. DTC [DeBeers Group] SITE HOLDERS AND DIAMOND CUTTERS
   Just one step from the mine, these are the companies that buy, cut and polish rough diamonds.
   
   
3. THE DIAMOND GRADING LABORATORIES
   The diamond grading laboratories and international gemological centers. This important, impartial document validates the diamond's characteristics. A diamond valuation or appraisal is significantly different from a diamond report or certificate and should not be confused. ALWAYS insist on a diamond certificate from a major laboratory! Always get one with your theDiamondAuction.com diamond.
   
   
4. THEDIAMONDAUCTION.COM
   Run by a family firm who have been in the diamond business for nearly 40 years, been trading on the 'net since 1992. ISO9001 certificated, holders of an DTI investor in people award, licenced credit brokers and members of the British Jeweller's  Association.
   

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The price is subject to V.A.T at 17.5% if the stone is delivered in the UK or any EU country
2. There are no auctioneer fees and shipping and insurance is included.
3. Before agreeing the contract, we will confirm the total price you will pay. [auction price plus VAT]
4. In the event of human error or malfunction in the technology, the prices on the auction do not commit us to sale.
5. The stone is not secured until payment has been made and cleared funds received [most leading credit cards accepted]. You are buying from the open market and it is possible that this particular stone could be sold elsewhere if the transaction is protracted or delayed. In the unlikely event that should happen, you will be given the opportunity to buy a like diamond at the same price but under these circumstances you are under no obligation to proceed.
6. The goods are shipped from the UK and if you are importing them into another country any import duty or taxes are your responsibility and liability.
7. Risk in the Goods shall pass to the Buyer at the moment the Goods are dispatched from the Seller’s or Seller’s shipping agent’s premises.  Where the Buyer chooses to collect the Goods itself, from a secure building then risk will pass when the Goods are entrusted to it or set aside for its collection, whichever happens first.
8. Auction items are bought on an outright sale basis. Diamonds can be returned for a refund within 7 days by prior arrangement, but are subject to 15% costs and restocking fees which includes the essential cost of re-certification of the stone.
9. Refunds will only be issued after re-certification [approx 14 days]
10. Should you have reason to return the stone then you must organise and pay for insurance and secure cover to our door. This safe passage is your responsibility.
11. A delivery date will be stated in your confirmation email, however that delivery date is subject to the usual caveats. The Seller shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any of its obligations if the delay or failure results from events or circumstances outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lock outs, accidents, war, fire, breakdown of plant or machinery or shortage or unavailability of raw materials from a natural source of supply, and the Seller shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of its obligations. If the delay persists for such time as the Seller considers unreasonable, it may, without liability on its part, terminate the contract. Fear not you will be kept informed at every stage along the way and phoned if there is any risk that the stated delivery date could be compromised.
12. There may be occasions when we send the documentation, that's the diamond certificate, the receipt etc. by separate cover.