We all know Mother’s Day is up there on the list of times we’re scrambling to get the perfect last minute gift, almost always resulting in an online purchase of some sort. When it comes to fine jewelry though, buying online can be terrifying and tricky. With the right tips & tricks, it doesn’t have to be.

Fine jewelry expert and president of WP Diamonds, Andrew Brown, came up with a brief insider’s guide to help. Check out his top 5 tips on purchasing fine jewelry online below.

Always Buy Certified.
When buying diamonds over 0.5 carats, always make sure to purchase diamonds that have been GIA certified. This ensures that you’re buying diamonds that have been certified by a reputable laboratory that provides reliable information on your stone. Larger gemstones should also be certified by a reputable lab such as GIA, AGS or Gubblin.

Look for an A+ BBB Rating.
Customer reviews are great but they can often be fabricated.  Reputable retailers should have a Better Business Bureau rating, which can easily be found and is the best way to ensure you’re purchasing from a trusted source.

Choose Your Metals Wisely.
White gold and platinum may look very similar on the screen but they are slightly different in actuality and they wear very differently as well.  White gold can lose its luster over time as the rhodium wears off, so platinum is a better choice for pieces that will be worn often and long term.

Photos Do Matter.
Make sure you’re looking at photos of the actual piece you will be purchasing.  So many ecommerce sites use stock photos which can be extremely deceiving.  Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email to customer service to confirm that you’re looking at the piece you’ll receive.  If that isn’t an option, be sure that the item can be easily returned.

Second Hand Can Be First Rate.
The best kept secret in purchasing fine jewelry online is the ability to buy second hand with ease.  Diamonds are diamonds whether they were worn before or not, and a proper retailer will ensure they’re brought back to their original form before getting them out to a new owner.  Buying pre-owned pieces gives you so much bang for your buck and the only person who could ever tell is the one who already knows.  Just be sure to ask for a guarantee of authentification on branded pieces and/or a certification on diamonds and gemstones.