Buying diamonds via Blue Nile in Taiwan is a really cost-effective choice. Still, there are many important details you need to keep in mind during the whole shopping process. Below is a full guide and key reminders for all Taiwanese buyers.
Shopping Process and Advantages of Blue Nile
Browse and Select Diamonds Online
On the official Blue Nile website, you can use powerful filter tools to pick diamonds from a huge inventory. You can set filters based on your budget, the 4C standards including carat, cut, color and clarity, fluorescence grade, diamond shape, cutting proportion and certification types like GIA, AGS and IGI. Every diamond is equipped with 360-degree high-definition videos, so you can check its real look clearly on screen. For customers living in the United States, they can also visit local showrooms to see and touch diamonds in person.
Customize Your Jewelry
Once you pick your ideal loose diamond, you can match it with hundreds of ring settings to make a unique engagement ring or fashion ring. Besides rings, you are also able to customize other jewelry items such as stud earrings, dangle earrings, bracelets and necklaces according to your own preference.
Checkout and Delivery
After you place an order, loose diamonds will be shipped directly from warehouses in the United States to Taiwan by international couriers DHL or FedEx. If you order customized jewelry, it will take a few more days for production. You have to provide valid personal ID information including ID number or unified invoice number for customs clearance, so make sure all the details you fill in are correct.
Essential Notes: Costs and Taxes (Most Important Part)
The taxes and extra fees are the biggest difference between buying from overseas platforms and local physical stores. You must add these costs into your total budget in advance.
- Import tariff: The tariff rate for diamonds is about 5 percent.
- Business tax: This tax is also 5 percent. It is calculated on the total value of goods, insurance fee, international shipping fee and import tariff.
- International shipping fee: Orders that reach around 1000 US dollars can enjoy free shipping service. If your order is below this amount, you need to pay for delivery by yourself.
The total amount you need to pay equals the price of diamond plus ring setting, plus tariff, business tax and possible shipping fee. Please note that Blue Nile will not collect tax fees during online checkout. The courier company will charge you tariff and business tax when delivering goods to your door, and you can pay with New Taiwan Dollars. It is better to prepare cash ahead of time.
Pros and Cons of Shopping on Blue Nile
Advantages
First of all, it has a great price edge. Generally speaking, diamonds on Blue Nile are 20% to 40% cheaper than those sold in physical jewelry stores across Taiwan, so it brings pretty good value for money.
Second, the product selection is extremely rich. The platform stores hundreds of thousands of GIA certified diamonds, so you can always find a perfect one that fits your budget easily.
Third, all information is open and trustworthy. Every diamond comes with an authoritative certificate, so the quality is well guaranteed.
What’s more, the platform supports a 30-day free return and exchange policy. You do not need to worry about making a wrong purchase.
Shortcomings
The biggest problem is the lack of in-person experience. You cannot try on the jewelry or check the real diamond before placing an order.
When it comes to after-sales service, things are not so convenient either. If you need to adjust ring size, clean jewelry or repair items later, you have to send them by international mail, which is much more troublesome than local shops.
Some users also say that the online customer service sometimes replies slow, and the professional level of different service staff is not the same.
Practical Tips for Taiwanese Consumers
Make good use of the official Blue Nile website. Take time to check the promotion page regularly. You can find direct price cuts on many jewelry categories, and there are also great discount codes waiting for you to use.
You can also turn to us for help. We can help you pick diamonds with high cost performance. Sometimes we share exclusive discounts, and you may get special offers for your first order or the latest promotion news.
Always calculate the total cost before paying. You can ask online customer service for help or work out taxes and fees by yourself, to stop your total budget from going over the limit.
You can also think about other choices. If you value physical experience and convenient after-sales service very much, there are many well-reputed local jewelry studios in Taiwan that provide custom services.
Conclusion
If you chase the best value for money, accept online shopping way and do not mind the international after-sales process, Blue Nile is a reliable choice for you. Just calculate all kinds of fees carefully before buying. Make full use of its return policy, and stay away from diamonds with milk or coffee tint, poor cut and obvious flaws. In this way, you can buy your dream diamond safely and happily.