Cash on Delivery at Real Gems: How Ordering Works

Buying a gemstone online asks for a lot of trust. You cannot hold the stone before you order, and many people in Pakistan have had bad experiences paying in advance. So we keep things simple. Every order on Real Gems is Cash on Delivery, anywhere in Pakistan. You pay nothing until the parcel is in your hands.

Step by step

1. Choose your stone. Every stone we list is a single piece. The photos are of that stone, though colour on screens varies a little between phones. Each page shows the gem type, weight in carats and ratti, price, origin, shape, colour and treatment status as recorded.
2. Add it to your cart. Because each stone is one of a kind, it stays available until someone orders it.
3. Check out. Give your name, a delivery address and a contact number so the courier can reach you. There is no card form and no bank transfer step.
4. We review it. If anything in the order looks unclear, such as an incomplete address, we get in touch before dispatch.
5. We dispatch. Orders leave within one working day by tracked courier.
6. The rider delivers. Most orders arrive within 2 to 5 working days, depending on where you are.
7. You pay the rider. In cash, for the amount shown at checkout.

What it costs

• Delivery: Rs. 400 per order.
• Free delivery: on orders of Rs. 15,000 or more.
• No hidden charges: the total at checkout is the amount you pay at the door.

Our delivery page has the details, and our price list lets you compare stones before you order.

At the door

A few practical points make the handover smooth.

• Keep the exact cash ready if you can. Riders may not carry much change.
• Check that the parcel is sealed and undamaged before you sign.
• Courier companies have their own rules about opening a parcel before payment, and these can vary. If you have any concern about the packaging, note it with the rider and message us straight away.
• If someone else will receive the parcel for you, make sure they know the amount due.

Opening your stone

Open the parcel somewhere calm, over a table, not over a drain or a carpet. Loose stones are small and they do roll. Compare the stone with the photos on its page in good daylight. If you have a loupe, take a look; our home checks guide explains what to look for.

We strongly suggest you keep the stone unset for the first few days. Once a jeweller sets it, it can no longer be returned.

Returns within 7 days

You have 7 days from delivery to return a stone. The rules are short:

• The stone must be unset.
• Return it as it was sent, with its packaging.
• Message us from the Contact page or email hello@realgems.pk first, so we can arrange the return with you.

There is one more promise we make. If any lab finds that a stone is not the natural gem we described, we refund in full, including delivery. Where a stone's treatment status says "not tested", it has not been lab-tested for treatment, and you are welcome to have it tested. Read the full terms on our returns page, and see how we check stones before listing them.

Why we only take Cash on Delivery

We get asked this a lot, so here are our reasons.

It removes the biggest worry

The most common fear about buying gems online is paying for something that never arrives, or arrives as something else. With COD, you see the parcel before any money changes hands. That fear is simply off the table.

No card details, no transfers

We never ask for card numbers, bank details or account passwords. There is nothing to leak and nothing to mistype. Many of our customers also prefer not to use cards at all, and COD works for everyone with a delivery address.

It keeps us honest

If a stone does not match its description, we pay for it in returns and in reputation. That is a good discipline for a shop. We would much prefer you open a parcel and feel pleased than feel cautious.

A few common situations

• Buying several stones: they ship together, with one delivery charge, and the order total counts towards free delivery.
• Buying a gift: you can send it to another address. Tell the recipient a parcel is coming and the amount due, or arrange to be there yourself.
• Not home on delivery day: couriers usually try again or call the contact number. Keep your phone nearby around the expected date.
• Changing your mind before dispatch: message us as soon as possible and we will cancel the order.

If you are not sure which stone to choose, our guides on choosing a Neelam and what sets a gem's price are good places to start. You can also browse popular collections such as blue sapphire, ruby and carnelian Aqeeq.