Buying Diamonds
What are you thinking?
When shopping for a diamond, there are many things to consider; Size, Color, Price, Quality, Shape, the design it will be set in, a single large diamond vs. several well paired smaller ones that weigh as much combined and balance each other…
Get some education
Before you shop, take the time to become familiar with the 4C’s of diamonds. Become comfortable with the terms and take time to understand the quality factors. Shop around to educate yourself, do research online, and never let anyone rush you into making a decision.
Cut does not mean Shape
The first thing to consider is the Cut, this affects the diamonds brilliance and cost NOT its shape. A well cut diamond will have lost of sparkle and inner fire. A poorly cut stone will sell for half the price of an exceptional cut, and a poorly cut stone will be prone to faults and chipping and breaking.
Colorless means more Sparkle
While Cut affects the brilliance and sparkle a diamond will offer, Clarity effects the amount of light that will be reflected back to the naked eye. The higher the grade of clarity in a diamond, the more white or colorless it will be. Like glass, the less color will allow for more light to pass through and radiate from within.
Blue Diamonds?
One word of warning is anyone trying to convince you that a Blue diamond is superior. They are in fact of lower standards then a colorless diamond and have often been used in the past in many scams on the uneducated public.
Does size matter?
Is bigger better with a diamonds Carat weight? A diamond has 100 points to a carat, be aware that prices increase as the stone reaches a full carat weight. Going with a diamond that weighs 90 points or 9/10ths of a carat will look the same when set in an engagement ring and be significantly less in price.
Look at shapes other than Round
Shapes of diamonds are becoming more popular. Choosing a Marquise, Oval, or Pear-shape over the traditional brilliant round cut can become visually more appealing and seemingly larger then than the round.
Don’t just focus on the Diamond
Consider several smaller stones over one large diamond. Choose a design shape and compare a single large over three smaller diamonds that amount to the same carat weight.
What you see makes a big difference
A diamonds Color is measured in grades from D to Z. While the D through F range might be out of your price range, choosing a diamond from within the top 10 color grades still gives a great performance when mounted in one of our settings.
The settings can enhance the color
Setting a diamond in white gold or platinum can make the stone appear whiter. If the diamond has noticeable yellow tints in it’s color, choose yellow gold to make the tint less noticable.
Taking it all in
A diamond does not have to be flawless to be beautiful. Remember, the right cut and shape can make any diamond in any grade attractive and no less valuable.
*When shopping for a diamond, come into our store and one of our well trained staff will sit down with you, educate and answer all of your questions to help you make a better well informed decision.
