Is bigger better? The how-to's when shopping for
diamonds
by Alex
Miller
zone3
Buying a diamond can be an exhilarating but daunting adventure,
especially if you're a newbie.
If I could offer only one piece of
advice it would be this: Learn as much as you can about the 4Cs before you
go shopping.
For the uninitiated, that's cut, color, clarity and
carat weight. And I like to add one more - common sense.
Choosing
the perfect diamond (and there's no such thing as the "perfect" diamond,
although a few have come close) is as much a matter of personal taste as
it is a matter of the diamond's characteristics.
Some couples are
willing to forego quality for size, others prefer the brilliance of a
flawless blue-white diamond over a larger stone with less
clarity.
You be the judge - but not until you're clear about those
characteristics I mentioned. I suggest you read our Diamond
Buying Guide, or go to one of the quality online jewelers such as
www.bluenile.com or www.mondera.com.
Talk to any jeweler and
they'll all give you a different opinion as to what they believe is the
most important quality of a diamond.
According to Mayer Herz, Vice
President of Diamond Acquisition at Mondera.com, "Cut is the most
important consideration if you're on a budget. You can make up for low
color and clarity if the stone is well cut."
However, Joseph
Schlussel, Publisher of Diamond Registry Bulletin, says "I personally
believe that color is the most important thing. Most people who go into a
store today, they are told about cut. But I look at what you can see with
a naked eye. I would put cut the last, because most people can't see
it."
The safest all-round bet is to look for the overall "package",
with the levels of cut, clarity, color and size as good as you can get for
the price you're willing to pay.
Here are my tips to help you get
the best value possible:
* Ensure you get a Gemological Institute
of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS) Certificate when you
purchase your diamond. A Certificate guarantees that you are getting what
you paid for.
* If you are buying at a retail store, ask to see
your diamond against a white cloth (or take your own - even a white piece
of paper will do the trick!). Jewelers typically use a black felt cloth to
display their stones because all diamonds look white against
black.
* The American Gem Society says that the cut of the diamond
can influence the price by as much as 50%. A well-cut diamond, when viewed
from above, will sparkle with a brilliance you won't find in any other
precious stone.
* Most diamonds have flaws (called inclusions)
that developed during its formation millions of years ago. Some are
impossible to see with the naked eye, others glare at you. The more
inclusions, the poorer the quality of the diamond, and the less light it
will emit. But its all a trade-off - fewer inclusions means a more
expensive diamond.
Knowledge is power, and the more you understand
about how diamonds are graded and how that determines the price you'll
pay, the better you'll be able to judge what is good value.
Above
all, remember that you'll be the one wearing it, and hopefully for a long
time, so the final decision is yours. My very first diamond had a hairline
crack deep inside it, and I came to love that diamond as much for its tiny
flaws as I loved my husband for his!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years
than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds
and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website.
You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal
jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The
place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.
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