HOW TO BUY A DIAMOND
Jewelry is one of the most popular gifts we use to mark the momentous occasions in our lives. It is an outward expression of what we mean to one another. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries and other achievements are just some of the events we celebrate with special gifts of jewelry, and diamonds are among the most favorite to give. The budget for your gift is likely one of your most important parameters, but you can make sure you receive the most value for your purchase by learning more about diamonds before you shop. These six tips will help you find your ideal gift.
LEARN ABOUT THE 4CS
The 4Cs of diamond quality is a language jewelers everywhere use to describe the attributes of a diamond, that when taken together, help to determine its overall quality. Quality is ultimately tied to price, so it’s crucial that you learn the 4Cs so that you understand what you’re buying.
CHOOSE A TRAINED JEWELER
Select a jeweler as carefully as you do a doctor, lawyer or any other trained professional. Find someone who is credentialed, such as a GIA Graduate Gemologist. Take note of their affiliations with jewelry industry groups and professional associations. Use GIA’s Retailer Lookup to find a jeweler near you who carries GIA-graded diamonds or has GIA-trained associates on staff.
ASK FOR AN INDEPENDENT DIAMOND GRADING REPORT
A diamond grading report is an unbiased assessment of the diamond’s quality. It provides a description of the diamond’s 4Cs and confirms that the stone is a natural or synthetic diamond. The report also discloses any treatments the diamond may have undergone to alter its color or clarity. You can verify the information contained in any GIA report by entering the report number in Report Check, GIA’s secure online database.
KEEP YOUR PURCHASE SECURE
A laser inscription will help identify your diamond if it’s ever lost or stolen. You can request to have the diamond’s report number or a personal message inscribed on the girdle (the diamond’s perimeter). The inscription is viewable using a jeweler’s loupe or microscope under 10X magnification. Diamonds that come with GIA Diamond Dossier® reports contain the diamond’s report number laser inscribed on the girdle.
CONSIDER PURCHASING THE DIAMOND LOOSE AND HAVING IT SET IN THE RING LATER
Are you shopping for an engagement ring, but not sure what your future fiancée prefers in a ring? Consider purchasing a loose diamond and then decide on the mounting together. Make sure to have the loose stone graded before having it mounted. Read more engagement ring buying tips.