Things to Consider Before Buying Diamond Jewelry

The age-old saying is true - diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.

But how do you choose the right one? Whether you’re picking out a special rock for a loved one, or treating yourself to a new diamond necklace, you want to go in with a plan. Especially if it’s your first time buying diamond jewelry, you’ll want to know what to consider to help you choose the best option.

To help you with your search, here are some things to consider as you're getting ready to buy diamonds jewelry:

 

1. Determine your budget 

In case you didn’t know already: diamonds are expensive. When it comes to diamond jewelry, prices range significantly - size, type, number of diamonds, and more contribute to the cost of diamond jewelry.
 
Before you enter a shop, determine a budget you’re comfortable with for your big purchase. Do your research to gain an understanding of average pricing for what you’re looking for; that way, you know what to expect. From here, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision - and you won’t go into shock when you see the prices!

 

2. Know your C’s

Different from your ABC’s, C’s refer to a diamond’s characteristics: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.
 
Cut refers to the difference between the thickest and thinnest scaled from fair to excellent. An excellent cut is determined when these two measurements are somewhere between thin and somewhat thick.
 
Color is rated from D-Z; D refers to a diamond that has absolutely no color, while a Z rating constitutes a yellowish color that gives your diamond a more unique look.
 
Clarity is determined by an appraiser, who inspects diamonds for blemishes or other damage. If a diamond is graded “internally flawless”, or IF, they’re flawless - this is rare, so as close to IF as possible is valuable.
 
Finally, there’s Carat, which refers to the diamond’s weight. Each of the four C’s contributes to the overall value of the diamond.


3. Choose the shape
Diamonds come in various shapes and sizes, and you’ll want to decide on what you’re looking for ahead of time based on what catches your eye the most. There are plenty of shapes available: round, oval, cushion and pear are some of the most common.

 

4. Compare your options

Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for in terms of the four C’s and your diamond shape, you’ll want to take a look at available options and compare them.

Each diamond offers a unique look and feel set into a jewelry piece - you may think you’re set on an oval cut in your ring, for example, only to be swayed when you see the beauty of an emerald cut. Getting a good look at available options helps you compare and contrast looks to see what diamonds look best in the entire jewelry piece.

 

5. Buy a diamond with a certificate if above 0.5 carats

Nothing is worse than getting scammed - and the last thing you want is to purchase an illegitimate diamond.

Diamonds that are above 0.5 carats will likely come with a certificate issued from a gem lab. As you’re getting ready to purchase, make sure your diamond has a certificate, confirming your purchase and its legitimacy. A certificate confirms the quality of the diamond, tested by a reputable gem lab. Certificates from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are the most reputable, but there are other trusted organizations that can speak to your gem’s legitimacy.

 

Buying diamond jewelry doesn’t have to be difficult. Keeping these things in mind, you’ll have the tools to pick out the right piece that will keep your loved one - or you - happy for a lifetime!

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