Simple guide to buying diamonds Introduction: Diamonds may be a girl‘s best friend, but if not understood then your purchase may only be a way to empty your purse or wallet. With care and attention, backed with a little research and knowledge, then your purchase may end up being somewhat more of an enjoyable purchase. Please bare in mind this is a simple guide only and that thorough care should be taken prior to making a purchase.
Diamonds and love: Diamonds have been sought after, the world over for many years. Whilst associated with romance and legend diamonds gained position as the ultimate gift of love. Diamond has few weaknesses and many strengths, and it is well known that diamond is the hardest substance found in nature. But diamond has four directions of cleavage, meaning that if it receives a sharp blow in one of these directions it will cleave, or split so you must look after it and treat it with care.
Grade & Value: A diamond’s market value is typically calculated or graded using four main criteria, that of cut, carat, colour and clarity. This however is not straightforward as the interactions of the criteria can have a great effect on the prices you could pay.
CUT: The cut of a diamond can determine it’s brilliance. Types of cut include Round, Princess, Baguette and Emerald to name but a few. The Round cut is by far the most common cut you will see. Polish and symmetry are two important aspects of the cutting process to bare in mind. With poor polish, the surface of a facet can be dulled, and may create blurred or dulled sparkle. With poor symmetry, light can be misdirected as it enters and exits the diamond.
COLOUR: Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide light into a spectrum of colours and reflect this light as colourful flashes called fire. The less colour in a diamond, the more colourful the fire, and the better the colour grade. The better the grade the higher the value.
D: Colourless. The highest colour grade, extremely rare. E: Colourless. Only minute traces of colour can be detected by an expert gemmologist. F: Colourless. Slight colour detected by an expert gemmologist, but still considered a "colourless" grade. High-quality. G-H: Near-colourless. Colour noticeable, but these grades offer excellent value. I-J: Near-colourless. Colour slightly detectable. Also good value. K-M & N-Z: Noticeable colour. DO NOT BOTHER WITH THESE.
Diamonds that are absolutely clear are the most sought-after and therefore the most expensive. But many diamonds have inclusions that are scratches, trace minerals or other tiny characteristics (flaws) that can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond. This must be taken into consideration when placing a grade or market value on a diamond.
CLARITY: FL, IF: Flawless, Internally Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Very rare. VVS1, VVS2: Very, Very Slight Inclusions: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. Excellent diamond. VS1, VS2: Very Slightly Inclusions: Inclusions are not easily visible to the unaided eye. SI1, SI2: Slight Inclusions: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. (Good value diamonds.) I1, I2, I3: Included: Inclusions are typically easily visible with the unaided eye.
Recommendations: Never buy an expensive diamond on the spur of the moment. Research first and then return to your chosen supplier when ready.
Always try to view the diamond yourself prior to purchase when possible. If purchasing over great distance, perhaps via the internet, ensure the item can be returned for full refund if not liked. If they will not refund why buy from them? After all, you would not buy a car, a dog, or house without viewing it so why would you do so with a diamond? Be sensible.
Request the diamond details. Do not put up with ‘it looks great’ or ‘perfect’ or ‘stunning’. Ask them to specify the cut, colour, carat and clarity. If they do not know, walk away as it is safer to do so. Also ensure they indicate how they know these details are correct. Is it through experience and training or has the stone been certificated by an independent official body?
Have you compared the price? Are you paying a fair market value, or does the price seem too low or too high? Remember, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Ask yourself why you are buying from this person or company. Can they provide you with a guarantee?
I personally would recommend that you select a diamond of ‘SI2’ or better, and a colour of ‘H’ or better when quality is important. Remember, the higher the grade the more expensive so be willing to compromise when your pocket dictates. It is unlikely you will get the same amount of money back if you were to sell it so do not spend more than you can afford.
I personally would recommend that you select a diamond of clarity ‘I1’ or ‘I2’ (at lowest) with a colour of ‘H’ or ‘I’ (at lowest) when size rather than quality is more important. Colour is very important, so try not to lower this side too greatly.
Having decided on your diamond, prior to making your purchase ensure that the full diamond specifications are provided in writing. This can be either in the form of a ‘Certificate’, or insurance valuation, or receipt. The insurance valuation would typically be higher than the value you paid. Please note that not all diamonds are certificated, although this is now becoming more common an occurrence.
Before purchasing a certificated diamond, you should expect to be able to review a copy of its certificate as proof that it has undergone an unbiased, professional examination. If you purchase this stone then you should always hold onto the certificate afterwards. Not the supplier.
A diamond certificate is a diamond grading report or diamond quality document created by a team of trained gemmologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweller’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. A completed certificate will include an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, cut, clarity, colour, polish, symmetry, and any other characteristics. Many diamonds may also include a cut grade on the report.
This is meant only as a simple guide to purchasing a diamond, whether set or unset and is not fully detailed. Use this to guide only as it is you that must make the final decision to purchase or not to purchase.
If you would like to ask a question please do so and I shall try to respond as best I can.
Final note: This article has been written and produced by Mark Willetts, the owner of http://www.gold-u-want.com which provides a range of diamond gold jewellery, gold chains and gold bracelets amongst other ranges of gold jewellery items at competitive prices. For further information please visit the website or contact Mark via email using goldwant@aol.com
When it comes to the female gender, women are especially prone to its beauty and brilliance and covet their own piece of diamond jewelry. And nothing beats the thrill of getting a diamond as a gift of love.
That is when men come in. Although most men are familiar with the diamond, its shape and the sparkling image it conveys, when it comes to buying one, most of us don't have a clue.
But given its price tag, you might want to invest in research and stock up on your knowledge about diamonds before going to a reputable buyer.
Although the sales clerk can help you out, like most agents, they are out for a sale and will do anything to get you to purchase something.
You of course have the option of bringing your newly purchased diamond jewelry to an expert for an appraisal of its worth and quality, but rather than just trusting blindly, its best to go over a few key points in diamonds first.
Diamonds are usually appraised of its worth by the standards of the 4 Cs, which stand for cut, color, clarity and carat. There are difference diamond cuts, the most common of which is round.
A diamond's cut and proportion affect its overall appearance and brilliance, as a poorly cut diamond can have its light leak at the sides and the bottom.
Color, on the other hand, is graded from D (highest) to Z (lowest) and is based on how colorless the diamond is. Diamonds can be imbued with a yellowish, sometimes brownish or grayish hue, which lowers its quality.
Color grade D, which is the highest grade, is reserved for the colorless, although there are some diamonds, called fancies, that have bright red, green, blue, pink and purple colors, that are rare and expensive as well.
Clarity is defined by the amount of inclusions and blemishes inside a diamond, making it flawless or imperfect.
These inclusions, which aren't discernable to the naked eye, make each diamond unique, acting as a sort of diamond fingerprint.
Lastly, carat refers the diamond's weight and is equivalent to 100 points or one carat. These different factors affect the price of a diamond.
But it's not just important to learn about the gem itself. When buying jewelry for someone, especially when it is something as important and binding as a diamond engagement ring, it is also essential to be personal.
If you are one of those romantics who want to surprise their fiancée by going down on one knee and suddenly proposing, you have to get your details right so that you don't spoil the surprise with an incompatible ring. First, know her ring size.
Enlist a friend or relative to help if you don't know. Also, find out what type of setting she prefers. Choices are usually white gold, yellow gold, or platinum.
An engagement ring is a very personal matter that she will wear most of the time, so it's important that it suits her personality and preference.
Both Golduwant & Paul Easton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Golduwant has sinced written about articles on various topics from Buy Diamond. I have been retailing in Totnes, Devon from my high street premises since 2000. On the high street I trade under the name of H. E. Phillips jewellers. From my premises I provide a very wide selection of gold jewellery items.. Golduwant's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Paul Easton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Engagement Rings, Herbal Supplements and Cosmetic Surgery. Paul Easton is the Marketing Director for Polished Diamonds. High Quality at 1/2 retail Prices available at: => Polished D. Paul Easton's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.