How to Buy a Diamond
or
How to Buy Diamond Rings!
Whether you are interested in learning how
to buy a diamond or how to buy a diamond ring, you will do well if you read this article.
When buying a diamond or selling one, there are four key things to keep in mind, namely the diamond Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Of course, some people say that there is the 5th C which is the diamond Cost of course. The cost of the diamond is dependent on the 4 C?s.
If you are a new diamond buyer, don't be fooled. If you take a few minutes now to learn these facts about diamond buying, you will be well on your way to protecting yourself when making this potentially pricey purchase.
First, walk in like a professional diamond buyer with an air of confidence. Next, start asking intelligent questions about cut, clarity, color and weight. The sales person will automatically assume you know more about diamond buying than the majority of the people that walk in the door and will be less likely to try and pull the wool over your eyes.
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Diamond Cut - The 1st C
The first to start with is the cut of the diamond. This is not the shape of the diamond, like princess, pear or round, but rather the brilliance or its reflective nature. The way a diamond is cut, the angles and the way it is finished is what makes it reflect more light and sparkle.
Follow these general rules in selecting a cut.
- An Ideal Cut, found on the finest diamonds, has lots of fire and maximum brilliance. This cut applies to round diamonds only.
- Premium Cut, when applied to round diamonds, are also a very high quality diamond but a diamond buyer can purchase them for slightly less than an Ideal Cut.
- Very Good is a term used for a diamond that is usually larger, has a fair amount of light reflection and a good deal of brilliance but can be purchased slightly below a Premium Cut.
- Good Cut is a term used when a diamond cutter creates the largest possible diamond from the original stone rather than making a smaller diamond in the Premium category. This diamond will produce beauty and quality within a budget.
- Fair and Poor Cuts do not reflect a lot of light and are usually cut to maximize the size rather than brilliance.
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Diamond Clarity - The 2nd C
Next is diamond clarity, which is as it sounds. How clear is the diamond? Does it have inclusions (internal flaws) or blemishes (surface flaws) that hinder its sparkle? Keep in mind that grading charts call all imperfections inclusions and do not use the term blemishes. The more clearer a diamond, the higher the price.
Diamond clarity is rated F through SI for inclusions that are there but not visible to the naked eye. Here is an explanation of the grading:
F - This diamond is very rare and flawless
IF - This one has some surface flaws but no internal flaws; another rare find diamond.
VVS1-VVS2- You'll find only very slight inclusions on this gem and only detected under 10X (10 times) magnification by a professional.
VS1-VS2 - Once again a gem with only slight inclusions and seen with difficulty under 10x magnification.
SI1-SI2 - Slightly included but more easily detected under 10x magnification.
I1-I2-I3 - This stone will have flaws visible with the microscope and to the naked eye. It is not a good idea to buy a diamond of this grade.
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Diamond Color - The 3rd C
Next is the Diamond Color. Color in regard to diamond buyers is more about the lack of color rather than the presence of color. Colorless diamonds refract the most light and have the most sparkle. Only a few rare diamonds are colorless. If a diamond has color, it will tend to absorb light and take away from the brilliance of the stone.
Beware if a jeweler tells you a diamond is blue-white. This refers to the fluorescence and makes a colorless diamond look milky in sunlight, hence decreasing its value. Jewelers have also been known to do some lighting tricks in order to make their diamonds seem whiter, so make sure you ask to see the stone in natural light as well.
Keep in mind, there are some rare colored diamonds found in blues, yellows and other colors that make the diamonds in this category rare and valuable.
Jewelers use a GIA professional color scale to rate diamonds. The scale goes from a D rating which is the highest and goes all the way to Z.
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Diamond Carat - The 4th C
Finally, Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. The larger the diamond, the more costly it is. Very large diamonds are rarely found. Remember one large diamond is worth more than five small ones of equal weight, so make sure when comparison shopping that you get just the weight of the center stone not including the smaller diamonds around it.
Before you walk out the door with your prized possession, get a diamond certificate or grading report done by a professional gemologist. This is a complete evaluation of your stone listing all of it characteristics, so if you ever want to sell it or trade up, you have proof of the quality of your diamond.
Now that you are knowledgeable about the 4 C's of the diamond and have learned how to buy a diamond, you will always be able to buy the best diamond or a diamond engagement ring with confidence and for the least price. Just like a diamond professional.
Good Luck.