| When you start to think about buying a diamond, | | | | important steps when embarking on the purchase |
| you naturally will want the best diamond that you | | | | of a diamond - |
| can afford and a beautiful stone you will treasure | | | | Gain a basic understanding of the qualities of a |
| forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of | | | | fine diamond. |
| shapes, sizes, qualities & colours. If you are about | | | | Learn about diamonds, do your homework before |
| to buy a diamond for an engagement ring, you | | | | you start looking. There are many good websites |
| may want to consider spending the commonly | | | | that offer comprehensive Diamond Education |
| accepted guideline of two months' salary. | | | | sections where you are able to learn about |
| However you should spend as much as you can | | | | diamonds and The 4C's - cut, colour, clarity and |
| comfortably afford. Buying a diamond is not like | | | | carat weight. These are the criteria that diamonds |
| buying a car which will depreciate over time, they | | | | are graded and valued upon. |
| endure generations and are passed down in your | | | | Set a personal budget. |
| family as an heirloom. Remember, diamonds ARE | | | | This will dictate a lot of the parameters for the |
| forever. | | | | diamond you are searching for. Then obtain a |
| When buying diamonds, make sure you buy the | | | | realistic idea of what diamonds cost and the |
| best quality diamond that is within your budget. | | | | various diamond prices. Round Brilliant Cut |
| Do not buy a diamond just because it has been | | | | Diamonds are the most popular shape of diamond |
| "discounted"or the diamond dealer is offering a | | | | for engagement rings however they also are |
| "special price". These "sale" prices and deals are | | | | higher priced than a fancy shape diamond. Setting |
| nothing more than marketing hype and will not | | | | a personal budget will save you a lot of time and |
| result in any real savings to the price of a | | | | it will help you to not over extend yourself |
| diamond. The price of diamonds is controlled by | | | | financially. |
| international market conditions and the availability. | | | | Decide on the diamond specifications. |
| Unlike other jewellery items, diamonds do not go | | | | What shape of Diamond do you prefer? |
| on sale because they do not have huge profit | | | | Remember that diamonds are cut in many |
| margins or over inflated prices. | | | | different shapes besides Round Brilliant and |
| Do not confuse a diamonds carat weight with the | | | | Princess Cuts. Fancy Shape diamonds such as |
| size of a diamond. Two diamonds that have the | | | | Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Oval, Pear, Marquise, |
| same carat weight could have very different | | | | Trilliant and Radiant Cut Diamonds all make unique |
| diameter measurements and appearance in actual | | | | engagement rings and create beautiful jewellery |
| size. A poorly cut 1.00ct diamond may look like a | | | | when set in individual designs. Once you have |
| 0.75ct diamond from the top because they have | | | | decided on the shape of the diamond you wish to |
| the same diameter measurements even though | | | | buy then start deciding on your other preferences |
| their carat weights are different. | | | | such as the carat size, the diamond colour, the |
| Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. A | | | | diamond purity and the diamond cut quality. |
| diamond cutter always tries to retain as much | | | | Insist on a Diamond Certificate. |
| carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a | | | | A diamond certificate or diamond grading report |
| diamond. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might | | | | documents the complete quality and description of |
| be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a | | | | the diamond, it includes information on shape, |
| higher carat weight. Diamonds that have a higher | | | | carat weight, clarity, fluorescence, colour grade, |
| cut quality - excellent, ideal and very good cut | | | | measurements, proportions and finish grade. A |
| diamonds - will sparkle with far more brilliance and | | | | diamond certificate also confirms that the |
| fire than poorly cut diamonds which have a lower | | | | diamond is natural and is not synthetic or |
| cut grade. | | | | man-made. Diamond Grading Laboratories such as |
| The value of a diamond is determined by its | | | | GIA, AGS, HRD & DCLA are all internationally |
| exact quality as defined by the 4C's: Cut, Colour, | | | | recognised and compliant grading laboratories. |
| Clarity and Carat-Weight. It is the sparkle or | | | | View the diamond in person where possible. |
| brilliance that gives a diamond its unique quality. | | | | Compare the quality of the diamond next to |
| Many people become overwhelmed when they | | | | other diamonds before you purchase. Cut is the |
| start searching for a diamond. It seems that the | | | | only factor that man can control. Cut refers not |
| fear of either buying a diamond that is not very | | | | only to the shape and style of the diamond, but |
| good quality or paying too much can cause people | | | | its proportions, symmetry, and finish or "make". |
| to go on a quest to become a diamond expert | | | | Cut determines the brilliance and fire of the |
| overnight. Getting knowledge and educated about | | | | diamond and is actually one of the most |
| diamonds and the 4C's - Cut, Colour, Clarity & | | | | important aspects to consider when choosing |
| Carat Weight - is a big first step towards buying | | | | your diamond. |
| the right diamond. | | | | We understand that when searching for the right |
| Before you start diamond shopping, it is best to | | | | diamond the task can at times be daunting and |
| have an understanding of what you are buying | | | | very confusing. Just comparing diamonds on price |
| and the process behind buying a diamond. Today | | | | alone is not nearly good enough, you need to be |
| on the internet there is no shortage of | | | | able to compare the diamonds next to each other |
| information available, especially when it comes to | | | | to see which diamond is the better quality and |
| learning about diamonds. Here are a few | | | | appeals to you the most. |