| Diamonds, besides being a girl's best friend, are | | | | do not tell jewelers how much you intend to |
| some of the most expensive precious stones. It | | | | spend because they will automatically charge you |
| is important to know what you are looking for | | | | that price. |
| when considering diamonds engagement rings. | | | | 6. Certificates that come with a diamond allow |
| These tips will help you get the best bang for | | | | you to compare weight and quality. Certificates do |
| your buck. | | | | not include the price of the diamond. |
| 1. Never buy the first thing you see. Those white | | | | 7. Ask to see the diamond in natural light. |
| gold diamond engagement rings you like will still be | | | | Fluorescence can make a more opaque diamond |
| there in an hour. If you buy impulsively, you may | | | | look clearer and a yellow diamond whiter, factors |
| regret it later due to price, style and quality. If | | | | which can dramatically increase the cost of a |
| you have any doubts about the product you're | | | | stone. |
| buying, just wait. The resolution will become clear. | | | | 8. Avoid sales: Usually large sales allow jewelers to |
| 2. Ask about discounts for cash. Credit card | | | | mark a $500 dollar item up to maybe $1500 and |
| companies charge about a 1% tax on the store | | | | then with a 50% sale, they still make $250 off of |
| every time a credit card is used, racking up billions | | | | you. This is a common trick of the trade. |
| annually. Many reputable jewelers prefer to deal in | | | | 9. Laser drilled diamonds: These puppies are laser |
| cash, and some take cash only. | | | | drilled to remove unsightly black carbon deposits. |
| 3. If you know what you are looking for, and a | | | | The thing is, the drilling makes them more fragile |
| salesman is showing you inferior products, tell him. | | | | than non-drilled diamonds, and thus, they are |
| This will alert them to the fact that you are | | | | worth less than a naturally clear diamond. A |
| experienced in jewelry sales and they will be less | | | | certificate will say whether a diamond has been |
| likely to try to take advantage of you. It is helpful | | | | laser drilled or not. |
| to do some preliminary research about the four | | | | 10. Be aware that the diamond you select and |
| C's of diamonds: cut, clarity, color, and carat. | | | | pay for is the actual diamond that you take |
| 4. If a product is presented to you as of | | | | home. Ask friends and family for the name of |
| extraordinary quality and low price, be aware that | | | | certain reputable jewelers. |
| you could be dealing with synthetic jewelry. When | | | | These ten tips should help you avoid the minor |
| you see heavily discounted jewelry for sale and it | | | | scams that many wholesale diamond dealers will |
| seems too good to be true, it usually is. You | | | | attempt. By keeping these things in mind, you will |
| never know, so it's better to be safe than sorry. | | | | be able to buy ideal white gold diamond |
| 5. Stick within your price range. Do not be | | | | engagement rings. |
| coerced into spending more than you intend, and | | | | |