| Buying loose diamonds is the only way seasoned | | | | a GIA rating of at least 'Good' in the cut or an |
| buyers go about getting their jewelry. The reason | | | | equivalent AGS rating. |
| for this is because loose diamonds are easy to | | | | With the color and clarity grades, a few |
| appraise and cost much lesser than when they | | | | grades above or below your choice will not result |
| are in a setting. This 'How to buy loose diamonds | | | | in any noticeable physical changes. However the |
| guide' will ensure that you are not taken | | | | changes in terms of cost will be significant. |
| advantaged of and that you get the best deal | | | | Therefore here is where you can make sacrifices |
| from your jeweler. | | | | to reduce costs or divert the savings to upgrade |
| Choosing a reputable jeweler | | | | the Cut rating. |
| Many unscrupulous diamond traders will attempt | | | | The last C is the Carat which is a metric |
| to pass on heat treated diamonds, laser drilled and | | | | system for measuring gemstones. Even minute |
| filled diamonds, synthetic diamonds as natural | | | | changes in the carat will affect costs considerably. |
| diamonds etc. The best way to avoid these is to | | | | Now, every time a carat jumps to a whole |
| find reputable jewelers. Any reputable jeweler will | | | | number for example a 0.95carat and a 1.0 carat, |
| be certified by GIA, ASG or similar bodies and | | | | the price jump is considerably higher. Therefore |
| affiliated to various diamond industry groups which | | | | buying loose diamonds just shy of a whole |
| monitor their standards. | | | | number can give considerable savings as well. |
| Arming yourself | | | | Return policy |
| Basics of the language of diamonds are not | | | | If you buy loose diamonds whose certification |
| difficult to grasp. Each diamond is graded in terms | | | | report do not match up to the appraiser report, |
| of the 4Cs. These are Cut, Color, Clarity and | | | | get it changed within the return policy period. Most |
| Carat. And each diamonds will come with a | | | | stores have about a 30 days return policy. |
| certification report (from GIA, AGS etc) grading | | | | Company policy |
| the diamond on these 4Cs. When you buy a | | | | We buy diamonds to express sentiments of love |
| diamond always have it appraised by an | | | | or commitment and do not want our investments |
| independent appraiser. Never use an in-house | | | | to ending up funding human rights abuse or |
| appraiser, an appraiser who sells diamonds or is | | | | maiming children. Therefore always ask the |
| affiliated to a vendor. | | | | jeweler if the diamonds are conflict free and ask |
| Smart ways to cut costs | | | | to see their company policy on blood diamonds. |
| There are several smart ways to reduce to cost | | | | Precautions in shipping |
| of buying diamonds with no discernable reduction | | | | If your purchase involves shipping, always check |
| in the quality. Here is where knowledge of the | | | | that the shipping package is not tampered before |
| 4Cs plays an important role in your decision | | | | signing for it. Jewelers or appraisers will have an |
| making process. | | | | insurance cover which expires as soon as you |
| With the first C (Cut) never compromise on | | | | sign it. Therefore if you suspect the package is |
| the quality of this. It is the cut which gives the | | | | tampered do not accept it and contact the |
| diamonds its allure, so always ensure that you get | | | | shipping company immediately. |