| Few diamond shoppers can walk into a high-end | | | | the beauty or appearance of a diamond, they |
| jewelry store and buy a 5-carat, D color, | | | | only add to the expense. Get the lowest clarity |
| Internally Flawless diamond with Ideal cut | | | | grade you are comfortable with and save a lot of |
| parameters. If you are like most diamond | | | | money will no sacrifice in beauty. |
| shoppers, you have a limited budget. However, | | | | 5) The shape of the diamond can affect the |
| you still want to get the biggest and most | | | | millimeter size. Of course, you should always get |
| beautiful diamond within your budget. You can | | | | the diamond shape you like best but some shapes |
| take some simple steps that will ensure you get | | | | do look larger than other shapes. Ovals, marquises |
| the biggest diamond possible. | | | | and pear shaped diamonds generally look larger |
| 1) Diamonds have price per carat increases at the | | | | than round or square diamonds with the same |
| most popular carat weights (0.50, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, | | | | carat weight. |
| 2.00, etc.) because that is what shoppers request | | | | 6) Even diamonds with the same shape and carat |
| when they go into a jewelry store. Your dollars | | | | weight can be different sizes. The cut of the |
| can go further buying a diamond that has a carat | | | | diamond can influence the millimeter size. Shallower |
| weight just under those weights. For example, a | | | | diamonds tend to be bigger in length and width |
| diamond that weighs 0.90 carats can be the same | | | | than deeper diamonds. It is similar to two men |
| millimeter diameter as a diamond weighing 1.00 | | | | each weighing 200 pounds, where the smaller |
| carat but cost $1000 less. | | | | waistline probably results in a taller man. |
| 2) The price of diamonds is very sensitive to | | | | 7) The type of setting you select to hold your |
| color grade, yet most shoppers have a difficult | | | | diamond can influence the diamond's perceived |
| time seeing the difference between some of the | | | | size as well as affect the dollars you have to |
| color grades. If you buy the lowest color grade | | | | spend on the diamond. White gold settings cost |
| that looks beautiful to your eyes, the lower price | | | | about one-third of platinum settings, leaving more |
| per carat allows you to buy a bigger diamond with | | | | money for your diamond. Bezel set diamonds or |
| your dollars. The highest color grades (D, E, and F) | | | | diamonds with pave around the center stone can |
| are categorized as "colorless." The next color | | | | make the diamond appear bigger. |
| grades (G, H, I, and J) are "near colorless" and the | | | | 8) Perhaps the most important factor in getting |
| source of beautiful diamonds at much lower | | | | the biggest diamond for your dollars is where you |
| prices. | | | | purchase. The retail markup on diamonds can |
| 3) A ring with several smaller diamonds is less | | | | range from well under 10% with online retailers to |
| expensive than a single diamond with the same | | | | over 200% at high-end jewelry stores. Finding a |
| total carat weight. For example, three 0.50 carat | | | | retailer with very low overhead and low prices will |
| diamonds will cost a fraction of what a single | | | | ensure more of your dollars go for your diamond. |
| diamond weighing 1.50 carats. The same holds | | | | Why spend your money for polished marble |
| true for a 1.0-carat center stone with 0.25-carat | | | | floors, fancy display cabinets, and elaborate store |
| diamonds on each side. If you want a finger full of | | | | interiors, all things you cannot wear out of the |
| diamonds with a limited budget, consider several | | | | store? |
| diamonds rather than a solitaire. | | | | In the end, you want to go with the diamond that |
| 4) All diamonds have inclusions; the key is what | | | | excites you and makes you happy every time |
| you can see with your eye. Once a diamond is | | | | you wear it. That is the best indicator that you |
| clean to the eye (VS2 or good SI1 for brilliant cut | | | | have made the right decision and have the best |
| shapes), higher clarity grades have no impact on | | | | diamond for you. |