| 1. I can't help myself but to keep on emphasizing | | | | price. The top online jewelry stores often have |
| this to anyone who wants to buy a diamond | | | | excellent search engine to save you the time and |
| online: LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT DIAMONDS! | | | | trouble of searching and comparing diamonds |
| Sorry, I don't mean to shout. But in reality, many | | | | prices. |
| people are still very ignorant about diamond, | | | | 4. Whether you are buying diamond offline or |
| believe it a not, there are jewelers who are | | | | online, being comfortable with the dealer is very |
| unable to differentiate a diamond cut from a | | | | important. If you found online jewelry stores or |
| diamond shape. Everyone is so hyped up about | | | | retail stores with great prices and feel tempted to |
| the carat weight and has totally forgotten about | | | | take out your card and start buying anything, cool |
| the other 3 characteristics of a diamond. | | | | down first. |
| Still unconvinced? Here's another great reason to | | | | If you have been doing researching, you would |
| start learning about diamonds. Remember this | | | | have come across information on cubic zirconium |
| saying: "Diamonds are women's best friend."? You | | | | diamonds. These synthetic diamonds are D-color |
| want to win your girl's heart with her 'best | | | | graded, flawless and cut to perfection. In short, a |
| friend's' help and yet you do not know anything | | | | CZ diamond is a 'perfect' diamond. It is brilliant, |
| about a diamond? You might even get yourself | | | | flawless and yet cheap. Their prices do not |
| scammed before you even present the stone to | | | | increase exponentially with their quality unlike |
| her. | | | | diamonds. |
| Anyway you aren't trying to get a qualification in | | | | There are also some natural diamonds which have |
| gemology, so it won't take you years or months | | | | undergone treatments to reduce its blemishes |
| to learn something about diamond. There are | | | | thus enhanced its appearance. It is still a low |
| plenty of articles and information on the 4C of a | | | | grade diamond but dishonest dealers may try to |
| diamond. Spend some useful time in the library or | | | | pass it off as a good graded diamond and sell you |
| internet and learn about diamonds. Who knows, | | | | at a higher price. |
| you may become an expert in diamonds. | | | | Before you start swiping your hard-earned |
| 2. Prioritize the 4 characteristics. There are much | | | | money away, do some research about the |
| more about diamonds than just the 4C. But at | | | | jeweler as well. Ask your family, relatives or |
| the end of the day, the 4Cs are still the major | | | | friend who have purchased from the dealer. Online |
| factors influencing the quality and price of a | | | | forum is a good place to ask around and there |
| diamond. | | | | are plenty of sites that review on jewelry store |
| Before you start prioritizing the 4Cs, you got to | | | | online. Give the jewelry store a visit or call their |
| know what your girl actually likes about a | | | | hotline, talk to their staffs and decide for yourself |
| diamond. If she like big one, go for a diamond with | | | | if you are comfortable with the store. |
| big carat weight but with poorer quality in terms | | | | 5. Always remember to ask for a money back |
| of color, cut or clarity. If she likes the brilliance of | | | | guarantee. Especially if you are intending to buy |
| a diamond and doesn't mind the size, choose one | | | | online, be doubly sure the store has the complete |
| with excellent cut and clarity. Whichever the case | | | | details about their return policy, which should |
| is, prioritizing the 4Cs will give you a better idea of | | | | include information about the validity period, what |
| what diamonds will suit her taste as well as your | | | | to do if you wish to return your purchase and |
| budget. | | | | their address. As a rule of thumb, online stores |
| 3. With your list, do some price research at the | | | | should offer you no less than 21 days return |
| jewelry retail stores. Based on your list, the | | | | policy. In fact, most of them have a return policy |
| dealers should be able to give you a rough | | | | of 30 days. |
| estimate on the market price. If the price is out | | | | 6. Remember to ask about the grading report as |
| of your budget, try to go for a grade lower than | | | | well. Certified diamond should come along with a |
| your expectation and you may eventually find | | | | grading report by reputable gemology |
| one that suits you well. | | | | organizations such as GIA or AGS. Some dealers |
| Another alternative is to purchase online jewelry | | | | certified their diamond by in-house gemologists |
| stores. Online jewelry stores make use of | | | | and they may be using different grading |
| technologies to cut down on expenses and hence | | | | standards from GIA or AGS. After you have |
| they are able to offer you much competitive | | | | purchase your diamond, get it appraised again |
| prices, about 30% lower than average US retail | | | | with the grading report by a trained gemologist. |