| Being in the diamond business for over 25 years | | | | the true value. Unless you are an expert you |
| has shown the buyers who make the worst | | | | really don't know the true quality of a diamond, |
| decisions are those who don't know what they | | | | unless it has a "certification". This is different than |
| are doing, or they learned just enough to be | | | | an appraisal which any jewelry store can print up. |
| "dangerous". Likewise, those who have some | | | | A certification is a diamond grading report created |
| basic understanding always make wiser decisions | | | | by a gemological laboratory. The diamond is sent |
| getting much greater value for their money. | | | | to the lab loose (not set into jewelry) and |
| The following is a list of the 4 most common | | | | thoroughly examined. There is no is no monetary |
| mistakes. | | | | value put on the report, just a description of the |
| 1) Education | | | | weight, clarity, color and cut (proportions and |
| The number 1 mistake people make when buying | | | | quality of the cut) of the diamond. A certification |
| a diamond is not getting a basic education. They | | | | is what you want! But... not all certifications are |
| end up buying a diamond of less beauty and value | | | | equal. |
| than they could have had for the same budget. | | | | Let's review the 2 most popular labs that certify |
| With the Internet it is relatively easy to learn | | | | diamonds, GIA and EGL. The fact is GIA |
| about the basics of diamonds so you aren't | | | | (Gemological Institute of America) is the most |
| completely in the dark. Not knowing what you are | | | | strict and reliable of all the certifications. GIA sets |
| doing can cost you dearly in dollars, quality, value | | | | the standard in the industry and is the most |
| and beauty. | | | | authoritative and desired certification to have. |
| Learning what you are doing will pay off in a big | | | | Then there is EGL (European Gemological |
| way. You will end up with a diamond of far more | | | | Laboratories), which is known to be much more |
| beauty and value... and appreciate your diamond | | | | lenient than GIA. If GIA grades a diamond as an H |
| more, especially when you notice that your | | | | color, EGL will grade it as a G or F (higher). If GIA |
| diamond seems to have more spectacular fire | | | | grades the clarity as an SI1, EGL will grade it as a |
| and brilliance than most other people's diamonds. | | | | VS2 (higher). Most jewelers and dealers sell |
| You will also get true value for your money. Most | | | | diamonds with EGL certifications because the |
| people pay far more for diamonds than they | | | | diamond will seem to be higher quality making it a |
| should! | | | | better price. |
| There is far more to diamonds than just the 4 | | | | You can compare 2 diamonds being offered for |
| C's but most web sites only give you a paragraph | | | | sale that supposedly have the same exact |
| or two on each and stop right there. Knowledge is | | | | weight, color, clarity and cut the only difference |
| power. Take the time to learn as much as you | | | | being that one has a GIA cert and the other has |
| can. | | | | an EGL cert. You will always notice that the EGL |
| 2) False Advertising | | | | diamond is a much lower price. Is that one a |
| The old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, | | | | better deal? NO, not at all. It really is a lower |
| it usually is" definitely holds true when it comes to | | | | quality. You will have no idea what the true grade |
| diamonds. Some of the ads are truly laughable to | | | | of that diamond is. To make matters worse, |
| those who understand diamonds. For instance | | | | there are 10 EGL labs around the world and they |
| every city has a jewelry store who will run ads | | | | all grade to different standards, some A LOT |
| that sound like this. "Two carat diamond appraised | | | | more leniently than others! |
| for $38,000 on sale today for $5,000". This type | | | | The solution? Simple....When you are buying a |
| of ad is totally ridiculous. It reveals an appraisal | | | | diamond, stay with a GIA certified diamond. Any |
| that is grossly inaccurate and inflated and a 2 | | | | diamond can be sent to GIA for certification for a |
| carat diamond of extremely very low quality. Or | | | | relatively small fee. Many dealers will tell you that |
| you might see an ad for a 3 carat ring for $6000. | | | | EGL is just as strict, but they will refuse to send |
| This sounds great until you find out it is 3 carats | | | | the diamond to GIA even if you offer. It will get a |
| "total weight" made up of small diamonds which | | | | lower grading. The main way to protect your |
| are much less valuable than one large diamond. | | | | investment is to stay with GIA certified diamonds |
| Many people try to find a bargain on eBay or | | | | only! |
| Craigslist. Many ads will look like this: "Diamond ring, | | | | There are a few sites where you can get a very |
| paid $6,000 will sacrifice, selling for $4,500". Many | | | | good basic diamond education quickly and easily. |
| times, the ring was appraised at $6,000 not | | | | The more you know, the better decisions you will |
| bought for $6,000 and a selling price of $4,500 | | | | make. |
| really is no bargain at all. Appraisals are always | | | | 4) The Cut |
| considerably higher than true market value. Also, | | | | This is the least understood and absolutely the |
| many diamonds that look like they have a great | | | | most important part of any diamond. The cut |
| price are really "clarity enhanced" diamonds. These | | | | refers to how well a diamond is cut, not the |
| are extremely low clarity diamonds with large | | | | shape of the diamond. The better the cut, the |
| inclusions that are filled with a silicon like substance | | | | more fire and brilliance the diamond will have and |
| making them appear cleaner. This is not good! | | | | the more valuable it will be. Most diamonds are |
| They are never worth what you pay and the filler | | | | intentionally cut too shallow or too deep in order |
| can come out leaving you with a diamond that | | | | to finish the diamond as heavy (or large) as |
| looks like a shattered ice cube. My advice is to | | | | possible. A diamond of perfect proportions will |
| never, ever buy a "clarity enhanced" diamond. | | | | have the greatest fire and brilliance by far and will |
| It is very difficult to find a bargain on eBay or | | | | be noticeable by everyone. You want a |
| Craigslist because most people paid way too | | | | spectacular, attention grabbing, head turning |
| much for their diamonds and most of these | | | | diamond with phenomenal fire. This is created by |
| diamonds are usually poorly cut diamonds giving | | | | a diamond that was cut to perfect proportions. |
| you les brilliance than you could have. | | | | Never sacrifice the cut. If you do, you will end up |
| 3) Certifications and Appraisals | | | | with a diamond of less beauty and less value. |
| When it comes to diamonds, it's not just the size | | | | Remember, you will have your diamond for |
| (or weight) but the quality also that determines | | | | many, many years, maybe even generations. |
| the value. Just 1 or 2 grades difference in the | | | | Learning to be an intelligent diamond buyer is a |
| clarity, color or cut makes a huge difference in | | | | smart investment and will pay off in a big way! |