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