How to Buy a Diamond - The 4 Biggest Mistakes When Buying a Diamond - And How to Avoid Them

Being in the diamond business for over 25 yearsthe true value. Unless you are an expert you
has shown the buyers who make the worstreally don't know the true quality of a diamond,
decisions are those who don't know what theyunless it has a "certification". This is different than
are doing, or they learned just enough to bean appraisal which any jewelry store can print up.
"dangerous". Likewise, those who have someA certification is a diamond grading report created
basic understanding always make wiser decisionsby 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 commonthoroughly examined. There is no is no monetary
mistakes.value put on the report, just a description of the
1) Educationweight, clarity, color and cut (proportions and
The number 1 mistake people make when buyingquality of the cut) of the diamond. A certification
a diamond is not getting a basic education. Theyis what you want! But... not all certifications are
end up buying a diamond of less beauty and valueequal.
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 learndiamonds, 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 arestrict and reliable of all the certifications. GIA sets
doing can cost you dearly in dollars, quality, valuethe 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 bigThen there is EGL (European Gemological
way. You will end up with a diamond of far moreLaboratories), which is known to be much more
beauty and value... and appreciate your diamondlenient than GIA. If GIA grades a diamond as an H
more, especially when you notice that yourcolor, EGL will grade it as a G or F (higher). If GIA
diamond seems to have more spectacular firegrades 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. Mostdiamonds with EGL certifications because the
people pay far more for diamonds than theydiamond will seem to be higher quality making it a
should!better price.
There is far more to diamonds than just the 4You can compare 2 diamonds being offered for
C's but most web sites only give you a paragraphsale that supposedly have the same exact
or two on each and stop right there. Knowledge isweight, color, clarity and cut the only difference
power. Take the time to learn as much as youbeing that one has a GIA cert and the other has
can.an EGL cert. You will always notice that the EGL
2) False Advertisingdiamond 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 toquality. You will have no idea what the true grade
diamonds. Some of the ads are truly laughable toof that diamond is. To make matters worse,
those who understand diamonds. For instancethere are 10 EGL labs around the world and they
every city has a jewelry store who will run adsall grade to different standards, some A LOT
that sound like this. "Two carat diamond appraisedmore leniently than others!
for $38,000 on sale today for $5,000". This typeThe solution? Simple....When you are buying a
of ad is totally ridiculous. It reveals an appraisaldiamond, stay with a GIA certified diamond. Any
that is grossly inaccurate and inflated and a 2diamond can be sent to GIA for certification for a
carat diamond of extremely very low quality. Orrelatively 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 caratsthe diamond to GIA even if you offer. It will get a
"total weight" made up of small diamonds whichlower 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 oronly!
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". Manygood basic diamond education quickly and easily.
times, the ring was appraised at $6,000 notThe more you know, the better decisions you will
bought for $6,000 and a selling price of $4,500make.
really is no bargain at all. Appraisals are always4) 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 greatmost important part of any diamond. The cut
price are really "clarity enhanced" diamonds. Theserefers to how well a diamond is cut, not the
are extremely low clarity diamonds with largeshape of the diamond. The better the cut, the
inclusions that are filled with a silicon like substancemore 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 fillerintentionally cut too shallow or too deep in order
can come out leaving you with a diamond thatto finish the diamond as heavy (or large) as
looks like a shattered ice cube. My advice is topossible. 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 orbe noticeable by everyone. You want a
Craigslist because most people paid way toospectacular, attention grabbing, head turning
much for their diamonds and most of thesediamond with phenomenal fire. This is created by
diamonds are usually poorly cut diamonds givinga 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 Appraisalswith a diamond of less beauty and less value.
When it comes to diamonds, it's not just the sizeRemember, you will have your diamond for
(or weight) but the quality also that determinesmany, many years, maybe even generations.
the value. Just 1 or 2 grades difference in theLearning to be an intelligent diamond buyer is a
clarity, color or cut makes a huge difference insmart investment and will pay off in a big way!