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 years hascolor or cut makes a huge difference in the true
shown the buyers who make the worst decisions arevalue. Unless you are an expert you really don't know
those who don't know what they are doing, or theythe 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 alwaysany jewelry store can print up. A certification is a
make wiser decisions getting much greater value fordiamond 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 commonset into jewelry) and thoroughly examined. There is
mistakes.no is no monetary value put on the report, just a
1) Educationdescription 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 endA certification is what you want! But... not all
up buying a diamond of less beauty and value thancertifications are equal.
they could have had for the same budget. With theLet's review the 2 most popular labs that certify
Internet it is relatively easy to learn about the basicsdiamonds, GIA and EGL. The fact is GIA (Gemological
of diamonds so you aren't completely in the dark. NotInstitute of America) is the most strict and reliable of
knowing what you are doing can cost you dearly inall 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 beautyGemological 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 seemsdiamond 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 valuegrade it as a VS2 (higher). Most jewelers and dealers
for your money. Most people pay far more forsell 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'sbetter price.
but most web sites only give you a paragraph orYou can compare 2 diamonds being offered for sale
two on each and stop right there. Knowledge isthat 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 Advertisinga GIA cert and the other has an EGL cert. You will
The old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, italways notice that the EGL diamond is a much lower
usually is" definitely holds true when it comes toprice. Is that one a better deal? NO, not at all. It
diamonds. Some of the ads are truly laughable toreally is a lower quality. You will have no idea what
those who understand diamonds. For instance everythe true grade of that diamond is. To make matters
city has a jewelry store who will run ads that soundworse, there are 10 EGL labs around the world and
like this. "Two carat diamond appraised for $38,000they all grade to different standards, some A LOT
on sale today for $5,000". This type of ad is totallymore leniently than others!
ridiculous. It reveals an appraisal that is grosslyThe solution? Simple....When you are buying a
inaccurate and inflated and a 2 carat diamond ofdiamond, stay with a GIA certified diamond. Any
extremely very low quality. Or you might see an addiamond can be sent to GIA for certification for a
for a 3 carat ring for $6000. This sounds great untilrelatively small fee. Many dealers will tell you that EGL
you find out it is 3 carats "total weight" made up ofis just as strict, but they will refuse to send the
small diamonds which are much less valuable than onediamond 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 orto 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". Manygood basic diamond education quickly and easily. The
times, the ring was appraised at $6,000 not boughtmore you know, the better decisions you will make.
for $6,000 and a selling price of $4,500 really is no4) The Cut
bargain at all. Appraisals are always considerablyThis is the least understood and absolutely the most
higher than true market value. Also, many diamondsimportant part of any diamond. The cut refers to
that look like they have a great price are reallyhow well a diamond is cut, not the shape of the
"clarity enhanced" diamonds. These are extremelydiamond. The better the cut, the more fire and
low clarity diamonds with large inclusions that are filledbrilliance the diamond will have and the more valuable
with a silicon like substance making them appearit will be. Most diamonds are intentionally cut too
cleaner. This is not good! They are never worth whatshallow or too deep in order to finish the diamond as
you pay and the filler can come out leaving you withheavy (or large) as possible. A diamond of perfect
a diamond that looks like a shattered ice cube. Myproportions 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 orwith phenomenal fire. This is created by a diamond
Craigslist because most people paid way too muchthat was cut to perfect proportions. Never sacrifice
for their diamonds and most of these diamonds arethe cut. If you do, you will end up with a diamond of
usually poorly cut diamonds giving you les brillianceless beauty and less value.
than you could have.Remember, you will have your diamond for many,
3) Certifications and Appraisalsmany years, maybe even generations. Learning to be
When it comes to diamonds, it's not just the size (oran intelligent diamond buyer is a smart investment
weight) but the quality also that determines theand will pay off in a big way!
value. Just 1 or 2 grades difference in the clarity,