| Buying a diamond engagement ring can be a | | | | of knowledge. I would suggest you avoid the |
| risky business! For most of us an engagement | | | | Jewelry districts, simply because the |
| ring is the third most expensive purchase we | | | | competition is so fierce that it breeds |
| are likely to make, after our home and car. | | | | questionable practices and half truths |
| However I can guarantee you know much more | | | | amongst the occupants. |
| about buying a house, or a car than you do | | | | |
| about buying a diamond ring! This lack of | | | | Never buy a diamond without a certificate - |
| knowledge opens up the opportunity for | | | | Without a certificate you could quite easily |
| dishonest people to take advantage of you. | | | | buy a piece of glass set into an engagement |
| | | | ring setting and be non the wiser, but up to |
| This generally takes the form of selling you | | | | $5000 poorer. However a certificate alone |
| a poor quality diamond ring for a higly | | | | does not guarantee a better deal, you need to |
| inflated price. | | | | be proficient in understanding exactly what |
| | | | it is telling you, and how each factor that |
| How can you avoid the pitfalls? | | | | is covered affects the price and quality of |
| | | | the ring. |
| There are some basic precautions you can | | | | |
| take, which will significantly reduce the | | | | Understand the 4 C's of diamonds - Most |
| risk. Some of these include: | | | | people know something about the 4 C's of |
| | | | diamond buying including, Cut, Clarity, Carat |
| Get Educated - Research the subject of buying | | | | and Color. However very few people know how |
| diamonds, in exactly the same way you would | | | | to each of the 4 factors interact to |
| if you were buying a car. There is no | | | | determine the price and quality of a diamond. |
| substituted for this, and if you are willing | | | | |
| to make the effort you can have more | | | | If you follow this advice you significantly |
| knowledge of the subject in 2 hours, than 95% | | | | reduce your chance of being fleeced by a |
| of your fellow consumers. | | | | dishonest salesman. Treat your purchase as a |
| | | | significant financial purchase. Set your |
| Buy from a reputable source - Whether you | | | | budget up-front and do not go too much above |
| decide to make your purchase online or at a | | | | or below the price you've set yourself. Try |
| Jewelry store, make sure you have some | | | | not to get to emotionally involved in the |
| background on the store. Visit the store and | | | | purchase and the outcome should be favorable. |
| ask the salesman questions to gauge his level | | | | |