1. Learn
as much as you can about diamonds - The easiest way is to
spend a few minutes reading our diamond tutorial and our ring
tutorial -- we feature the most comprehensive and unbiased treatment
of diamonds and rings available on the web, and we constantly update
it to reflect new trends and information. Learn about the 4 C's;
Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat Weight.
Clarity -
The first thing to look for when buying a diamond. The clarity of
a diamond is determined by the presence or absence of tiny natural
flaws or blemishes, known as inclusions. Most of these inclusions
are revealed by powerful magnification only. The fewer and smaller
the inclusions are, the higher the price of the diamond.
Color -
Diamonds come naturally in every color of the rainbow. It is the
colorless diamond that is most valued because it is the rarest of
all the varieties. Although increasing shades of yellow reduce the
value of a diamond, they do not necessarily reduce its beauty. If
a diamond is well cut, its refraction and dispersion of light will
often disguise he certain degrees of coloration.
Cut - The
cut refers to the rocks proportion rather than its shape. Diamond
shapes may come in round, oval, marquise, pear, heart and emerald.
The choice is largely a matter of personal preference.
Carat
weight - One Carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram (200mg) Don't confuse
the weight of a rock to it's size. What appears bigger may in fact
be lighter. If a diamond is cut for maximum yield in weight rather
than to achieve beauty, it would be less desirable.
2. Don't forget about
Internet jewelers - The Internet is quickly becoming a
popular way to purchase diamonds.
3. Ask questions!
- Members of the jewelry industry as well as other consumers
regularly monitor the industry. You will usually have several
answers back within a few hours from a wide variety of individuals
-- from industry experts, to fellow consumers.
4. Learn the price of
diamonds - Once you've narrowed down your selection and
you've selected a jeweler, the last remaining task is to negotiate
the best possible price. Just like you wouldn't purchase an
automobile without knowing its factory-invoice cost (from such
sources as Consumer Reports* or BlueBook*), you should not purchase
a diamond based solely on the jeweler's stated price.
5. Buy it! -
During this process, be sure to reference our negotiation tips.
