DIAMOND BUYING QUESTION

QUESTION BUYING 1.02 CARAT, GHI COLOR, I1 CLARITY DIAMOND

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Richard Scott

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A Reader Writes in and Asks Me a…

QUESTION:

CATHY IN SANTA BARBARA, CA, WRITES:

My Question is about a White Gold Diamond Ring I want to Purchase. The Diamond is a 1.02 CT, Full-Cut Faceted, Color GHI, Clarity I1. The Ring Looks Nice but what may I be Missing?

ANSWER FOR CATHY:

Hi Cathy.

Good Question. There are actually lots of things you could be Missing. First off, I’m Quessing this is a Solitaire Diamond Ring, since you only described one Diamond. Which Leads me to these Points…

1) Is the Diamond Certified?

I normally wouldn’t Recommend Buying a Diamond that’s Not Certified! But then again, a lot of Jewelers won’t Certify an I1 Clarity Diamond. It’s in the Lowest Clarity Range (I1-I2-I3) and some will only Certify Stones SI or Higher.

If you do Buy an I1 Clarity, just know that you will be able to See Inclusions with the Naked Eye (No Jeweler’s Loupe or a Microscope needed). Some of the Inclusions could look like Black Pepper or even Cracks or Cloudy Spots. I would always Advise Buying a Diamond that’s SI Clarity if Price Allows.

2) Is the Diamond Loose or Mounted?

You should always Buy a Diamond that Size Loose First so you can Microscope it from Every Angle to Check for Chips or Inclusions Inside and Outside of the Diamond.

3) Three Color Grades?

If we are Talking about one Single Diamond then it wouldn’t have 3 Color Grades to it! If it actually Lists the Diamond as G-H-I like you Described, then Don’t Buy it. They’re Trying to pull a Fast One. 3 Color Grades like that mean it’s probably just an I Color! It may even have a Yellow Cast to it. If the Ring has more than one Diamond, then 3 Color Grades are Okay to have.

4) White Gold

White Gold is Fine as Long as you know that Eventually the White Gold will Turn a Yellowish Color and you’ll have to get it Replated with Rhodium again.

5) Compare Prices

How does their Price Compare to other local Jewelry stores? Is it Comparable? Don’t Worry about what the “List” Price is, just Worry about what the Bottom Line Price is. Compare Apples to Apples.

6) Do they have a Return Policy?

In other words, will they Allow you to Buy it, take it to another Jeweler to Verify the Quality, then Return it if it’s not what they say it is?

7) Get it Appraised

Make sure you get a Full Appraisal on the Ring Listing the Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. You’ll need these for Insurance Purposes.

8) ESP

Buy an Extended Service Plan (ESP) on the Mounting if you can. It could come in handy if you need to get it Resized, Retipped, Straightened, Polished or Cleaned. Service plans can Save you a Lot of Money.

9) Buy from a Reputable Jeweler

Are they listed with the BBB? Have they been in Business a long time? Ask around and see where other People Buy their Diamonds from. Do a Search Online and see if anybody has Written anything Bad about that Jeweler. You never know.

10) The Bottom Line

If the Price is Good, and you Microscoped the Diamond for any Flaws and Inclusions and are Fine with it, then Buy it. As long as you know the Exact Quality you’re Buying and are Happy with that Quality, then there’s No Reason why you Shouldn’t Enjoy it.

Hope this Helps

Hope you Enjoy the Site!

CATHY RESPONDS:

Thank you for all your Suggestions. It was Very Enlightening. That Particular Ring is from an Online Jewelry Store. I’m Disabled and do most of my Shopping Online. Is there an Online Store you could Recommend? I Would Appreciate any Assistance. I’m on a Fixed Income so need to be Very Careful How I Spend my Money.

Thank You, Cathy

REPLY:

Hi Cathy.

I would Recommend looking into a Couple of the Bigger Companies that are Well Known and Trusted. Like:

Big Name Brands like these have Great Policies and are Reputable! I would think you would be Safe Dealing with them. (I’m sure there are plenty more!) And you can always Call Local Jewelry Stores for Comparison Shopping. They may also be able to Sell you Items over the Phone and Mail it to you.

Good Luck!

Ask Your Question HERE!

I’ll do my Best to Answer it! :)

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Cheers! :)