Even though I answered this in a recent
Question and Answer sent in by Sarah (Read:
Diamond Clarity Question!) I thought I would delve a little deeper into the subject because it's a great topic and it's one that provokes many questions and concerns about Jeweler Ethics and Diamond Fraud.
Should an expensive Engagement Ring be sold with a Cracked or Chipped Diamond in it?
If you spend $2000 or more for a Diamond Ring, should it have eye-visible flaws in it or Chips on the side of the Girdle? It's a great question.
Surely a $6000 Diamond SHOULD NOT have big black spots... right? That's absurd to think about, but the truth is, that's what most people think.
Money = Perfection
Most think that if you spend a lot of money for a Diamond then that Diamond better be perfect! I mean, 3 months salary is a ton of money and you shouldn't get it home only to discover a crack hidden underneath the prong. (Which is actually the mark of a good Jeweler!) Is this fraud? Nope! Not in the least!
People that think expensive brand new Diamonds should be perfect, know little about Diamonds and deserve a quick training about price and clarity!
Yep, that's right, before you point the finger at the Jeweler that sold you that ring and cry "Thief", look in the mirror and ask yourself "Do you really know what you bought?" "Do you understand what Clarity is?" "Did you learn all about Quality and how it affects the price of a Diamond?" Chances are: NO!
A lot of things make up the Price
Because the price of a Diamond is a combination of a lot of things. Things like: Color, Cut, Carat Weight and Clarity. (Called the 4 C's!) The 4 C's determine what the price of a Diamond will be. Which means, a $2000 Diamond CAN have huge Cracks, Black Spots, Nicks, Clouds, Eye-Visible Flaws and Big Inclusions. Yes, it most certainly can. In fact, a $6000 Diamond can as well. Even a $100,000,000 Diamond can!
The Diamond you bought could be large and expensive. The Color could be Pure White. The Cut could be perfect as well... But what about the Clarity? Chips, Cracks, Flaws and Blemishes are all listed under Clarity!
You have to look at everything. The big picture. Unless you truly consider all that makes up the price of a Diamond, you can never really determine its value and whether or not you were "taken".
The biggest concern is Clarity
Clarity just happens to be the biggest concern to many because it's the one category that people can see with their naked eye. If it's got a huge nick in the side of it, you can not only see it, but feel it with your fingernail.
A lot of people don't notice these in the store. They are excited and happy about buying a Diamond Ring. They only stop to look closer at the Diamond later and that's when they start seeing things.
Trust me, those flaws were always there. Black Spots stand out like a sore thumb. Once you see these, you can't stop staring at them. They don't magically grow and become visible after you buy it. They were always there, you just didn't look at the Diamond good enough. Not a good lesson to learn!
If your Diamond was sold as an SI2, (or even SI3) I1, I2 or I3, then you WILL be able to see eye-visible inclusions. That's almost a guarantee! That's what lower Clarity Diamonds bring you... Flaws that you can see even without a Jeweler's Loupe. (10k Magnification)
Move up the Clarity Chart
Unless you move up the Clarity Chart to an SI1 grade or higher (VS, VVS or Flawless) you are going to get flaws. Sometimes a lot of them. It's a fact! It doesn't matter how much you spend, or how big the Carat Weight is, (By the way, Inclusions are easier to see in larger Diamonds) if you buy a Clarity that's not great, you're buying Flaws, Cracks, Nicks, Chips, Pepper and Clouds!
It's not "You get what you pay for" it's "You get what Clarity you paid for!" Big difference!
So don't think "I spent $3000 on a Diamond Ring and the Jeweler gave me a Cracked Diamond" Think: "I spent $3000 on a Diamond with a low Clarity. I should have bought a better Clarity!" That's the real issue!
Take the time to Learn
It's all because you didn't take the time enough to learn about Clarity. Learn what I Clarity means. Learn that you can still see Inclusions in SI2 Diamonds. (With the naked eye!) Learn how to buy a loose Diamond. Protect yourself! Buy G.I.A. Certified!
Study the 4 C's
Know what you're dealing with. Read all about the 4C's. Learn about Color, Cut, Carat Weight and Clarity. Don't buy the Diamond without looking at it under a microscope. Don't buy bad quality then point your finger at the Jeweler. It's not their fault. Stop and take the time to educate yourself.
If you're buying a Diamond, then try to get a Clarity of at least SI1 or higher.
Get a Color of G-H or higher as well. Don't let horrible flaws stand in your way of owning a beautiful Diamond ring. Study up!
Protect yourself
The best way to protect yourself from buying a Diamond with a crack in it is to look at the Diamond (Always buy loose, not mounted Diamonds) under a scope first, identify the Diamond's Flaws, Cracks and Chips, and make a decision based upon that quality.
Learn to say "NO" before you make that expensive purchase!
Shop smart!
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