Lots of people get nervous about buying a loose Diamond. People don't know what they're really looking at or looking for. They feel uncomfortable with looking at
scientific detailed information with tons of numbers, symbols and meaningless ratings.
Some people haven't used a Microscope since the 7th Grade! They're scared of looking stupid. They're scared of spending so much money on a small piece of rock they know nothing about. They feel it would be easy to get ripped off and they don't even know where to begin. Sound about right? Don't worry, thousands are in your shoes! Hence the purpose for me writing this blog!
I love Diamonds. I love showing Diamonds. I love talking about Diamonds. Just looking at them is a sheer joy. It's Mother Nature at her best. To help you cope with the tons of information thrown at you in a Jewelry Store, I've come up with the Top Ten Rules to follow when Purchasing Loose Diamonds. I call it the "Loose Diamond Buying Guide!" Whether you're buying a loose Diamond for an Engagement Ring, a Wedding Set, or even an Anniversary Band, it doesn't matter... it's all the same process!
I'll give you the Top Ten List, then I'll go through each topic piece by piece. Without further delay, here's the Top Ten Guidelines to Buying a Loose Diamond:
- Buy Certified
- 10X Magnification
- Understand Clarity
- Know your Color
- Choose a Carat Weight
- Learn about the Cut
- Watch Fluorescence
- Buy Laser Inscribed
- Buy Quality not Quantity!
- Don't be Fooled by Price!
1) Buy Certified! Make sure it's Certified! Above and beyond all else, DO NOT buy a Loose Diamond that's NOT Certified! Now I'm not talking about a Diamond Appraisal. Appraisals and Diamond Certificates are two totally different things. Jewelers always give Diamond Appraisals away for free with most Jewelry purchases. The thing to note here is that Appraisals are for Insurance purposes and Retail Value... While Certification is for Proof of Purchase, Peace of Mind and Guarantee! The Guarantee is a detailed independent opinion of what your Diamond really is!
I can't stress enough how important this first step really is. Your Diamond MUST be Certified! If not, the Jeweler could sell you anything, call it anything, and truly rip you off!!!
Certificates like the G.I.A. Diamond Certificate, do one thing and one thing really good; They remove the Jeweler's opinion all together from the equation. That's so important! They keep the Jeweler honest! Independent Certificate Companies like G.I.A. (Read Why G.I.A. is the Best!) grade the Diamonds and lists all the important detailed features that identify those Loose Diamonds. Things like: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Those 4 C's determine the price of your Diamond. They guarantee that the quality of the Diamond listed on the Certificate is really the quality of the Diamond you're buying.
I highly recommend G.I.A. (The Gemological Institute of America) They give the most accurate Diamond Certificates available. Buy G.I.A.!
2) Magnification! A lot of Jewelers want you to view your Loose Diamond with a Jeweler's Loupe. That's fine and dandy if you know how to properly hold a loupe and use a loupe. (Read How to Hold a Jeweler's Loupe) If you're not an expert, and not experienced with 10x Loupes, then forget it! It's not going to help you any. It'll only hurt! Instead use a Microscope. A 10x Powered Microscope is what professionals use to Certify and Grade Diamonds with.
So What do I find shocking about Microscopes? Read on...
