Before Buying a Diamond: 9 Tips You Should Know
You're probably new to buying a diamond, so it can be confusing if you're looking for an engagement ring. These are nine things you need to know before purchasing a diamond.
#1: Make a compromise carefully
Diamonds are costly. However, diamonds can be more expensive than first-time buyers realize. Before you buy a diamond, make sure to review your financial situation and establish a budget. Take a look at prices to determine what you can afford.
You might end up with sticker shock if you are not happy with the price of the diamond you want.
But, compromise doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy a cheap diamond. There aren't any good deals on diamonds . Fair deals exist, but it's possible for a diamond to be priced higher than the rest.
A lower carat weight will result in a better diamond than one that is "good value" compared to similar-weight diamonds. If you are willing to compromise on quality, you can still get the ring that you want.
#2: Look at Other Options Before You Buy a Mined Diamond
Many options to mined diamonds are available that make great engagement rings. lab-made diamonds are increasingly popular. These diamonds are as beautiful and durable as mined diamonds but cost 30% less Checkout Luxuria.
Get this Ring at James Allen A three-stone platinum engagement band from James Allen featuring a lab-created center diamond, 1.20 CTS. F color, VS1 clarity. Ideal round cut.
While diamonds are the "traditional" engagement rings, colored gemstones can be worn every day and are beautiful on their own. While the most common ring stones are ruby, sapphire, and emerald, gems such as morganite, aquamarine, and diamond are also popular.
A 14k gold white gold engagement ring featuring a sapphire centre stone and two side diamonds. Photo by Liveauctioneers.com, Hampton Estate Auction.
#3: When you're buying a diamond, cut quality is key
A grading report should accompany a diamond. This report should be from a reputable laboratory. The report will have many details. However, the best way to determine a stone's quality and cut is to review the four Cs. You will still need to inspect the diamond carefully, but these grades will give you an indication of the diamond’s quality.
The cut is the most important C for a diamond. Color and clarity imperfections will be less obvious if a diamond is well-cut. A well-cut diamond will appear brighter than its carat weight.
When you are diamond shopping, make sure to set high standards for cut quality.
#4: Diamonds come in many shapes
While most people prefer round diamonds to other shapes, there are many shapes that can be used. Some shapes that are not as common will make you stand out from the rest. These are also cheaper than round diamonds.
These non-round shapes often appear larger than round rounds of the same weight. They have an elongated or diagonal shape that makes them appear larger.
Get this Ring at James Allen A 14k Yellow Gold solitaire engagement ring with a 1.60cts diamond, J color, and VS2 clarity from James Allen
The square princess cut is second in popularity after the round. The square princess cut is also very popular. Our shape-specific guides are available if you are interested in a different shape than the round.
Princess * Cushion * Oval* Emerald * Pear* Asscher * Marquise* Radiant * Trillion* Heart * Old European Cut
#5: Carats Have a Greater Impact on Price Than Appearance
The Carat Weight can have a significant impact on diamond pricing. This is because the prices of diamonds per-carat rise at certain benchmark sizes, or "magic numbers", such as 0.50 cts and 1.50 cts.
Let's assume that a 0.50-ct. diamond of a certain quality costs $3,000. The stone will cost $1,800. A full-carat of diamond of the same quality would be $3,600. This diamond would be $7,000. At the one-carat benchmark price, it has a price per carat of $7,000 so it would actually cost $7,000.
As the carat weight of diamonds increases, prices rise exponentially. A 2-ct diamond this size would cost $27,000 and not $14,000. It also has a price per carat of $13,500
The face-up area of a diamond does not increase in the same manner. A half-carat of diamonds has a face area that is greater than a one-carat. A lower carat weight can have a greater impact on the price than on its appearance.
#6: Keep Clarity and Color Simple
clarity and color both have grading scales. We recommend that you think of these properties as "good" or not good. For color, the diamond will either appear colorless, or it will. The clarity of the diamond is either it will look flawless to the eye, or not.
This approach will ensure that you don't have to pay excessively for colors or clarity grades your eyes can't see. If you cannot tell the difference between D-color and H, there is no reason to spend more on a D-color diamond. Most SI1 diamonds will look flawless.
These two James Allen diamonds weigh 1.30cts. They have great round cuts. The one has D colour and F clarity, and it costs $19290. The other is H in color and SI1 clarity, and it costs $7440. These stones can be distinguished based on their colors. You can see that the SI1 stone is light-colored with 20X magnification. The stone will look clean if you zoom in using the James Allen site's magnification tools.
#7: Take into consideration the Ring Style
Many people are more concerned about the center diamond when shopping for engagement rings. While the importance of the center diamond is not in dispute, it can make a huge difference in how you feel about your ring. Your diamond's appearance will also be affected by the ring. Every aspect of the setting, including the metal color (white or yellow) will have an impact on your diamond's appearance.
Consider what type of setting you prefer. Do you want something simple, elegant, or somewhere in between? A band with diamonds is a popular choice. Some prefer a simple setting with a halo. Traditionalists and minimalists may prefer a solitaire setting. Others might prefer a design with more sparkle.
Choose the design that makes you and your partner happy. Check out our detailed guide to setting up engagement rings, or browse online to see all the styles at James Allen.
#8: Research is key before you buy a diamond
It is always a good idea to do your research before buying anything. You want to make sure that the ring you are buying will look great and that it is not too expensive for quality you won't notice.
There are many factors that influence the quality of diamonds. You can't become an expert in diamond quality without years of training. You don't need to be an expert in order to see what looks good. You're bound to find a beautiful diamond if you comply with our recommendations .
#9: Always, Always See Before You Buy
First-time buyers of diamonds should find one that looks great. You won't be able to tell if the diamond is a good buy or not unless you see it perform. It is crucial to know where your diamond was purchased.
You can easily examine the stone if you shop at a brick and mortar jewelry store. The jeweler should show you the diamond in the intended setting and from various angles.
You must still see the diamond before you purchase online. James Allen as well as Blue Nile offer video of their diamonds, and online magnification tools. They have a wide range of diamonds to choose from and prices that will suit any budget.
Another option is to go custom. CustomMade, an online custom jeweler, specializes in making engagement rings that fit your personal style. Their experts will ensure that you get the highest quality diamond possible.