Buying a diamond? Read this First! 

Let us be your Guide !

1.) Cut A traditional round diamond is cut with 57 facets. The cut of the diamond is considered the most important thing when buying a diamond. For the sparkle! Did you know up to 80% of all diamonds are cut too deep? A diamond is one of the few things on earth that if it's cut poorly you could pay more! How is this possible? Because a diamond is sold by weight, not by size. So a deep-cut diamond could look like a 3/4th carat but weigh the same as a 1 carat. A properly cut 1-carat diamond has a millimeter spread of 6.5 mm. With a national average cost of $7,000. A proper cut 3/4 carat diamond has a millimeter spread of 6.0mm. With a national average cost of $3,500. If the spread on a diamond is 6.2mm and it has a weight of 1-carat it’s cut too deep. It should weigh approximately 85 points. But if it’s a 1 carat, you’re paying the 1-carat price point. Many times people think they can cover this problem by getting an ideal cut diamond. On average, an ideal cut costs 10 to 15% more than a standard cut. But here's the problem. Each angle on the cut, even an ideal cut, has a range. That’s how a diamond can be cut deep and still fall in the Ideal range. Now you’re getting charged even more for an ideal cut and it still doesn't have a proper millimeter spread. Also, an ideal cut doesn't guarantee the best sparkle. This is why comparing loose diamonds side by side is best. If that’s not possible, then look at the millimeter spread on the certificate. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) are preferred certificates in the industry and are accepted by all major insurance companies. Lastly, focus on what you can see.

 

2.) Color

The color scale used to be A, B, and C. When the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established itself, it didn't want to confuse people with the old grading so it started with the color D. It’s best to focus on what you can see.

The whiter the color the more true the reflection of all the colors of the spectrum the diamond will reflect. So, buy the best color you can afford. I recommend not going below an I color. Although, there are some instances that a nice J color can face up very nicely. I try to stick to colors F - H for our store.

A few words of caution:
On an accredited certification make sure under “Notes” there is no tint or color of brown. Brown is not supposed to be on the color scale. If it is the price should be much lower because the diamond miners and cutters used to grind up brown diamonds for commercial use in tools equipment and parts. Making these diamonds extremely inexpensive. So if the diamond has a slight undertone of brown some sellers will try to slip it by and give you a
special price of 10% to 20% discount when in fact they may have purchased it for up to a 90% discount. So you’re not getting any deal.

Fluorescence is also something to be aware of. There are good and bad things about Fluorescence. The good is it's an identifying characteristic. When under a black light the diamond will illuminate, identifying the Fluorescence. Another good note is that in natural sunlight the diamond with Fluorescence can appear to be one color grade better than the grade it was given. The bad is Fluorescence can cause a diamond to look cloudy. As bad as failed Plexiglas. Slight Fluorescence can cause the diamond to not have the overwhelming zip or flash you can get from a diamond with no Fluorescence. But if your not sure if that zip could be better, be sure you compare a diamond with Fluorescence to one without it. Or be safe and just stay away from it altogether. The bottom line is if a diamond has Fluorescence the price should be less because they cost less to the dealer.

3.) Clarity

The clarity chart is a magnificent thing. Here it is.
People assume you have to focus on clarity when buying a diamond. But what they don’t know is that you can't see most clarity. Remember I said, focus on what you can see. IF - If Internally flawless is flawless to the naked so are VVS2, VS, and most SI diamonds.

If you want to buy a clean diamond, an SI2 is fine under most circumstances. If you’re hung up on getting a super clean diamond you can do that with a VS2. With every clarity grade you go up, the price goes up along with it. My advice when buying a diamond is to have clarity last on your list and remember, SI2 or better is flawless to the naked eye.

4.) Carat Weight

Determine the size of the diamond you want to buy.

Under most circumstances when showing diamonds with the person receiving this diamond they almost always pick the largest one when comparing sizes. They don't care what the clarity is they want it to sparkle and the bigger the better. With that in mind, if you set a budget and after you have decided on the diamond’s characteristics, you'll find there is still money on the table you can't go wrong with getting a larger diamond.