Obtaining a diamond is an important emotional and financial decision but it need not be daunting . We have provided four simple steps to give you a diamond-purchase experience that is as pleasurable and special as the item you acquired.

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1. Be certain you choose a trustworthy jeweler who is as competent as your lawyer, doctor or any other practitioner. Find out if the jeweler is an ally of jewelry trade groups and professionals like American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) or American Gem Society (AGS) and is educated by GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) or Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.). Clear description of the 4Cs of diamond quality and a comparison of several diamonds that fall into your  budget are among the tasks a capable jewelry seller will do.

2. Get a good grasp of the 4Cs of the diamond quality, it establishes the worth and cost of the diamond.

Carat

Carats is the unit used to calculate the weight of diamonds with one carat just about the weight of a paper clip, .2 grams. If a dollar has 100 pennies so a carat has 100 points; thus, a .50-carat diamond has 50 points. However, it doesn’t mean that two diamonds of same weight are of the same value; it would largely vary depending on their color, clarity and cut. One may expect that the larger the diamond, the more expensive it is; that is because carat weight may be the most shrewd of the 4Cs.

Clarity

Most stones have unique internal marks called inclusions and external spots called blemishes -  for the factor that they are produced from under the earth. Diamonds without these imperfections are unusual and consequently, has a higher purchasing value. The GIA Diamond System provides the diamond a clarity grade ranging from Flawless (F) to Included (I3).

Color

The most rare and highest valued diamonds are the colorless ones even though some are nearly colorless with brown or yellow tints. To signify colors, GIA Diamond Grading System uses letters from D (colorless) and ending in Z (light yellow or brown). Subtle differences in color has a significant impact on the pricing of the diamond no matter how invisible they may be for the untrained eye.

Cut

Cut has to do with the diamond’s proportion and array of facets although diamonds come in many styles such as round brilliants, marquises, hearts and pears. With light, the diamond cut generates brilliance, luminosity and sparks; and the stone’s beauty largely depends on that. Excellent to Poor, that is how GIA calculates the diamond’s cut. D to Z is the range of the cut quallity for standard round brilliants, as presented by GIA.

3. Ask for your diamond reports. Be adamant about your diamond’s grading report which will ensure the value, quality and authenticity of the item; this report is from GIA or any accredited independent gemological laboratory. In the jewelry industry, the most broadly used reports are those of GIA Diamond Grading Reports whose services and reports can be accessed directly by the public. GIA won’t work on mounted diamonds, it is best that a coordination be prepared with your jeweler so that diamonds will be presented to the lab properly. We recommend that you go and visit Diamond Ring Brands To read all about the different diamond brands.

4. Security of your purchase is essential. Appraise and insure the item before giving it to your fiance. Diamond grading and identification reports are very crucial, they are the basis from which the appraisers and insurers evaluate the quality and value of the diamonds.

The diamond’s unique Diamond Grading Report number can be laser-inscribed by the GIA Laboratory; this will make confirmation available just in case the stone gets lost or stolen. If preferred, personal messages can also be inscribed. For this service, make contact with GIA or your jeweler can guide you. I recommend that you go and visit Diamond Ring Brands For our full in-depth look at engagement ring settings and what it means to you.