Tips for Shoppers

Before you buy a diamond, a basic knowledge of diamonds is essential, both for the selection of a genuine, quality stone and four your own personal satisfaction with the gem of your choice. For this purpose, an understanding of the “4 Cs,” a diamond’s Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight, is indispensable.
Moreover, anyone who is planning on buying a diamond should have a basic familiarity with the vernacular of the diamond trade and the many factors that go into diamond grading. For more information see our Diamond Grading Lexicon.

While large stones are appealing, this should not distract you from the diamond’s other main features: The gem’s color and clarity, the quality of its cut, polish and proportions and its ability to “catch the light” are ultimately as important as its size and carat weight, both for choosing a diamond that suits your personal taste and for assessing its value.

Carat weight is divided into 100 points per carat. While a 1.00 carat diamond appears to be identical with a 0.99 carat diamond (in terms of its size), the difference in price is much more substantial than the small weight difference might indicate.
Likewise, the value of a 0.50 carat diamond is much greater than a 0.49 carat gem. You can save a considerable amount of money by avoiding the “round numbers,” i.e. all carat weight that falls just under round figures such as 1.99 carat and in larger stones the entire 4 carat category.

A diamond with a VS1 or VS2 clarity grade indicates that its inclusions can only be seen under a 10X magnifying glass. The VVS1/ VVS2, (a grade higher than VS1/ VS2) comes with a considerable increase in the cost and a small difference in noticeable clarity only when viewed through a microscope.

Blue fluorescence often adds value to diamonds with lower color grading as it gives them a whiter and brighter appearance. (Such diamonds were once upon a time called blue-white diamonds). However, beware: strong fluorescence in diamonds with a higher color grading can give the stone a milky white appearance and hence lower its value.
The noticeability of fluorescence is a key factor. Barely perceptible fluorescence has minimal impact on a diamond’s brilliance – or its cost.

The color of a stone is one of the most important factors to consider before buying a diamond. This can be of greater importance to you than its “clarity,” since inclusions (flaws) are usually not visible to the naked eye.
Once you buy a diamond you will enjoy looking at it at your leisure, not through a lens.

The quality and value of a diamond are certainly important considerations for diamond shoppers. But ultimately the most important question should be: Do you like the diamond?
Does it suit your personal taste and the jewelry setting for which it is intended? The diamond you see with your own eyes is what really counts – no one is going to check your diamond with a magnifying glass while you’re wearing it!