”Diamonds are forever” is perhaps the most famous phrase of any marketing scheme. Buying a piece of diamond jewelry is typically a reserve action for defining moments in life, such as engagements and weddings. As a result, Purchasing your first diamond jewelry can bring fear of fakes and rip-offs that are synonymous with the process of buying diamonds.
In this article, we’ll cover the primary measures, tips, and what to look for during the process of purchasing your first diamond.
Please follow these steps to the core.
Step 1
- Identify reputable Diamond retailer
- Ask for source certification (Kimberly certificate)
Ask for Source Certification
In 2003, United Nations General Assembly Resolution created the Kimberly process certification for the diamond trade worldwide. This certificate ensures the diamond trade industry does not finance conflicts in source countries. The resolution responded to evidence showing rebels using the diamond trade funds for their armed conflicts in source countries.
If you don’t want to contribute to a random human live-costing conflict somewhere in the world, ensure the diamond you purchase has a valid Kimberly process certification.
Step 2
- Inquire about the 4Cs
The 4 Cs
- Cut
- Clarity
- Color
- Carat
Understanding the 4Cs
The 4 Cs are an industry-standard quality measurement that determines the price of a diamond. But they only apply to processed diamonds for jewelry. The 4cs is the invention by the founder of the Gemological Institute of America around the 1940s in the USA.
Cut
- This part of the processed gem is responsible for the sparkling ability of a diamond gemstone. A correct cut of a diamond enhances how light goes through the facest of the diamond. It is what creates colors that mesmerize people when they look at a piece of a diamond.
Measuring the Cut follows a grading system, and this system examines the symmetry of the facets of the diamond.
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Poor
Excellent cut grade is the most desired level of symmetry that you should look at having for your diamond.
Clarity
This measurement is perhaps a critical feature of the quality of the overall diamond gemstone. It will define its price tag and, most importantly, how sparkling color jewel it will become.
Clarity measurement is about the inclusions of the diamond, and these inclusions can be minute or significant. The term that refers to it in the industry is ”eye-clean” when there is no involvement of magnifying equipment.
Clarity uses a measurement of the following industry standard grading system;
IF
VVS1, VVS2
VS1, VS2
IS1, IS2
I1, I2, I3
The above grading system refers to the level or amount of inclusion that is in the diamond. And whether they are visible to the naked eye or with a 10x magnifying tool.
IF or Internally flawless is the highest grade of diamond’s clarity. It also significantly raises the price tag of diamonds along with other vital qualities.
IF means there are no visible inclusions with the use of a 10x magnifying tool. In comparison, VVS1 and VVS2 indicate very, very slight inclusion that is extremely difficult to notice by a skilled grader.
VS1 and VS2 are visible under 10x magnification with some effort by a professional grader. And on the lower grades of I1, I2, and I3, they are easily located with 10x magnification.
You should go for a top grade for a consumer because they’ll give you the best quality. But, their prices will demand deep pockets.
Color
Color grading is as vital as other measures for a diamond and its appeal to the end consumers. Colorless is the most desired grade of the diamond.
The standard color grades are the following;
Colorless:
- D. E. F.
Near Colorless:
- G. H. I. J.
The above grades are the best that represent a colorless definition for a diamond. Below (J) means a diamond increases color with each grade that goes down until Z.
Carat
Here, the weight of your diamond comes to play, and it will undoubtedly affect the price tag of your chosen piece of diamond.
The bigger the size of a diamond, the pricier it gets to cost you to buy a diamond. Below 1-carat weight sizes are widely available in markets worldwide.
What is a good size?
A good size for an ideal ring should be between 0.5 to 0.9 carat to be precisely in a sweet spot. It is an average to consider in terms of value for money and an excellent noticeable size.
You should note that diamond sizes with all top-notch qualities above 2 carats are very valuable and rare.
Step 3
- Ask for Gemology lab report
- Using visual observation with assistance from the salesperson, Cross-check the diamond with the lab report.
Gemology Lab Report
One thing you can not gamble with is the authenticity of your first diamond. A certificate of authenticity will help you gain confidence in your purchase. Furthermore, a reputable certification shows precisely the truth about the diamond gem that you are paying for.
Before you buy, thoroughly evaluate the
Some of the best laboratories that certify diamonds are;
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- International Gemological Institute (IGI)
- American International GemLab
- Gems and Jewelry Institute of Thailand
- Swiss Gemmological Institute
- Gubelin Gem Lab
The price tag
How much should you part with when buying a piece of a diamond? As we’ve mentioned above, prices have factors that influence, and they include; the 4Cs quality, supply, and demand of the market.
If you intend to spend huge chunks, make sure the quality of the 4Cs is on the upper side of the ladder. Always seek a professional salesperson to explain the Laboratory report of the 4Cs indicated in your diamond report.