Buying a Diamond

Where Do I Begin? 

1Choose A Shape: One of the few times when your decision is simply a matter of what you like. The shape of your diamond should be all about you and what speaks to your emotions. Select a shape that's right for you, and have fun with it!

2Laboratory Certificate: Most people ask, What is a Laboratory Certificate and why are they so important? Most often they are confused with an insurance appraisal. While some of the information that is needed for an insurance appraisal is found on a laboratory certificate they are two completely different things.

3Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions or its ability to reflect light. Of the 4C’s, the cut is the aspect most directly influenced by man. The other three are dictated by nature. Quite often the cut of a diamond is confused with its shape.

4Color: The best color is no color. Diamonds allow light to be reflected and dispersed as a rainbow of color. The light dispersion has no effect on the technical grading of color. The absolute finest colorless stone carries a D rating, descending through the alphabet to Z.

5Clarity: Almost all diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks know as inclusions. To determine a diamond’s clarity an expert views it under powerful magnification. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer and more valuable the diamond.

6Carat-Weight: The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat is divided into 100 points. A diamond weighing one quarter of a carat can also be described as weighing 25 points or 0.25 carats. Most people compare carat weight to size.

7Cost: Which Came First: The Markdown Or The Markup
? If you’ve been looking for a diamond, you’ve probably been a bit confused by all the gimmicks and 50% OFF SALES. Today it seems almost every jeweler is offering huge discounts below retail. What is retail anyway?