How to Buy a Diamond

How to choose the perfect engagement ring & wedding ring

There are several things you need to know when buying a diamond. We will start with the technical stuff and move on from there.

The Four C’s

You will often hear people talk about the Four C’s of a diamond. The four C’s are Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. It is these four factors that will determine the value and therefore the price of a diamond.

Cut

It is the cut that enables a diamond to make the best use of light and gives a diamond its brilliance.

• When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and the light disperses through the top of the diamond, giving it the most brilliance.
• If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.
• Many people refer to a diamond that is cut too shallow as “spready” because it appears to be larger than another diamond of the same weight with a more ideal cut. But, be careful. If a diamond is cut too shallow, while it may appear larger from the top, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected and the diamond loses a lot of its brilliance.

Carat Weight

Carat-weight is the standard measurement for size. One carat is equal to .20 gram and is made up of 100 “points”. Diamonds of the same diameter may vary in actual carat weight depending on variations in their cut.

Clarity

The number, size, and location of internal characteristics called inclusions, which naturally occur in the diamond, determine clarity. Fewer, smaller inclusions make a diamond rarer and therefore more valuable.

Color

The best color is no color at all. Yet most diamonds, though appearing colorless, actually have faint hints of yellow, brown, or gray.

Other Considerations

Now that you have had a crash course in the four most important characteristics to consider about the diamond itself, let me just give you some tips that come from experience.

• Always buy from a reputable jeweler whom you can trust. As a member of Jewelers of America, Phillip John Jewelers adheres to strict ethical guidelines, which were created to ensure that you are always treated fairly.
• Sort through the facts. If you have shopped around you will have been given many different opinions and enough information to overwhelm you. At Phillip John Jewelers we will be happy to help you sort through all of your information so that you can make an educated decision.
• Enjoy your diamond purchase. It is something you will remember for a lifetime!
• Your diamond engagement ring purchase is something that you will treasure for years to come. Select the one that appeals to you. Grading standards were created so that consumers would have standards by which to compare diamonds for monetary purposes. You are buying your diamond as a symbol of your love, relish in its romance.

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