Diamonds - Free Information & Guide

Diamonds - Are they really forever

Don't get ripped off when shopping for diamonds

Jewellery is one item where the average person would have difficulty in judging value of their purchase accurately. Diamond Set

Gold and Diamond Jewellery shopping are completely different experiences for consumers.

When buying gold jewellery consumers may have an advantage of at least knowing the current price of real gold to help in assessing their gold jewellery purchases.

However when it comes to shopping for diamonds most consumers have no way of judging the price of their purchase but to take the word of the seller and their appraisals.

Diamond Appraisals – Can you really rely on them?

So what exactly is an appraisal certificate? When you buy a diamond, then the chances are you will be shown a diamond appraisal certificate for the diamond you are intending to purchase.

Jewellery However an appraisal is a matter of opinion of the person performing the appraisal.

One appraiser may have a different opinion than the other and hence just because your appraisal certificate shows your diamond to be of a certain cut, clarity or carat, there are no guarantees that you are truly getting what you are paying for.

Remember an appraisal is just an opinion.

Jewelers get their diamonds appraised and pay for the appraisal cost. Naturally they will select appraisers who will appraise their diamonds at the higher end. It is just a matter of business.

When looking at an appraisal certificate check which laboratory has done the appraisal so as to ensure that the certificates are from reputable appraisers.

Some stores have their own in-house appraisers and will give you a very fancy and impressive appraisal document prepared by their own appraisers. Unless an appraisal is prepared by a reputed independent laboratory, I would be very reluctant to make a purchase based on such appraisals.

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Selecting Diamonds Intelligently

Most of us have heard the importance of the ‘four Cs’ when it comes to shopping for diamonds. Incase you have not, then the four ‘Cs’ represent:

1. Color

2. Clarity

3. Cut

4. Carat

Diamond appraisal certificates will usually mention the four ‘Cs’ mentioned above and give you an idea of what you are buying.

Without getting into the technical stuff, here is a very short brief description of the 'four Cs' when it comes to shopping for diamonds.

Carat: Many people confuse ‘carat’ with size of the diamond. However carat refers to the weight measurement and not the size of the diamond. The weights of diamonds are measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points," so that a diamond of 60 points weighs 0.60 carats.

Clarity: is a measure of a diamond's inner flaws and impurities.

Color: Diamond color grading scale varies from totally colorless to light yellowish. Colorless would of course be considered the best quality. Color is very important when it comes to valuation of a diamond.

Colorless is the best, followed by near colorless. When shopping for diamonds, try to buy diamonds that are not below the near colorless grade.

Cut: Many people confuse diamond cut with the shape of a diamond. This is not true. The way a diamond is cut will have an effect on how light travels through the diamond and brings out the diamonds brilliance.

While the majority of people shopping for diamonds have no clue of what they are buying and usually buy diamonds based on the appraisal certificate they get with their diamond purchase or on their gut feeling that they are getting a good deal.

Shopping for diamonds - Tips

Don’t buy diamonds that list only a total weight of a cluster of tiny pieces of diamonds. Size of the diamond is important. One large diamond of one carat is worth a lot more than many small pieces, even if all the pieces when added together are one carat.

Diamonds hardly ever come with any money back guarantee. Some stores may say they will give you a full credit on your next purchase if you buy a higher priced diamond from them. However this is no guarantee to the customer and just another way for the store to make more money off you when you buy a more pricier diamond from the merchant.

Appraisals of diamonds can be used as guidelines. However remember an appraisal is just an opinion and can vary from appraiser to appraiser.

When shopping for diamonds, shop only at reputable stores that offer appraisal certificates from well known laboratories.

Don't be conned into thinking the diamond jewellery you are buying is an investment. Unless the diamond is really unique the chances are that you will be lucky if you can get back even 25% of your purchase price if you ever try to sell your diamond.

Diamonds are advertised as a 'gift of love' with popular themes like, "a diamond is forever" because they want you to keep your diamond. If people tried to sell their diamond jewellery and became aware of the ridiculously low prices offered to them, then word would spread around and people would know that in reality most diamond purchases are not financial investments.