Knowledge Is Everything

Simply put, if you don’t know enough about diamonds when you purchase one, you will most likely pay more than the diamond is worth. You may also get a diamond that isn’t a true quality gem. So, before you rush off to your local jewelry store, assuming that the jeweler will help you out, you need to learn as much as possible.

The first thing to learn is the Four C’s of Diamonds. These are cut, clarity, carat, and color. Each of the five C’s matters a great deal, and will be discussed in the following pages.

You will also need to know how to professionally examine a diamond, which is also covered later. Just remember that if you learn enough, even though your are not a professional diamond dealer, you can still examine a diamond in the same professional manner.

Part of your diamond education should include how diamonds are treated, how to read and understand a diamond certification, how to get a diamond rap sheet, how to choose a jeweler and an appraiser, and where to buy diamonds (it may not be your local jewelry store). You also need to know about various diamond settings, and how to care for diamonds.

Again, you may be thinking that you don’t need to know this, and that your favorite jeweler can help you out with the details. If you really want the best diamond for the money, you do need to learn this.

But there is another aspect of diamond buying that few consider – surprisingly. People tend to learn all about diamonds, and rush out to buy one. They end up with a fabulous gem – but never once did they stop to consider who they were making the purchase for. The person that the diamond is intended for plays a huge role in the selection process.

So, while you are learning about diamonds, also take the time to learn about your intended recipient’s likes and dislikes, and especially their tastes in diamonds in particular. Some will prefer a certain cut, while others will prefer a certain color. Some will want their diamond set in a ring, while others will want a pendant.

Some will want a white gold setting, while others will want a platinum or silver setting. There is as much to learn about the person as there is to learn about diamonds! Make sure that you learn about both!

Now, let’s move on to an in depth discussion on the Four C’s of diamond evaluation.