Diamond Purchase Basics

Opinion and Priority
As you begin to do your research into this world of diamonds, rings, gold, and silver you will begin to feel overwhelmed, frustrated and probably scared. It is very realistic to get Sticker Shock because the diamond your girlfriend wants is way over budget. Then you realize there are thousands of different grading combinations for diamonds all with different price ranges, different sparkle and a different availability.

You may see a grade such as 1.01 carat round diamond, F color, VS1 clarity, Excellent Ideal Cut with Hearts & Arrows, Very Good Polish, Very Good Symmetry, Slight Fluorescence, etc..... (There are many other grades that correspond with each diamond)

It breaks down to an engineers dream. There are hundreds of calculations, and possibilities of the way the light hits the diamond and reflects through it to cause it to dance and sparkle. Guess What? You don't need to be an engineer to pick a diamond. There is no perfect diamond and you don't need to look at thousands to find THE ONE.

I'm giving you examples of what many of us go through when we are in search of our perfect diamond. When we purchase a car, the number one buying factor is.... How it looks!

When you purchase a diamond, your number one buying factor should be based on your personal opinion of how it looks. All the grades and what your jeweler or what I tell you about a diamond are all personal opinions. When you make that purchase it must be based on your personal opinion of the diamond. Set your priorities when purchasing.

Examples of Priorities

Some of the different priorities to look at. The easiest to choose is the shape. This should be your first priority. After you decide the shape, choose a budget for yourself. Be realistic, what is the most you can spend and what is the TARGET amount you want to spend. Then choose a size you would like to see. Maybe a 1 carat or a 3 carat but be ready to make compromises to meet your budget.

From this point on let your jeweler show you different combinations to match your budget. This could mean a high color but low clarity in the exact size you were looking for. It could be a lower color, lower clarity but a larger size, maybe higher color, higher clarity but smaller diamond. There are a many options. Be open to looking at these different options in your budget and then DECIDE!!!

At that point who cares what the grades are, what looks best. Plain and simple. When your wife is wearing her ring you want her to wear a ring that she can be proud of because it was the best looking to you in your budget.

Don't make it a life ending decision, just be ready to prioritize and stick with your heart.

Happy purchasing

Your Diamond Insider

Brian Plante