Buying a diamond is one of the most expensive purchases you will make. This diamond buying guide explains how to get the highest quality diamond for your money as well as how to care for your diamonds. We also teach you about diamond treatments and how to protect yourself.
Quality - 4 C's
Examination
Treatments
Care of Diamonds
Helpful Books
Diamond Stores
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Links
Diamonds are graded by four characteristics: cut, carat (weight), clarity, and color. All four of these properties determine how much a diamond is worth.
Quality - 4 C's
Examination
Treatments
Care of Diamonds
Helpful Books
Diamond Stores
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Links
To accurately judge the quality of a diamond, it is advisable to use more than the naked eye. Here are common ways to examine a diamond.
- Microscope/Loop: To examine inclusions, one uses either a microscope or a 10x magnifying glass called a jeweler's loop. This enables one to see inclusions in stones. Most dealers will let you use theirs.
- Diamond Tester: A diamond tester uses light to verify that the stone you
are examining is really a diamond. It does not guarantee quality -- just the type of stone. Most testers will still work when the stone is mounted.
Jewelry Mall Diamond Tester Search Results
- Certification: If you are unsure of your diamond knowledge or the jeweler you are buying from, get a certified Diamond. The best known and reliable certification is from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or EGL (European Gemological Laboratory). Be aware that certificates will cost you an extra $100-$200 on average.
Quality - 4 C's
Examination
Treatments
Care of Diamonds
Helpful Books
Diamond Stores
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Links
Diamonds are often treated. If you are concerned about getting true value for your money, know what you are getting.
- Filled for clarity: Diamonds with inclusions are sometimes filled
with glass to make them appear clearer. Yehuda Diamonds have undergone this
treatment. Filler can be damaged by heat, ultrasonic cleaning, and by re-tipping.
The filling does not repair the inclusion, it just makes it less visible.
If you look at a filled diamond closely, rotate it under light, you should
be able to notice a bluish flash. Yehuda will usually refill your diamond
for free if it is ever damaged. Check for guarantees before buying such
a diamond.
- Irradiated for color: Can be affected by heat.
- Painted for color: Can be painted to offset a yellow tinge. The
paint wears off rather quickly.
-
Ask if the diamond you are considering buying is treated. Getting a notarized
statement from your jeweler saying that your diamond in not treated is recommended.
This is like having the jeweler swear under oath that to his/her knowledge
that the diamond is not treated. Several states have disclosure acts requiring
dealers to tell you about these treatments.
Quality - 4 C's
Examination
Treatments
Care of Diamonds
Helpful Books
Diamond Stores
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Links
Diamonds are often thought to be unshatterable. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Here are some useful handling and care tips.
- Diamonds are brittle: If you hit a diamond hard, they WILL crack or chip if mishandled. Don't wear your diamond when doing rough work.
- Storage: Store diamonds separately. When stored with other jewelry, diamonds may scratch other jewelry (or each other).
- Cleaning: The best method for cleaning is a jeweler's polishing cloth. Most jewelers will clean your diamond ring for free if you are making another purchase in the store.
Quality - 4 C's
Examination
Treatments
Care of Diamonds
Helpful Books
Diamond Stores
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Links
Helpful Books
|
|