How Someone Who Knows Nothing About Diamonds Can Buy a Great Diamond

One of the most common concerns we hear from customers is that they’re worried about getting a good diamond. This sounds obvious, but it’s also true. Most people who buy engagement rings haven’t done this before, nor have they purchased a high-quality diamond before. So, it’s only natural that someone would feel apprehensive about buying one.

 

When you add in the fact that the vast majority of people are not diamond experts, it’s easy to see why buying a diamond ring can be intimidating. No one wants to make a mistake when buying a diamond engagement ring. Not only is the ring itself likely to be quite expensive, but it’s also a meaningful purchase. So you want to get it right.

 

That’s why we’re here. You don’t need to be a diamond expert to buy a great diamond.

 

Here are some tips for buying a great diamond, even if you’re not an expert.

 

Learn the 4 Cs

 

Yes, you’ll have to learn something to buy a great diamond. But you won’t need to bury your head in books and study for weeks. One of the most basic – and most important – things you’ll need to know about diamonds is the 4 Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.

 

Not only does understanding these factors help you judge a diamond’s quality, but it also helps you compare different diamonds (and their prices) with one another.

 

If you’re trying to figure out which of the 4 Cs is the most important - while all of them certainly matter - the cut of a diamond best determines the sparkle of the diamond. If a diamond sparkles, it looks beautiful. This means that a diamond that has a slightly lower color or clarity rating will still look visually impressive if it has a great cut. On the other hand, a diamond that ranks highly on color and clarity will appear dull and uninteresting if it is poorly cut.

 

Want more info on the 4 Cs as well as a lot of other diamond information? Check out our diamond education center.

 

Choose the Right Jeweler

 

You might be tempted to just shop at the store closest to you or the one you’ve heard of before. While this may be the most convenient option, it’s usually not necessarily the best option. First of all, it’s important to know that there are a lot of different jewelers out there. From large chains to independent shops to internet jewelry stores, there are many different options.

 

You know what an important purchase an engagement ring is, so why would you just go to the first store you can find?

 

Here are some tips for finding a great jeweler:

• Read reviews
  • There are many different places where you can find reviews online. Check some of them out and see what other people have thought of the jewelers you are considering.
     
• Ask for advice
  • If you have friends or family members who have purchased engagement rings or other high-quality diamonds recently, ask them if they can recommend a jeweler to you. It’s also a good idea to ask if there is anything they wish they had known when they were shopping for their own rings.
     
• Talk to jewelers
  • Have a conversation with the jeweler: in person, on the phone, or online. Ask whatever questions you may have. Take note of how the jeweler responds. Do they seem like they actually want to help you find a great diamond ring? Or are they just trying to push a sale? A good jeweler will want to help in any way they can.
     
• Compare services
  • Keep in mind that not all jewelers will offer the same services. If you are looking for something in particular, such as custom engagement ring design, know that not all jewelers will offer this service, so you’ll need to go to one that does.
     
• Look at their collection
  • Different jewelers will offer different rings. Think of the kind of ring you want and then work with a jeweler that offers similar options. For example, if you want a classic or antique engagement ring, you won’t want to shop at a store that only sells modern designs. The opposite holds true as well.