If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best diamond you can afford. However, engagement ring shopping is one of the first experiences that most people have with buying diamonds. That means you might not know very much about diamond shopping or how to choose the best diamond.
Don’t worry! We’re here to help!
Here is a step-by-step guide to buying a great diamond.
Research
The first thing you’ll need to do is understand a little bit about diamonds. A good place to start is our diamond education center. We have tons of information listed, written in a way that anyone can understand it. One of the main things you will want to read up on are the 4 Cs of diamond quality. The 4 Cs are a worldwide standard for measuring the quality of a diamond and for comparing diamonds to one another. The 4 Cs are:
- Cut
- Color
- Clarity
- Carat Weight
Cut is typically the most important aspect to consider. A diamond that is well cut will have more brilliance and sparkle than a poorly cut diamond. Even diamonds that score very well on color and clarity can look dull if they are not cut properly.
However, a grading report can’t tell you absolutely everything that you need to know about a diamond. Two diamonds that receive the same cut grade could look very different, for example. This is because certification reports allow for some variance within their cut grades. This means that you should always view a diamond visually (either in person or through photos or videos online) before purchasing a diamond. Cut grades, and other grades on a certification report, are certainly important as they can help you weed out poor quality diamonds, but they are not the only thing that you should consider.
Know What She’d Like
Ultimately, this diamond engagement ring purchase is for her. That means that, while you’re looking for he best diamond, you’re really looking for the best diamond for her. An incredible diamond ring is always beautiful, but she’ll certainly appreciate it more if it’s the style that she loves.
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when buying a diamond is the shape. This is different from the cut. The shape refers to the diamond’s physical form. For more information, please visit our section on diamond shapes.
The most popular diamond shape is the round or round brilliant. Princess cuts are also very popular. If you don’t know what sort of cut she would prefer, you can likely choose one of these two cuts and she’ll love it.
You’ll also have to consider the style of engagement ring that she’d like. Is she more traditional or does she prefer modern looks? Does she like white gold or yellow gold? Is she flashy or more conservative? The same diamond can look very different in different settings, so make sure to choose the style that suits her.
Create a Budget
Buying the best diamond also means buying the best diamond that you can afford. Of course, there are many, many incredible diamonds out there, but a lot of them will be outside of your price range, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s not really a good idea to go into serious debt to buy a diamond.
The good news is that, regardless of your budget, you’ll likely be able to find a great diamond.
When figuring out your budget, you might remember guidelines such as “two month’s salary” or “three month’s salary.” These are simply guidelines. They’re a good starting place, but they’re not hard and fast rules. Every person has a different financial situation and this is important to keep in mind when you’re buying a diamond.
The Jeweler
You’ll also want to make sure that you find the right jeweler. Not all jewelers are created equal. There is a difference between the national chain in the mall and an independent jeweler. Different jewelry stores will have different collections, different services, and different levels of expertise. A good jeweler won’t just be focused on making a sale, he or she will listen to you and truly help you pick the best diamond and the best ring for your situation.
