Mistakes To Avoid When Shopping For Diamonds

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BUYING-GUIDES

Shopping for diamonds leading up to your engagement and wedding can be a daunting task. You are expecting to find the perfect ring but are walking into the jewelry store with little or no knowledge about the different aspects of diamonds. Because of this, it can be very easy to make a critical mistake that may end up costing you more than if you had avoided it. Here is a look at some of the common diamond buying mistakes that you can learn from before you visit your local jewelry.

MISTAKE 1 – RUSHING THE PURCHASE
Trying to buy a diamond because you are on a tight schedule is not a good idea. That’s because selecting a diamond should take a great deal of consideration and that takes time. This purchase should be considered as one of the most important things you will be spending money on in your life, so it has to be right. Find a jeweler you like and can work with to make this a treasured purchase instead of a rushed one.

MISTAKE 2 – ASSUMING ALL GRADES ARE THE SAME
Because there are several diamond grading labs around the world, there are no clear standards related to grading. This makes it difficult from the beginning to find consistency. One sign to watch out for is diamonds that do not have grade certificates as those are often overpriced. In addition to grading variations, you have to keep in mind that diamonds of the same color, cut grade and clarity may still differ.

MISTAKE 3 – IGNORING THE CUT OF THE DIAMOND
As if it isn’t confusing enough that standards vary greatly from one place to another, the cut of that stone is one of the most important considerations you should have. A higher cut grade means the diamond will have a brighter, eye-catching sparkle. A good cut also enhances the color, clarity, and carat weight of the diamond. But you don’t have to go to the highest end of the scale to get a good looking diamond. Choosing in the grading zone between D and F will still give you a great diamond at a lower price.

MISTAKE 4 – BUYING DIAMONDS ONLINE
Where should we start? Diamond shopping is far better if you can see the products in person. That is not to say you won’t find a good seller online, it just means you should talk to a jeweler face-to-face about this very important purchase you are going to make.

MISTAKE 5 – LOOKING FOR A BARGAIN
Shopping for an engagement or wedding ring is not like going to a flea market. You can’t just go to the next vendor and haggle yourself a better price. Diamond prices are set by De Beers, which means the wholesale price is fixed and the retail price is up to the jeweler selling the product. While large chain stores may have seasonal deals available, don’t expect a major discount. If you encounter one, be wary of it.

MISTAKE 6 – THINKING ALL SELLERS ARE PROFESSIONALS
Anyone can sell diamonds, you can see that online. This means there are no special qualifications required. Customer service representatives working in retail diamond stores are not certified in any way. This means that whoever you talk to about diamonds may not have a firm grasp on the topic. However, a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) graduate, who are found all over the world, are as close to experts as you will find.

IN CONCLUSION
Shopping for diamonds is a task you should not take lightly. That’s because it is very easy to make a mistake along the way. If you avoid the mistakes noted above, you should find the right stones for your partner to wear.