Diamond Buying Guide | MensXpert.com

Diamond Buying Guide

Considering buying an engagement ring? It goes without saying that it’ll have to have a diamond. Don’t go shopping without reading our Xpert guide on buying a diamond.

Diamonds are forever! A girl’s best friend! Or so the advertisements go. We men, typically, will not know much about diamonds or how to go about deciding which one is the best buy. However, diamonds are not only synonymous with jewelry. They can be an investment too, and a fine one at that.

Diamonds are valued more than any other precious stones. If you’re going to splurge on a diamond for your loved one or even as an investment for yourself, there are some basic rules that you have to remember. So how to buy that perfect stone, which will give you or your loved one joy forever? You don’t need to have the trained eye of a gemologist to detect whether your stone is worth all the money you are shelling out for it. Although there are international associations which certify the authenticity of diamonds, it will help you a lot if you knew what to look for when buying a diamond.

The Four Cs

All over the world, the 4Cs are the best criteria to look for while shopping for a diamond. They are Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. Just knowing these basic things will help you choose a perfect diamond.

Cut

The rough stones from the ores are cut and polished to give the stone its multifaceted sparkle. A diamond that is well cut will reflect light from one facet to another and disperse it back through the top surface of the stone. Well proportioned cuts are important as they add to the fire and brilliance of the stone. When all the facets are placed in perfect angles so as to reflect the maximum light, you get the ideal cut. In a poorly cut diamond, maximum light will not be reflected back and it will make the diamond look lackluster. The depth of the cut also affects the brilliance. The basic thing to remember is that the stone that reflects the maximum light is well-cut and is of better quality. Of course, it’ll be expensive too!

Clarity

Diamond is a naturally occurring mineral. It is mined in ores. Hence most diamonds contain inclusions or inner flaws. The visibility and the size of these inclusions determine the clarity of the diamond. These inner flaws are naturally occurring. That means that certain other minerals were trapped within the stone during its formation. The more clear a diamond is, the more highly priced it becomes.

Colour

A colourless diamond is more highly priced and desirable as it refracts most of the light falling on it. This makes them more brilliant and dazzling. Diamonds range from colourless to light yellow. Absence of colour is rare, hence totally colourless or white diamonds are very expensive. It is advisable to look for a stone with a little or no colour as they reflect the rainbow fire more than the off white or light yellow ones.

Carat

The size of the diamond is defined by its weight. Diamonds are weighed in carats. One carat is one fifths of a gram and is divided into 100 points. Large diamonds are rarer and very expensive. But depending on the clarity, the cut and the colour, diamonds of same weight can have different prices. The price of a 2 carat diamond can be more than 2 one carat diamonds together.

Shape

After you have learnt the basic 4Cs of the diamonds, you can then decide about the shape that you would prefer. Diamonds are cut in many shapes. The shapes commonly found are round, emerald, heart-shape, topaz, pear shaped or the tear-drop. The most common is the round shaped stone. It reflects the most light and can be used as a solitaire, that is, a single stone or in clusters, set in a jewel. Any which ways, whether round or heart shaped, the fire, the brilliance and the almost indestructible nature of the diamond will always win the hearts of lovers for all eternity. And burn a hole in every man’s pocket for eons to come!

How To

I’ll make it easier for you. Here’s a step by step guide to buying that perfect diamond:

1. The first step is to decide how much you want to splurge on a diamond. If you want a mid-sized stone, it could cost about Rs. 50,000 or even as much as a cool 2 lacs – depending on the cut and the clarity of the diamond. You need to be very clear about the amount of money you’re willing to spend on the diamond.

2. Then, decide on the shape that you want. A pear-shaped or a heart-shaped diamond will cost you more than a common round shaped stone.

3. When a jeweler shows you a diamond that fits into your budget, examine it for the Four Cs that I’ve explained before in the article. Is the diamond clear enough? Is it flawed? Is it a dirty yellow in color? Examine the diamond under light to see how it is cut. Is it brilliant enough?

4. Ask the jeweler to show you at least six diamonds that fall into your price range. No two will be alike. While one may be more brilliant, the other may be larger in size or may be a shape you want. Choose the one which appeals to you the most.

5. Your choice should be a good combination of all the four Cs. It should be the right weight, have a nice cut, be close to white in color and should be brilliant. Forfeit any of the Cs and you could get a diamond that is inferior in quality and not worth the money you’re paying for it.

6. Of course, if you have any friends who are in the jewelry trade, take their advice.

7. It is always better to buy a diamond that comes with a certificate. An AVS certificate is like a fingerprint of a diamond – it has all its flaws and qualities noted down on it.

Now that you have the lowdown on buying that perfect diamond, go ahead and splurge on your loved one. She’s surely going to appreciate the gesture and will make up for it in the most delightful ways. Trust me, she will. Diamonds have a way of bringing out the best in women!