The Ultimate Diamond Buying Guide

The Ultimate Diamond Buying Guide

 

Get yourself a diamond in twelve easy steps.

Step 1: Fix your budget.

Shop smart! Make up your mind about how much you are willing to spend on your diamond. Exotic Diamonds offers a diverse array of engagement rings for all budgets.

 

• We’ll help you find the best quality diamond within your  budget.

 

• We handcraft every ring that we make to the best of our abilities irrespective of its price.

 

Step 2: Know the 4Cs of a diamond.

If you’re a rookie, do your research. Familiarize yourself with the 4Cs- Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat- of a diamond. They play a vital role in determining a diamond’s beauty and price. But, make sure to verify the credibility of your sources.

We at Exotic Diamonds are always at your service. Reach out to us if you have got any queries; we’ll help you resolve them as well as assist you in shopping for the diamond of your choice.

 

 

 

Step 3: Take a good look.

Keenly observe a diamond’s appearance. Put your money on its eye-pleasing traits else save it.

 

• The sparkling of a diamond i.e. reflection of white light, can be easily seen across a room. A well-cut diamond causes maximum reflection.

• A diamond’s color is evident from three to six feet.

• The best clarity grades are only detectable within six to eight inches.

 

 

Step 4: Focus on the diamond’s cut,

The sparkling of your diamond depends entirely on its cut. An optimum cut (not

too shallow or too deep) causes the maximum reflection of light.

• It’s recommended to buy an ideally cut diamond for maximum sparkle.

• A high clarity grade diamond if poorly cut (too shallow or too deep) acquires dull appearance.

 

 

 

Step 5: Choose a convenient clarity grade.

 

Buying a high clarity grade diamond isn’t always a wise choice. Diamonds have natural flaws but most are invisible to the naked eye.

 

• A diamond’s internal flaws are called ‘inclusions’ while its external flaws are called ‘blemishes’.
• Usually, these flaws are evident only under 10x magnifications.
• The clarity grade scale ranges from ‘Slightly Included’ (SI2 and SI1) to Flawless (FL).
  
• SI2 and SI1 grade diamonds are preferred over higher clarity grades since they aren’t flawless yet look great to the naked eye.

 

 

Step 6: Opt for near-colorless diamonds rather than absolutely colorless diamonds.

White diamonds are graded on account of the absence of color in them. A truly colorless diamond is the rarest and the most expensive among all.

• G or H grade (near colorless) diamonds offer great quality at a better price.

• A diamond’s color will be affected by the tone of the jewellery setting.

 

Step 7: Know the pros and cons of buying larger carat diamonds.

Do you think buying a larger carat weight diamond is always better than a smaller carat weight diamond? If yes, you’re mistaken. Every so often, smaller carat weights are a better choice.

• Carat is concerned with weight of a diamond, not its size.

 

• Prices increase at a rapid pace with the increase in carat weight.

 

• Choose your carat weight in regards to the diamond shape, finger size and setting size.

Step 8: Consider fancy-shaped diamonds.

Don’t limit your choices. Check out non-round diamonds too. Fancy-shaped diamonds have the advantages of looking bigger and costing less over around diamond of same carat weight.

• The nine fancy shapes include princess, asscher, emerald, marquise, cushion, pear, radiant, oval and heart.

 

• The round brilliant diamonds are more expensive because they are the only shapes with cut parameters established by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

 

 

Step 9: Be modest.

Diamond prices increase exponentially at the carat and half-carat marks. Buy your diamond just shy of those weights to save money. There is little to no apparent difference in the appearance of a 0.9 and 1.0 carat diamond.

 

Step 10: Review the paperwork.

Diamonds are a major investment hence you need to ensure that you aren’t
being ripped off. Confirm the credibility of your purchase and the authenticity of your diamond.

• Buy natural and conflict-free diamonds.
• A high quality, natural diamond is independently certified.
• The diamond must come along with a GIA diamond grading report.

 

All loose diamonds at Exotic Diamonds come with a GIA Diamond Grading Report.

 

Step 11: Inquire about the guarantees offered.

All diamonds usually come with a set of guarantees for instance price match
guarantee, return and exchange guarantees. Always review a jeweler’s policies,
and ask to see the guarantees offered in writing. Moreover, inquire about the
fine print, if any.

Exotic Diamonds offers an exchange guarantee of two weeks on all its purchases
i.e. you can exchange the jewellery you bought for another within 14 days of the
purchase.

 

Step 12: Take your time.

Buying a diamond is a daunting experience; don’t rush into making a decision. Be patient, weigh your options and ask questions. Don’t settle for a ‘good enough’ choice rather aim for the ‘best’.