We will tell you some important things that our specialists at Vistley consider before buying a diamond. This will help you in selecting the right piece at the right price. Moreover, our specialists are always ready to give you a free consultation.
Diamonds are attractive because of their stunning beauty and awe-inspiring look. Everything is about beauty; therefore, the value of a diamond depends on its looks. The beauty of diamonds is determined through various grading scales that are internationally recognized. Thus, every buyer needs to understand these things to make the right purchase. You need to be careful in every aspect while choosing a diamond.
Unfortunately, choosing a diamond is not as simple as buying imitation jewelry. Not everyone knows about diamonds and their features. There is no doubt that only gemologists have the qualification and training to examine a diamond, but you can also choose the right diamond if you know about the grading scales and how to choose the right piece. Before buying a diamond, you need to know what things you need to consider so that you can buy a perfect diamond without paying more than its price.
Here we will discuss everything that you need to know about buying diamonds. We will tell you some important things that our specialists at Vistley consider before buying a diamond. This will help you in selecting the right piece at the right price. Moreover, our specialists are always ready to give you a free consultation.
Here are easy and simple steps that can help you in selecting the right diamond. No matter whether you have ever purchased a diamond or not, you will have a better idea of the right diamond after reading the guide. Let’s start.
Before you dive into the internal properties of a diamond, you need to choose the shape. The shape is very important because it’s the first thing that a person sees at a glance. The blemishes of a diamond cannot be seen easily, but the shape is what attracts the eyes. If you are buying a diamond for a ring or jewelry for your partner, you need to select the shape of the diamond according to the likes and dislikes of your partner. It’s difficult to know which shape is the perfect one for your loved one, but you need to go with your intuition or instinct.
Diamonds are available in various shapes, such as round, oval, princess, cushion, heart, radiant, emerald, pear, etc. The most common among all is the round one. It looks stunning because of its brilliance; it reflects the light from every direction. The round cut diamond is the most brilliant diamond compared to other shapes. It is mostly used in engagement rings, necklaces, watches, and other valuable items that contain studded diamonds.
We would recommend taking a look at the different diamond shapes to have a better understanding. You can see different shapes here. Once you are ready with the shape, you can proceed to the next step.
The next important thing is the carat weight, which is one of the 4Cs of diamonds. It’s the most important factor that determines the price of a diamond. It’s obvious that the higher the carat weight, the more will be the cost of the diamond. Often, you don’t have to think much about it because you can go with the standard or average value, which 1-1.2 carats. You can also go for bigger or smaller pieces according to your preferences.
The important thing is that the size is directly proportional to the carat weight. Size also depends on the cut/shape of the diamond, but the main factor that affects it is the carat weight. Suppose you have two diamonds of the same grades and shape, but one is 1.00 carat, and the other is 1.04 carat. There is a very slight difference between these two diamonds, and we would recommend going with the 1.00-carat diamond as the difference is not noticeable, and you will be able to save some money on selecting it.
People usually do not have a clear idea of the carat weight and size. They do not know which is perfect for them. Therefore, we usually compare the size of the diamonds with the size of standard coins. Moreover, diamonds of different carat weights are also shown over the fingers to compare the size. You will have a better idea by looking at such scales and images.
Cut quality is the most important ‘C’ in the 4Cs of diamonds. Many people think that cut quality and shape are the same. But cut quality refers to dimensions, angles, and percentages, while the shape refers to the outline of a diamond.
Cut quality is a very important aspect because the brilliance of diamonds depends on it. If a diamond is cut well, then it will have more brilliance. The cut quality depends on the symmetry and proportions of the depth, width, and table.
One of the important percentages in cut quality is the depth percentage. This percentage shows the depth of the diamond from its top to the bottom. You should go with an ideal percentage because the diamond will have more brilliance. For a round diamond, an excellent depth percentage could be 58-62%, but it’s not for other shapes. There are different percentage ranges for different shapes of the diamond.
A person who doesn’t know much about diamonds should refer to a diamond cut grade chart. The cut grades are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor in most grading systems. The cut grade of an ideal diamond should be Excellent. You can check the certificate or grading report before buying, and if you are still unsure, you can consult our experts.
If you see a diamond, what will you notice first? No doubt, your answer would be shape and color. The color of a diamond has the utmost importance. It actually governs the price and beauty. Colorless diamonds are more expensive as compared to diamonds that have a yellowish color. There is a simple grading chart that is from D to Z.
D, E, and F are the most expensive colorless diamonds. They don’t have any color, even if you observe them under a microscope. When you go down the scale, the yellowish color starts to appear in white diamonds, and it decreases the price. But it doesn’t mean you should go for D-F. You can also choose the diamond in the range of G-J, which is nearly colorless. The lower ranges after ‘J’ are more yellowish. After all, the color you need depends on the ring because the ring can be of gold or platinum. A white gold or platinum ring requires a colorless diamond, while a gold/rose gold ring can go with a little yellowish diamond.
Clarity is the identity of a diamond. It’s also an important factor that affects the price. It is a grade that tells you about the size and the number of inclusions. There is a grading chart that tells how clear the diamond is. The scale contains the following gradings,
Flawless
Internally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
VS1
VS2
SI1
SI2
I1
I2
I3
‘Flawless’ means no inclusions. It’s the clearest diamond. In comparison, I3 means inclusions that are clearly visible.
The clarity grade is an important factor, but it’s the least important ‘C’ of the 4Cs. You don’t need to think much about it or go for the most expensive Flawless diamond. Flawless diamonds do not have any inclusions, even if you see them under a microscope. It’s commendable, but do you think that someone will look at your diamond or ring through a microscope? Absolutely not.
We are trying to say that you should go for a diamond that is eye-clean, which means it could have inclusions, but you cannot see them with the naked eye. You can save money by going with a lower-grade clarity, and it won’t affect the look of a diamond. We would recommend VS1-VS2 clarity, which is less expensive and excellent, and if you want something better, you can go for VVS1 or VVS2.
Certificates have the clarity grade, but it is not enough to judge the clarity; you also need to see the diamond under a magnifying glass. The position of inclusions also matters.
You need to select reliable vendors that can provide high-quality diamonds, excellent customer service, and a reliable warranty. There is no doubt that there are many vendors that sell diamonds and engagement rings, but you need to select the one that has the right piece you are looking for.
Sellers also offer a lifetime warranty and upgrade services for their diamonds. You should have complete detail of services and facilities. Another important thing is the source of the diamond. The diamonds must be ethically sourced and conflict-free. Reliable vendors only sell conflict-free diamonds.
Independent certification is necessary. The diamond should have a certification of reliable and independent laboratory, such as GIA, IGI, AGS, and HRD. It’s not easy for everyone, even gemologists, to look at the 4Cs with the naked eye deeply. It requires a more in-depth examination, which could be done in a lab by expert gemologists.
The certification tells you about all the grades without any doubt. You can know the Cut Quality, Color Grade, Carat Weight, and Clarity Grade from the certificate. These are the 4Cs, which are clearly examined by the experts. A certificate ensures you are buying the right piece. You must get the certification because it is necessary.
Buying the right diamond is quite easy if you know what to look for while buying it. We have clearly explained the 4Cs of diamonds and other important things that you need to consider. If you consider these seven important things, you will be able to buy the right diamond without any hassle. You can also have a look at our diamond education section to learn more about diamonds and how to get the best piece. Moreover, you can always have a free consultation from our experts. They will help you buy the right diamond in your budget.
For more information and detail, book a free virtual consultation today or contact our 24/7 customer service.