Question 1

What Should I Consider When Buying a Diamond?

Accepted Answer

Diamond buying requires a little planning. But, follow along with these guided steps, and you will be able to find the perfect diamond in no time.

Set a budget: the most important part of buying a diamond is setting a budget and never exceeding that budget. Diamonds are a symbol of commitment, not a measure of spending capacity.

It is important not to forget that and never pressure yourself into spending more than you are comfortable affording. You never want regret, in the present or future, to be part of your engagement story. To set a budget, do very high level, preliminary research about the average diamond engagement ring purchase price. See if that's above or below where you may want to be.

See what going up or down in carat gets you. You need to establish a preliminary baseline to budget relative to it and properly set your budget. Otherwise, you'll find yourself changing your budget around, and this will get frustrating. If your budget is on the lower end, we recommend looking into lab-created diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically the same as natural diamonds. Access our Lab Diamond Buying Guide for more information.

Timing: give yourself about 1 month, plus or minus a couple of weeks. You're not expected to become a diamond expert, and diamonds are something you buy every day. Therefore, don't obsess over them by spending months researching every single aspect -- it'll drive you crazy.

Also, taking too long may result in questioning your decision and put off your proposal longer than you should wait. It's best to purchase a diamond when you're research is fresh in your mind, and you're not learning about diamond a little per week. Odds are you'll forget many of the things you learned early on, which are often the most important parts of diamond research. Also, give yourself time. A ring takes about two weeks to make unless your purchase a preset ring. Don't cut it close and stress yourself out.

Shape first: The first and most visual consideration is the diamond's shape. The most popular shape is the brilliant round cut. If, however, you know they prefer another shape, definitely go in that direction. It is never a good approach to be selecting between multiple shapes at the same time because the styles, pricing and consideration all vary so much. The diamond's shape will really set the standard for the style and look. Some rings are only compatible with certain shapes, so we recommend confirming that first.

The 4 C's: Once your shape is final. You'll need to read up on the 4 C's and beyond the 4 C's. Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity are the most visual characteristics of a diamond. That is why they get the most importance. They also are the factors that set the diamond's price. You don't have to be an expert, and you'll never be grading a diamond. You simply need to understand them enough to decide on the diamond you may want to choose.

The best way to understand the relationship between the 4 C's and a diamond's price is as follows: Think of the C's as levers. Unfortunately, with diamonds, you can't have it all. So carat is typically the lever on your left, and Cut, Color and Clarity are levers on your right. If you pull the carat lever up, you may need to pull the other C levers down (and vice versa), so the diamond works with your budget.

Once you've pulled the levers up and down, you'll ultimately find the right balance, which will lead you to select a diamond. Be careful though, these are very sensitive levers, meaning that small changes in diamond attributes are large changes in price.

Selecting The Right One: Finally, once you've determined the right combination of diamond attributes for you, you'll probably notice that you still have several options remaining. Well, now what? Don't always go with the least expensive. Diamond suppliers know their inventory. They price diamonds a certain way for a reason.

If the price seems too good to be true, there's a reason for that. Second, consider comparing the attributes beyond the 4 C's such as fluorescence, measurements (length to width ratio), table, depth, polish and symmetry. These factors will help you. Beyond that, we highly recommend consulting a gemologist, ideally one that graduated from an institution such as GIA.

Question 2

What are the 4Cs of Diamond Quality?

Accepted Answer

The 4Cs of diamond quality will help you learn how to buy a diamond. This basic knowledge will unlock the mystery of a diamond's quality and help you understand a diamond's value and price.

Diamond Colour In most diamonds, the term refers to the absence of colour. The less colour in the stone, the more desirable and valuable it is. Some of these differences are not visible to the naked eye but directly impact the overall quality and price of the stone.
Diamond Clarity measures the amount, size and placement of internal 'inclusions' and external 'blemishes.' Grades run from 'Flawless,' with virtually no imperfections, to 'Included,' which contain a significant number of imperfections.
Diamond-Cut does not refer to a diamond's shape but the proportion and arrangement of its facets and the quality of artistry. The amount of brilliance, sparkle and fire in a diamond is determined by cut. Grades range from 'Excellent' to 'Poor.'
Diamond Carat refers to a diamond's weight. Generally speaking, the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the stone. However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different quality and prices when the other three Cs are considered.

No matter how beautiful a diamond may look, you cannot see its true quality. Knowing more about the 4Cs of diamond quality will help you learn how to buy a diamond. The 4Cs provide you with the information you need to see the diamond's actual quality.

Question 3

When Buying a Diamond, Does the Colour Grade Matter?

Accepted Answer

Diamond colour matters, but only to a certain point. The way we approach the 4Cs, we separate cut and carat weight from colour and clarity. Cut and carat are positive traits (you want to maximise as much as possible). Colour and clarity are negative traits that you want to make sure you don't notice when looking at a diamond.

When it comes to colour, there is a line where you notice whether the diamond is clear or has a yellowish tint. Your goal should be to make sure you don't buy a diamond with a yellowish tint so low that you notice it. That line between yellowish and clear varies based on the shape of the diamond and the style set you are putting the diamond in. We get into that below.

Once the diamond looks clear to you, there isn't much to gain by spending more on a higher colour grade. Keep in mind that buying a diamond is a zero-sum game. If you spend more money by going with a higher colour grade than necessary, you will have to sacrifice size, brilliance or clarity. Is it worth doing that? Take a look at this challenge and decide for yourself.

Question 4

Can a Diamond Break or Be Damage?

Accepted Answer

A diamond is the hardest of all gemstones and is known for its extreme durability. To contribute to its longevity, it is advisable to take great care of your diamond jewellery, preferably by keeping each diamond creation separate and avoiding contact with other pieces.

Are Diamonds Indestructible?

There is a myth surrounding diamonds; they aren't indestructible. While diamonds are often described as being the hardest natural material on the planet, that doesn't mean that they aren't be scratched, chipped, or broken. So the expensive gem on your finger needs to be treated with care to prevent damage, even though it is pretty tough, and Noe's Jewelry has some tips that will help you avoid damage to your diamond.

Kinds Of Damage Diamonds Can Sustain

Diamonds are hard, but they can be damaged. It is possible to break or chip a diamond. However, breaking or chipping isn't the only way to damage a diamond. For example, you can damage a diamond with chemicals that cause it to look dull and cloudy or discolour the stone until it is professionally cleaned.

Be careful that you take off your ring when you are doing anything that could cause it to sustain damage. In some cases, you may damage the stone and the metal of the setting; and sometimes, rings can't be fixed.

Question 5

How to Know If Your Ring Requires Repairs?

Accepted Answer

If your precious ring suddenly loses its centre stone, you should call your jeweller and insurer straight away. However, other damages are more difficult to spot. Here are a few simple ways to gauge whether your ring needs repair.

Hold the ring close to your ear and tap it with your finger. If you can hear a rattling noise, this is a sure sign that something is loose and should be repaired.

Do a visual check for cracks or chips in your diamond. If anything appears different from when you bought it, consult your jeweller. If you still have the paperwork from when you purchased the diamond, compare your ring to the picture on the paperwork.

Take note if it becomes repeatedly snagged. If your diamond continues to catch on your clothes, consider the possibility that the claw isn't performing as designed. You may need to have the setting fixed or even redesigned.

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