Six Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Diamond Jewelry

Six Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Diamond Jewelry

In the market for diamond jewelry? Diamonds make popular gifts for many occasions, from celebrating the holidays and special occasions to letting your favorite person know how much you love them. Diamonds are also the stone of choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. There are many things to consider when shopping for diamonds, though many people don’t know where to start. Before you set out to purchase diamond jewelry, there are a few things you should know. Read on to discover expert tips that are guaranteed to make your purchase even more extraordinary. And when you are ready to make your purchase, head to the area’s best diamond experts at the International Diamond Center in Gainesville, FL. They’re passionate about diamonds and will help make your experience buying diamond jewelry in Celebration Pointe simply unforgettable. 

Get to Know the 4 Cs

When shopping for diamonds, you’ll quickly learn about the “4 Cs.” In the diamond world, these four Cs are carat weight, color, clarity and cut, as they are the four main characteristics that make up a diamond and ultimately affect its value. Every diamond is different, and each combination of the 4 Cs creates a unique stone. Here’s a quick overview of each characteristic:

• Carat weight is the measurement of the size of an individual diamond. If a diamond is one carat, it will be written as “1ct.” In jewelry pieces with more than one diamond, you may also see an indicated total carat weight (TCW), which is the total weight, in carats, of all the diamonds that make up that piece of jewelry. For example, if a diamond bracelet contains nine 1ct diamonds, the total carat weight would be 9 carats.

• Cut refers to the diamond’s cut, which includes the height, depth, angles and other factors. Cut affects the diamond’s symmetry, brightness, fire and sparkle; the better the cut, the better its appearance. There are five cut grades, including Excellent (EX), Very Good (VG), Good (G), Fair (F) and Poor (P). Note that the cut does not refer to a diamond’s shape.

• Clarity refers to any blemishes or inclusions that may be present within the diamond. Diamond clarity grades range from flawless (FL) to varying degrees of included (I1, I2 or I3). 

• Color is judged on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (a yellow hued diamond). Fancy color diamonds, such as pink diamonds, are given fancy-color grades. For white diamonds, the lower the letter rating typically means higher value. For colored diamonds, a more vibrant color typically means higher value.

Consider the Shape

The next thing to think about is the shape of the diamond. The shape is what gives the diamond its overall appearance. There are many different shapes to choose from, and the one you ultimately select is a matter of personal preference. Some of the most popular shapes include round, princess, emerald, pear and oval. 

Choose Your Setting

After you’ve selected the perfect diamond, it’s time to choose a setting. The setting is what will hold the diamond in place. There are many different types of settings to choose from, including prong, bezel, tension and pavé. Your jeweler can show you a range of settings so you can compare and determine your favorite. 

Consider Style and Occasion

When shopping for diamond jewelry it’s important to keep in mind the style of the person you’re shopping for as well as the occasion. Are you purchasing an engagement ring, a pair of earrings, a bracelet or a pendant? Is the piece for everyday wear or a special event? What is the recipient’s personal style? Do they prefer more simple pieces or pieces that are more intricate? If you’re not sure what they like, take a look at the pieces they wear often and see if you can narrow it down. Keep in mind, too, that it’s perfectly acceptable to bring your loved one with you when shopping for a piece of jewelry. After all, they will be the one wearing it and you want them to have something they’ll love forever.

Buy Certified

When shopping for diamond jewelry, be sure to only purchase certified diamonds. A certificate guarantees that the diamond has been evaluated by an expert and is graded according to the 4 C’s. A certificate also provides details on the diamond’s geographic origin. Not only does this help distinguish between a natural and lab-grown diamond, but it also gives proof that the diamond was mined in a conflict-free area. Buying a certified diamond assures that you’re getting exactly what you pay for.

Understand Your Budget

When shopping for diamonds, it’s important to have a budget in mind. With so many variables to consider, it’s easy to get caught up and spend more than you intended. By setting a budget ahead of time, you can narrow your search and focus on finding the perfect diamond jewelry within your price range.

A Note About Sizing

Thankfully, many pieces of diamond jewelry are one size fits all, including earrings, bracelets and necklace pendants. However, when it comes to diamond rings, it’s important to know the ring size of the recipient. For engagement rings, most women are between sizes 5 and 7, with 7 being the most common size found in jewelry stores. (The average ring size for men is 10.) If you don’t know the recipient’s ring size and you want the purchase to be a surprise, you can borrow a ring that the recipient currently wears and bring it to the International Diamond Center in Gainesville, FL, to determine the size. If the purchase isn’t a surprise, you can bring the recipient into the store with you for sizing. Additionally, many rings can easily be resized post-gifting. 

When shopping for diamond jewelry in Gainesville, look to IDC. The International Diamond Center is Gainesville, FL’s leading diamond destination, offering an extensive selection of engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets, earrings and more. The team of experts is passionate about helping customers find the perfect diamond jewelry to suit their style and budget. Visit IDC online or in store today to start shopping for your next diamond piece.