How To Buy A Diamond Guide

Once a budget is set, the buyer must determine which visual aspect of the diamond matters most to them. Because perfect diamonds are exceedingly rare and expensive, buying a diamond is an exercise in compromise. Most buyers must choose between maximising size (carat) or maximising sparkle and purity (cut and clarity). The 4 Cs: The Universal Grading Standard

Exhibit a visible yellow or brown tint.

Clarity assesses the presence of internal characteristics called "inclusions" and external characteristics called "blemishes." The scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I). Flawless/Internally Flawless. VVS1/VVS2: Very, Very Slightly Included. VS1/VS2: Very Slightly Included. SI1/SI2: Slightly Included. how to buy a diamond

Some laboratories are known for giving lenient grades (e.g., grading a diamond as a 'G' when it is actually an 'I'). Buying a GIA-certified stone ensures you get exactly what you pay for.

Diamond prices increase exponentially at full- and half-carat marks (e.g., 1.0ct, 1.5ct). Once a budget is set, the buyer must

These are the most trusted, strictest, and most consistent grading laboratories in the world.

Aim for an "eye-clean" diamond. Many VS2 and even SI1 diamonds have inclusions that are invisible without a microscope. Paying for a higher clarity grade that you cannot see with the naked eye is a common beginner mistake. 4. Carat (The Physical Weight) The 4 Cs: The Universal Grading Standard Exhibit

If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, light leaks out of the bottom or sides, leaving the stone looking dull or dark.