When it comes to purchasing diamonds online or at a physical store, most people are clueless about the things that they should look out for and how to protect themselves from making a bad purchase. You can’t really blame them.
The thing is, diamond buying is not a common day event in which you would regularly perform unless there’s a special occasion coming up.
I had been through the same experience and I can totally understand how it feels like to be spending money on a big purchase. Chances are, when you landed on this website, you are probably doing your own research or reading up on a good guide before you hit the stores.
And that’s what I am going to show you here.
To be a smart shopper, you need to know the essential elements that go into the process of selecting a good diamond and the critical pitfalls/scams to avoid. At the end of the day, if I had helped you achieved that, then I’m glad that the knowledge you had picked up here had accomplished its goal.
The majority of consumers have very little or no knowledge about diamonds and usually end up paying twice of what a gemstone is actually worth. Don’t you find it weird that people spend thousands of dollars on a purchase without knowing what makes it a good value?
High quality diamonds are never on sale. Forget about all the advertisement hypes that constantly scream 50%-75% off. If jewelers can sell top notch inventory for more, what do you think the reasons behind the “massive discounts” are?
Less than 10% of the diamonds in the market are cut for optimal light brilliance. Instead, the majority of them are cut to maximize the jeweler’s profit margin by retaining “dead weight”.
Buying based on the 4Cs isn’t enough. Most jewelers would simply repeat and regurgitate to you the same old information without telling you the real insights to choosing the perfect stone.
The fact that you are reading this right now will help you avoid making bad decisions.

Learn How to Shop Smart…
So, why is research and education required when shopping for diamonds? The truth is, there is a lot more to consider than simply looking at the price tags. There are a number of reasons why diamonds can be pricier or relatively cheaper. And these are the reasons that you need to understand if you want to make the best purchase within your budget.
In a nutshell, there are 4 different characteristics to look for when you are searching for a diamond, these are; Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Each of these features can greatly change the price and the technical qualities that the stone possesses. Truth be told, each of these characteristics requires deeper knowledge than what is usually told or shown to you by a sales assistant in a store.
In the section of essential diamond education on our website, I will show you how to take a deeper look at each individual feature and how you can use them to your advantage. With a combination of these factors, you will be able to make an educated and rational decision when looking at stones that you are interested in.

The cut is how well the diamond is able to both absorb and reflect light. The better the cut, the more sparkle the stone will have. Note: Cut does NOT refer to the shape of the stone.

The clarity refers to the amount of inclusions or imperfections that are present in the diamond. A stone with lesser or little flaws inspected under 10X receive a higher grade.

The color of a diamond is given based on a scale of D – Z, with D being totally colorless and Z being a noticeable yellow. In the market, the range of D-F is highly sought after.

The carat weight refers to a specific measurement of how heavy the diamond is. Note: By itself, carat weight is not an indication of the stone’s physical dimensions.
Due to its versatility and excellent light properties, the round brilliant is by far the most popular shape that is found in jewelry today. However, new cuts and shapes had been emerging over the years as the individual demands for fancy shapes increase.
If you are interested in getting a fancy shaped diamond, you need to understand that the selection processes for every different shape will not the same. For example, in an emerald cut, the presence of inclusions will be much more obvious due to lesser scintillation and brilliance of the step cut. Hence, in order not to compromise eye cleanliness, a higher clarity grade is usually preferred.
The point to take back is; the criteria for selecting different shapes will vary from one to another. If there is any particular shape that you are interested in, it is best to take some time to read and understand the characteristics associated with it.
Once you had equipped yourself with the necessary knowledge, you can shop with confidence from anywhere you would like to. The choice is up to you. However, if you would like to get better bang for your buck, my advice for you is to make your purchase online instead of buying from a local brick and mortar store.
For online stores, these are a few places that I highly recommend: James Allen (top choice for fancy cuts) & Brian Gavin (top choice for super ideal hearts and arrows). Apart from having a HUGE selection of diamonds, you will definitely be able to find a perfect stone for your needs and get a better deal. The rational is simple: You’ll find more listings online and avoid paying for expensive overheads that the physical stores pass on to you.

Dreamy 4 Prong Pave Proposal Ring
All in all, shopping for a diamond can be a very time consuming process and it does require you to put in some effort in educating yourself.
A good quality stone isn’t cheap and, it may take some time before the right gemstone comes along. By being clear on the 4C’s of diamonds, you will have a better idea of the types of stones that will suit your needs and budget best.
Remember, everyone has their own tastes. Some people may prefer stones that sparkle more while others might prefer diamonds that look bigger to the eyes. Some people might prefer a fancy shape or prefer stones that come with a warmer color. So, if you plan on buying a piece of jewelry for someone else, make sure you figure out what they like beforehand.
After all, diamonds are forever. When you make a purchase, you must make sure that it is the perfect stone that suits you. You (or your partner) won’t want to be stuck with something that you wouldn’t like to look at and end up with buyer’s remorse.
Lastly, if you need any advice on any questions that you have or would like to seek a second opinion on helping you choose a diamond; please feel free to leave me a message via email. I will usually answer your email within 24 hours.
All the best in your shopping experience!

paul [@] onlinediamondbuyingguide.com
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